Advancements in V2X Communication Systems
The traditional notion of automobiles as stand-alone machines is undergoing a profound shift. Cars are becoming nodes in a vast network, exchanging information with each other and their surrounding infrastructure.
Over the years, we’ve seen how cars communicate with their drivers. For example, the dashboard arrow pointing to ‘E’ when the gas is low, interior lights staying on when you leave a door open, and the chime or beep sound when you don’t put on your seat-belt.
V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) has taken this communication to the next level. V2X has opened possibilities beyond mere vehicle-to-driver communication. Vehicles can now communicate with other vehicles, react to changing road conditions, coordinate with road and traffic signs, recognize pedestrians, and much more.
If you are learning about V2X and its surrounding technology, continue reading this article. We’ll discuss the latest developments in V2X technology, its potential impact on road safety, and how it can pave the way for fully autonomous driving.
Understanding V2X Communication
V2X stands for “Vehicle-to-Everything,” and it represents reliable communication between a broad range of vehicles and traffic systems. In V2X communication, vehicles exchange information through high-capacity and reliable links from sensors embedded in vehicles. This allows the vehicle to communicate with other vehicles, infrastructure like traffic lights and road signs, and pedestrians carrying their smartphones.
The concept of V2X has been under development for several years, with early research and trials dating back to the 2000s. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) first published the specification for WLAN-based V2X in 2010, known as IEEE 802.11p.
IEEE 802.11p utilizes DSRC, which stands for Dedicated Short-Range Communication. DSRC allows direct communication between vehicles and between vehicles and infrastructure. It can connect with the intended receiver without needing additional infrastructure, like base stations or relays.
However, both ends of the communications channel might take time and resources to agree on essential parameters that support communication, such as the frequency of transmission and data rate.
In the year 2016, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) released V2X specifications based on LTE technology, dubbed “Cellular V2X” (C-V2X).
C-V2X, in addition to V2V and V2I, also supports wide-area communication through cellular networks (V2N). C-V2X utilizes cell phone base station technology to establish connections between vehicles and roadside infrastructure in the transportation network.
In contrast to WLAN-centric V2X, C-V2X requires minimal resources and processing to establish links between transmitters and receivers. However, the relay nature of the cellular infrastructure may introduce latency and potentially pose challenges in time-sensitive scenarios.
V2X Market Growth and Size
Recent research reveals that the global V2X market, which was valued at $2.6 Billion in 2022, will grow to $19.5 Billion by 2028. Major drivers for this projected growth include high demand for vehicle safety features, an increase in the development of autonomous vehicles, and the advancement in emerging technologies such as machine learning, artificial intelligence, 5G, and even edge computing.
Components of V2X Communication
1. Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V)
V2V is a component within the broader framework of V2X that facilitates communication between vehicles. It allows vehicles to share information like their present location, direction, and speed with each other. This real-time connection among vehicles can prevent potential accidents, streamline traffic patterns, and enhance overall situational awareness on the road. V2V is integral to Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving, enabling vehicles to assess and react to prevailing road conditions autonomously.
2. Vehicle-to-Network (V2N)
V2N is the communication between vehicles and network infrastructure, like cloud-based services or traffic management systems. This communication enables vehicles to have access to information and services, such as traffic updates, navigation assistance, and even weather updates in real-time. Through V2N communication, automobile manufacturers can remotely check and monitor the health of vehicles and can also perform software updates on vehicles remotely.
3. Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I)
V2I communication is the interaction between vehicles and infrastructure elements like road signs and traffic lights, among other smart road infrastructure. With V2I, vehicles can receive critical road information like speed limits and traffic light status. V2I also allows vehicles to receive updates on current road conditions like construction zones.
4. Vehicle-to-Pedestrian (V2P)
V2P centers around the communication between vehicles and individuals at risk on the road, such as pedestrians or even cyclists. This system commonly utilizes smartphones or wearable devices carried by pedestrians to share their location and movement data. Vehicles equipped with V2P technology use this transmitted information to recognize and evade possible collisions with pedestrians.
For instance, a vehicle enabled with V2P functionality would receive a timely alert when a pedestrian is in the process of crossing the road. Consequently, this alert helps the driver or autonomous vehicle to slow down on time or come to a complete stop if necessary.
5. Vehicle-to-Device (V2D)
V2D is the interaction between vehicles and other connected devices, such as smartphones. V2D communication can be used for various purposes, like in-vehicle entertainment and infotainment.
You can connect your personal devices to the vehicle’s infotainment system to stream your preferred music or videos. Navigation apps on a smartphone can also communicate with the vehicle’s display system to provide real-time traffic updates, points of interest, and route recommendations.
Furthermore, V2D communication allows the vehicle to send and receive notifications to and from connected devices. This can include alerts about maintenance needs, low fuel levels, or security notifications. You can also use your devices to remotely lock or unlock the vehicle, check its status, or even start the engine.
Towards Fully Autonomous Driving: Role of V2X
Much has been said about autonomous vehicles and how they will change our lives. Indeed, we are all waiting in excitement for the new possibilities it will bring.
But while we wait for these wonderful days, the reality is that full implementation of autonomous driving keeps moving into the future. The implementation has been delayed from time to time for technical and regulatory reasons.
The public expects autonomous driving to be much safer than human driving and sensors to be more reliable and able to detect what human senses can’t detect. V2X technology is critical in attaining this goal.
The diagram above is a well-recognized SAE standard J3016 that delivers a classification system in which six levels of autonomous driving are defined. V2X technology is critical for each automation level.
Vehicles at each level of automation utilize sensors like cameras, radars, and LiDAR to execute fundamental automated tasks like object detection, automatic braking, and acceleration. However, these sensors are limited to only the vehicle’s line of sight. They can’t detect road hazards beyond a few vehicles, obstructed viewpoints, or around corners. They can also be ineffective in adverse weather conditions.
V2X communication systems can overcome these limitations. V2X facilitates the exchange of critical information about objects that lie beyond a vehicle’s immediate line of sight. This includes scenarios where obstacles are present several vehicles ahead, around bends, or in conditions where visibility is compromised due to bad weather conditions. Unlike traditional technologies, V2X operates over long distances, which significantly improves awareness and responsiveness — an important aspect of autonomous driving.
As we witness the ongoing deployment and constant refinement of V2X communication systems along with other technologies like 5G connectivity, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, the prospect of achieving a future marked by safe, efficient, and autonomous transportation systems will become increasingly promising even in densely populated traffic environments. Here’s a summary of the role of V2X in the 6 automation levels:
1. Level 0 — No Automation: At this level, the driver manually controls the vehicle without any automation features, and thus, V2X communication does not play a direct role.
2. Level 1 — Driver Assistance: Vehicles have basic automation features such as cruise control. V2X plays a limited role by providing basic safety warnings to the driver.
3. Level 2 — Partial Automation: This level includes automated control of acceleration/deceleration and steering. The role of V2X communication is to provide additional safety warnings and enhance awareness for the driver.
4. Level 3 — Conditional Automation: Vehicles can perform automated driving in specific conditions, but the driver is expected to take over when needed. V2X facilitates communication with other vehicles and infrastructure, which is essential for maintaining safety and efficiency in these scenarios.
5. Level 4 — High Automation: Vehicles can perform full self-driving in specific scenarios without driver intervention. V2X enables real-time communication with other vehicles, pedestrians, and infrastructure for coordination and safety purposes.
6. Level 5 — Full Automation: At the highest level of automation, vehicles are fully autonomous and operate without human intervention under all conditions. V2X communication is integral for coordination among all vehicles, pedestrians, and infrastructure to ensure smooth traffic flow and safety.
In summary, as the level of vehicle automation increases, the role of V2X communication becomes more significant, evolving from providing basic safety warnings to enabling comprehensive real-time coordination necessary for full autonomy.
V2X Impact on Road Safety
According to NHTSA, one-third of road fatalities in the US are caused by human factors, like overseeding. V2X technology can significantly fix these human errors and minimize road accidents. Let’s discuss how V2X communication can impact road safety and reduce accidents.
Collision Prevention
Vehicles equipped with V2X technology can exchange information about their speed, direction, intention, and location. It will allow them to detect potential collision risks and take preventive measures, such as issuing warnings to drivers or even triggering automated braking systems to avoid collisions. V2X can also communicate with infrastructures like traffic lights and can provide real-time information about signal changes and potential hazards.
Pedestrian Safety
V2X technology enables the communication between vehicles and pedestrians carrying smartphones or wearable technologies. Pedestrians can receive warnings about approaching vehicles, and drivers can also be alerted to the presence of pedestrians, even in situations with poor visibility.
Emergency Vehicle Warning
V2X allows emergency vehicles to broadcast their presence and intended path to surrounding vehicles. This helps other drivers on the road to make way for emergency vehicles promptly, reducing response times and the risk of accidents.
Traffic Management
V2X can coordinate the speed and spacing between vehicles. The technology will allow drivers to receive timely alerts about upcoming traffic conditions and suggest alternative routes. This can reduce congestion on the road and minimize abrupt manoeuvres like changing or merging lanes.
Top Players in the Development of V2X Communication Systems
Let’s explore some of the top players in V2X technology that have developed V2X solutions and have gained traction in the high-growth automotive V2X market.
Qualcomm
Qualcomm collaborates with automotive manufacturers, road operators, regulators, and governmental entities on a global scale. Their V2X solutions includes V2V, V2I, V2P, and V2N communication. In partnership with Ford and 5GAA, Qualcomm conducted a comprehensive test comparing DSRC and C-V2X, where C-V2X exhibited a level of performance and reliability that surpasses that of DSRC.
Qualcomm’s featured products include.
● C-V2X 9150: C-V2X 9150 is a C-V2X ASIC that doesn’t rely on cellular networks to support real-time vehicle safety information sharing.
● Snapdragon Auto 4G Modem: This is Qualcomm’s 6th generation multimode LTE modem for automotive designed to support up to five aggregated LTE carriers. Its capabilities also include concurrent multi-frequency support as well as multi-constellation GNSS, such as GPS and Galileo.
● Snapdragon Auto 5G Modem-RF: This product is 3GPP Release 15-compliant and supports 5G and LTE connectivity. It operates concurrently with C-V2X, DSDA (Dual SIM Dual Active), and location services.
Cohda Wireless
Cohda Wireless is another top player in automotive V2X solutions. They have a hardware agnostic V2X solution that is deployed in over 60% of all connected vehicle trials globally. Cohda’s V2X solutions support wireless technologies like 802.11p and 5G, providing vehicles with comprehensive awareness capabilities to detect hidden threats.
Cohda Wireless has submitted a patent for one of its technologies — Method for estimating the position of an object. This method involves the object initiating communication by sending a V2X message to a group of spaced units. Subsequently, the object receives a set of V2X response messages from a minimum of two units in response to the initial V2X message.
HARMAN International
HARMAN International specializes in developing integrated devices and technologies for automobiles across the globe. Their portfolio includes connected vehicle networks, enterprise automation solutions, and IoT services. One of their contributions is the release of a Dual-Mode V2X solution designed to enhance automotive safety. This solution comprises of both software and hardware components and integrates with DSRC and (5G) C-V2X networks.
Future of V2X Communication Systems
V2X technology has progressed significantly since they were first introduced. Their ongoing development holds the potential for further improvement in connected vehicle technology. As the transportation sector embraces higher levels of automation, the importance of V2X is set to keep growing. Let’s explore the future of V2X technology and how emerging technologies will influence their evolution.
5G Technologies in V2X Systems
(5G) C-V2X has an immense potential to unlock new levels of vehicle automation. It will pave the way for fully autonomous vehicles by providing a fast communication infrastructure needed for real-time decision-making while driving.
5G has an ultra-low latency which is critical in V2X technology for faster communication. This is particularly useful for safety-critical applications like collision prevention, cooperative driving, and real-time traffic information.
The high data throughput of 5G will also be instrumental in supporting the transmission of vast amounts of data within vehicles. This includes navigation maps, sensor data, and even music and videos.
5G will open doors to advanced connected vehicle applications, like platooning, where vehicles can autonomously travel in convoy, and to a broader V2X communication that will support smart city infrastructure.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)
Integrating AI and ML with V2X communication has profound implications for the future of V2X communication and autonomous transportation. AI and ML cognitive computing capabilities will enhance V2X by allowing vehicles to learn from historical data and quickly predict traffic patterns.
Additionally, the adoption of deep learning models in V2X systems will facilitate advanced perception capabilities. Vehicles will be able to quickly recognize and respond to complex scenarios, such as pedestrian movements and unpredictable road conditions.
The integration of AI and ML in V2X will not only enhance road safety and traffic efficiency but will also lay the foundation for the realization of a comprehensive autonomous and intelligent transportation system.
Edge Computing in V2X Communication
Edge computing is a computing paradigm that processes data closer to where it’s needed. In the context of V2X communication, edge computing will enable vehicles to process and analyse data locally, leading to quicker response times in critical situations.
Edge computing will also address concerns related to the massive volume of data generated by connected vehicles. By processing data at the edge, only relevant information will be transmitted to the central network. This will optimize network bandwidth usage and reduce congestion in communication channels.
Furthermore, edge computing will contribute to the scalability of V2X systems, accommodating the increasing complexity of connected vehicle applications without overburdening centralized servers. Edge computing will increasingly be an integral component in the efficiency and responsiveness of V2X communication networks.
Conclusion
In wrapping up, the advancement of V2X communication systems is evolving vehicles from standalone machines to interconnected entities where they can converse with each other and their surroundings. It’s more than just cars talking to drivers; it’s about vehicles sharing insights with each other, reacting to road changes, and even acknowledging pedestrians. Think of it as the next-level communication beyond what we see on our dashboards.
This technology is propelling us toward a future of safer driving and possibly a fully autonomous driving system. With continuous innovation and integration with emerging technologies like 5G, AI, and machine learning, V2X will create a smarter, safer, and more connected driving experience for everyone.
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