ViLDAR - Visible Light Sensing Based Speed Estimation using Vehicle's Headlamps

The introduction of light emitting diodes (LED) in automotive exterior lighting systems provides opportunities to develop viable alternatives to conventional communication and sensing technologies. Most of the advanced driver-assist and autonomous vehicle technologies are based on Radio Detection and Ranging (RADAR) or Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) systems that use radio frequency or laser signals, respectively. While reliable and real-time information on vehicle speeds is critical for traffic operations management and autonomous vehicles safety, RADAR or LiDAR systems have some deficiencies especially in curved road scenarios where the incidence angle is rapidly varying. In this paper, we propose a novel speed estimation system so-called the Visible Light Detection and Ranging (ViLDAR) that builds upon sensing visible light variation of the vehicle's headlamp. We determine the accuracy of the proposed speed estimator in straight and curved road scenarios. We further present how the algorithm design parameters and the channel noise level affect the speed estimation accuracy. For wide incidence angles, the simulation results show that the ViLDAR outperforms RADAR/LiDAR systems in both straight and curved road scenarios. A provisional patent (US#62/541,913) has been obtained for this work

REALISASI PROTOTYPE SMARTCAR MENGGUNAKAN SISTEM VISIBLE LIGHT COMMUNICATION

Perkembangan teknologi yang sangat pesat pada era globalisasi ini sangat diperlukan penerapannya pada alat transportasi, untuk mengatasi berbagai permasalahan yang terjadi di jalan raya seperti kecelakaan yang diakibatkan oleh masalah mekanis kendaraan tersebut atau meningkatnya volume kendaraan secara cepat terutama kendaraan pribadi. Salah satu teknologi yang dikembangkan saat ini yaitu smartcar menggunakan vlc, Smart cars adalah kendaraan roda empat yang memiliki kemampuan pengaturan kondisi internal otomatis, mampu berkomunikasi dengan kendaraan lainnya serta lingkungan sekitarnya. Pada proyek akhir ini telah dilakukan penilitian terkait penerapan teknologi berbasis VLC (Visible Light Communication) sebagai media komunikasi antar Prototype smartcar. Sumber data yang dikirimkan yaitu data kecepatan mobil belakang yang dikirimkan ke mobil depan dengan menggunakan variasi jarak dan sudut yang berbeda serta halangan asap, data kecepatan kendaraan yang berasal dari sensor HC-020K. Data kecepatan yang dikirimkan oleh mobil belakang berfungsi sebagai informasi untuk mobil depan agar dapat mengurangi kecepatan atau menambah kecepatan supaya tidak terjadi tabrakan, atau informasi tersebut digunakan untuk pengemudi mobil depan agar lebih siap untuk mengambil tindakan sesuai dengan data kecepatan yang diterima. Dari hasil pengujian pengiriman data kecepatan yang telah dilakukan menunjukkan bahwa sistem 100% sesuai dengan data yang diterima . Jarak maksimal pengiriman data adalah 95 cm dan sudut 20° dengan menggunakan tambahan lensa pada receiver. sedangkan jarak maksimal pengiriman data tanpa menggunakan tambahan lensa yaitu 30 cm dan sudut 45°

Vehicle Sensing and Communications using LED Headlights to Enhance the Performance of Intelligent Transportation Systems: Proof of Concept, Implementation, and Applications

This project investigates the use of vehicle light-emitting diode (LED) headlamp devices for improving the accuracy and reliability of traffic (sensing and communication) data measurements required for developing effective intelligent transportation systems (ITS) technologies and solutions. Vehicular communication and sensing technologies are mainly based on conventional radio frequency (RF) or laser technologies. These systems suffer from several issues such as RF interference and poor performance in scenarios where the incidence angle between the speed detector and the vehicle is rapidly varying. Introducing a new sensing technology will add diversity to these systems and enhance the reliability of the real-time data. In this project, we proposed and investigated a novel speed estimation sensing system named “Visible Light Detection and Ranging (ViLDAR)” (patent pending). ViLDAR utilizes visible light-sensing technology to measure the variation of the vehicle’s headlamp light intensity to estimate the vehicle speed. Similarly, visible light sensing technology is used for data communication purposes, where the vehicle headlamp is utilized for wireless data transmission purposes. This project outlines the ViLDAR system simulations, implementation including hardware and software components, experimental evaluation in both laboratory and outdoor environments. The experimental measurement settings of the ViLDAR experiments are detailed. Encouraging results for both sensing and communication scenarios are obtained. The outcome of this proof-of-concept study both in the laboratory and outdoor validates the merit of the proposed technology in speed estimation (sensing) and data communication. The outcomes of this project will inspire a wide and diverse range of researchers, scientists and practitioners from the ITS community to explore this new and exciting technology. This project built initial steps in exploring this new sensing and communication modality using vehicle headlamps, leaving open a wide field for exploration and novel research

Vehicle Sensing and Communications using LED Headlights to Enhance the Performance of Intelligent Transportation Systems: Proof of Concept, Implementation, and Applications

This project investigates the use of vehicle light-emitting diode (LED) headlamp devices for improving the accuracy and reliability of traffic (sensing and communication) data measurements required for developing effective intelligent transportation systems (ITS) technologies and solutions. Vehicular communication and sensing technologies are mainly based on conventional radio frequency (RF) or laser technologies. These systems suffer from several issues such as RF interference and poor performance in scenarios where the incidence angle between the speed detector and the vehicle is rapidly varying. Introducing a new sensing technology will add diversity to these systems and enhance the reliability of the real-time data. In this project, we proposed and investigated a novel speed estimation sensing system named “Visible Light Detection and Ranging (ViLDAR)” (patent pending). ViLDAR utilizes visible light-sensing technology to measure the variation of the vehicle’s headlamp light intensity to estimate the vehicle speed. Similarly, visible light sensing technology is used for data communication purposes, where the vehicle headlamp is utilized for wireless data transmission purposes. This project outlines the ViLDAR system simulations, implementation including hardware and software components, experimental evaluation in both laboratory and outdoor environments. The experimental measurement settings of the ViLDAR experiments are detailed. Encouraging results for both sensing and communication scenarios are obtained. The outcome of this proof-of-concept study both in the laboratory and outdoor validates the merit of the proposed technology in speed estimation (sensing) and data communication. The outcomes of this project will inspire a wide and diverse range of researchers, scientists and practitioners from the ITS community to explore this new and exciting technology. This project built initial steps in exploring this new sensing and communication modality using vehicle headlamps, leaving open a wide field for exploration and novel research

Analysis and Experimental Verification of the Influence of Atmospheric and Mechanic Phenomena on V2V and V2I Communication Using VLC-OFDM Technology Based on SDR

Práca študuje komunikáciu vo viditeľnom spektre (VLC) počas ktorej bola využitá OFDM technika. Zhodnocuje vplyv nosnej frekvencie, šírky pásma a M-QAM modulácie na základe získaných výsledkov z meraní. Počas testovania parametrov kanálu bol detektor pozicovaný do rôznych vzdialenosti a horizontálnych posunoch voči vysielaču. Merania prebiehali v laboratórnych podmienkach a aj vonku kedy zhodnocuje vplyv slnka na komunikáciu. Okrem toho bol bezdrôtový prenos dát vystavený atmosférickým javom ako je dážď a hmla, ktoré boli vhodne simulované v laboratórnych podmienkach. Prínosom práce sú stanovene limity parametrov komunikačného kanálu v rôznych polohách a javov ktoré ovplyvňujú komunikáciu v reálnom čase.The work studies the visible lighting communication (VLC) during which the OFDM technique was used. It evaluates the influence of carrier frequency, bandwidth and M-QAM modulation based on the results obtained from measurements. During channel parameter testing, the detector was positioned at different distances and horizontal offset to the transmitter. Measurements took place under laboratory conditions as well as outdoors when it evaluates the influence of the sun on communication. In addition, wireless data transmission has been exposed to atmospheric phenomena such as rain and fog that have been suitably simulated in laboratory conditions. The contribution of this work is to set limits of parameters of communication channel in various positions and phenomena that influence communication in real time.440 - Katedra telekomunikační technikyvelmi dobř

Sistemas de comunicação por luz visível aplicados para assistência ao tráfego automóvel

Motivated by the topic of promoting traffic safety applications and information systems, this work aims to bring a study on VLC outdoor application scenarios. The developed topic is part of intelligent transportation systems (ITS) that aim at the delivery of traffic safety and information amongst other safety functions. VLC technology in traffic communication applications gains interest due to some advantages it presents. The use of LEDs in traffic signaling infrastructures and vehicle headlights started to be a growing standard. With the combination of illuminating proprieties and communication in the same device, VLC becomes a very attractive technology for the implementation of outdoor communication systems for traffic information and control. Outdoor VLC channels present variable ambient conditions, with the presence of different optical sources. One major problem in this communication channel is the presence of shot-noise, generated by optical background radiance from different light sources. This dissertation presents two different communication scenarios for traffic information systems, the first being directed at the infrastructure to car (I2C) link and the second one for car to car (C2C) communication. In order to simulate the communication link performance with variable ambient channel conditions, several models for optical propagation, emitter, receiver and noise sources were implemented in MATLAB. Models for different optical sources were also implemented, with field measurements on the illuminance incident on a photo detector and their impact on the noise generated. In the simulation’s performance of the VLC link, several baseband modulation schemes were considered, aiming at the assessment of link performance, based on the traditional digital modulation performance metrics.Motivado em promover o tópico de segurança rodoviária e sistemas de informação, este trabalho providência um estudo dedicado a sistemas de comunicação por luz visível (VLC) para aplicação em cenários de exterior. O tópico desenvolvido faz parte de sistemas de transporte inteligentes (ITS) cujo propósito é a disseminação de sistemas de segurança no tráfego e transferência de informação, para aplicações de segurança. A tecnologia VLC aplicada a sistemas de comunicação de tráfego rodoviário suscita elevado interesse devido a vantagens que esta apresenta. O uso de LED’s em semáforos e faróis de carros começa a ser bastante comum. Com a combinação de diferentes valências, como iluminação e transferência de dados no mesmo dispositivo, a tecnologia VLC torna-se muito atrativa para a implementação em sistema de comunicação exterior dedicados a sistemas de informação e controlo de tráfego. O canal de comunicação VLC exterior apresenta condições variáveis, devido ao fato de existirem condições ambientais diferentes. Um grave problema neste tipo de canal de comunicação é a presença de ruido Shot, que é normalmente gerado devido á radiância causada por diferentes fontes de luz de fundo. Nesta dissertação estão presentes dois tipos de cenários para sistemas de informação de tráfego, em que o primeiro dedica-se á comunicação semáforo-carro (I2C) e o segundo cenário para a comunicação entre carros (C2C). Para simular o desempenho do canal de comunicação com diferentes condições ambientais, foram implementados em MATLAB modelos para a propagação ótica, descrição do emissor, recetor e fontes de ruido. Também foram incluídos modelos para diferentes fontes óticas de radiação, com medições de campo da iluminância incidente num foto recetor e modulado o impacto na geração de ruido. Nas simulações de desempenho da comunicação por luz visível, foram considerados diferentes esquemas de modulação da informação com o intuito de avaliar o desempenho da ligação, a qual foi feita recorrendo a métricas clássicas de desempenho de modulações digitais.Mestrado em Engenharia Eletrónica e Telecomunicaçõe

Etude et réalisation d'un système de communications par lumière visible (VLC/LiFi). Application au domaine automobile.

The scientific problematic of this PhD is centered on the usage of Visible LightCommunications (VLC) in automotive applications. By enabling wireless communication amongvehicles and also with the traffic infrastructure, the safety and efficiency of the transportation canbe substantially increased. Considering the numerous advantages of the VLC technologyencouraged the study of its appropriateness for the envisioned automotive applications, as analternative and/or a complement for the traditional radio frequency based communications.In order to conduct this research, a low-cost VLC system for automotive application wasdeveloped. The proposed system aims to ensure a highly robust communication between a LEDbasedVLC emitter and an on-vehicle VLC receiver. For the study of vehicle to vehicle (V2V)communication, the emitter was developed based on a vehicle backlight whereas for the study ofinfrastructure to vehicle (I2V) communication, the emitter was developed based on a traffic light.Considering the VLC receiver, a central problem in this area is the design of a suitable sensorable to enhance the conditioning of the signal and to avoid disturbances due to the environmentalconditions, issues that are addressed in the thesis. The performances of a cooperative drivingsystem integrating the two components were evaluated as well.The experimental validation of the VLC system was performed in various conditions andscenarios. The results confirmed the performances of the proposed system and demonstrated thatVLC can be a viable technology for the considered applications. Furthermore, the results areencouraging towards the continuations of the work in this domain.La problématique scientifique de cette thèse est centrée sur le développement decommunications par lumière visible (Visible Light Communications - VLC) dans lesapplications automobiles. En permettant la communication sans fil entre les véhicules, ou entreles véhicules et l’infrastructure routière, la sécurité et l'efficacité du transport peuvent êtreconsidérablement améliorées. Compte tenu des nombreux avantages de la technologie VLC,cette solution se présente comme une excellente alternative ou un complément pour lescommunications actuelles plutôt basées sur les technologies radio-fréquences traditionnelles.Pour réaliser ces travaux de recherche, un système VLC à faible coût pour applicationautomobile a été développé. Le système proposé vise à assurer une communication très robusteentre un émetteur VLC à base de LED et un récepteur VLC monté sur un véhicule. Pour l'étudedes communications véhicule à véhicule (V2V), l'émetteur a été développé sur la base d’un pharearrière rouge de voiture, tandis que pour l'étude des communications de l'infrastructure auvéhicule (I2V), l'émetteur a été développé sur la base d'un feu de circulation. Considérant lerécepteur VLC, le problème principal réside autour d’un capteur approprié, en mesured'améliorer le conditionnement du signal et de limiter les perturbations dues des conditionsenvironnementales. Ces différents points sont abordés dans la thèse, d’un point de vue simulationmais également réalisation du prototype.La validation expérimentale du système VLC a été réalisée dans différentes conditions etscénarii. Les résultats démontrent que la VLC peut être une technologie viable pour lesapplications envisagées

Visible Light Communication

This work presents a general and introductory review of visible light communication. Visible light communication or VLC refers to wireless communications using a spectral range from 380 to 780 nm for the transmission of information. This part of the optical-electromagnetic range presents some advantages to current wireless radio frequency technologies, as well as several challenges to its development and application. Different visible light communication systems have been developed for indoor, outdoor, domestic, and industrial fields where the luminaire performs two tasks: general lighting and data transmission, since this type of communication has important and valuable applications. Recently, research has been performed to improve each functional block’s performance that composes this kind of communication system. The incursion VLC poses challenges such as LED bandwidth limited by the carrier lifetime, the LED-Driver Linearity, it’s up-link; the general lighting infrastructure to the internet; and the dimming and general lighting performance. It is concluded that the incursion of Visible Light Communication into the already extended spectrum of wireless communications systems will complement and make it less harmful to our environment as international regulation has helped to improve this technology substantially.

Visible light communication for intelligent transportation in road safety applications

This paper discusses the implementation of a light emitting diode based visible light communication system, for intelligent transportation in road safety applications. The signal processing of both, transmitter and receiver are realized in a field programmable gate array using two Spartan-3E development kits. The implemented modulation scheme is based on direct sequence spread spectrum techniques. The performance of the overall system is evaluated and results are presented. It is found that the system is well suited for traffic broadcast at low data rate and medium range. The simulation results also show that spread spectrum modulation techniques mitigate the effect of noise produced by ambient artificial light sources. © 2011 IEEE.FCT, Government of Portugal - VIDAS, Grant (PTDC/EEATEL/ 75217/2006

VANET-enabled eco-friendly road characteristics-aware routing for vehicular traffic

There is growing awareness of the dangers of climate change caused by greenhouse gases. In the coming decades this could result in numerous disasters such as heat-waves, flooding and crop failures. A major contributor to the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions is the transport sector, particularly private vehicles. Traffic congestion involving private vehicles also causes a lot of wasted time and stress to commuters. At the same time new wireless technologies such as Vehicular Ad-Hoc Networks (VANETs) are being developed which could allow vehicles to communicate with each other. These could enable a number of innovative schemes to reduce traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions. 1) EcoTrec is a VANET-based system which allows vehicles to exchange messages regarding traffic congestion and road conditions, such as roughness and gradient. Each vehicle uses the messages it has received to build a model of nearby roads and the traffic on them. The EcoTrec Algorithm then recommends the most fuel efficient route for the vehicles to follow. 2) Time-Ants is a swarm based algorithm that considers not only the amount of cars in the spatial domain but also the amoumt in the time domain. This allows the system to build a model of the traffic congestion throughout the day. As traffic patterns are broadly similar for weekdays this gives us a good idea of what traffic will be like allowing us to route the vehicles more efficiently using the Time-Ants Algorithm. 3) Electric Vehicle enhanced Dedicated Bus Lanes (E-DBL) proposes allowing electric vehicles onto the bus lanes. Such an approach could allow a reduction in traffic congestion on the regular lanes without greatly impeding the buses. It would also encourage uptake of electric vehicles. 4) A comprehensive survey of issues associated with communication centred traffic management systems was carried out