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19th April 1986, Page 15
19th April 1986
Page 15
Page 15, 19th April 1986 — Micro-map gives
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Telecom world lead

• The world's first vehicle navigation system to use both radio signals and a microprocessor-controlled dead reckoning unit will be launched this autumn by British Telecom.

The system, called Pinpoint, is designed to provide highly accurate information about vehicle locations and is particularly suitable for operators carrying valuable loads.

Telecom plans to launch the system initially in Greater London within the M25 ring, before extending it. Pinpoint is already being operated successfully within the City of London in a security operation, but Telecom is not prepared to reveal the identity of the operator.

The system uses a dead reckoning unit fitted in the vehicle and which senses the vehicle's progress via a highly accurate electronic compass and sensors in the wheels.

Information from the dead reckoning unit is updated re gularly by a series of radio beacons placed on street lamp posts, which transmit exact location information.

All the information is relayed at regular intervals by radio to a central control centre, where each vehicle's location is displayed on an electronic map.

Pinpoint will cost operators £100 per annum per vehicle in subscription charges, plus up to 21,000 for the dead reckoning equipment.

Radio equipment will also be required, but Telecom says most customers will already be operating radio equipment in their vehicles.

Control centre facilities will cost between £15,000 and V million.

Several loose ends need to be cleared up before Telecom can launch Pinpoint. First, the Government will need to issue a frequency band at which the radios used in Pinpoint can operate.

Second, the dead reckoning equipment used by Telecom has yet to be decided upon. So far, the company has worked with Plessey's PACE compass equipment, but no decision has been made about which compass system to use after the launch.

Finally, Telecom has not chosen a source for the lamp post beacons.

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Locations: London

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