Combi-Module Could Bring Tolling to All Roads

03 Sep 2008

Siemens Mobility and NXP Semiconductors have developed a new technology enabling counties and municipalities to charge tolls on every highway.

The electronics module with greater range than the RFID systems used on major highway in the US today combines global positioning satellite (GPS) technology with the popular GSM (global system for mobile communications) cell phone standard and near-field communications (NFC) security technology.

According to NXP Semiconductors' business manager Jeroen Alting von Geusau, building toll gates is a huge investment and it only covers the main roads. "Using GPS and GSM in a system like this, you could cover all the small roads and the big roads, too. That's why people find it so interesting."

A chip and basic software provided by NXP combine all the functions for toll collection, such as GPS, NFC and GPRS (general packet radio service). Interfaces for flexible telematics applications, such as traffic information, will be provided on the automotive-grade, single-chip platform. Siemens will develop the on-board unit (OBU), integrating NXP's single chip and software.

"You could provide traffic information and road tolling, and you could combine it with existing (aftermarket) navigation systems," Alting von Geusau says. "With this, you get a total telematics system that could perform all kinds of functions."