The world's first Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) direct communications technology operating across vehicles from different manufacturers was demonstrated recently. The 5G Automotive Association (5GAA) along with Audi, Ford Motor and Qualcomm Technologies jointly showcased the demonstration.
C-V2X is a global solution for V2X communications to support improved automotive safety, automated driving, and traffic efficiency, and is the only V2X technology based on globally recognized 3rdGeneration Partnership Project (3GPP) specifications with ongoing evolution designed to offer forward compatibility with 5G, and leveraging upper layer protocols defined by the automotive industry, including Society of Automotive Engineering (SAE) and the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) organizations.
The demonstration showcased the benefits of using C-V2X real-time direct communications on the globally harmonized 5.9 GHz ITS spectrum for vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) collision avoidance and improved road safety without any dependency on cellular operator network involvement, credentials or coverage. The organizations also unveiled initial field test results showing a significant range, reliability and performance advantage of C-V2X direct communications, with more than twice the range and improved reliability compared to 802.11p radio technology.
Based on C-V2X's potential to enhance safety and save lives, the 5GAA, Audi, Ford and Qualcomm Technologies encourage the broad automotive ecosystem to accelerate adoption of C-V2X, which is expected to be deployed as early as 2020.
Featuring Audi and Ford vehicles which incorporate the C-V2X technology utilizing the C-V2X chipset from Qualcomm Technologies, the showcase exhibited various scenarios of how C-V2X communications is beneficial for road safety. These scenarios included situations with obstructed or no visibility, including Left Turn Assist and Emergency Electronic Brake Light use cases, in which vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications alerted surrounding vehicles when cars were turning left or braking. Additional use cases were featured, including a vulnerable road user (VRU) demonstration showcasing what can be possible with future vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P) communications.
Use cases for vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication were also demonstrated, which showcased how direct communications can work closely with traffic signal controllers to ensure reduction in carbon emissions and optimization of traffic efficiency in cluttered intersections and dense environments.
C-V2X is supported by a broad automotive ecosystem, that includes the fast-growing global organization 5GAA, which currently has over 80 members comprised of leading automakers, Tier-1 suppliers, software developers, mobile operators, semiconductor companies, test equipment vendors, telecom suppliers, traffic signal suppliers and road operators.
Designed with a focus on security, it benefits from established security transport layers and application protocols defined by the automotive standards communities, including SAE, ETSI, International Standards Organization (ISO) and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). C-V2X solutions are expected to be more cost efficient and economical over competing technologies as this functionality gets integrated into the base cellular modem product that automakers equip in every vehicle.
5GAA, Audi, Ford and Qualcomm Technologies are scheduled to showcase another live C-V2X interoperability demonstration at the upcoming Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS-A) World Meeting in Detroit from June 4-7.
Click here for the Initial test results showing significant lifesaving benefits of C-V2X direct communications compared against the 802.11p solution.
Click here to learn more about C-V2X.
