Q: What is AVL?
A: AVL is an abbreviation for Automatic Vehicle Location. In general, AVL is a system using GPS receivers to assist in tracking and managing vehicles.

Q: What is the EarthLink AVL?
A: The EarthLink AVL is a prototype automatic vehicle location and security application, consisting of a custom mobile in-vehicle device, support infrastructure and back-end systems. The AVL device can be installed in any vehicle. The system provides web-based vehicle security, monitoring, and personalized information features.

In its initial implementation, AVL provides each user with a personal password protected web site that can be used to show the vehicle location on a map along with speed, direction of travel, and other vehicle status information. The web site can also be used to send commands to control vehicle functions, such as unlock doors, starter disable, etc. and users can receive location-sensitive data, such as real-time traffic and weather, via pager, email, or other device.

Q: What is GPS?
A: GPS is an abbreviation for Global Positioning System. GPS is owned and operated by the U.S. Department of Defense. Its primary mission is to serve the navigation needs and weapons delivery missions of the U.S. Armed Forces, worldwide. The GPS signals are produced by a constellation of satellites and are available at all times, free of charge.

Q: How accurate is the GPS signal?
A: GPS is accurate to within approximately 150 feet, but in practice accuracy is often far more precise, usually within 25 feet or less.

Q: How does the information get from my moving vehicle to my web site?
A: The AVL uses the latest Motorola "Reflex" technologies and Skytel's Nationwide two-way paging network for real-time Internet messaging communications.

Q: What is the coverage of the Skytel network?
A: Nationwide Service provides coverage in thousands of cities and towns across the United States. To view specific coverage maps, visit the following url: http://www.skytel.com/products/1maps/coverage.cgi

Q: Is AVL information real-time?
A: Yes, but within limits. The in-vehicle AVL unit transmits GPS position information to the server, which in turn updates the web site. The user can view the newest information as soon as their web screen refreshes. Typical AVL round-trip response time to commands sent via the website is about 2-3 minutes.

Q: What happens when I am out of coverage?
A: The AVL continues to record position locations in memory. As soon as wireless network coverage is re-established, any pending updates are transmitted.

Q: Does AVL also provide maps in the vehicle?
A: No. Maps used by this system are found only on the web site, that can be viewed by authorized users to monitor, track, and control their vehicles. AVL provides connectivity options that could provide for in-vehicle mapping and peripherals for navigation, text messaging, and many other applications, but these features are not provided as a core element of the AVL application.

Q: Can I browse the Internet with AVL?
A: No. AVL is an integrated hardware and software solution that tracks and monitors vehicles and provides advanced safety and security features. AVL provides expansion options that could enable simple Internet text messaging via an external device, such as a Palm Pilot or laptop computer, but such functionality is not provided with the core AVL application.

Q: Will AVL drain my vehicle's battery?
A: The prototype AVL draws very low current and should not cause any problems in a car driven on a semi-regular basis with a normally functioning electrical system and a healthy battery. You should probably disconnect the AVL when your car is going to sit for periods longer than a few weeks.

Q: Can AVL speak to me for traffic reports etc?
A: No. AVL provides expansion options that could enable external devices supporting text-to-speech, but this feature isn't integral to the current AVL design and would add significantly to the cost.

Q: Can I check my vehicle's location or configure AVL from my wireless PDA?
A: Yes you can. The following web pages should help:

• Vehicle Tracking With Your Web-enabled Phone -- http://www.research.earthlink.net/avl/wapavl.html
• Vehicle Tracking With Your Wireless PDA -- http://www.research.earthlink.net/avl/palmavl.html

Q: Can AVL alert me to consumer services in certain proximities?
A: No. This feature is possible with the AVL Developer Kit but is not currently implemented in the sample tracking application.

Q: What else could AVL do?
A: A mature product offering based on the AVL device could include services such as roadside assistance dispatch, theft recovery assistance, geo-fencing (virtual "fences" with alarms triggered when the boundaries are crossed), and perhaps even Concierge services such as locating nearby restaurants, gas stations, and hotels, turn-by-turn route guidance, and 24-hour monitoring services. An AVL based product could also communicate and integrate with personal data assistants, pagers, and other mobile devices. An EarthLink AVL product would probably integrate with other EarthLink properties and services (i.e. configuration and status of the user's AVL could be available right on the user's EarthLink PSP).

The AVL device could be augmented by and integrated with other devices and hardware to support mobile e-commerce, infotainment, messaging, voice recognition and text-to-speech features. An initial protocol to support such augmentation has already been implemented in the AVL device.

Q: Can you tell me more about the AVL device?
A: The AVL device is based on the general EarthLink R&D telematics prototype platform that, with only changes to software in Flash memory and new front/rear panels, may be used as the basis for various wired (fixed) and wireless (mobile) telematics and Internet appliance applications using its built-in capabilities and numerous external I/O options. The device runs a special microcontroller version of the Linux operating system. The prototype design also includes various hardware options for more specialized product prototyping.