Introduction

The Thorcom VR2000 is a high performance in-vehicle computing platform for mobile data applications including job despatching systems, vehicle tracking, in-vehicle networking and telematics/telecontrol systems based on its successful VR1000 vehicle-router.

The VR2000 combines a high performance 32-bit RISC processor, large system memory, hard disk drive or Compact FLASH storage, 7" VGA touch screen colour display, built-in GPS receiver with low power consumption and Debian ARM Linux operating system to provide a cost effective and reliable mobile data/computing platform.

A wide range of serial communications interfaces incluing RS232, USB and Ethernet provide connections to radio bearers, communications equipment and legacy systems as well as digital inputs/outputs for telemetry and data capture.

IP networking support includes TETRA packet data (IP over TETRA) and GPRS (IP over GSM) with support for Network Address Translation (NAT), high performance firewall and Virtual Private Networking (VPN) with security/encryption (IPSEC/3DES).

With four RS232 serial ports, two USB host ports and two 10/100Mbps Ethernet ports the VR2000 is equipped with a wealth of connectivity options. The VR2000 can use solid-state Compact FLASH memory for 'no moving parts' applications or a rugged 2.5" notebook hard-disk drive. Battery backed Static RAM (SRAM) is available to store short-term data.

The low power consumption (typically less than 4 watts) and wide supply voltage range ensures that the VR2000 can remain operating in the harsh vehicle environment for extended periods compared with PC based solutions that typically consume 10-100 times more power.

Key features

	High performance 32-bit RISC CPU (ARM920T based)
	Large memory 128Mb SDRAM (256Mb optional)
	Hard disk drive or Compact FLASH type I/II for storage
	Onboard VGA controller and touch-screen support
	Optional second screen with VGA, DVI or LVDS interface
	Integrated Trimble 12-channel GPS receiver
	2 x 10/100Mbps Ethernet ports
	4 x RS232 serial ports (RJ45 connectors)
	4 x USB ports for keyboard, touch-screen, bar-code readers...
	Console port for configuration and diagnostics
	Battery backed Realtime clock and Static RAM (SRAM)
	AC97 audio interface (line levels, microphone, speaker)
	8 x Digital inputs (6 general purpose + Alarm + Ignition)
	2 x Digital outputs + 1 x 10A switching relay
	Power management and supply monitoring
	Operates from 12V, 24V or 42V vehicle supply
	Low power consumption (typically 4 watts)
	ABLE boot loader and diagnostics system
	Debian ARM Linux 3.1 operating system

Full description of the interfaces and product features are provided in the Reference Manual which may be downloaded free of charge.

Applications

Applications for VR2000 include operation as a stand-alone Mobile Data Terminal (MDT) for job despatch/remote working systems through to highly integrated systems implementing mobile data, vehicle tracking, telecommand/telecontrol multiple communications bearers and provision of in-vehicle IP networking: "Vehicle Area Network" (VAN) applications.

Pease refer to the section on VR2000 applications for further information.

Integrated GPS receiver

The VR2000 incorporates a high performance Trimble™ Lassen channel GPS receiver for positioning and timing applications which include Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) and data logging.

The VR2000 is supplied with Thorcom's proven vehicle location system software, providing an intelligent 'rules based' vehicle location sub-system which minimises transmissions and maximises their effectiveness.

The integrated GPS receiver also allows "black box" recorder mode to be implement for recording vehicle journey, driving speeds and status information gathered from digital inputs or externally connected sensors - for example temprature or fuel levels.

Linux operating system

VR2000 is powered by Debian GNU Linux 3.1 for ARM CPU with a custom Linux Kernel provided by Thorcom to support the VR2000 hardware and unique features. Read more about the Debian Linux operating system here and more about the custom Linux Kernel here.

Power supply and power management

The VR2000 has been designed for operation in the harse vehicle environment where the power source can be unreliable. VR2000 is power efficient and typically consumes less than 4 watts (nothing powered from the USB porets)assuming that the GPS receiver is in use and that the harddisk drive option is not fitted and external devices are not being powered from the UBS port(s).

The unit has the ability to monitor and sense the supply voltage and control the power supply to other devices allowing them to be switched on/off at appropriate times under software control. VR1000 will typically be configured to monitor the supply voltage from the vehicle battery and perform an orderly shutdown ahead of the supply becoming exhausted.

Safety and approvals

VR2000 meets the requirements of EC Directive 95/54/EEC (Vehicle EMC Directive) and EC directives 89/336/EEC and 2004/108/EC and has been tested to EN 301 489-1.

Acknowledgements

Linux™ is a registered trade mark of Linus Torvalds
Debian™ is a trade mark of The Debian Project
Microsoft™ and Windows™ are trade marks of the Microsoft Corporation
Other trade marks and names are duely acknowledged.