Design of on-line driver assistance Satellite Observation System (SOS)

The article describes the design of a Satellite Observation System (SOS) which assists drivers in their travel (in real time). The system allows the driver to receive a top-down view (in the respective scale) covering a large area around their vehicle. Using the GPS and the GSM system as well as images from a satellite - thanks to the SOS, the driver will be provided with a valuable tool assisting them in driving e.g. when: overtaking in heavy field conditions, identification of the road or facilities, setting a more optimal route (bypassing traffic jams) etc.. The principle of operation is based on respectively located satellites which take very high-resolution pictures of the Earth's surface in real time. These pictures are sent via the GSM (or a different) system to the receiver of the SOS system on the ground -a SOS station - which projects GPS coordinates on them. In order to receive the image with the area of the road ahead (or around the vehicle), the driver in a vehicle turns on their SOS system which sends the vehicle's GPS coordinates to the SOS station. The SOS station processes the picture received from the satellite, preparing only a small section of it which corresponds to the area around the GPS coordinates - the vehicle's position. This section is then sent to the SOS system inside the vehicle, which, in turn, displays it on an LCD screen. This cycle repeats so rapidly that the driver may be under an impression that he/she watches the image from the camera placed over the vehicle. The SOS system will contribute to the increase in road safety and the maneuver of overtaking in difficult field conditions will become less risky. The SOS system will also allow the emergency services and the police to promptly locate and identify any road accidents.