The Embedded Designers VMS (Vehicle Monitoring System)

Functional description

The main function of the VMS is to record the geographical position of moving vehicles and present this information in a comprehensible user interface.

This user interface presents information as a collection of routes and parts of routes on a digital map, and can define so-called “hot spots” on this map. These spots have properties such as name and size, and are used to translate route information into well defined routes.

In addition to position more information is recorded and presented. This includes velocity, a date/timestamp, direction and several additional types of information, depending on the application.

Example 1:
A service engineer has some component stock in his car. Whenever he uses parts from his stock, he will scan these parts with a bar code reader. This information is combined with date/time and exact location and can be used to bill a customer or notify the home-base that new supply is needed.

Example 2:
Public transportation, where an exact record is made of all bus-stops, including time of day and duration of a stop. In addition the VMS can store the number of persons that entered or left the bus, so bus companies can get a very detailed overview of the use of the busses.

Example 3:
A sales representative needs to record which trips are for his work, which are home-office and which are private. He also needs to keep an agenda of which customers he visited when and for how long. All of this is easily retrieved by a suitable VMS presentation module.

Depending on the version of VMS- hardware this information is available at real time, the same day, or after a few weeks.

Technical description:

VMS is built out of two main subsystems.

  1. Presentation software that decodes and filters the huge amount of coordinates and extra info into a readable output (Maps, tables, graphs), and exports more or less detailed overviews of this data. (VMS-Presentation)
  2. A small box inside the vehicle which has a GPS antenna and capability to store or transmit data to an (internet)server (VMS-Hardware)
VMS-Presentation software versions:

At this moment 3 versions of VMS presentation software are under development.

  1. VMS PT 1.01 Beta release of presentation software for public transportation. This version is developed for and released to a customer and contains most of the desired functionality.
  2. VMS FM 0.01 Version suitable for fleet management, including stock support and alarm functions.
  3. VMS PS 0.01 Version suitable for personal use. It supports almost automatic separation of driven kilometers into private, home-office and business use.
The presentation software will be continuously upgraded with additional functionality that is desired/defined by our customers. Information is imported by reading a data-file or by connecting to an internet or network server.

A special windows tool plus serial cable reads information from VMS hardware and writes it to a file suitable for import by the presentation software. It must run on a (portable) PC with at least 1 comport.

VMS-Hardware versions:

At the moment there are three major versions of VMS-Hardware

  1. VMS-Flash-V3.0
    A system that is based on storage into (flash)memory. Depending on the amount of memory and the desired accuracy of the logged information, this memory has to be read out by connecting a cable between the VMS-module and a laptop to download the data at regular intervals. (every day/week/month)
  2. VMS-SR-V1.0
    A system that is based on a short range radio link. (433MHz).
    During the day information is stored into a memory buffer, and whenever the vehicle is parked in range of an active base station the module connects and downloads the data to the base-station. The normal range is about 150 meters maximum. The base station is a regular Windows-PC with a dedicated radio module connected.
  3. VMS-GPRS-V1.0
    A system that is based on GPRS communication.
    The module has an online connection with an internet server. It continuously transmits its data to this server, and all data is available real-time. Depending type of GPRS-contract this will work wherever GSM/GPRS network services are available. In case a connection is temporarily lost the data is buffered inside the module and resent later.
  Advantages Disadvantages
VMS-Flash Relatively low-cost

Data can not be intercepted by anyone except someone with physical access to the device.

No internet connection or server needed. Stand alone.

It takes physical access to read out the memory.

If not read out in time, data gets lost.

It takes a laptop and some time to read out the memory.
VMS-SR No physical contact needed,

Little chance on loosing data because of memory overflow. (providing an active basestation is in range regularly)

Reading can be done automatically.

Invisible mounting inside vehicle

Not real time,

Vehicle has to stop for some time near a base station at regular intervals.

Requires a PC that acts as base station.

VMS-GPRS Data is real time available on the server. (live tracking)

Works all over Europe and does not need any attention of an operator.

Online stock management (requires a bar code reader)

Possibility for SMS type messages in both directions (almost) for free.

Possibility for alarm-functions, moving at guarded time slots or opening doors outside valid hot-spots will trigger an alarm (by SMS to a arbitrary GSM)

Higher monthly cost due to GPRS contract and server maintenance.

Module interfaces:

  • Supply voltage must be a continuous DC voltage between 9 and 30 Volts.
  • Supply current in low power mode <20mA
  • Supply current in operation <2A@12V (depending on version)
  • Bar code reader (optional)
  • People counter (optional)
  • Digital inputs (interior lighting, open doors, switches)
  • GPS antenna (must “see” the sky, so no metal in front of it.
  • GSM/GPRS or 433MHz antenna (optional)
  • PC-link (based on RS232)
  • Terminal link (LCD display/keyboard)
Stored information:

  • Geographical position, speed, heading, time, date (GPS)
  • Engine start
  • Opening and closing of up to 4 connected event switches
  • Detection of up to 4 switched voltages like interior lighting.
  • Output codes of a barcode reader
  • Output of a people-counting device
  • Battery voltage
Some screenshots of VMS PT 1.01:

Prices will be quoted per project and are based on :

  • Requested additional functionality in presentation software.
  • The type of hardware (flash/gprs)
  • GPRS service level (if applicable)
  • Internet service level (if applicable)
  • The memory size.
  • World market price of GPRS-modems and GPS antennas
  • Volume !
For a real quote, please contact us.

Jean Pierre Hoefnagel
Embedded Designers
01/08/2003.


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Laatste verandering: 04/04/2004