The world of connected vehicles is about to change forever with the advent of communication technologies that allow cars to "talk" to everything around them. This communication will not only improve road safety but also be a key pillar driving high-level autonomous driving.
The Future of Communication in the Smart Vehicle World
Definition: What is V2X?
V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) is the umbrella term for two-way communication between a vehicle and its surrounding environment, with the goal of exchanging real-time information to increase the vehicle's awareness of its surrounding environment. V2X covers several types of communication:
V2V (Vehicle-to-Vehicle): Cars talk to other cars (e.g., emergency braking warnings).
V2I (Vehicle-to-Infrastructure): Cars talk to infrastructure (e.g., smart traffic lights).
V2P (Vehicle-to-Pedestrian): Cars talk to pedestrians (via mobile devices)
V2N (Vehicle-to-Network): Cars talk to the network/cloud (e.g., real-time traffic updates).
The Battle Begins: C-V2X vs. DSRC
Historically, DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communications) technology was the default standard for V2X communications. However, DSRC is now facing fierce competition from a cellular infrastructure-based technology, C-V2X (Cellular V2X), which has been developed as part of and can easily be upgraded to 5G V2X.
Deep dive into the evolving V2X communication technology.
C-V2X: Foundations of Cellular Networks
C-V2X is an automotive communication technology that uses the cellular network infrastructure as its foundation, starting with the 4G LTE standard and rapidly evolving to support the potential of 5G.
C-V2X Highlights:
Dual-mode communication: C-V2X can communicate in two main ways:
Direct Mode (PC5 - Direct Communication): Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) and Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) communication without relying on a cell tower, providing low latency for immediate emergency alerts.
Network Communication Mode (Uu): Communicates over the mobile network (4G/5G), which is the key to connecting to the cloud (V2N) and transmitting high-resolution map data.
Flexibility and Coverage: C-V2X can leverage existing 4G or 5G infrastructure, enabling faster and more efficient deployment and coverage expansion.
5G V2X: The Power of Next-Generation Networks
5G is the next evolution that will take C-V2X capabilities to the next level (often referred to as 5G-V2X or NR-V2X – New Radio V2X), unlocking the full potential of autonomous driving .
Key features of 5G:
Ultra-low Latency: 5G can reduce communication latency to just milliseconds, a critical feature for high-level (L4/L5) autonomous driving applications where cars must make decisions and respond in real time for safety.
High Capacity: 5G can efficiently handle massive data throughput from multiple smart cars ' Lidar, radar, and high-resolution cameras running simultaneously in a limited space.
Technology comparison: How does 5G (C-V2X) beat DSRC?
| feature | C-V2X (4G/5G) | DSRC (IEEE 802.11p) |
| infrastructure | Use existing cellular networks | New infrastructure must be created specifically |
| Latency | Low (the lower the 5G, the better, suitable for autonomous driving) | Low (but with distance limitations) |
| Communication distance | Far (via network) and near (direct PC5) | Direct short-term communication only |
| future | Supports the development of 5G V2X and high-level autonomous driving | Restricted and being replaced |
| Connecting to the cloud | Easy and efficient (V2N) | An accessory is required for connection. |
Conclusion: C-V2X , including interoperability with 5G, is widely recognized as a more flexible and scalable approach, leveraging existing networks and supporting the high speed and low latency requirements of autonomous driving.
Emphasize the importance of communication with infrastructure (V2I).
What is V2I?
V2I (Vehicle-to-Infrastructure) is the communication between vehicles and road infrastructure components such as smart traffic lights, road signs and sensors installed along the road.
Why V2I is most important
V2I is a key variable that helps improve road safety and overall travel efficiency:
Traffic Management: V2I allows Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) to adjust traffic signals based on actual vehicle volume or provide advance warnings of traffic congestion, helping to reduce congestion.
V2I safety: Cars receive information that on-board sensors cannot see, such as advance warnings about accidents, the activation of stop signs at blind spots, or distant maintenance zones.
Autonomous Driving: V2I provides more complete and accurate "contextual information" about the environment than on-board sensors alone, enabling autonomous driving systems to make smarter and safer decisions in complex situations.
The role of 5G and C-V2X in V2I: Both technologies are key to enabling V2I to operate at peak efficiency, delivering high volumes of data with low latency across large urban areas.
Conclusion: The future of automotive technology
The technological battle between DSRC and C-V2X is winding down, with C-V2X based on the 5G platform becoming the global preferred direction for the development of future intelligent vehicles .
The integration of all V2X , especially V2I powered by 5G V2X, is a significant step forward in making transportation not only faster, but also safer, more efficient, and paving the way for the fully autonomous driving we envision.
| Core technology | V2X, C-V2X, 5G V2X, NR-V2X, DSRC, Vehicle-to-Everything |
| Application | Smart Cars, Connected Vehicles, Connected Vehicles, Autonomous Driving, Smart Mobility |
| Communication type | V2V, V2I, V2P, V2N, V2I (Vehicle-to-Infrastructure), PC5, Uu |
| Features/Structure | 5G, 4G LTE, Ultra-low Latency, Low Latency, Low Latency, 5G Infrastructure |
| Results/Goals | Road Safety, Traffic Management System (ITS), Smart City |
Figure 1: What is V2X? (V2X Overview)
This first image explains the concept of V2X and the different communication modes (V2V, V2I, V2P, V2N) to provide an overview of the intelligent vehicle communication system.
Figure 2: C-V2X and 5G V2X (Operation and Connectivity)
The second image takes a deeper look at C-V2X and 5G's role in advancing this technology, demonstrating both Direct (PC5) and Network (Uu) connections.
Figure 3: C-V2X (with 5G) vs. DSRC (Comparison)
This image highlights a comparison between C-V2X (which includes 5G) and DSRC to demonstrate the advantages of the newer technology.
Figure 4: The Power of V2I
The final image highlights the importance of V2I communications in enhancing safety, traffic efficiency, and supporting autonomous driving.
