BlueBus: A fully integrated A2DP Bluetooth solution

[t3ddftw]

Hi, does anyone know how to upload the bootloader to the BlueBus, When I upload it with IPE default config it is not recognized by the BlueBus_Firmware_tool.exe

It's not possible, by design, to update the bootloader in field. What problem are you trying to fix?

You can burn the bootloader using a PICKit though.

Thanks!
-Ted

[jjanis]

Hi, does anyone know how to upload the bootloader to the BlueBus, When I upload it with IPE default config it is not recognized by the BlueBus_Firmware_tool.exe

[t3ddftw]

Socket the main module and produce daughterboards for SD/other ancillary support - this seems to me the clear choice.Grants SD support to those who are willing to pay the premium without impacting the majority of us who wouldn't utilize it. Understanding this is your number one feature request, why not make it your first add-on mod? You have a ton of demand for the current feature set today.




The E8x DSP Amplifier arrived today as expected, without the coax jack. Is this the one you bought from Mouser?

Thanks a lot for this idea! That actually opens up a way to solve all issues --
1. Support high quality SD Card audio by transferring it over (wired) I2S between the two units
2. Support the older BlueBus units by allowing audio transfer over Bluetooth (SBC, thus lower quality).

I would likely implement the add-on as its own encased unit with a short pigtail to either run to the BlueBus 2.0, or split the three pin power/bus connector on the 1.0.

Yep, that's the SMB jack! Digikey has it a bit cheaper: https://www.digikey.com.au/en/produc...146-75/1011994

I'm pretty sure the factory decided to wave solder the DSP PCBs, so there's already solder on that pad. I tried to wick it all up when I did the one unit, but ultimately it's just easier to blast it with 300C hot air while holding the SMB connector on the pad with some downward force to allow it to drop through the solder once its molten. Any Amazon cheapo hot air rework station works -- I've been using my $35 858D for at least three years now and it's still going strong.

Thanks!
-Ted

[Obergoose]

...so my wife actually suggested that I make an add-on module with an ESP32 and microSD card slot that will sit next to the BlueBus and stream your music files to the BlueBus. This means that I could bring microSD support to _all_ BlueBus units and I would also allow you to go through the directories using the HU so you can select your music files.

For those of you that want microSD card support, is this acceptable?

Socket the main module and produce daughterboards for SD/other ancillary support - this seems to me the clear choice.Grants SD support to those who are willing to pay the premium without impacting the majority of us who wouldn't utilize it. Understanding this is your number one feature request, why not make it your first add-on mod? You have a ton of demand for the current feature set today.

They also don't all come with the digital input connector as it was phased out, but I can and have retrofit it onto this style amp successfully (literally just soldered on an Amphenol brand connector from Mouser).

The E8x DSP Amplifier arrived today as expected, without the coax jack. Is this the one you bought from Mouser?

[Mattn1192]

I barely listen to music when I’m in the E46. But when I get this Bluetooth capability, that will change..

[t3ddftw]

I stare at the calendar everyday waiting for October to come lol

The scary (but good) thing is that time flies

[Mattn1192]

I stare at the calendar everyday waiting for October to come lol

[t3ddftw]

Hey guys,

It doesn't look like the ESP32 is going to work out. It does most of what I need it to, but on the calling side of things I can't get the software echo cancellation to work, and even then it's reported to be pretty poor. That means I would have to source and use a DSP to perform the software echo cancellation, and all the ones that would work are A: Expensive ($6+/unit at scale), B: impossible to buy in smaller quantities, and C: Not in stock for the next span of time.

I'm leaning towards the BM83 from Microchip, as it's still way cheaper than the BC127 I used before, and it has all the same bells and whistles (including a built-in DSP with acoustic echo cancellation).

That leads me to my current conundrum: microSD Card support. The BM83 does nothing to support it, so my wife actually suggested that I make an add-on module with an ESP32 and microSD card slot that will sit next to the BlueBus and stream your music files to the BlueBus. This means that I could bring microSD support to _all_ BlueBus units and I would also allow you to go through the directories using the HU so you can select your music files.

For those of you that want microSD card support, is this acceptable? The alternative would be a Rube Goldberg-esq setup where the BlueBus has an ESP32 and a BM83 but the ESP32 is only used for microSD support. This would increase the cost and complexity of the BlueBus, but you'd get negligibly better audio quality since the files wouldn't be transmitted over Bluetooth. Of course, it would only work for 2.x+ boards.

If you're wondering why I don't use an MP3 decoder, it's because they're $6.50/unit @ 250 units minimum -- no thanks.

Thanks!
-Ted

[Obergoose]

Bubba, here's a chart of P/Ns to reference if you're trying to source this amp. Data is derived from RealOEM.com and my notes about which units don't have coax is only an assumption based on the fact BMW still sells 2 versions of this unit - 304 & 102.

E83 (X3) & E85 (Z4) Models	Begin	End	Note
65126923900	9/2/2002	7/5/2002
65126930046	9/2/2002	9/24/2002
65126936087	2/20/2003	5/27/2003
65126932417	2/20/2003	2/5/2007
65126936952	4/25/2003	8/22/2003
65126938189	9/1/2003	9/29/2004
65126946727	3/1/2004	4/1/2005
65126963304	3/18/2005
65126974231	9/1/2005	5/11/2011	No Coax
65129125751	3/31/2006	6/23/2007	No Coax
65129138102	9/18/2007		No Coax

65129138102			Models used in...
		2010 X3	xDrive30i
		2009 X3	xDrive30i
		2008 X3	3.0si
		2007 X3	3.0si
		2008 Z4	Coupe 3.0si, M Coupe, M Roadster, Roadster 3.0i, Roadster 3.0si
		2007 Z4	Coupe 3.0si, M Coupe, M Roadster, Roadster 3.0i, Roadster 3.0si
		2006 Z4	Coupe 3.0si, M Coupe, M Roadster, Roadster 3.0i, Roadster 3.0si
65126963304
		2006 X3	3.0i
		2005 X3	2.5i, 3.0i
		2004 X3	2.5i, 3.0i
		2004 Z4	2.5i, 3.0i
		2003 Z4	2.5i, 3.0i
		2005 Z4	2.5i, 3.0i

[BubbaTree]

Brian,

Your research skills are impeccable! My Touring received the gift of Navigation (along with H/K with BavSound speakers) recently, but I haven't buttoned it all back up to post about it

Anyways, I toyed with this idea and I think I have a better solution for you -- the E8x "DSP Amplifier" (Top HiFi) is a similar form factor to the E46s and it uses exactly the same harness connector, which should eliminate the need to re-wire the system, you just have to re-wire the connector.

E8x DSP:
Pin assignments at plug connector X10266

1	A	Signal, rear left speaker -	Subwoofer, left
2	A	Signal, rear left speaker +	Subwoofer, left
3	A	Signal, front left woofer -	Woofer, front left
4	A	Signal, front left woofer +	Woofer, front left
5	E	Terminal 30	Fuse F102
6	--	Not used
7	--	Not used
8	--	Not used
9	E	Signal, AF radio, front right +	Radio
10	A	Aerial switching signal	Aerial diversity
11	A	Signal, front right tweeter +	Tweeter, front right
12	A	Signal, front right tweeter -	Tweeter, front right
13	A	Signal, rear right mid-range speaker +	Mid-range speaker, rear right
14	--	Not used
15	--	Not used
16	--	Not used
17	E	Signal, AF radio, front right -	Radio
18	E/A	K-bus signal	K-bus connector
19	--	Not used
20	--	Not used
21	A	Signal, rear right mid-range speaker -	Mid-range speaker, rear right
22	A	Signal, front right woofer -	Woofer, front right
23	A	Signal, front right woofer +	Woofer, front right
24	A	Signal, rear right speaker -	Subwoofer, right
25	A	Signal, rear right speaker +	Subwoofer, right
26	M	Ground	Ground point
27	--	Not used
28	E	Mute	Cellular telephone
29	E	Signal, telephone AF +	Cellular telephone
30	E	Signal, AF radio, front left -	Radio
31	A	Signal, rear left mid-range speaker +	Mid-range speaker, rear left
32	A	Signal, rear left mid-range speaker -	Mid-range speaker, rear left
33	A	Signal, front left tweeter +	Tweeter, front left
34	A	Signal, front left tweeter -	Tweeter, front left
35	--	Not used
36	--	Not used
37	E	Signal, terminal 50 via vehicle immoblizer	Cellular telephone
38	E	Signal, terminal 50 via vehicle immoblizer	Radio
39	A	Signal, front left mid-range speaker -	Mid-range speaker, front left
40	A	Signal, front left mid-range speaker +	Mid-range speaker, front left
41	A	Signal, front right mid-range speaker -	Mid-range speaker, front right
42	A	Signal, front right mid-range speaker +	Mid-range speaker, front right

E46 HiFi (Non HK and HK):
Pin assignments at plug connector X605

1	A	Signal, rear left speaker -	Left rear speaker
2	A	Signal, rear left speaker +	Left rear speaker
3	A	Signal, front left woofer -	Front left speaker
4	A	Signal, front left woofer +	Front left speaker
5	E	Terminal 30	Fuse F41
6	A	Positive activation, subwoofer	Subwoofer box
7	A	Signal, subwoofer switched	Subwoofer box
8	E	Signal, AF radio, rear right +	Radio control unit
9	E	Signal, AF radio, front right +	Radio control unit
10	A	Aerial switching signal	Radio control unit
11	A	Signal, front right tweeter +	Mid-range speaker/tweeter, right
12	A	Signal, front right tweeter -	Mid-range speaker/tweeter, right
13	A	Signal, rear right tweeter +	Right rear high range speaker
14	A	Negative activation, subwoofer	Subwoofer box
15	E	Signal Spatial sound	Switch center
16	E	Signal, AF radio, rear right -	Radio control unit
17	E	Signal, AF radio, front right -	Radio control unit
18	--	Not used
19	A	Speedometer (A) output signal	Subwoofer box
20	E	Speedometer (A) output signal	Instrument cluster control unit
21	A	Signal, rear right tweeter -	Right rear high range speaker
22	A	Signal, front right woofer -	Front right speaker
23	A	Signal, front right woofer +	Front right speaker
24	A	Signal, rear right speaker -	Right rear speaker
25	A	Signal, rear right speaker +	Right rear speaker
26	M	Ground	Ground point
27	--	Not used
28	--	Not used
29	E	Signal, AF radio, rear left -	Radio control unit
30	E	Signal, AF radio, front left -	Radio control unit
31	A	Signal, rear left tweeter +	Left rear high range speaker
32	A	Signal, rear left tweeter -	Left rear high range speaker
33	A	Signal, front left tweeter +	Mid-range speaker/tweeter, left
34	A	Signal, front left tweeter -	Mid-range speaker/tweeter, left
35	--	Not used
36	--	Not used
37	E	Signal, AF radio, rear left +	Radio control unit
38	E	Signal, AF radio, front left +	Radio control unit
39	A	Signal, front left mid-range speaker -	Mid-range speaker/tweeter, left
40	A	Signal, front left mid-range speaker +	Mid-range speaker/tweeter, left
41	A	Signal, front right mid-range speaker -	Mid-range speaker/tweeter, right
42	A	Signal, front right mid-range speaker +	Mid-range speaker/tweeter, right

Thanks!
-Ted

Guys, I don't understand the first thing about this technical stuff ... But I want one for my '03 'vert!!
Thanks for keeping BlueBus alive and growing!

[Obergoose]

The price of these amps on eBay is what made me give up on the idea. They also don't all come with the digital input connector as it was phased out, but I can and have retrofit it onto this style amp successfully (literally just soldered on an Amphenol brand connector from Mouser). I will also add that the quality difference from digital to analog on these amps is less dramatic than with the older variant of the DSP amplifier which tells me that they improved the ADCs in the amplifier. Finding appropriately sized speakers that match the impedance and output power expected is probably the most difficult part of this retrofit.

The Siemens CID radios are indeed more reliable, but I've found them to be more stringent about what they let you do, at least on the BlueBus side of things. Users on the Zroadster Forum (German-based Z Fourm) found out the hard way that these radios don't allow you to change the volume while on a phone call, unlike the BM5x radios. I've temporarily worked around this limitation, but it's going to take some more work to make it right.

Speaking of prepping the misses, you're right about the Touring -- I'm very close to sourcing a full M3 drivetrain for it, as my replacement to my beloved M3. The M3 is on stands waiting for a welder to come around and slap my CMP plates in, and then it'll be for sale -- unfortunately a Coupe is difficult to use when you have three infant children.




I've sold/shipped over 1800 units in the past year and a half -- WOLFN8TR just got in on the batch that I started in late January and shipped in late June.

Thanks!
-Ted

Good copy on the coax connector. I just ordered this amp. Good to know about the volume issues with the CID. I'll watch for this and report my results. As you've been so generous as to keep the project open sourced, I'll see about making some commits to bugfix these sorts of things as time allows.

Best of luck with that swap, not that you'll need it with your skillset. That sounds like a massive undertaking but you're absolutely right about coupes and kids... those extra doors really take the hassle out of swapping car seats.

[VisorM3]

I've sold/shipped over 1800 units in the past year and a half -- WOLFN8TR just got in on the batch that I started in late January and shipped in late June.

Thanks!
-Ted

Awesome! Well I'm on the list, can't wait!

[t3ddftw]

Good stuff! I'd wager that as soon as you've got that wagon put back together, it'll be apart again

Excellent tip on this model amp! I'm sourcing now... looks like these are a fair bit rarer than others. Apparently, many Z4 owners had theirs ruined by rainwater (poor trunk design) so will need to watch for this on the used market.

Analysis on these units is light but so far not seeing anything that would disqualify this for use in the E46. All in all, I think this'll work.

Commonalities to H/K amp:

• Same 2-pin connector ✓
• 10+2 speaker system ✓
• Similar dimensions ✓

Benefits over the H/K amp:

• Two, built-in, high power (30v) output stages for the sub amplifier (vs. the auxiliary unit for 6x9s)
• True 10-channel
• THX certified (for whatever that's worth)
• DSP

Drawbacks:

• AMP is EQ'd for entirely different vehicles
• Speaker impedances likely different (TBD)
• Finding correct spec aftermarket speakers that actually fit an E46

In an effort to avert the reliability issues with the BM53 Becker radios that came standard in E46 nav cars, I also have the SiemensVDO CD-82 CID unit which came equipped in the same vehicles as your recommended amp. This unit has some additional features which may or may not work including:

• HD radio (via built in IBOC module)
• A buffering circuit (which blends FM/AM radio changes)
• RDS data improvements

Better prep the misses for a few more project weekends . More to come...

The price of these amps on eBay is what made me give up on the idea. They also don't all come with the digital input connector as it was phased out, but I can and have retrofit it onto this style amp successfully (literally just soldered on an Amphenol brand connector from Mouser). I will also add that the quality difference from digital to analog on these amps is less dramatic than with the older variant of the DSP amplifier which tells me that they improved the ADCs in the amplifier. Finding appropriately sized speakers that match the impedance and output power expected is probably the most difficult part of this retrofit.

The Siemens CID radios are indeed more reliable, but I've found them to be more stringent about what they let you do, at least on the BlueBus side of things. Users on the Zroadster Forum (German-based Z Fourm) found out the hard way that these radios don't allow you to change the volume while on a phone call, unlike the BM5x radios. I've temporarily worked around this limitation, but it's going to take some more work to make it right.

Speaking of prepping the misses, you're right about the Touring -- I'm very close to sourcing a full M3 drivetrain for it, as my replacement to my beloved M3. The M3 is on stands waiting for a welder to come around and slap my CMP plates in, and then it'll be for sale -- unfortunately a Coupe is difficult to use when you have three infant children.

How did you get it? I thought they were backordered until October

I've sold/shipped over 1800 units in the past year and a half -- WOLFN8TR just got in on the batch that I started in late January and shipped in late June.

Thanks!
-Ted

[VisorM3]

Add me to the BlueBus crew. Works great, love it! Thanks again Ted for everything! 😎

How did you get it? I thought they were backordered until October

[Obergoose]

Brian,

Your research skills are impeccable! My Touring received the gift of Navigation (along with H/K with BavSound speakers) recently, but I haven't buttoned it all back up to post about it

Anyways, I toyed with this idea and I think I have a better solution for you -- the E8x "DSP Amplifier" (Top HiFi) is a similar form factor to the E46s and it uses exactly the same harness connector, which should eliminate the need to re-wire the system, you just have to re-wire the connector.

Good stuff! I'd wager that as soon as you've got that wagon put back together, it'll be apart again

Excellent tip on this model amp! I'm sourcing now... looks like these are a fair bit rarer than others. Apparently, many Z4 owners had theirs ruined by rainwater (poor trunk design) so will need to watch for this on the used market.

Analysis on these units is light but so far not seeing anything that would disqualify this for use in the E46. All in all, I think this'll work.

Commonalities to H/K amp:

• Same 42-pin connector ✓
• 10+2 speaker system ✓
• Similar dimensions ✓

Benefits over the H/K amp:

• Two, built-in, high power (30v) output stages for the sub amplifier (vs. the auxiliary unit for 6x9s)
• True 10-channel
• THX certified (for whatever that's worth)
• DSP

Drawbacks:

• AMP is EQ'd for entirely different vehicles
• Speaker impedances likely different (TBD)
• Finding correct spec aftermarket speakers that actually fit an E46

In an effort to avert the reliability issues with the BM53 Becker radios that came standard in E46 nav cars, I also have the SiemensVDO CD-82 CID unit which came equipped in the same vehicles as your recommended amp. This unit has some additional features which may or may not work including:

• HD radio (via built in IBOC module)
• A buffering circuit (which blends FM/AM radio changes)
• RDS data improvements

Better prep the misses for a few more project weekends . More to come...