Alpine AI-NET Serial Interface

**bwebster** · 02-19-2004, 11:39 PM

Has anybody tried using the AI-NET feature to interface with a computer? I was thinking there might be a way to fab a AI-NET to serial cable, then write a custom serial driver to pass commands from the AI-NET bus to the computer.

With a system like this, the computer could 'act' like a cd changer. Thus, the 'next cd' could browse to the next album and so on.

**greenglo** · 02-20-2004, 12:57 AM

I noticed this article on a version of the ipod that will work with Alpine decks.
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,1433411,00.asp

**phreakness** · 02-20-2004, 03:51 PM

I've tried a million times.
http://www.carsound.com/UBB/ultimate...=022355#000001

**greenglo** · 02-21-2004, 01:48 PM

Could you grab a signal from the cd changer?

**pRoFiT** · 04-23-2005, 06:10 PM

Has anyone tried to rip apart an alpine cd changer with AI-net. Maybe there is a simple way to remove the ai-net circuit and connect to lpt port or rs232. Even if you needed a microcontroller, it might be easier then trying to completely emulate the AI-net. I dont know.....just an idea. Ive been trying to figure out how to do this for a coupe days now.

I would like to put a scope on the ai-net and see if I could emulate it. I just dont want to hassel with pulling my alpine from my car and digging my changer out of the closet and hooking them up. Maybe im lasy....no...im lasy

Maybe ill rip my changer apart and look at what chips it uses. Probably a dsp of fpga controller. Then all you would have to do is rip the firmware off of it. and use that to program new chips

. im rambling, cya. And good luck to anyone that comes up with a better solution.

**kevinlekiller** · 04-23-2005, 07:29 PM

I dont know if this can exactly help you but this is for M-Bus, wich I think is older:
LINK

Here is the Kenwood CDC to serial schematic, if you observe closely, the same type of ic is used: Atmega-8
LINK

Here is A similar site to the first but for AI-Net:
LINK

Here is the Pioneer IP-Bus to serial wich if you observe the schematic uses AtMega-8 ic.
LINK

So this must mean almost every cdc protocol are similar, its just you need to know what the pinouts on the connector do. Than you need to know wich commands you need to sen to the radio to innitiate and change songs and things. (Im not a pro, I just read a little on this subject.)

This site has most of the information I Just supplied to you:
LINK

Hope this helps you

**schreibers** · 04-24-2005, 08:01 AM

Yeah i've been curious with the popularity of car computers if perhaps Alpine would put out a newer version of their PXA-H900 software which would allow for functions like this and an USB/Serial to AI-Net adapter.

Since my current h/u is connected optically volume control has to be through the processor. Be nice to control that via a touchscreen monitor (or a programable input device tooked to the computer) rather than who big ole remote but still have to use the h/u for players controls (which will be relocated shortly).