|
NXP Semiconductors and Siemens Mobility plan to collaborate by developing an Automotive Telematics On-Board Unit Platform (ATOP) for automatic toll road collection in passenger cars. The new system, scheduled for release in 2010, considers consumer privacy.
The two companies will base the system on single chip technology that incorporates GPS and GSM cores, along with radio frequency identification (RFID) and near field communications (NFC) technologies.
Several technologies that comprise the device will allow consumers to pre-determine the price of the journey. The distance traveled and the time of day chosen for the trip are the main factors, but the type of vehicle and fuel consumption or CO2 emissions are also possible references.
Toll charges are invoiced monthly, but to ensure privacy consumers can purchase a prepaid card instead. The card ensures that no details of the driver or the route are disclosed.
NXP will supply a chip and basic software that combines all the functions for toll collection such as GPS, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), and NFC modules. Interfaces for flexible telematics applications, such as additional traffic information like Smart X high-safety application, are provided on a single-chip platform, too. Siemens will develop the on-board unit and integrate the single chip and software from NXP.
The ATOP-based on-board unit receives GPS satellite signals and uses GSM-based standard radio technology for transmitting data to the central system for toll calculation. The system also includes a non-removable adhesive vignette embedded with a RFID chip that attaches to the windscreen. It communicates with the on-board unit to ensure it is present and operating in the vehicle.
The toll device does not require readers or gates on the highway to monitor tolls, but rather the technology sends the signal through GPS and GSM. Since the device connects with the GPS technology it knows that the driver sits five miles before a traffic jam and provides an alert. It gives the driver time to take an alternate route or pull over to get coffee before running into trouble.
The device could deliver a coupon for a free cup to the driver's cellular phone, according to Jeroen Altinj Von Geusau, business manager at NXP Semiconductors, Netherlands. "Technically it's possible, but it depends on the service provider and if the government allows it," he says.
It's not clear whether the government or private business becomes the service provider, but "it is clear the government in the Netherlands wants to introduce road pricing throughout the whole country," Altinj Von Geusau says.
|
