Technology
WiPass™ real-time lane-level tolling relies on advanced technology providing high accuracy GPS positioning and high reliability wireless communication.
Origin is commercializing existing global positioning system (GPS) and communications technologies under an exclusive license from Rockwell Collins to serve Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) markets. Origin has also licensed map and map database technologies from Tele Atlas for these markets. WiPass™ leverages three primary technologies including:
- 1. High Accuracy and High Availability Positioning
- 2. High Reliability, Long-Range Wireless Communication
- 3. High Accuracy Digital Mapping
1. High Accuracy and High Availability Positioning
Origin’s WiPass™ system uses technology from Rockwell Collins for GPS-based geo-positioning with for high-reliability, high-integrity lane-level positioning. These geo-positioning technologies will provide sub-meter resolution in occluded urban environments through the use of differentiated pseudolite technology that is designed to overcome urban canyon effects that have plagued traditional GPS receivers. Positions are calculated in real-time allowing for live management of road assets by tolling authorities.
2. High Reliability, Long-Range Wireless Communication
Origin’s WiPass™ system uses Rockwell Collins wireless communications technology that delivers packets up to 100 times more reliably than competing (e.g. 802.11-based) technologies. This communication architecture will be optimized for high reliability communication with a large number of vehicles moving at highway speed. This means that vehicle position and billing information will not be compromised by data being lost between the vehicle and the network operations center. Alternative 802.11-based wireless technologies have questionable performance in highway environments because they have been optimized for low velocity, fixed operating environments.
Rockwell Collins’ wireless technology will also enable communication at long range. WiPass™ toll-tags can reliably exchange tolling information with a base station at up to 700 meters. An expanded wireless footprint enables Origin to deploy tolling systems at reduced cost relative to competing systems. A single WiPass™ base station can provide tolling capabilities equivalent to what is served by an entire RFID toll plaza today.
3. High Accuracy Digital Mapping
Origin develops and compiles high-accuracy digital maps through its licensing agreement with Tele Atlas. Tele Atlas mobile-mapping technology creates highly accurate lane-level digital maps of tolled roadways that are compiled using Tele Atlas technology into map databases suitable for real-time lane-level map matching.
VII-California
In 2006 Origin was competitively selected by the state of California to demonstrate its high accuracy GPS positioning and low latency communication technologies in the vehicle infrastructure integration (VII) California testbed. Working with Caltrans, Origin will demonstrate tolling and vehicle safety applications using WiPass™. Applications that will be demonstrated include curve overspeed warning, ramp metering, traveler information and electronic toll collection. Origin will work with participating car companies to demonstrate intersection collision warning using a WiPass™ integrated vehicle.