Nav TV ZEN-A2B User manual

DSP12A-A2B
Ford A²B®to 12-channel Analog & Digital sound processor
NTV-KIT889
3950 NW 120th Ave, Coral Springs, FL 33065 TEL [phone] FAX [phone]
A²B®is a registered trademark of Analog Devices Inc.

A²B® is a registered trademark of Analog Devices Inc.
BHM
11/01/18
NTV-DOC320
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ZEN-A2B Interface
NTV-ASY274
ZEN RCA Harness
NTV-HAR315
NOTE: All vehicles require SYNC3, this
interface only applies to vehicles equipped
with A²B® (B&O or Revel Amplifiers)
The ZEN-A2B processor seamlessly converts 2018+ Ford factory A²B® (Automotive Audio Bus) to 12-channel
analog RCA and TOSLink output. Adding aftermarket amplifiers to the OE B&O or Revel amplified SYNC3
system has never been so simple and seamless. This kit integrates with the OEM A²B® bus to retain volume
control, full fade and balance (analog only), treble, mid-range, bass control & Bluetooth voice calls with no
external speaker (true OEM integration). NOTE: 2018 vehicles not equipped with a factory B&O or Revel
amplified system are not equipped with A²B®and do not require this interface.
DSP12A-A2B overview
DSP12A-A2B Compatibility (SYNC3)
Overview
Kit Content
Year(s)
Make
Model
NOTE:
2017+
Ford
F150, Escape, Raptor
With B&O
2018+
Ford
Expedition
With B&O
ZEN-A2B Harness
NTV-HAR325
USB Cable (updates)
NTV-CAB009
A²B® Input
USB (updates)
Analog RCA outputs
WARNING: Due to the complexity and sensitivity of the OEM Ford A²B®, the ZEN-A2B must be
used with amplifiers that are grounded directly to the battery. The resistance to (true battery)
ground of the Amplifier(s) must not exceed 1 ohm, otherwise you will likely experience
performance issues or damage the ZEN-A2B.
DIP switches
Status LED
--NOT USED--
Power/CAN
TOSLink output

A²B® is a registered trademark of Analog Devices Inc.
BHM
11/01/18
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Wire Side
(HAR325)
*If installing more than one amplifier/DSP, a relay must be used for reliable turn-on (ZEN remote output: 500mA max).
*Remote wire note: the (blue) remote wire will output 12v as soon as CAN wakes (door opens, etc).
DSP12A-A2B Installation
1. For ZEN-A2B installations, the factory amplifier must be removed and the ZEN-A2B can be installed into
its place. If this vehicle is not amplified from factory then this interface is not needed.
2. After locating the factory amplifier, disconnect it entirely as it will no longer be in use. With the vehicle
off, connect the provided ZEN-A2B harness to the (previously removed) OEM amplifier connectors
(gray & black). Below is a pin out chart (just for reference):
3. Connect the OEM A²B® (USB)
connector removed from the OEM
amplifier to the A2B IN port on the
ZEN-A2B.
4. Connect the blue wire (PIN 2) to the remote input on the amplifier*.
5. For ZEN modules with 3.0.12 firmware and up (units built past 09/16/18), the
dip switches are no longer used. Use the ZEN online configuration tool to
adjust tone levels, fader, etc. See pages 7-8 for more information on this tool.
Open a browser and type in zen.local/. Connect via the USB to adjust desired
settings
6. If using analog RCAs for signal to the amplifier, connect according to the reference chart below.
WARNING: Do not connect RCA cables to this interface until all amplifiers/external processors are
properly grounded. Failure to do this may cause damage to the interface and VOID the warranty!
RCA
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Channel
Left
Front
Right
Front
Left
Front
Right
Front
Left
Front
Right
Front
Left Rear
Door
Right Rear
Door
Left Rear
Center
Right Rear
Center
Center
Sub
7. If using TOSLink for signal to the amplifier, connect the cable to the TOSLink port shown on page 2.
NOTE: both Analog and Digital output sound simultaneously, regardless of which type is used.
DSP12A-A2B General Installation Notes
•Tuning tips:
1. Before beginning tuning process (especially with external EQ/Processors), set Bass & Treble on
the head unit for each source to flat (0).
2. Begin with amplifier/EQ gains all the way down.
3. With dynamic music playing, adjust the radio volume to maximum.
4. Adjust the amplifier/EQ gains to desired maximum level.
Pin #
Description
Color
1
Ground (-)
Black
2
Remote Output
Blue
5
CAN HI
Violet/White
6
Constant 12v (+)
Yellow
10
CAN LO
Violet

A²B® is a registered trademark of Analog Devices Inc.
BHM
11/01/18
NTV-DOC320
4 | P a g e
Multi-Color LED Status Indication
LED Status
Indication
Solid Red
A²B Active
Solid Green
CAN Active
Green + Red (yellow)
A²B + CAN Active
Blue/Violet/White
Amp command
Blinking Red
Clipping (beyond maximum digital signal level achieved)
Blinking Blue
PC Link via USB (updates)
OEM Ford B&O amplifier connector pin out
Pin #
Description
Color
1
CAN HI
Green/Blue
4
Center Channel (-)
Gray/Yellow
5
Subwoofer COIL 1 (-)
Gray
6
Right Front Door (-)
White/Orange
7
Left Front Door (-)
White/Brown
8
Right Rear Door (-)
Brown/Blue
9
Subwoofer COIL 2 (-)
Yellow
10
Left Rear Door (-)
Brown/Yellow
11
CAN LO
White/Green
14
Center Channel (+)
Green
15
Subwoofer COIL 1 (+)
Green/Violet
16
Right Front Door (+)
White/Violet
17
Left Front Door (+)
White
18
Right Rear Door (+)
Brown/White
19
Subwoofer COIL 2 (+)
Violet/Orange
20
Left Rear Door (+)
White/Green
Pin #
Description
Color
1
Ground (-)
Black/Violet
2
--Not Used--
--
3
--Not Used--
Brown
4
Constant 12v (+)
Brown/Red
5
Ground (-)
Black/Violet
6
--Not Used--
--
7
--Not Used--
--
8
Constant 12v (+)
Brown/Red
Pin Side View
1
11
20
10
Pin Side View
1
5
8
4

A²B® is a registered trademark of Analog Devices Inc.
BHM
11/01/18
NTV-DOC320
5 | P a g e
For ZEN-A2B installations, the
factory amplifier MUST be
removed or disconnected.
DSP12A-A2B System Layout (analog)

A²B® is a registered trademark of Analog Devices Inc.
BHM
11/01/18
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For ZEN-A2B installations,
the factory amplifier MUST
be removed or disconnected.
DSP12A-A2B System Layout (digital TOSLink)

A²B® is a registered trademark of Analog Devices Inc.
BHM
11/01/18
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Use the LINK button to
simultaneously adjust all
the levels (for front & front
center, or rear). Select, then
adjust the slider to suit.
Use the UNLINK button to
separately adjust each
channel level. Select, then
adjust the slider to suit.
ZEN configuration: Analog Outputs (online tool)
To access the ZEN online configuration tool, first connect the provided USB cable to the ZEN module, and to
the PC. Open an internet browser and navigate to zen.local/ (forward slash must be present). Wait for the
configuration page to load. Adjust settings as required for the installation.
Notification Mix channels
will play audio normally
until a notification tone is
received/active, at which
time the audio will
attenuate and the tone will
be output on that channel.
Adjust output level to suit.
Notification tone example:
NAV turn prompts, certain
CarPlay notifiers, etc
NOTEs:
•Default values for the ZEN module are shown below (Tones Mix on ALL: 20%, Phone Mix on front only: 100%)
•If the ZEN module is still connected to the vehicle while configuring via the web-tool, a door chime will be
generated and repeated 4 times upon adjustment. To test Notification Mix volume level, go to SETTINGS,
BLUETOOTH, then select ‘Add a Bluetooth Device’. Selecting this emits an audible OEM message which can
be adjusted via the mix slider.
Strip Audio sends only door chimes/ safety alerts out on that RCA channel (removes all
music). If music must play through the channel, you must use Tones Mix. Adjust tone
output level to suit. NOTE: this setting CANNOT be used simultaneously with ‘Tones Mix’.
Tones Mix channels will
play audio normally until a
door chime or other safety
alert is requested, at which
time the tone will be heard
along with the audio on
that channel. Adjust tone
output level to suit.

A²B® is a registered trademark of Analog Devices Inc.
BHM
11/01/18
NTV-DOC320
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ZEN Configuration: Digital Output (online tool continued)
Since the digital TOSLink is a single stereo output, advanced adjustments are limited.
Once complete, select SAVE to store the settings in the ZEN module.
ZEN Configuration: GLOBAL Adjustments (online tool continued)
•Adjust global Output Level (attenuation) to desired level.
•Adjust Loudness Off or On.
•Adjust global Phone Gain if required.
Once complete, select SAVE to store the settings in the ZEN module.
Phone Gain is only required if, after
maximum (or minimum) volume for Phone
Mix is set, the volume is still not loud
enough (or soft enough). This setting can
be used for both TOSLink or Analog.
Loudness: Choose OFF or ON. When on, all
frequencies are very slightly boosted until
50% volume is reached.
For Digital TOSLink output, Tones and
Chimes will mimic factory output on the front
and rear channels. Adjust output level to suit.

A²B® is a registered trademark of Analog Devices Inc.
BHM
11/01/18
NTV-DOC320
9 | P a g e
DSP12A-A2B Time Alignment (Analog only)
•The DSP12A-A2B features a built-in time alignment feature that can be activated on-the-fly, through an
OEM menu setting. To activate the (driver) time alignment, go to Settings, Sound Settings, then choose
Sound Mode. Choose Surround to use driver time alignment.
ZEN Updates
Updating the DSP12A-
A2B interface is
performed using the
provided USB cable and
an internet-connected
PC. Connect the USB
cable from the ZEN
module to the PC, and
with an internet browser
go to navtvdevice.com.
Once there, let the page
load and find the module.
The unit will update
automatically to the
latest software (be
patient). If required, you
may roll back to a
previous software
version as well.
Roll back to earlier SW
No Time Alignment
Driver Time Alignment

A²B® is a registered trademark of Analog Devices Inc.
BHM
11/01/18
NTV-DOC320
10 | P a g e
DSP12A-A2B Technical Specifications
Hardware & Software
Current HW version:
-- 3r0 --
Current SW version:
3.0.21 (website updater only)
Compatible SW (update) OS:
Windows 7 (64 bit), 8, 10
INPUT
Digital Input
A²B Twisted Pair
OUTPUT
Digital Outputs:
TOSLink
Digital Outputs supported:
24bit/48kHz
Frequency Response (digital):
18Hz –24kHz
Analog Outputs:
12 channels (RCA)
Output Voltage Peak:
6v
Output Voltage RMS:
2.1v
Analog Output Type:
Single-Ended
S/N Ratio (analog):
114dB
Frequency Response (analog):
18Hz –24kHz
THD+N @ -1dBFS
-94dB
DAC
48kHz 32bit
DSP
32bit Floating Point
Delay (Time Alignment)
Selectable
Power Supply
Current Consumption Stand-by
<1 mA
Current Consumption Operational
350 mA MAX
Operational Voltage
7V –20V DC
Amp Turn-On Output
Automatic
Amp Turn-On Voltage
V-batt
Amp Turn-On Current Limitation
500mA
Other
Dimensions:
4”x5”x1 3/8”
Weight:
10 oz
Country of Origin:
USA

A²B® is a registered trademark of Analog Devices Inc.
BHM
11/01/18
NTV-DOC320
11 | P a g e
Notes
•With A²B, if the power or (A2B) is ever removed from the ZEN module, the vehicle will require a CAN reset once
or twice to regain normal OEM functionality (chimes, etc). CAN-reset procedure:
1. Turning off ignition
2. Close all doors
3. Let the vehicle ‘go to sleep’ for ~10 minutes (without touching it)
4. Return and test
•VITAL: For installations with this ZEN processor, make certain that any added amplifier’s ground resistance
(reference vehicle battery ground) does not exceed 1 ohm.
•If you’ve installed a third-party DSP (receiving signal from the ZEN, before the amplifier) and you’re having issues
with audio bleeding from one channel to another, echoing Bluetooth phone calls or any other signal processing
issues, rule out the ZEN first by temporarily bypassing the third-party DSP and running signal directly from the
ZEN to the amplifier(s) and verify the problem still exists before calling technical support.