Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/799Show full title

5.1 Design

The design of the remote communication function in the Smart Tachograph is shown as described in Figure 14.3.

Figure 14.3

Design of the remote communication function

DSC_19 The following functions are located in the VU:

• Security Module (VUSM). This function present in the VU is responsible for securing the Data which is to be transmitted from the DSRC-VU to the agent of the competent control authorities via remote communication.

• The secured data is stored in the VUSM memory. At intervals determined in 4.1.1.1 (DSC_12), the VU encrypts and replenishes the RTMdata concept (which comprises payload data and security data concept values determined below in this Appendix) held in the memory of the DSRC-VU. The operation of the security module is defined in Appendix 11 Common Security Mechanisms and outwith the scope of this Appendix, save that it shall be required to provide updates to the VU Communication facility each time the VUSM data changes.

• The communication between the VU and the DSRC-VU may be a wired communication or a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication, and the physical location of the DSRC-VU may be integral with the antenna on the windshield of the vehicle, may be internal to the VU, or located somewhere between.

• The DSRC-VU shall have a reliable source of power available at all times. The means by which it is provided with its power is a design decision.

• The memory of the DSRC-VU shall be non-volatile in order to maintain the Data in the DSRC-VU even when the vehicle ignition is switched off.

• If the communication between the VU and the DSRC-VU is made via BLE and the power source is a non-recharging battery, the power source of the DSRC-VU shall be replaced at every Periodic Inspection, and the manufacturer of the DSRC-VU equipment shall be responsible to ensure that the power supply is adequate to last from one Periodic Inspection to the next Periodic Inspection, maintaining normal access to the data by an REDCR throughout the period without failure or interruption.

• VU RTM ‘payload memory’ facility (VUPM). This function present in the VU is responsible for providing and updating the Data. The content of The Data. (‘TachographPayload’) is defined in 5.4.4/5.4.5 below and is updated at the interval determined in 4.1.1.1 (DSC_12).

• DSRC-VU. This is the function, within or connected to the antenna and in communication with the VU through a wired or wireless (BLE) connection, which holds the current data (VUPM-data) and manages the response to an interrogation across the 5.8 GHz DSRC medium. Disconnection of the DSRC facility or interference during normal vehicle operation with the functioning of the DSRC facility shall be construed as a violation of Regulation (EU) No 165/2014.

• Security module (REDCR) (SM-REDCR) is the function used to decrypt and check integrity of the data originating from the VU. The means by which this is achieved is determined in Appendix 11 Common Security Mechanisms, and is not defined in this Appendix.

• The DSRC facility (REDCR) (DSRC-REDCR) function comprises a 5.8 GHz transceiver and associated firmware and software which manages the Communication with the DSRC-VU according to this Appendix.

• The DSRC-REDCR interrogates the DSRC-VU of the targeted vehicle and obtains the Data (the targeted vehicle's current VUPM-data) via the DSRC link and processes and stores the received data in its SM-REDCR.

• The DSRC-VU antenna shall be positioned at a location where it optimizes the DSRC communication between the vehicle and the roadside antenna (in general in or close to the centre of the vehicle windshield …). For light vehicles an installation corresponding to the upper part of the windscreen is suitable.

  • There shall be no metal objects (e.g. name badges, stickers, foil anti reflection (tinting) strips, sun visors, windshield wiper at rest) in front of, or close to the antenna, that can interfere with the communication.

  • The antenna shall be mounted so that its boresight approximately is parallel with the surface of the road.

DSC_20 The Antenna and The Communication shall operate within ERC 70-03, tested against the appropriate parameters of EN 300 674-1 as described in section 5. The Antenna and the Communication can implement mitigation techniques against the risk of wireless interference as described in ECC report 228 using e.g., filters in the CEN DSRC 5.8 GHz communication.

DSC_21 The DSRC antenna shall be connected to the DSRC-VU facility either directly within the module mounted to or close to the windshield, or through a dedicated cable constructed in a manner to make illegal disconnection difficult. Disconnection of or interference with the functioning of Antenna shall be a violation of Regulation (EU) No 165/2014. Deliberate masking or otherwise detrimentally affecting the operational performance of the Antenna shall be construed as a violation of Regulation (EU) No 165/2014.

DSC_22 The form factor of the antenna is not defined and shall be a commercial decision, so long as the fitted DSRC-VU meets the conformance requirements defined in section 5 below. The antenna shall be positioned as determined in DSC_19 and shown in figure 14.4 (oval line) and it efficiently supports the use cases described in in 4.1.2 and 4.1.3.

Figure 14.4

Example of positioning of the 5,8 GHz DSRC antenna in the windshield of regulated vehicles

The form factor of the REDCR and its antenna may vary according to the circumstances of the reader (tripod mounted, hand held, vehicle mounted, etc.) and the modus operandi employed by the agent of the competent control authorities.

A display and/or notification function is used to present the results of the remote communication function to the agent of the competent control authorities. A display may be provided on a screen, as a printed output, an audio signal, or a combination of such notifications. The form of such display and/or notification is a matter of the requirements of the agents of the competent control authorities and equipment design and is not specified within this Appendix.

DSC_23 The design and form factor of the REDCR shall be a function of commercial design, operating within ERC 70-03, and the design and performance specifications defined in this Appendix, (section 5.3.2), thus providing the marketplace maximum flexibility to design and provide equipment to cover the specific interrogation scenarios of any particular competent control authority.

DSC_24 The design and form factor of the DSRC-VU and its positioning inside or outside the VU shall be a function of commercial design, operating within ERC 70-03 and the design and performance specifications defined in this Appendix (section 5.3.2) and within this Clause (5.1).

DSC_25 However, the DSRC-VU shall be reasonably capable to accept data concept values from other intelligent vehicle equipment by means of an open industry standard connection and protocols. (For example from weigh on board equipment), so long as such data concepts are identified by unique and known application identifiers/file names, and the instructions to operate such protocols shall be made available to the European Commission, and available without charge to manufacturers of relevant equipment.