DSPs help reduce workplace risk

DriveCam's event recorder and peripherals are governed by multiple TI processors, including the ultra-low-power MSP430 processor and a multimedia-optimised DSP.

DriveCam has integrated Texas Instruments' (TI) digital signal processors (DSP), analogue components, microcontrollers (MCUs) and radio frequency identification (RFID) technologies into its behaviour-based risk mitigation solution.

DriveCam's risk mitigation solution is used by distribution fleets worldwide to predict and prevent risky driving behaviours and save lives.

DriveCam's event recorder and peripherals are governed by multiple TI processors, including the ultra-low-power MSP430 processor and a multimedia-optimised DSP.

The flexible and programmable TI DSP enables DriveCam to encode the video stream in compact MPEG4 format before wireless upload.

DriveCam's RiskPredict algorithm will also be implemented to run on TI's processor.

Texas Instruments was selected as the vendor of choice because it is a single vendor that answers all of DriveCam's complex processing needs, including excellent performance/cost ratios.

"Texas Instruments provides not only the high-performing DSP that our solution needs at a reasonable price, but also the MCUs, analogue and RFID components that allow DriveCam to differentiate its products in the market", stated Peter Ellegaard, Vice President, hardware and firmware engineering, DriveCam.

"Being able to use multiple components all from a single vendor allows us to speed our time to market and makes life easier on our design teams".

"In addition, we have received valuable support from TI during the development, ramp-up and product introduction".

"Because TI offers a DSP integrated system-on-chip, it enables us to create a more compact system design for DriveCam's event recorder", Ellegaard said.

"And since we're running a Linux kernel, it has been an easy integration to get Linux up and running on the processor because it works directly with existing Linux libraries".

DriveCam's exception-based video event recorder is card-accessed by the commercial vehicle driver through TI's embedded RFID reader integrated circuit (IC), TI's TRF7961 which is integrated with the MSP430.

Once the system recognises the driver, the vehicle's video event recorder, which is mounted on the windshield behind the rearview mirror, is able to capture sights and sounds inside and outside the vehicle.

Exceptional forces such as hard braking, swerving and collision cause the recorder to save the critical seconds immediately before and after the triggered event.

Saved events are analysed and used in ongoing driver coaching programs to improve behaviour and mitigate driver risk.

DriveCam's solution combines predictive software and analytics capabilities, tens of thousands of actual events demonstrating risky driving behaviours and deep transportation and behaviour-based safety experience.

"DriveCam offers an invaluable automotive solution that has the potential to save many lives on the nation's roads and highways", says Brooke Williams, Worldwide Automotive Vision Marketing Manager, Texas Instruments.

"The processing challenges put forth by such an innovative and computing-intensive solution are large".

"TI offers the right mix of analogue and digital device performance, cost and support to make it an easier decision to select TI as the vendor of choice".

"DriveCam's program is a great example of how TI is able to work closely with smaller and innovative companies to create life-changing solutions".

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