Portfolio
Vehicle Enhancement Systems, Inc. has developed an extensive customer base during its history.  These customers have provided VES with unique challenges, shaping the company's expertise in the design, development, and support of various powering and communication technologies for tractor/trailer applications.  VES has worked closely with York Technical College (York Tech) located in Rock Hill, South Carolina.  York Tech is a publicly accredited, two year college and in various capacities, enables VES access to numerous resources including testing labs and the school's truck driving fleet.  VES has also been actively involved in numerous projects and studies sponsored by the heavy-duty truck industry and government. 
Portfolio
Technology 
Vehicle Enhancement Systems, Inc. has placed great emphasis on enhancing the performance and safety of heavy-duty tractor vehicles and has allocated extensive R&D towards the development of innovative products and applications within the industry. 
Power Line Carrier (PLC) is a reliable, bi-directional communication method, using SAE J2497 communication, that allows the transfer of data and information between the tractor and trailer. PLC communicates using up to 10kBaud and functions through non-intelligent trailers. PLC reduces the amount of wiring required for communication, and is considered a transparent technology that functions in the real world.

The Development of PLC Spread Spectrum Technology for Communication in the Heavy-Duty Trucking Industry:
During the early 1990s, VES considered the problem of interference with data communication signals in commercial vehicles and became aware of a computer chip (used in the home plug-n-play market) that used spread spectrum technology to modulate a data communication signal on several frequencies simultaneously. VES was intrigued by this technology and began an investigation of the potential applicability of this technology to tractor/trailer communication. An extensive R&D effort ensued and by the fall of 1995, VES had developed a communication system utilizing a spread spectrum modulated power line for communication of data within and between tractors and trailers or other towed or driven vehicles (“PLC/SS communication system”). VES filed for patent protection on this PLC/SS communication system on October 14, 1996, and that patent application was published and became available to the public on May 15, 1997.
 
The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) had previously issued a mandate, FMVSS-121, effective as 2001, that all new tractors and trailers, sold in the United States, must be equipped with antilock braking systems providing communication between the tractor and trailer with malfunction warning to the driver. In or about late 1997, an industry-wide consortium, formed to consider the mandate FMVSS-121, and in an industry-wide response thereto embodied PLC/SS technology as an industry standard for satisfying the FMVSS-121 mandate.
 
VES was granted U.S. Patent No. 6,127,939, entitled “Systems and Methods for Monitoring and Controlling Tractor/Trailer Vehicle Systems” on October 3, 2000. In November 2001, VES lost ownership rights to this patent when the company split from its former business partners. 

The Gateway System is a wireless product/system that receives local RF (range of 300 ft.) data from sensors and serially communicates data —to include, but not limited to, unique trailer ID, temperature, pressure, internal battery voltage, etc.—to telematics systems using a RF 433.92 MHz transmitter/receiver, flash memory microprocessor with two (2) RS-232 serial interface ports/connectors. This frequency (433.92 MHz) is standardized in the commercial markets (worldwide) and used in applications for commercial TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitor Systems). The RF 433.92 MHz sensors/transmitter(s) have received FCC approval.


The second generation Gateway integrates a PLC (Power Line Carrier) SAE J2497 communication daughter PC board to the Gateway mother PC board which allows the collection of data over the SAE J560 Seven (7)-pin connector (existing vehicle wire conductors) from the trailer to the tractor. This offers a more complete product offering to fleets/customers.

 

The Gateway System was developed in collaboration between VES, Inc. and International Marketing Inc. (IMI).


www.imiproducts.com - International Marketing, Inc. (IMI) is known worldwide for providing reliable, quality solutions for the trucking industry.
JJr.—SAE J1708/1587 to RS232 Interface is a firmware and/or software package/product that converts SAE J1708/1587 serial communications — such as engine oil level, engine oil temperature, engine oil pressure, engine coolant temperature, engine coolant level, battery voltage, average fuel economy, instantaneous fuel economy, engine fault code, Vehicle ID, odometer, throttle position, road speed, and engine speed — into RS-232 Communications. The JJr. can be utilized as an independent/standalone product (electronic module consisting of firmware & software) or it can be incorporated into other products.

SafeNut improves the retention of the clamp load and electrical conductivity in electrical, electronic, and mechanical applications by integrating multi-rise cam surfaces onto the locking surface of a nut. The SafeNut can be paired with a NORD-LOCKTM washer to offer a simple and effective fastening solution. The initial SafeNut product is designed to fit Group 31 battery posts and targets electrical systems in the trucking, marine, and off-road industries. Vehicles in these industries demand secure electrical connections that ensure stable torque and positioning.  Over time, the clamp load connectivity will not be loosened by variables such as vibrations, shock and thermo cycling.


Patent: US D581,778 & D604,600

VESPLEX™ IR (IRIS®) technology (that was to be marketed under the IRIS name) was a dynamic communications system that used infrared (IR) technology to wirelessly extract/transmit data between a vehicle and a PC once an infrared connection was made. The VESPLEX™ IR technology evolved from an earlier concept, known as VESPLEX™, originally derived from VES’ research and development into multiplexing tractor/trailer connectors. VESPLEX ™ enabled a much broader range of communications in a variety of applications that previously required wired communications between a vehicle and a base station. The system consisted of an infrared transceiver that allowed for two-way communications between PC based software applications and the SAE J1708/1587 diagnostic data port on most heavy-duty vehicles. Unlike RF (radio frequency), which has a wide range of transmission, IR has a narrower and more defined spectrum that could be increased or decreased to target a specific receiving zone(s). Thus, infrared allowed for peripheral physical mounting, yet generated accurate, specific, selected isolated data transmission(s) and reception(s).

 

Applications included but were not limited to: Asset Tracking (e.g. fuel economy, speed, etc.); Fault Code Monitoring; Vehicle Service Diagnostics; Automatic updating of Vehicle/Engine Software/Computers.
Products
VES has been able to offer a wide array of services that meet the challenges of a diverse customer base, engaging in projects that range from the fundamentals of designing electrical harnesses for a vehicle's wiring system to the installation and testing of advanced driver & vehicle safety systems. 

 Shelby American, Inc. - VES completed the design of the electrical system for the Shelby Series 1 sports car. The car was featured on the front cover of the October 1998 issue of Motor Trend magazine. The Shelby Series 1 sports car became available to the public at GM Oldsmobile Dealers in early 1999. 

Data Vision Head-Up Display or HUD system allowed the vehicle’s driver to receive pertinent data and warnings, traditionally provided by the instrument cluster on the dashboard, without jeopardizing eye contact to the road ahead. The HUD projected vehicle data and video from a rear-mounted camera onto a transparent screen located on the center windshield. This screen displayed critical vehicle information, such as vehicle speed, engine RPM, engine temperature, oil pressure, electronic stroke alert, ABS malfunction.
 
Vehicle Electrical Center (VEC) is a widely used transportation industry power distribution module. The VEC uses patented programmable 3D matrix technologies that can be easily modified to accommodate changes to an electrical system. The VEC can be customized for each specific electrical system, but require no tooling for implementation. The VEC accepts automotive components including fuses, relays, circuit breakers, diodes, and other devices and is ideal for distributed main power as well as auxiliary “add-on” applications. Current VEC applications include Class 3-8 trucks, buses, chassis and RV, Con-Ag equipment, marine specialty vehicles, and automotive power distribution.
VES Industry and Government Contracts
 As technology has continued to evolve at a rapid pace over the past two decades, VES has used its expertise to play an integral role in the integration of new electronic and communication subsystems to not only improve the performance of tractor/trailer vehicles but also ensure the safe implementation of these technologies by the industry.

Industry Contracts
Intelligent Vehicle Initiative (IVI) Field Operational Test Program: Infrastructure Assisted Hazard Warning and Automatic Crash Notification
Core Participants: Mack Trucks, Inc; XATA Corp; Richard Bishop Consulting (RBC); McKenzie Tank Lines, Inc; VES, Inc.

The Intelligent Vehicle Initiative (IVI) was a collaborative effort utilizing mutual investment resources to advance the state of availability of in-vehicle active safety systems to improve highway safety and to enhance the quality, profitability, efficiency, and safety of industry, government and the general public.


The Development, Evaluation and Deployment of Heavy Intelligent Communication and Powering Enhancement Systems
Core Participants: Delco Electronics Corp., Freightliner Corp., Ryder Transportation Services, VES, Inc., Volvo Heavy Truck

The Technology Demonstrator Consortium, comprised of thirty-two members, brought together a wide collection of industry interests to form a collaborative, jointly governed venture between industry and government to develop, evaluate, and deploy two heavy-duty technology vehicles. The Technology Demonstrator project was completed in two phases. Phase I included the application of numerous electronic systems and subsystems, such as but not limited to, antilock brakes (ABS), obstacle detection systems, brake monitoring systems, and tire monitoring systems. The second phase of the project placed the completed vehicles in actual fleet service where their performance was evaluated according to maintenance/repair records, and mechanic/driver feedback. A final report was compiled, written, and submitted by Vehicle Enhancement Systems on behalf of the Technology Demonstrator Consortium in October 1998. The primary authors were Alan Lesesky and Margot Kaiser.
In October 1993, VES president Alan Lesesky co-authored the report An Analysis and Investigation of Tractor and Trailer Electrical Systems Capabilities (DOT HS 808 076) which included suggested improvements to enable the electrical systems of tractor/trailers to meet present and future electrical power and signaling demands. TMC RP-137, TMC RP-141, and SAE 2247-trailer ABS performance standards evolved from this study.

Government Contracts
VES has worked closely with the Department of Transportation (DOT), more specifically the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on numerous industry projects and studies, some of which have led to new industry guidelines and standards.
US Department of Transportation (DOT) Contract National Highway Traffic Safety Administration The American Trucking Association, Inc. (ATA): Contract No.: DTNH22-92-P-07491
Project Title: An Analysis and Investigation of Tractor and Trailer Electrical Systems Capabilities
Period of Performance: January 1993 to August 1993

US Department of Transportation (DOT) Contract #DTNH-22-95-H-17001 
Project Title: The Development, Evaluation and Deployment of Heavy Intelligent Communication and Powering Enhancement Systems
Period of Performance: Oct. 1, 1995 to Oct. 1, 1998

US Department of Transportation (DOT) Small Business Research Program (SBIR) Contract # DTRS57-96-C-00096
Project Title: Electrical Ground Loop in Heavy Vehicles
Period of Performance: Sept. 20, 1996 to April 3, 1997

US Department of Transportation (DOT) Contract Federal Highway Administration Contract No.: DTFH61-99-X-00103
Project Title: Intelligent Vehicle Initiative (IVI) Field Operational Test Program: Infrastructure Assisted Hazard Warning and Automatic Crash Notification 
Period of Performance: October 1, 1999 to 2004 

Booz, Allen & Hamilton Inc. Sub-contract No.: 09073-0202-47097TR309
Project Title: CV Safety Technology Diagnostics and Performance Enhancement Program
Period of Performance: December 21, 1999 to 2004
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