Feature Automotive Special
omputers have now become commonplace. In-vehicle enter- tainment is a classic example: in the dim and distant past, an ana- logue car radio was an optional extra. The basic AM radio was followed by eight track stereos, cassette radios, FM radio CD players, DAB radio and CD players. Now, computer-based info- tainment consoles in executive vehi- cles offer radio, TV, DVD players, GPS, reversing cameras and more. For example, dash cam video recording is becoming increasingly popular: with the rise of staged accidents, a video record is available to negate fraudulent claims for rear end shunt accidents. To provide all services in a single unit in a vehicle, a fully featured PC with 3.5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS capability embedded has to be installed. By combining wire-free Internet access with powerful comput- ing capability, existing and emerging needs can be satisfied through a single integrated unit fitted in the dashboard. At first sight it is a relatively simple task to embed a PC in a vehicle, but the electrical and environmental operating environments do present challenges. A simple computer powered by a 12-volt input PSU will appear to work well but how is it switched on and off? Without cranking delay, ignition con- trol and switch off timers there is a very real likelihood of a flat battery. No one will remember to power down the PC before turning off the vehicle with the ignition key, so to avoid closing an operating application prematurely, the unit would need some form of UPS to initiate a shut-
Executive optional extras C
David Harding, Product Manager at BVM explores the virtues of a fully featured touchscreen PC in your car dashboard and how this is shaping the driver experience
down when the ignition is switched off and the power input removed. Similarly, the unit would be required to boot automatically when the power is restored. The notional voltage of a car system is 12 volts but when the alternator is charging the battery this is 13.8 volts; worst still, fast rising high transient voltages will be present, albeit for short periods, so a PSU specifically designed for in- vehicle operation is essential for easy operation and long-term reliability. The environment in which the com- puter must operate is also unforgiving. In summer sun the inside of a vehicle can reach 60
0 C, while overnight in
winter, temperatures can fall as low as -20
0
C. Once the vehicle has been run- ning for a little while, the temperature will be more temperate, but, whatever the ambient environment, the hard- ware will be expected to operate immediately and reliably.
Probably the least tolerant system component is the disc drive; even solid-state discs can be adversely affected by temperature extremes. BVM's OB100/200 family of mobile computers have been developed in the UK to address this emerging need. They are full industrial strength com-
Location and connectivity triumvirate
SiRFstarIV architecture GPS device, optimised to address the more demanding needs of the auto industry has been developed by CSR plc. The CSR8311 is an advanced Bluetooth HCI device that delivers Bluetooth low energy and Wideband Speech (HD voice) capabilities to the automotive market. The new SiRFstarIV GSD4e-9500 GPS engine, together with the CSR8311 Bluetooth and CSR6000 – Wi-Fi connectivity devices, provide automotive Tier 1 suppliers and OEMs with a comprehensive, auto-qualified location and connectivity triumvirate of high-–
A
performance platform solutions. This covers a variety of in-dash navigation and telematics applications in cars and trucks around the world. The new device offers SiRFstarIV location benefits to the automotive market, including active jammer –removal technology and support for SiRFInstantFix client- and server-generated extended ephemeris. CSR
www.csr.com
Enter 208 18
BVM's OB100/200 family of mobile computers are full industrial strength computers housed in a rugged small form factor metal enclosure
puters housed in a rugged small form factor metal enclosure and need only an external vehicle power source and ignition control. They integrate several different technologies, accept inputs from a range of sources, store and process the data and act as a communi- cations hub.
Mated with a resistive or capacitive touch screen display and HMI soft- ware that features a menu screen with big, easy to locate buttons, the unit provides a clear unambiguous inter- face for safe operation, minimising distraction for the driver. The HMI also accepts voice commands and feedback control.
Internet is an essential feature. Wi- Fi is a good interface but connection areas are very restricted, so the more viable option for true mobile use is 3G. UK designed and manufactured, all versions of the family support multi- ple 3 and 3.5G WAN protocols: HSUPA, 3G offering up to 5.7Mbit/s; HSDPS 3.5G up to 14.4Mbit/s and UMTS 3.5G with a theoretical 45Mbit/s download bandwidth. Wi-Fi, conforming to the 802.11b/g/n specifi- cations, offering 11, 54 and 600Mbit/s raw data rates and Bluetooth short- range connectivity are built in, as is embedded GPS capability. Wired Ethernet and wireless capability with both active and passive antennas sup- port and embedded video and high definition audio are also standard. The units act as a music and video
server, either accessing radio services via the internet or playing CDs or DVDs. The single unit replaces sepa- rate portable computers, phones, sat- navs, the car radio and DVD player, stores the images from a dash cam and interfaces with reversing cameras - and is also an industrial strength com- puter running whatever applications the user wishes to install.
An alternative, optimised for the professional fleet operator and driver, is the iKARPC which is an 8 inch touchscreen PanelPC running Windows XP Embedded.
The Fleet Management application, which, includes the back office server facilities, is ideal for both long haul and short drop fleet operators, enabling them to monitor up to 79 vehicle variables via a CAN bus inter- face with the vehicle management sys- tems. It locates and tracks the vehicle, plans routes and manages job data. BVM
www.bvm.co.uk Enter 209
JULY 2011 Electronics
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