Partner News: NXP and Siemens develop GPS/GSM-based toll system for cars

Date: 16 June 2008

ERTICO Partners NXP and Siemens Mobility have reached an agreement to technically collaborate with each other in order to develop NXP’s new ATOP (Automotive Telematics On Board Unit Platform) into the 'single chip on-board unit' system based on GPS and GSM. Once it is ready for the market, it is intended for use in private vehicles. ATOP can be used simply and cost-effectively as it exploits existing GPS/GSM mobile networks. It is not necessary to install expensive infrastructure such as toll stations. Drivers can install the on-board unit for private cars in just a few minutes. The system is secure and facilitates easy toll collection. Commercial use is planned for the first half of 2010.   

NXP will supply a chip and basic software which combines all the functions for toll collection such as GPS (Global Positioning System), GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) and NFC (Near Field Communication) modules. Interfaces for flexible telematics applications such as additional traffic information, including the Smart X high-safety application, will be provided on a single-chip platform, which is fully automotive-grade. Siemens is to develop the on-board unit (OBU) and integrate the single chip and software from NXP.  

The previous toll system from Siemens Mobility will thus be considerably improved on in terms of the range of functions. 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 which is fitted with a radio chip (RFID) and is attached to the windscreen. It communicates with the on-board unit in order to ensure that the OBU is actually present in the vehicle and is being operated in accordance with the use for which it is intended.  The RFID vignette can also be used for other applications such as parking space management. 

The current fee for car journeys can be displayed by the OBU at all times. The police or authorized monitoring bodies can carry out a check at any time to make sure the driver is using the system in the way for which it is intended, enabling easy enforcement. For this purpose, a portable device will be provided which uses near field communication technology (NFC) in order to read out information from the vignette on the windscreen.

Further information on intelligent traffic systems from Siemens Mobility at http://www.siemens.de/traffic.