Overview - ISO 19080:2016 (CoAP facility for CALM / ITS)
ISO 19080:2016 specifies how the IETF Constrained Application Protocol (CoAP) is used within Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) under the CALM - Communications Access for Land Mobiles - framework. It does not create a new protocol or new CoAP message formats; instead it defines how existing IETF standards (notably RFC 7252, RFC 6690 and RFC 7641) are combined and applied so ITS stations (ITS‑S) can exchange CoAP-based RESTful information over the global Internet and 6LoWPAN networks. The standard assumes familiarity with CoAP and 6LoWPAN protocol building blocks.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and purpose: Defines CoAP facilities between two or more ITS stations over global IP networks and constrained 6LoWPAN environments.
- Normative references: ISO 21217 (CALM architecture), ISO 24102 series (ITS‑S management), RFC 7252 (CoAP), RFC 6690 (CoRE link format), RFC 7641 (CoAP observe).
- Requirements categories:
- Mandatory requirements for all ITS‑S CoAP nodes (compliance with RFC 7252 and RFC 6690).
- Definition of mandatory CoAP functional modules (management and security modules).
- Optional functional modules (CoAP/HTTP interoperability, resource directory, blockwise transfers).
- Combinations of modules for full‑function and reduced‑function ITS‑S CoAP devices.
- Functional modules:
- CoAP management module: integration with ITS station management (ISO 24102) and path/flow management.
- CoAP security module: secure associations and interaction with ITS security frameworks (as required by CALM).
- Optional modules: interoperability with HTTP, resource discovery/directory, and blockwise transfers for large payloads.
- Topology and deployment: Guidance for CoAP on 6LoWPAN PANs, multi‑hop forwarding, and use of 6LoWPAN Border Routers to interwork constrained sensor networks with wider ITS networks.
Practical applications and users
ISO 19080 is intended for implementers and system architects who build interoperable ITS solutions using CoAP, including:
- ITS product vendors and embedded device manufacturers for low‑power WSN/6LoWPAN nodes.
- System integrators deploying vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) and roadside sensor systems.
- Transport operators (VMS, weather/station sensors, logistics) using RESTful sensor data exchange.
- Network designers and security engineers defining CoAP-based ITS services.
Related standards
ISO 19080 helps ensure CoAP-based ITS deployments are interoperable, scalable and aligned with existing IETF and CALM ecosystem standards. Keywords: ISO 19080, CoAP, CALM, ITS, 6LoWPAN, Constrained Application Protocol, RFC 7252, ITS station.