2013 – Oct – Phay – Driver Video Assist System (DAVS) Migration Due to Digital Dividend

Yang-Lit Phay BEng(EE), GradIEAust, MIEEE Signals Engineer, Public Transport Authority of Western Australia Changes in regulations by the Australian Government in the use of RF spectrum will impact upon the Driver Video Assist System (DAVS) that is used on Perth's metropolitan train network. DAVS provides drivers live video footage of the platform that allows them to decide whether it is safe to close the train doors and depart from the platform. Current DAVS uses analog television technology as its transmission method. A project has been initiated to investigate and implement an alternate transmission technology. A number of technologies have been identified including infrared (IR) and Wi-Fi are discussed here along with the trials that have been conducted thus far.