Post by Aurora40 on Dec 27, 2004 10:45:47 GMT -6
service.gm.com/gmtechlink/images/issues/oct03/TLOct03e.html#story7
OnStar Goes Digital
Beginning in the 2004 model year, OnStar will introduce the latest generation of hardware, Gen 6. This is the first OnStar hardware that supports CDMA and PCS digital cellular communication, along with AMPS, analog cellular.
Rollout Schedule
The Pontiac Aztek and Buick Rendezvous will receive Gen 6 by the fourth quarter of 2003. All full-sized trucks are scheduled by the first quarter of 2004. The remainder of the fleet will adopt Gen 6 throughout the 2004 and 2005 model years. Exact timing has not been finalized.
FCC Ruling Affecting U.S. Market
Recently, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ruled that, in the U.S., wireless carriers will no longer be required to support the analog wireless network after February 16, 2008. After that time, if U.S. carriers for OnStar elect to provide only digital service, OnStar service will be available only through dual-mode (analog/digital) hardware.
From the beginning, OnStar has relied on a nationwide analog wireless network to provide communication to and from OnStar-equipped vehicles. Today, the analog network continues to provide the most extensive coverage across the U.S. and Canada.
As of June 2003, all OnStar systems utilize analog-only hardware. However, the U.S. wireless carriers have begun to shift from analog to digital networks, and so will OnStar.
The Gen 6 OnStar system brings some new features, including:
- An enhanced voice recognition system, including continuous digit dialing, which can accept a phone number in a continous string as opposed to one digit at a time
- Quicker response to door unlocks
In digital markets, the module has a DRx standby mode. The module will stay awake 1 hour in a lower power mode following key off.
What You Need to Know About OnStar Hardware in GM Vehicles
TIP: When attempting to diagnose a vehicle with the Gen 6 OnStar module, refer to Service Information for the latest diagnostic information.
The OnStar-equipped vehicle has one of three types of hardware.
Analog-only: Most 2003 model year and earlier vehicles have analog-only hardware. The FCC ruling requires that U.S. wireless carriers provide reliable, nationwide analog service until February 2008. We do not anticipate that OnStar service will be affected in any way during the five-year transition period. However, if the carriers for OnStar elect to provide only digital service after that, then beginning Feb. 16, 2008, OnStar service will be available only through dual-mode (analog/digital) hardware.
Analog/Digital-Ready: Some 2003 and 2004 model year vehicles have analog/digital-ready hardware. These vehicles have been prepared for conversion to analog/digital (dual mode) hardware when it becomes available.
Analog/Digital (Dual-Mode): Some 2004 and future OnStar-equipped vehicles feature dual-mode (analog/digital) hardware, which will be unaffected by the FCC ruling.
OnStar will notify customers directly if they will be affected by this ruling, along with plans to accommodate customers who wish to continue as OnStar subscribers.
As OnStar hardware continues to change, keeping track of which vehicle has which OnStar hardware generation becomes more complicated. To determine which hardware generation is in a vehicle, you can use any of these tools:
- OnStar Window Label (current production vehicles forward)
- OnStar Hardware Generation Identification Quick Reference Guide (see Reference Guides tab at the top of this page)
- The accompanying what-to-do table (which assumes the OnStar system is operational)
What you do … If the system responds … Then the vehicle’s hardware is …
Step 1: Press the white-dot button
(If there is no white-dot button, the vehicle has an analog-only system.)
“Ready” Analog-Only
“No Response” Analog-Only
Step 1: Press the white-dot button
Step 2: Say “Help”
“OnStar Ready”
The system replies with up to 14 options, such as “Dial,” “Call,” “Directory,” and “Virtual Advisor.”
Analog/Digital-Ready
Step 1: Press the white-dot button
Step 2: Say “Help”
“OnStar Ready”
Along with other options, you hear one of these digital-specific options: “Advisor Playback,” “Digit Dial” or “Digit Store.”
Dual-Mode (Analog/Digital)
- Thanks to Dale Tripp
OnStar Goes Digital
Beginning in the 2004 model year, OnStar will introduce the latest generation of hardware, Gen 6. This is the first OnStar hardware that supports CDMA and PCS digital cellular communication, along with AMPS, analog cellular.
Rollout Schedule
The Pontiac Aztek and Buick Rendezvous will receive Gen 6 by the fourth quarter of 2003. All full-sized trucks are scheduled by the first quarter of 2004. The remainder of the fleet will adopt Gen 6 throughout the 2004 and 2005 model years. Exact timing has not been finalized.
FCC Ruling Affecting U.S. Market
Recently, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ruled that, in the U.S., wireless carriers will no longer be required to support the analog wireless network after February 16, 2008. After that time, if U.S. carriers for OnStar elect to provide only digital service, OnStar service will be available only through dual-mode (analog/digital) hardware.
From the beginning, OnStar has relied on a nationwide analog wireless network to provide communication to and from OnStar-equipped vehicles. Today, the analog network continues to provide the most extensive coverage across the U.S. and Canada.
As of June 2003, all OnStar systems utilize analog-only hardware. However, the U.S. wireless carriers have begun to shift from analog to digital networks, and so will OnStar.
The Gen 6 OnStar system brings some new features, including:
- An enhanced voice recognition system, including continuous digit dialing, which can accept a phone number in a continous string as opposed to one digit at a time
- Quicker response to door unlocks
In digital markets, the module has a DRx standby mode. The module will stay awake 1 hour in a lower power mode following key off.
What You Need to Know About OnStar Hardware in GM Vehicles
TIP: When attempting to diagnose a vehicle with the Gen 6 OnStar module, refer to Service Information for the latest diagnostic information.
The OnStar-equipped vehicle has one of three types of hardware.
Analog-only: Most 2003 model year and earlier vehicles have analog-only hardware. The FCC ruling requires that U.S. wireless carriers provide reliable, nationwide analog service until February 2008. We do not anticipate that OnStar service will be affected in any way during the five-year transition period. However, if the carriers for OnStar elect to provide only digital service after that, then beginning Feb. 16, 2008, OnStar service will be available only through dual-mode (analog/digital) hardware.
Analog/Digital-Ready: Some 2003 and 2004 model year vehicles have analog/digital-ready hardware. These vehicles have been prepared for conversion to analog/digital (dual mode) hardware when it becomes available.
Analog/Digital (Dual-Mode): Some 2004 and future OnStar-equipped vehicles feature dual-mode (analog/digital) hardware, which will be unaffected by the FCC ruling.
OnStar will notify customers directly if they will be affected by this ruling, along with plans to accommodate customers who wish to continue as OnStar subscribers.
As OnStar hardware continues to change, keeping track of which vehicle has which OnStar hardware generation becomes more complicated. To determine which hardware generation is in a vehicle, you can use any of these tools:
- OnStar Window Label (current production vehicles forward)
- OnStar Hardware Generation Identification Quick Reference Guide (see Reference Guides tab at the top of this page)
- The accompanying what-to-do table (which assumes the OnStar system is operational)
What you do … If the system responds … Then the vehicle’s hardware is …
Step 1: Press the white-dot button
(If there is no white-dot button, the vehicle has an analog-only system.)
“Ready” Analog-Only
“No Response” Analog-Only
Step 1: Press the white-dot button
Step 2: Say “Help”
“OnStar Ready”
The system replies with up to 14 options, such as “Dial,” “Call,” “Directory,” and “Virtual Advisor.”
Analog/Digital-Ready
Step 1: Press the white-dot button
Step 2: Say “Help”
“OnStar Ready”
Along with other options, you hear one of these digital-specific options: “Advisor Playback,” “Digit Dial” or “Digit Store.”
Dual-Mode (Analog/Digital)
- Thanks to Dale Tripp
