With the rapid increase in the number of vehicles, urban road traffic has become increasingly congested. The complex layout of city roads and the growing demand for efficient traffic management have made traffic lights an essential part of modern urban infrastructure. As a key system for controlling vehicle flow and optimizing road capacity, traffic lights play a crucial role in reducing traffic accidents and improving overall safety. This paper introduces an intelligent traffic light control system based on ARM technology, offering valuable insights and theoretical support for future research in smart transportation systems.
1. System Overall ArchitectureAs illustrated in Figure 1, the traffic light system is designed to operate in four directions—east, south, west, and north. Each direction is equipped with a camera that captures real-time traffic conditions, such as the number of vehicles waiting in line and the volume of traffic. These cameras are connected to an ARM processor, which plays a central role in processing image data and managing traffic signal control. Specifically, processor No. 9 handles image feedback, while processor No. 10 processes this information to make intelligent decisions about traffic light timing. In addition, the ARM controller communicates with the central monitoring system to ensure seamless coordination across the entire network.
Figure 1: Overall Structure of the System
As shown in Figure 2, each camera is positioned slightly downward toward the center of the lane to capture the vehicle stop line and surrounding areas. This ensures that the camera can effectively monitor the traffic flow and detect changes in vehicle density. It is important that the camera remains stable during installation to avoid any inaccuracies caused by movement or vibration. When traffic volume increases, additional cameras may be added to improve coverage and accuracy. Similarly, the placement of traffic lights should be adjusted according to the specific layout of the intersection to maximize efficiency and safety.
Figure 2: Installation Location of the System
2. System Hardware ComponentsThe hardware components of the system include several key modules, such as the ARM embedded processor, image processing units, communication interfaces, and storage devices.
2.1 ARM Embedded Processor ModuleARM stands for Advanced RISC Machines, and it refers to a family of reduced instruction set computing (RISC) processors known for their efficiency, low power consumption, and versatility. ARM processors are widely used in embedded systems due to their ability to handle complex tasks while maintaining energy efficiency. They support both 16-bit and 32-bit instruction sets, making them highly flexible for various applications. Additionally, ARM’s open architecture allows for extensive collaboration with third-party developers, ensuring broad compatibility and widespread adoption.
Over time, ARM has evolved through multiple generations, from ARMv1 to the more advanced ARMv7. Each version introduced new features and improvements. For instance, ARMv4 included models like ARM7, ARM9, and StrongARM, while ARMv5 expanded to include ARM10, Xscale, and enhanced support for Java and digital signal processing. The latest versions, such as ARMv7, feature three main series: A-series for high-performance applications, M-series for microcontroller use, and R-series for real-time systems.
In this study, the S3C2410 processor was chosen as the core component of the system. This processor, developed by Samsung, is based on the ARM9 architecture and offers a clock speed of up to 266 MHz. The system employs two ARM processors: one dedicated to image processing and the other for overall control. These processors communicate using various interface modes, including SPI, I2C, and serial ports, to ensure smooth data transfer and coordination.
.SPI Mode
SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) is a synchronous communication protocol developed by Motorola. It uses three lines—SCK (clock), MOSI (master out, slave in), and MISO (master in, slave out)—to enable high-speed data exchange between the CPU and peripheral devices. SPI supports full-duplex communication, allows for programmable clock frequencies, and includes built-in conflict protection mechanisms, making it ideal for real-time applications.
.I2C Mode
I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) is a multi-master serial bus that enables communication between multiple devices on the same bus. It uses two bidirectional lines—SDA (data) and SCL (clock)—to transmit and receive data. Each device on the bus has a unique address, allowing for efficient and reliable communication. I2C is particularly useful in systems where multiple sensors or peripherals need to be connected to a single controller.
.Serial Port Mode
Serial communication involves transmitting data bit by bit over a single channel, making it simple and cost-effective. While slower than parallel communication, serial ports are widely used due to their simplicity and standardized protocols. In this system, serial communication is employed to connect the two ARM processors, facilitating data exchange and control signals. The serial port operates by accessing physical memory addresses, making it easy to implement and manage.
In addition to the ARM processor, the system also incorporates various storage devices, such as flash memory and RAM, to store program code and temporary data. However, since this paper focuses on the control logic and design principles of the intelligent traffic light system, a detailed discussion of these storage components is not provided here.
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