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Communication From Car To Car - DLR Brings Mobile Communications Network Into Operation
Cologne, Germany (SPX) Apr 14, 2008 A new mobile communications network between vehicles (car-to-car, or C2C for short) has been brought into operation at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) Oberpfaffenhofen site. Scientists are using it to find out to what extent specially-equipped vehicles can 'inform' each other of their relative positions, state, and the traffic situation. The aim is totally new applications, leading to increased road safety and traffic-flow efficiency. Information about the new technology and the DLR transport research programme will be presented from 14 - 17 April 2008 at an exhibition held at DLR in Cologne. The possibilities offered by communication from car to car range from calculating the optimum driving speed in a zone with favourably-synchronised traffic lights, through co-operative driver-assistance systems, to management of a complex process such as co-ordinated convoy driving. The 'C2x' communications technology (the x refers either to car-to-car communications or car-to-infrastructure, as appropriate), which DLR helped to develop, is an evolution of the WLAN communications technology, often used in private households. The new technology aims to open up the benefits of these communications networks for vehicles and ultimately lead to a self-organising network between vehicles and either other vehicles, or traffic infrastructure such as traffic lights.
Transport research network In this way, it is possible to warn a driver of a potentially dangerous situation, such as the end of a tail-back around the next bend or a vehicle approaching from a hidden side road. Another example is where vehicles on the road register a drop in the ambient temperature below freezing point: rain detected by a sensor on the windscreen wipers will then be interpreted as a warning of ice. Other control functions the DLR experts are working on include adaptive cruise control (ACC). The subject of C2x is part of the DLR transport research programme relating to motorist assistance. That includes not just communications and navigation know-how, but also expertise on traffic behaviour and traffic flows. In doing this, DLR is making a contribution to European traffic research projects, aiming not least to investigate the scalability of the new technology, so that it becomes possible to make claims about compatibility, reliability and user acceptance. At the same time, the possibility of using the technology for the benefit of traffic flows is being explored. Related Links German Aerospace Center (DLR) Space Technology News - Applications and Research
Ball Aerospace GFO Satellite Begins Eleventh Year On Orbit
Boulder CO (SPX) Apr 10, 2008The Ball Aerospace and Technologies operational altimeter satellite, GEOSAT Follow-On (GFO), has achieved 10 years of successful on orbit operation, providing continuous worldwide oceanographic data for ships at sea and the Navy's shore-based facilities. |
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