NXP and Siemens are developing an automated road toll collection system based on GPS and cellular technology.
The two companies are working on NXP's Automotive Telematics On-Board Unit Platform (ATOP), which is based on a single chip that incorporates both GPS and GSM cores.
The device is designed for installation in vehicles and is expected to be out in the market by the first half of 2010.
NXP will supply the chip and basic software which combines all the functions for toll collection such as GPS, GPRS, and near field communication (NFC) modules.
Interfaces for flexible telematics applications such as additional traffic information will also be provided on the single-chip platform by NXP.
Siemens, meanwhile, will develop the on-board unit and integrate the single chip and software from NXP.
The on-board unit will receive GPS satellite signals and will use GSM-based radio technology for transmitting data to the central system for toll calculation.
The system will also include a non-removable adhesive vignette which is fitted with RFID tag attached to the vehicle windscreen. It will communicate with the on-board unit in order to ensure that the device is operational.
The RFID vignette can also be used for other applications such as parking space management, according to NXP and Siemens.