Cellular Phone: Description and Operation
General
Volvo On Call Plus is a system developed by Volvo in which the owner can receive different services within the field of safety and service.
The vehicle's technical equipment is used in conjunction with technologies in the infrastructure of society in what is known as the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS).
The system is based on the driver/passenger being rapidly able to get in contact, by telephone, with a Service Center established by Volvo. Staff at the Service Center decide on the appropriate action to be taken depending on the situation.
Through the information provided by the Volvo On Call Plus system, for example, the precise location of the vehicle, the Service Center can direct an ambulance, the police, a recovery vehicle to the vehicle quickly.
The different services which are provided can be divided into two groups: safety and service.
Safety
If an accident occurs, and the SRS system is activated, contact is automatically established with the Service Center via the telephone unit.
Depending on the situation, the Service Center will, for example, call an ambulance, the fire department or the police.
By activating the telephone SOS button himself, the driver can contact the Service Center in other emergency situations. It is also possible to establish SOS calls by menu selection.
Services
Examples of services provided by the Service Center:
- Roadside assistance. For example, obtaining help with punctured tires or when the vehicle runs out of fuel.
- Towing.
- Unlocking vehicle.
- Identification that the alarm has been tripped, that is, the Service Center has been contacted automatically if the alarm has been tripped.
- Tracking of vehicle at customer request.
The driver/owner can establish contact with the Service Center through:
- the On Call button,
- menu selection,
- telephone call from a telephone other than the vehicle phone.
Infrastructure
The following technology and services are included in Volvo On Call Plus:
- Telecommunication.
- Data communication by satellite.
- Position location by satellite.
- Service Center.
- Dealers.
Communication
Communication between the vehicle and the Service Center takes place through:
- Telecommunication via AMPS.
- Satellite communication where AMPS has no coverage.
- The vehicle position is determined by GPS technology.
The Service Center
The task of the Service Center is to receive calls from the vehicle and to carry out different safety and other services.
- Calls are established manually by using the SOS or On Call button or by menu selection.
- Calls are established automatically if any component in the SRS system is activated or if the alarm is tripped. The Service Center is established in accordance with Volvo specifications and requirements.
The Service Center is manned day and night throughout the year and:
- establishes contact, if necessary, with the local emergency center/rescue service,
- is connected to a Volvo On Call Plus Customer Database,
- is in direct verbal contact with the vehicle via the Volvo On Call Plus service.
With all Volvo On Call services, data on vehicle status and location are sent from the vehicle to the Service Center.
The Service Center collects data about the owner and vehicle from the Volvo On Call Plus Customer Database.
The task of the Service Center is to:
- compile data on the owner and the vehicle together with the current status and location of the vehicle,
- provide relevant data to the local emergency center/rescue service, based on this information. Contact between the Service Center and local emergency center/rescue service takes place verbally.
Dealer
The dealer is in contact with a web server connected to the Customer Database via the Internet.
The dealer registers different customer data concerning the Volvo On Call Plus service on the web server.
For example, a password is required to access the web server.
Volvo On Call Plus Customer Database
Stores data about the owner and vehicle.
Data about the vehicle is sent from VITaL via an FTP server to the Customer Database.
Data about the owner which is registered by the dealer.
When the Volvo On Call Plus service is established, the Service Center obtains information from the Customer Database about owner data and vehicle data.
Vehicle Components and Location
1. GPS antenna
2. Telephone antenna
3. Central electronic module (CEM)
4. Driver information module (DIM)
5. Anti lock brakes control module (ABS)
6. Audio/telephone switch unit
7. Control unit and telephone keypad (PHM)
8. Satellite communication transmitter/receiver
9. SRS system control module
10. Satellite communication antenna
11. Upper electronic module (UEM)
Telephone (PHM)
Components
1. GPS receiver, processor
2. GPS receiver, radio receiver
3. Built-in back-up battery
4. Built-in back-up antenna
5. AMPS module
6. Modem for data communication, AMPS
7. SOS button
8. On Call button
Additional components/functions compared with the conventional telephone are:
- buttons for SOS and On Call services,
- GPS antenna,
- GPS receiver,
- built-in back-up battery,
- built-in back-up antenna,
- AMPS modem.
Safety calls
SOS calls are established:
- when the PHM receives a signal from the SRS control unit that a component in the SRS system has been activated,
- when the SOS button has been pressed for at least 2 seconds,
- through menu selection.
Service calls
On Call calls are established:
- when the On Call button has been pressed for at least 2 seconds,
- through menu selection.
Data transferred to the Service Center
The following data is transferred to the Service Center with all calls between Volvo On Call Plus and a vehicle:
- Type of call (SOS or On Call).
- Geographical position of vehicle.
- VIN number of vehicle.
- Functioning power supply (normal battery or back-up battery).
- Alarm status (off, switched on or tripped).
- Ignition key in or out.
- Engine running or not.
- Vehicle locked or not.
- Front side window open or closed.
- Fuel quantity.
- Battery status, normal battery.
- SRS activated or not.
- Outside temperature.
- Inside temperature.
Data is transferred by means of a Data Burst Modem, which is significantly faster than a conventional modem.
Back-up Functions
The PHM first tries to establish contact by means of the main antenna, then the back-up antenna. If this fails, contact is established via satellite. In this mode, only data is communicated.
The back-up functions only work when:
- the SOS or On Call button is used,
- a component is activated in the SRS system,
- the alarm is tripped.
Back-up Battery
If there is no normal power supply, the back-up battery takes over the power supply.
The battery can be replaced.
If the battery capacity falls below 30%, the driver is alerted by a message on the DIM.
Back-up Antenna
If there is no normal antenna connection, the back-up antenna takes over the functions.
GPS Receiver
The vehicle position is calculated by the GPS receiver:
- from the signal from the GPS antenna,
- from wheel pulses from the ABS control unit to calculate the distance,
- whether the car is reversing or not.
If there is no signal from the GPS antenna, the position is calculated using the wheel pulses. This is known as Dead Reckoning (DR).
Communication
Telecommunication
If there is coverage, both verbal communication and data communication between the vehicle and the Service Center is done via AMPS.
Satellite
If there is no AMPS coverage, there is (only) data communication between the vehicle and the Service Center via satellite.
Other - Handling the PHM
NOTE: Be careful when removing/installing/storing the telephone unit, since the SOS and On Call functions are active despite the fact that there is no external power supply.
If the PHM is removed, the back-up battery should always be removed to prevent unintentional SOS and On Call calls to the Service Center.
Safety Services
Communication Activated by the SRS Control Unit
If a component (driver/passenger air bag, SIPS bag, IC inflatable curtain or belt tensioner) in the SRS system is activated, the following takes place:
- The SRS sends a signal to the PHM, via conventional wire and CAN, that a component has been activated.
- The telephone is activated in the Volvo On Call Plus service mode.
- Contact is established with the Service Center.
- The Service Center is in verbal contact with the driver/passenger and takes appropriate action for the situation at hand. If the driver/passenger is incapable of verbal contact, the Service Center decides who/what is to be contacted. The Service Center establishes verbal contact with the appropriate local emergency center/rescue service. The Service Center provides the local emergency center/rescue service with information about the vehicle position, vehicle status and driver data.
- Depending on how/whether the vehicle and the Service Center manage to establish verbal/data communication, the status is always displayed on the DIM. If, for example, only data communication is possible (that is, verbal contact is not possible) the message "Message received by On Call Plus" is displayed on the DIM.
Manual Activation of SOS Service
The driver can establish contact with the Service Center in situations such as, for example, an accident, threat or acute illness by:
- pressing the SOS button,
- selecting SOS service through menu selection.
The Service Center will maintain verbal contact with the driver, while appropriate action is being taken.
Services
Alarm
When the alarm is tripped, contact is automatically established with the Service Center.
The following takes place:
- CEM has triggered the alarm and, among other things, sent a signal to the UEM to activate the siren.
- In this position, UEM sends out a signal periodically on the CAN network about the fact that the alarm has been tripped.
- The PHM picks up the signal and automatically enters Volvo On Call Plus service mode.
- Contact is established with the Service Center after a certain period of time.
- The Service Center makes verbal contact with any driver, who then has to identify himself with a password. If the incorrect password, or no password is given, the owner is contacted.
- The owner obtains help from the Service Center on how to handle the matter, for example, reporting the theft to the police.
Tracking Initiated by Owner
The owner himself can initiate tracking of the vehicle by contacting the Service Center.
The following takes place:
- The owner contacts the Service Center and identifies himself with a password.
- The Service Center establishes contact with the vehicle, that is, with the PHM, which enters Volvo On Call Plus service mode.
- The PHM sends a continuous signal regarding, for example, the geographical position of the vehicle. How often this is done, is determined by a message which is sent from the Service Center to the PHM. The time interval may differ, for example, from every 30 minutes to once a week.
- The tracking time is determined by the customer and the Service Center.
- The loudspeaker is switched off.
Unlocking from the Service Center, Vehicles without Contact in Trunklid Handle
- The owner contacts the Service Center and identifies himself with a password.
- The owner and the Service Center determine the time at which the vehicle will be unlocked.
- The Service Center sends a signal to the PHM.
- At a fixed time, the PHM sends a request to the CEM via CAN to deactivate the alarm and unlock the vehicle.
- The PHM sends confirmation to the Service Center that the vehicle has been unlocked and the alarm deactivated.
Unlocking from the Service Center, Vehicles with Contact in Trunklid Handle
- The owner contacts the Service Center and identifies himself with a password.
- The owner and the Service Center determine the time interval during which the vehicle will be unlocked.
- The Service Center sends a signal to the PHM that the vehicle should be unlocked at a specific time.
- When the contact in the trunklid handle is closed, the REM sends a signal to the PHM.
- If the REM signal conforms to the time interval determined by the customer and the Service Center, the PHM sends a signal to the CEM via CAN that the vehicle is to be unlocked and the alarm deactivated.
- The PHM sends confirmation to the Service Center that the vehicle has been unlocked and the alarm deactivated.
Glossary/Explanations
AMPS
Advanced Mobile Phone Service
Analogue telephone system with an 800 MHz frequency. Can be used for transmitting data with a modem. The modem used, Data Burst Modem, has been specially developed and is many times faster than conventional modems.
FTP
File Transfer Protocol
Protocol for file transfer.
GPS
Global Positioning System
System for determining a certain specific position on the ground. By receiving signals from 3 of a total of 24 satellites, the location can be determined within a few yards.
Web server
A computer which handles World Wide Web services via the Internet.
VIN
Vehicle Identification Number
The vehicle identification number.