AB Dynamics, a supplier of automotive testing systems, has launched TrackFi PowerMesh, a new dual-band internet protocol (IP) radio that can switch between two frequency bands using 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz RF transceivers, ensuring optimum connectivity between multiple autonomous vehicles.
“TrackFi PowerMesh has been developed due to the growing complexity of vehicle safety systems and increasing need for thorough testing,” said Jeremy Ash, sales director at AB Dynamics. “This includes the need for increased throughput and the reliable transfer of live test data. TrackFi PowerMesh can help streamline these programs by ensuring simple, safe and efficient data collation and transfer with a point-to-point range of up to 1km (0.6 miles) depending on the operating country. It is complementary to our wider portfolio of ADAS and autonomous vehicle test systems and provides significantly more robust operation than traditional WLAN-based solutions.”
Low-latency data transfer between multiple vehicles or to ground traffic control offers real-time communication via a mesh network, which is essential for driverless vehicle testing. This functionality also ensures that TrackFi PowerMesh is compatible with proving grounds that require complete connectivity of test vehicles, without adding extra testing or setup complexity.
“We have designed the latest-generation radio to provide a high level of modularity, ensuring that it is suitable for as wide a range of test scenarios as possible,” added Ash. “For example, the four omni-directional antennas are foldable, making it ideal for ADAS testing where collision with a guided soft target (GST) could otherwise cause damage and jeopardize data transfer. Static nodes can also be hard-wired to a power supply for permanent use or used with portable battery packs for flexibility of testing. The entire system can be easily set up or transferred between vehicles, targets or locations.”
TrackFi PowerMesh offers real-time test data from multiple moving vehicles for vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) or vehicle-to-everything (V2X) position and speed measurements.