01 · Challenge
Expressway platforms manage signs with industry protocols. A sign that cannot take playlists, brightness plans and fault queries in that protocol cannot join the network.
Case · Expressways · Industry protocol over TCP
Signs the traffic platform
already knows how to drive.
Variable message signs for expressway operators in China. The operators' traffic platforms send playlists, set brightness and ask for fault reports. Our controllers answer every command.
- Integration
- Expressway sign protocols
- Link
- TCP from the platform
- Controllers
- C-Power 5 and 7 Series · custom firmware
- Health
- Bad-pixel and hardware fault reports
Send what the platform sends
These are the kinds of commands an expressway platform sends. Pick one and watch the sign and its reply.
ACCIDENT AHEAD
2 KM · SLOW DOWN
SAMPLE SIGN · AMBER · BRIGHTNESS AUTO
- PLATFORM →
- Pick a command.
- ← SIGN
- —
How the job was done
Native platform behaviour, down to the fault report.
02 · Constraints
- The platform protocol is fixed
- Faults must be reported, not just displayed
- Brightness follows sensor, operator or calendar
- Signs run unattended for long periods
- Some signs combine light bands with a matrix
03 · Approach
- Custom firmware implements the platform commands over TCP
- Playlists stored on the controller and shown on request
- Automatic, manual and scheduled brightness
- Bad-pixel check and hardware status feed the fault reply
- Fonts; light-band and matrix areas configured per sign
04 · Result
The signs answer the platform like native equipment. When faulty pixels pass a set share of the display, the sign reports an LED fault, so maintenance can be scheduled from the control room.
Signal path
Signal path
03 · Controller
Playlists stored on the controller and shown on request
Project specification
- Controllers
- C-Power 5 and 7 Series, custom firmware
- Protocol
- Expressway sign protocols over TCP
- Content
- Playlists uploaded, downloaded and shown on request; current content read back
- Brightness
- Automatic, manual, or by calendar schedule
- Health
- Bad-pixel check; module, power-input and door status, depending on sign hardware
- Maintenance
- Clock sync, restart, network settings
- Display
- Matrix signs and light-band / matrix hybrids
Building signs for a traffic platform?
Send us the platform protocol. We will map each command to the controller and tell you what the firmware work involves.