What is LTE-V?

LTE-V or Long Term Evolution-Vehicle is a form of C-V2X (cellular vehicle to everything) connectivity that enables vehicles to communicate with different elements on roadways using LTE technology. C-V2X includes communication between vehicles (V2V), vehicles and infrastructure (V2I), vehicles and pedestrians (V2P), and vehicles and networks (V2N) using any technology – Can be LTE, 5G or any other cellular technology. LTE-V technology enables a vehicle to transmit / receive various kinds of information like its position, speed and other parameters to and from the network or other cars around it.

LTE-V was standardized by the 3GPP in 2016 under the umbrella of LTE Release 14 and stated two types of vehicular connectivity: 

• A wide area network LTE interface (Uu) that connects end-user devices and vehicles to mobile network base stations and mobile core networks, for provision of Internet and vehicle-to-network (V2N) services. This form of LTE-V connectivity uses various LTE bands between 617 to 2690 MHz. 

• A direct communications interface (PC5) that connects vehicles to vehicles (V2V), roadside infrastructure (V2I) and pedestrians or other vulnerable road users (V2P), for the provision of low-latency and high-reliability vehicular services. The LTE-V2X (PC5) interface does not necessarily require the presence of a base station from a mobile network. It uses the ITS 5.9 GHz spectrum band that works independently of cellular networks and is also called LTE-V Direct. Click here to learn more about LTE-V2X (PC5). Click here to learn more about LTE-V2X (PC5).

LTE-V Use Cases: 

LTE-V technology enables vehicle communication particularly for safety features like preventing intersection collisions, enabling quick emergency response, and giving alerts about road hazards. This form of connectivity can enable vehicles to share their position, speed, and direction with other vehicles before approaching an intersection or a highway exit, reducing collision risks. Emergency vehicles can use LTE technology to broadcast their location and urgency, enabling other drivers to make way, thus improving response times. Additionally, LTE-V enables real-time communication of road hazards, such as potholes or slippery conditions, allowing drivers to adjust their behavior for safer navigation.

LTE-V's capabilities can extend to detection and communication with vulnerable road users like pedestrians and cyclists, reducing accident risks. Traffic signals connected to the network via LTE can optimize traffic flow and give priority to emergency vehicles, minimizing congestion and response times. LTE-V also supports vehicle platooning, where coordinated convoys of connected traveling vehicles can improve road space utilization and fuel efficiency. Advanced adaptive cruise control, real-time parking space communication, and integration with smart grids for electric vehicle charging further demonstrate LTE-V's potential in creating safer, more efficient, and environmentally friendly transportation systems.

Advantages of Using LTE for C-V2X over 5G

Compared to newer cellular technologies like 5G, LTE has a more established and widespread infrastructure which enables quicker deployment. Already existing infrastructure also means LTE-V deployment is generally less expensive. LTE also has more existing compatible devices than 5G which can facilitate faster adoption and integration. Having existed for some time now, LTE technology is also considered table and well understood, which reduces the risk of deployment issues and ensures reliable performance. 

Disadvantages of LTE-V over 5G 

• Latency: Having higher latency than newer cellular technologies like 5G, LTE cannot be relied on for time-sensitive C-V2X applications. A latency of 35-70 ms typically provided by LTE networks is considered too much for scenarios requiring immediate real-time responsiveness, such as autonomous driving and collision avoidance. 

• Bandwidth: LTE has lower bandwidth capabilities compared to 5G, which can limit the volume of data that can be transmitted. It offers up to 20 MHz bandwidth, which is not enough for handling high traffic volumes in data-intensive applications. 

• Capacity: In densely populated areas with many connected devices, LTE networks may not be equipped to handle the high congestion and hence may lead to increased network downtimes.

While LTE-V has served as a valuable foundation for vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, its limitations in latency, bandwidth, and capacity mean that it will likely be phased out in favour of more advanced technologies like 5G, which are better suited to meet the evolving demands of future C-V2X applications.