Convergence of V2X communication systems and next generation networks

Abstract

The main goals of the new generation of Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication systems is to increase the public safety trying to achieve the accident-free milestone, increase traffic efficiency and lower the carbon emissions for a cleaner environment, improve traffic flow in intersections and on the highways, more efficient parking system, improve fuel efficiency and ultimately enabling self-driving vehicles. Due to multiple research and standardization institutions in Europe and US, two different technologies have emerged, namely C-ITS (Europe - ITS-G5) and DSRC (US - WAVE) based on 802.11p. Both are fully standardized, tested and ready for mass deployment. As the science evolves at an always accelerating pace, a new technology, C-V2X (LTE/Cellular based V2X) is being developed and it started taking the spotlight from already mature and well tested technologies but with less convergence towards 5G. The foundation for connected and automated cars is an optimal technology that is scalable and can evolve in the years to come. C-V2X allows its users to communicate leveraging the existing LTE infrastructure and in future, the 5G mobile network. In this paper we will make a brief introduction on existing technologies, we will present and analyze the standardization landscape and the capabilities of existing technologies. Furthermore, we discuss the proposals for spectrum harmonization followed by pros and cons of legacy and new V2X technologies highlighting the pressure of different automotive and industry associations on steering the development and deployment of these V2X communication systems.