As vehicle technologies change and advance, it is important that RADAR and other law enforcement equipment that is used in conjunction with police vehicles adapt. Changes in new vehicle connectivity have made this advancement in RADAR technology extremely important.
Kustom Signals is a leading innovator in law enforcement tools and at the industry’s forefront with our Eagle 3, featuring patented Wireless Speed Sense technology. The Kustom Signals Wireless VSS Module makes it possible to continue using your existing fleet’s RADAR of choice without losing the benefits of a wired VSS.
The OBD II Vehicle Connectivity Standard
For several decades, vehicle manufacturers have been equipping vehicles with electronic engine management to control engine functions and on-board diagnostic (OBD) systems to diagnose engine problems. By the mid-1990’s, the OBD II became standard, providing nearly complete engine control and monitoring of vehicle components including the chassis, body, and accessories, in addition to being a diagnostic control network for the vehicle.
In accordance with the standard, all OBD II vehicles have a connector located in the passenger compartment, easily accessible from the driver’s seat. The connector is typically located under the dash, in the console, or in a similarly accessible location. Additionally, you can find aftermarket equipment, including some RADAR systems, that do rely on OBD II for power as well as to acquire the VSS signal.
Changes in Vehicle Design and Standards Necessitate a New Approach
Changes in vehicle design standards have meant changes to conventional approaches, from the way vehicles are serviced to how the OBD II Port can be used. The changes will mean car makers will be able to add additional beneficial technologies, like remote diagnostics and engine efficiency features, however, there are also some challenges involved.
Aftermarket industry representatives are concerned and working to generate support for H.R. 6570, also known as the “Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair,” or REPAIR Act. They argue that “by 2030, 95% of all new vehicles will have telematics systems that, in effect, will be able to bypass that OBD-II port and send the diagnostic car information [and] vehicle owner information back to the automaker.” They say that this could potentially shut the aftermarket industry out of being able to access that data through the OBD-II port.
The aftermarket industry is not alone in being impacted. The implications for RADAR technology are already here. An increasing number of police vehicles do not offer a VSS signal to integrate with traffic RADAR. The patrol vehicle OEMs advise against using the patrol vehicle’s OBD II port cable to obtain the VSS signal as it can cause equipment malfunctions. According to the Dodge Charger Pursuit Upfit Guide, a RADAR device or any other police equipment should not be connected to the vehicle’s diagnostic connector (OBD II port) or the vehicle operating CAN bus.
Fortunately, Kustom Signals solves both of these issues with Eagle 3 RADAR and the Wireless Speed Sense Module developed for earlier RADAR systems and designed to eliminate installation problems, regardless of the year, make, or model of the vehicle.
Wireless Speed Sensing is the Technology of the Future
Kustom Signals Eagle 3 is the first RADAR to provide a method for independently verifying Doppler patrol speed without an electrical connection to the patrol vehicle. The patented Wireless Speed Sensing has an integrated antenna that utilizes satellite signals as an independent speed source to verify the patrol vehicle’s Doppler ground speed.
The Eagle 3 is the smallest moving Doppler RADAR available and offers front and rear scan modes. The Eagle 3 provides a better approach to dual antenna operation that eliminates the confusion of a five-window RADAR presentation with two Doppler tones. The Eagle 3 with Scan Mode enables both the front and rear antennas to be active at the same time. Scan Mode presents target speeds and Doppler from one target zone, front or rear, depending on which zone has the fastest target present.
The Wireless Speed Sense Module provides the ideal solution for upgrading existing RADAR. You can now future proof your fleet with Kustom Signals’ patented TruTrak® features added to your existing RADAR:
- Quickly display patrol and target speeds when exiting HOLD
- Enables Automatic Mode Switching
- Eliminates RADAR anomalies like Shadowing, Batching, and Combining
Another huge benefit of WVSS is that it helps installers immensely by cutting down on installation time. This, multiplied by hundreds of vehicles in a fleet, means huge time and cost savings.
Interested in learning more about the Eagle 3 RADAR? Contact us! We’re ready to answer any questions that you may have and to discuss your department’s needs.