METRICOM'S RICOCHET NETWORK : ALTERNATIVE NEW TECHNOLOGY FOR TRAFFIC SIGNALS

The third phase of the City of San Leandro's Advanced Signal System is currently being implemented. This third phase will implement a wireless communications to remote traffic controllers via an integration of Metricom's Wireless Ricochet Network with Econolites ASC/2s traffic controllers. The Citys central system will utilize this packet radio network operating under the Star Mode, a proprietary connectionless service, via a virtual private network configuration. The modems operate in the 900 MHz range, and the network handles all routing, contention, and retransmissions. This paper will discuss the basic technology, the versatility of this packet radio network for communications with traffic signals, the new communications protocols being developed, and the future enhancements to this technology