Third-generation modular
infotainment matrix
eSelf Study Program 970893

Audi Technical Training

Audi of America, LLC
Service Training
Created in the U.S.A.
Created 2/2021
Course Number 970893
©2020 Audi of America, LLC
All rights reserved. Information contained in this manual is based on the
latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the
copyright and other intellectual property rights of Audi of America, LLC.,
its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make
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All requests for permission to copy and redistribute information should be
referred to Audi of America, LLC.
Always check Technical Bulletins and the latest electronic service repair
literature for information that may supersede any information included in
this booklet.

The eSelf-Study Program (eSSP) teaches a basic understanding of the design and mode of
operation of new models, new automotive components or new technologies.

Note

It is not a Workshop Manual. Any figures given here are for explanatory purposes only and refer
to the data valid at the time of writing.

Reference

Content is not updated.
It is essential that you refer to the latest technical literature when carrying out maintenance and
repair work.
In the glossary at the end of this self-study program you will find an explanation of all terms
which are shown in italics and indicated by an arrow ↗.
Release Date: March 2021 V3

2

Contents
Introduction
4
4
5

Introduction
Versions of the modular infotainment matrix
MIB3 versions

Hardware
Control unit 1 for information electronics J794
Radio tuners
Sound
MMI display
Operating unit
DVD player R7

10
11
19
24
27
28

Emergency call module control unit and communication unit
J949
Introduction
J949 in the connectivity box version
J949 in the OCU version
antenna connections on MLB and MQB vehicles

30
30
33
34

Networking
Introduction
MIB3 topology in the Audi A4 (type 8W)
MIB3 topology in the Audi A3 (type 8Y)
Image transmission

35
35
36
36

Audi Connect (depending on country)
Audi Connect infotainment and vehicle-specific services
Privacy mode 2.0
Personalization 2.0

37
38
39

Offer concepts for MIB3
Introduction
Offer concept
Offer concept
Offer concept
Offer concept
Offer concept
Offer concept
Offer concept
Offer concept

for the
for the
for the
for the
for the
for the
for the
for the

Audi
Audi
Audi
Audi
Audi
Audi
Audi
Audi

A3 (type 8Y) from model year 2021 onwards
A4/A5 (type 8W/F5) from model year 2020 onwards
A6/A7 (type 4A/4K) in model year 2021
A8 (type 4N) in model year 2021
Q3 (type F3) in model year 2021
Q5 (type FY) in model year 2021
Q7/Q8 (type 4M) in model year 2021
e-tron (type GE) in model year 2021

Knowledge Assessment

40
40
42
43
45
46
47
48
49
50

3

Introduction
Introduction
Three years after the launch of the MIB2+ in the Audi A8 (type 4N), Audi has brought the third generation of the modular
infotainment matrix onto the market.
While the customer may only notice small changes, the system actually represents a significant conceptual advancement. Hardly any
of the control units for the infotainment system are the same as in the previous version; with newly externalized functions, new
transmission methods and much more, the MIB3 is a new construct, which you will explore in this self-study program. You will find
an introductory overview of the different generations of the modular infotainment matrix, as well as the plan for initial
implementation of the MIB3 in the Audi range and the underlying offer concepts.
You will learn about the similarities and differences to the previous MIB generations and, with the help of the AR application
“MIB3: Antenna connections on MLB and MQB vehicles,” you can take a deep dive into the details of the antenna infrastructure of
vehicles constructed on the modular longitudinal matrix or modular transverse matrix platform. All this and much more is
contained in this eSelf-Study Program.

Versions of the modular infotainment matrix
With the MIB3, Audi has introduced the fourth level of the modular infotainment matrix. In the following illustration, only pictures
of the High versions of the various MIB generations are shown in order to provide a general overview of all the generations.
MIB1

MIB2

MIB2+

MIB3

Fitted in1:
A3 (type 8V)

A6 (type 4A,
after product
upgrade)

TT (type FV)
R8 (type 4S)

A3 (type 8V,
after product
upgrade)

A6 (type 4A)

Q3 (type F3)

A7 (type 4K)

A4 (type 8W)

A8 (type 4N)

A5 (type F5)

Q7 (type 4M)

Q5 (type FY)

Q8 (type 4M)

A4/A5 (type
8W/F5, after
product upgrade
A3 (type 8Y)
From model year
2021 onwards:
A6 (type 4A)A)

E-tron (type GE)

A7 (type 4K)
A8 (type 4N)
Q7 (type 4M)
Q8 (type 4M)
E-tron (type GE)
Sometime during
model year 2021:
Q3 (type F3)

1Current

status at time of publishing
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MIB generations and the versions used by Audi
MIB1

MIB2

MIB2+

MIB3

Standard

Standard

Basic

High

High

Entry
Entry plus
Standard

Scale
High

High

Premium

4

Reference
For more information on the individual MIB generations, please refer to SSP 970143, "Audi Modular Infotainment
Platform (MIB) SSP 970763, "Audi Second-generation Modular Infotainment System SSP 990293, "The 2019
Audi A8 Infotainment and Audi connect Systems" and SSP 990893, "Audi Q3 (type F3)."

MIB3 versions
The third generation of the modular infotainment matrix was introduced in 2019 in the product upgrade of the Audi A4 (type 8W).
In order to be able to equip all model ranges with the MIB3, three different versions are used at Audi:
>
>
>

MIB3 Basic
MIB3 High
MIB3 Premium

The main distinguishing features of the three versions and their differences are explained below.

MIB3 Basic
Control unit 1 for information electronics J794 in the MIB3 Basic version can be easily distinguished from the other two versions by
the absence of the LVDS connection to control unit in dash panel insert J285.

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As of the time of writing, the Basic version is only fitted in modular transverse matrix (MQB) vehicles.
Depending on the country version and vehicle equipment, the features of the MIB Basic include:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

1
2
3

Radio with phase diversity and FM dual tuner (very high frequency), AM tuner (medium frequency) and SiriusXM®
Satellite Radio (QV3)
Internal audio amplifier with up to 180 W
Bluetooth interface for 1x HFP and A2DP
Speech dialog system (basic version)
Display output with 1280 x 720 pixels for the MMI touch display
Audi music interface 2x USB socket[1]
Audi smartphone interface with 2x USB socket[2]
Audi phone box (9ZE) - for some countries Audi phone box light (9ZV), only for wireless charging
Bang & Olufsen Premium Sound System with 3D Sound with up to 755 W[3] (combined output of J794 and J525)

Depending on the model and model year, either 1x USB-A and 1x USB-C or 2x USB-C may be fitted.
Depending on the model and model year, either 1x USB-A and 1x USB-C or 2x USB-C may be fitted.
The value given here represents the maximum possible total output for the system. The total output that is actually available in a given model
depends on the configuration of the sound system in question.

5

J794 on MIB3 Basic in an MQB vehicle

Bluetooth antenna

679_076

6

MIB3 High and Premium
Control unit 1 for information electronics J794 on the MIB3 High and MIB3 Premium can be recognized by its white connector
(LVDS to control unit in dash panel insert J285).

679_077

The MIB3 High and MIB3 Premium differ from one another primarily in their software and the other hardware components
in J794 itself.
Depending on the country version and vehicle equipment, the MIB3 High and Premium have features including:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

Radio with phase diversity and FM dual tuner (very high frequency), AM tuner (medium frequency) and SiriusXM® Satellite
Radio (QV3)
3D navigation with data on SSD with 3D city models
Navigation with online routing (for some countries)
Audi Connect infotainment services (IT3/IT4) with three-year licence period
Wi-Fi hotspot with a bit rate of up to 150 Mbit/s
Internal audio amplifier with up to 180 W
Speech dialog system
One display output with 1520 x 720 pixels for MMI touch display (only for 10.1” display), or one display output for both touch
displays with 1280 x 720 and 1280 x 660 pixels (for 8.8” display and 8.6” display) or one display output with 1520 x 720 and
1280 x 660 pixels (for 10.1” display and 8.6” display)
Display output with 1440 x 540 pixels for Audi virtual cockpit plus, 12.3” (9S9)
Audi music interface with 2x USB socket[4]
Audi smartphone interface with 2x USB socket[5]
Bluetooth interface[6] for 2x HFP, A2DP and MAP
Audi phone box (9ZE)[7] or, for some countries, Audi phone box light, only for wireless charging (9ZV)[8]
Bang & Olufsen Premium Sound System with 3D Sound with up to 755 W[9] (combined output of J794 and J525)
Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System with 3D Sound with up to 1920 W[10] (total output of J794 and J525)
Vehicle-specific services (IW3)

4

Depending on the model and model year, either 1x USB-A and 1x USB-C or 2x USB-C may be fitted. For example, the Audi A3 (type 8Y) was
fitted with 1x USB-A and 1x USB-C when it was launched; this was later changed to 2x USB-C.

5

Depending on the model and model year, either 1x USB-A and 1x USB-C or 2x USB-C may be fitted. For example, the Audi A3 (type 8Y) was
fitted with 1x USB-A and 1x USB-C when it was launched; this was later changed to 2x USB-C.
The Bluetooth interface offers 2x HFP only in combination with the Audi phone box; without the Audi phone box, only 1x HFP is supported.
The Bluetooth interface offers 2x HFP only in combination with the Audi phone box; without the Audi phone box, only 1x HFP is supported.
The Bluetooth interface offers 2x HFP only in combination with the Audi phone box; without the Audi phone box, only 1x HFP is supported.
The value given here is the maximum possible total output for the system. The total output that is actually available in a given model depends on
how the sound system is configured.

6
7
8
9
10

The value given here is the maximum possible total output for the system. The total output that is actually available in a given model depends on
how the sound system is configured.

7

J794 on MIB3 High in an MLB vehicle

LVDS to Control unit in dash panel insert J2851)

679_078

8

J794 on MIB3 High in an MQB vehicle

680_087

Bluetooth antenna

Wi-Fi antenna

9

Hardware
Control unit 1 for information electronics J794
Control unit 1 for information electronics J794 on the MIB3 High can be distinguished from the one on the previous version, the
MIB2+ High, by the fact that it is no longer fitted with a mobile network module. On the MIB3, the mobile network module (now
the only one in use) is integrated in emergency call module control unit and communication unit J949. All Audi connect services
now run via the embedded SIM card in J949. In addition, the SD card reader and SIM card reader are no longer fitted in the
MIB3. Two USB connections are provided so that customers are still able to play audio or video files.
A MOST bus connection is fitted on some models only in connection with the following optional equipment:
>
>
>

TV tuner
Audi virtual cockpit
Head-up display

Different hardware versions of J794 may be fitted depending on the model and platform (MQB or MLB).
The following illustration shows the entire range of possible connections from the different versions of J794 used by Audi; it does
not represent any real control unit.
Schematic overview of connections for all MIB3 control units

Radio antennas

679_021

Although users will only notice small differences in comparison to the MIB2+, the hardware setup is fundamentally different. The
following section provides a few key points on this subject.

Antennas
One distinguishing feature of the MIB3 is that there is no GPS antenna connected to J794. In this system, emergency call module
control unit and communication unit J949 is used as a GPS receiver as well as a mobile network receiver. All of the mobile network
antennas are connected to J949, which transmits the mobile network data via Ethernet to J794.
If the J794 in question is fitted in an MLB vehicle, the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth antennas are also connected to J949. On MQB vehicles,
on the other hand, the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth antennas are connected to J794. As a general rule, only the radio antennas are still
connected to control unit 1 for information electronics J794 on MLB vehicles.

Navigation
Just as on the previous versions, control unit 1 for information electronics J794 on the MIB3 calculates the location shown on the
navigation system. Unlike on the previous versions, J794 no longer determines the GPS position itself, but rather receives this in
formation from emergency call module control unit and communication unit J949. To determine the location, it also receives additional data from the vehicle sensors, e.g. gyroscope data. All other navigation functions, such as route calculation, are still carried
out by J794.

10

J794 receives the following data:
>
>

The vehicle sensor data via the infotainment CAN bus on all platforms (MLB, MQB)
The GPS position via Ethernet from J949 on all platforms (MLB, MQB)

In addition, the MIB3 receives the satellite map data from HERE[11].
The Audi connect service online traffic information[12] is also available on the MIB3 to provide optimized route calculation and display
the current traffic data.

Telephone functions
Beginning with the MIB3, there is no longer the option to make calls directly via the MMI, i.e. using a SIM card inserted in the vehicle
or via the Bluetooth profile SAP (SIM Access Profile). However, it is still possible to connect a smartphone via HFP (hands free profile)
and make calls using the hands-free system.
If the MIB3 High system is fitted in a vehicle with the optional Audi phone box, two smartphones can be connected to the MMI at the
same time and used for making calls.
Note
The MIB3 is fundamentally based on the MIB2+; this eSelf-Study Program therefore focuses primarily on the changes
that have been made.

Radio tuners
Implementation
New radio tuners have been introduced with the MIB3. One of the main differences is that the radio antennas can no longer be
allocated definitively; instead, they are used for various radio signals as required.
All of the radio functions are carried out in control unit 1 for information electronics J794. Diagnosis is therefore performed using
address word 005F – information electronics 1.
Note
As the data module in emergency call module control unit and communication unit J949 is used to receive online
stations, it is important that it be included when investigating related problems or complaints.

Radio tuners for MIB3 Basic
The radio module of control unit 1 for information electronics J794 is fitted with three tuners that can be used simultaneously. The
schematic layout of the radio module is shown below.

Radio menu on MIB3 Basic

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11
12

HERE is a provider of geolocation data; in 2015, the company was taken over by a group of automobile manufacturers, among them AUDI AG.
This requires a valid Audi connect license.

11

Schematic layout showing a European (ECE) radio tuner as an example
Tuner 1 is a universal tuner; it can carry out each of the following three reception types:
>
>
>

FM audio for phase diversity
AM audio
DAB audio with station list (Not for NAR region)

The FM1/AM antenna and the DAB antenna are connected to the universal tuner. The tuner switches to the required antenna
depending on the desired reception type.
Tuner 2 is a dedicated FM audio receiver and always transmits the audio signals to the FM phase diversity. It acts as a single tuner if
tuner 1 is not currently transmitting FM audio. Tuner 2 is connected to the FM2 antenna.
In FM operation, the signals from tuner 1 and tuner 2 are combined via the FM phase diversity in order to achieve better reception.
Tuner 3 is designed for FM Radio Data Signals (RDS) reception and does not provide FM audio reception. It is connected to the FM2
antenna and updates the FM radio station list automatically.
Note
DAB is only available in certain countries. U.S. market uses SiriusXM® Satellite Radio.

Reference
For more information on RDS, please refer to page 53 of SSP 997703, "The 2008 Audi A5/S5 Vehicle Introduction."