Advanced Communications Business Unit of Ficosa has launched a new set of external and internal antenna solutions to enable real-time traffic information

Utilising Traffic Message Channel (TMC) technology, Ficosa's Advanced Communications Business Unit launched a new set of outstanding external and internal antenna solutions to enable real-time traffic information into portable car navigation systems. TMC is a specific application of the FM Radio Data System (RDS) used for broadcasting real-time traffic and weather information. It is typically digitally coded using the FM-RDS system on conventional FM radio broadcasts. It can also be transmitted on DAB or satellite radio. It allows silent delivery of high quality accurate, timely and relevant information, in the language chosen by the user and without interrupting normal services. Services, both public and commercial, are largely operational in many European countries. While the countries that offer TMC services include Australia, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iran, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK and US, when the data is integrated directly into a navigation system, it gives the driver the option to take alternative routes to avoid traffic incidents.

Each traffic incident is sent as a TMC message. One message consists of an event code and a location code in addition to time details. The message is coded according to the Alert C standard. It contains a list of max 2048 events, which can be translated by a TMC receiver into the language of the user. Location code tables are maintained on a national level and assign numbers to locations on the road network. Those location tables are integrated in the maps provided by NAVTEQ and Tele Atlas. The source of traffic information is typically police, traffic cameras, loops, floating car data and others.

While TMC is a free service in most countries, the new TMC antennas developed by Ficosa are much smaller (e.g. 9cm x 3cm), provide better performance, are less sensitive to the installation and easier to install in the car, and with less visual impact to the driver. Moreover, Ficosa TMC antenna solutions can be fit inside PND holders, and even inside PNDs. All these benefits enhance the end user experience when planning trips. In the meantime, most TMC enabled PNDs in the market use a 75cm or 150cm long wire antenna. "TMC is becoming a common feature in most car portable navigation systems, and PND companies find our antenna products to add a significant value to the TMC functionality. In 2007 we started shipping in volume to one European PND vendor. We are now working with multiple PND OEMs and ODMs to integrate our new antenna solutions into devices that will be launched in 2008. Also, we are working with chip and module makers to develop full TMC platforms to let PND makers reduce the time to market and cut development costs", says Dr. Jordi Soler Castany, Business Development Manager, Navigation and Short-Range Automotive Communications Solutions, Ficosa Advanced Communications Business Unit.

The Ficosa Advanced Communications Business Unit researches and develops in the field of antenna systems and telematics modules for automobiles, where Ficosa is positioned as a global supplier owing to the development of antennas based on fractal technology and combined with several integration technologies based on Kapton solutions, on-glass antennas or polycarbonate materials. Ficosa Advanced Communications has been the first to propose a complete solution for all in-car communication services in a conventional car external mirror. The full integrated solution has been possible due to the high capacity of antenna miniaturisation, as well as the possibility to include various services in only one antenna. Currently Ficosa is mass-producing various antenna systems for certain models of Fiat, Peugeot and Citroën, and has developed a full equipped manufacturing centre for communication products in its facility in Shangai, China. As a result of this intense research and development work, Ficosa Advanced Communications Business Unit has diversified its range of products, and today the product portfolio includes antennas and RF systems for AM/FM, DAB, TV, satellite communications - including XM and Sirius -, TMC, remote key less entry applications (RKE), and tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS), as well as smart communications modules.