DE VELO PMENT C onnectivit y

© adesso

Wireless V2V Communication

with DSRC Technology in Comparison
to C-V2X

AUTHOR

In an era with autonomously driven vehicles, it becomes clear that

Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication is one of the crucial technologies
for data to be exchanged seamlessly and securely between road users
via Wi-Fi (WLAN) or 4G/5G. adesso presents the two most important V2V
technologies DSRC and C-V2X in more detail in terms of functionality and Linus Chibuzo Ezenwa, M. Sc.
is Senior Business Consultant at
technology, compares them and explains why DSRC (Wi-Fi) was chosen. adesso SE in Munich (Germany).

g In wireless data communication,
criteria play vital roles like covering
solution gaps, improving development
processes, and preventing connecting
problems. In transportation and traffic
40
management, different technologies have
also assisted in improving the traffic sys-
tems, providing pre-information to driv-
ers, and preventing accidents, damages,
and loss of lives.
In this article, adesso discusses the art
of vehicle-to-vehicle communications also
known under the name Vehicle-to-Vehicle
(V2V). First, it briefly introduces what V2V
is, then addresses communication technol-
www.springerprofessional.com/automotive
 Parameter IEEE 802.11a
Channel bandwidth 20 MHz
Data rate 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 54
Modulation and coding BPSK, QPSK, 16QAM,
schemes 64QAM
Number of subcarriers 52
Symbol duration 4 µs
Guard time 0.8 µs
Subcarrier spacing 0.3125 MHz
TABLE 1 Differences between IEEE 802.11p and IEEE 802.11a PHY layer
(source: Kayhan Ghafoor [1]) (© adesso)
ogy, explains the most important two V2V
technologies Dedicated Short Range Com-
munication (DSRC) und Cellular-Vehicle-
to-Everything (C-V2X) and why DSRC was
chosen. It further discusses the future evo-
lution of V2V with the possible change in
its technology, together with other vehicle
communication systems that could form
an extensive smart city system – while
also highlighting possible risk factors and
security concerns.
V2V – FUNCTION AND TECHNOLOGY
V2V communication is a solution allow-
ing vehicles within given proximity to
communicate with each other by ex­­
changing information such as their lo­­
cation, route, speed, and some other
safety and traffic information. It allows
vehicles to communicate their actions to
other vehicles, facilitating the drivers
to respond timely to an event.
FIGURE 1 Communication channels: DSRC (Wi-Fi, blue) and C-V2X (4G/5G, green) compared (© adesso)
ATZ worldwide 06|2022    41
IEEE 802.11p Amendment
10 MHz Half
5, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 27 Half
BPSK, QPSK, 16QAM,
Non
64QAM
52 Non
8 µs Double
1.6 µs Double
0.15625 MHz Half
The V2V technology allows vehicles to
receive and transmit omnidirectional mes-
sages at a frequency of up to ten messages
per second, creating 360° alertness of
other vehicles in the vicinity. The received
information is automatically processed,
with the results forwarded in the form of
tone, visual or tactile alerts to the informa-
tion or safety applications of the vehicles.
The implementation of V2V communi-
cation is made possible through a wire-
less protocol similar to Wi-Fi (WLAN),
called Dedicated Short-Range Communi-
cations (DSRC), which in combination
with Global Position System (GPS), gives
a low-cost V2V communication system.
Wireless Access in Vehicular Environ-
ment (WAVE) and the IEEE 802.11p stan-
dard are based on modifying the IEEE
802.11a protocol for V2V and V2I com-
munication and support DSRC. The IEEE
802.11p uses 75 MHz of the wireless
spectrum, from 5.850 to 5.925 GHz,
comprising seven 10-MHz channels.
With the support of 52 subcarriers and
Orthogonal Frequency Division Multi-
plexing (OFDM) modulation, DSRC has
a 3-to-27 Mbit/s data rate, with its range
estimated to be about 300 m. The de­­
tailed specifications of DSRC are listed
in TABLE 2, while the complete amend-
ment and comparison of both protocols
are listed in [1] and TABLE 1.
DSRC was the only communication
technology considered for V2V until
the introduction of C-V2X technology
by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project
(3GPP); since then, C-V2X has become a
competitor of DSRC for V2V communi­
cation. This challenge was due to the
C-V2X ability to use the existing 4G cel-
lular standards adopted on devices and
infrastructures. In addition, the hard-
ware and software required are already
available in the market, hence making
the technology cost-efficient for adapta-
tion. TABLE 2 lists some technical differ-
ences between DSRC and C-V2X; and
more details can be seen in [2], while
FIGURE 1 illustrates how DSRC and C-V2X
work. The core difference is that DSRC
communicates directly with other com-
ponents, while C-V2X requires additional
infrastructure for a network.
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
OF C-V2X AND DSRC
The downfall of C-V2X is its inability for
vehicles to communicate directly due to
the LTE technology it uses and its doubt
on the performance of this technology,
especially in geolocations with no net-
work. Additionally, the cellular technol-
ogy does not have an Automotive Safety
Integrity Level (ASIL) certification, which
means this technology lacks the safety
and cybersecurity capability required in
V2V safety-critical applications.
In contrast, the DSRC communication
technology is suitable for direct V2V
communication due to its tested and
confirmed ability for safety-critical
applications. Unlike C-V2X, DSRC does
not have signal dropouts, making it a
solid and secure communication tech-
nology that offers robust performance.
It also has a low latency needed for
safety applications. In addition, DSRC
is a Wi-Fi network that uses exclusively
reserved 5,9-GHz frequencies, making
it a robust and preferred technology
adapted for V2V communication. As
DE VELO PMENT C onnectivit y

technology evolves, new V2V alterna- Parameter DSRC C-V2X

tives might emerge.
Origin Wi-Fi (WLAN) Cellular (mobile phone)
Multiplex modulation OFDM SC-FDMA
EVOLUTION AND
Modulation and coding schemes BPSK, QPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM QPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM
A LOOK AT THE FUTURE
Line coding Convolutional code Turbo code
In the future, the transportation industry
Symbol duration 8 μs 71 μs
will focuse on avoiding road accidents and
Cyclic prefix duration 1.6 μs 4.69 μs
creating intelligent transportation systems
through V2V communication, unlike in Sub-carrier spacing 156.25 kHz 15 kHz
the past decades, the focus was more on Transmission time (latency) Typically 0.4 ms Fixed to 1 ms
the safety of the vehicle occupants upon Timing accuracy ±1000 μs ±0.39 μs
accident. The evolution of V2V technology
Frequency accuracy ±20 ppm ±0.1 ppm
started by using different signs, tones, or
alerts, to alert drivers in some circum- TABLE 2 Comparison of DSRC and C-V2X technical specifications (source: Junsung Choi [2]) (© adesso)
stances. The V2V then developed into a
system that offers automated driving
assistance by braking or steering the
vehicle when necessary. Finally, this the next phase of how vehicle commu­ driver’s and vehicle’s data leading to pri-
strengthening grows to self-driving cars, nication will transform into vehicle con- vacy infringement. Moreover, the hacker
known as autonomous driving. Based nectivity. Apart from telematics, connec- could transmit impaired V2V messages
on the forecasts by Juniper Research [3], tivity in this aspect involves the modu­ to the vehicles in the vicinity, causing
more than 62 million vehicles will be lations of a vehicle and its software massive traffic jams or steering cars into
capable of V2V communication by 2023 – applications. That is, vehicle functio­ accidents in the case of connected vehi-
unlike just over 1.1 million vehicles in nalities will be connected to the inter- cles. For this, the vehicles have a high
2019. These figures show an annual net to facilitate enhanced performance need for cybersecurity to avoid attacks.
growth rate of 173 % over four years. and safer operation. Imagine the future
With this growth of V2V, its technol- where vehicle systems like drives and
CONCLUSION
ogy is enhanced as well. The introduc- chassis are connected to the internet,
tion of 5G shows how communication enabling real-time data exchange such V2V technology allows communication
technology develops; it paves the way to as for vehicle optimizations and monitor- between vehicles to ensure a safe and
reconsider V2V technology. 5G is the ing. This step could be a good support efficient traffic system [5]. It is one of the
enhanced version of 4G (LTE), which or even control for driving a vehicle with technologies implemented to ensure
C-V2X currently uses, making this V2V combustion engine in the future. safety and better management of traffic
technology advanced. Addressing the However, there are also potential systems. As the industry heads toward
weaknesses of C-V2X and running field downsides: With the evolution of V2V the advanced technological era, the V2V
trials could make the technology more communication and connected vehicles, will develop along. Its evolution started
attractive than DSRC. Alternatively, is this technology will create a new oppor- by alerting the drivers with advanced
the consideration of the interoperability tunity for malicious IT attacks. A hacked driver assistance systems and leads to
and coexistence of DSRC and C-V2X, as V2V communication will expose the the current stage of autonomous vehicles.
discussed in [1] by Ghafoor. Neverthe-
less, the V2V landscape in prospect
could lead to either DSRC or C-V2X, or
could be implemented with both in par­
allel as a heterogeneous solution.
Prospectively, V2V could assist in pro-
tecting the environment by managing
traffic, resulting in less CO2 emission.
Additionally, V2V, in combination with
Vehicle-to-Pedestrian (V2P), Vehicle-
to-Infrastructure (V2I), and Vehicle-to-
Network (V2N), will create a better, con-
nected, and safer traffic system that
could enhance smart cities; under the
big umbrella of V2X classification. V2X
is a technology that permits vehicles to
communicate with different traffic sys-
tem components, FIGURE 2. Thales [4]
appoint a detailed description of these
components, which gives insights into FIGURE 2 Different components of a traffic system – linked with V2X technology (Source: adesso)

42 www.springerprofessional.com/automotive
 In the era of autonomous vehicles and
advanced driving, one must understand
that V2V is one of the crucial technolo-
gies required to ensure a smooth com-
munication, which requires in turn a
POLISH YOUR
harmonized communication technology.
Ensuring interoperability between DSRC KNOWLEDGE
WITH IST
and C-V2X technologies is possible, as
discussed in [1] by Ghafoor, thus creat-
ing an easy technological development
and harmonization also of non-autono-
mous and connected vehicles to V2X.
Regardless of the adopted technology,
the expectation exists that V2V commu-
nication should do more in the future as
the currently available control and safety
application scopes offer. As expected, the
technology requires very robust and reli-
able security since vehicles are now ex­­
tensions of users’ electronic devices
instead of just a mechanical propulsion
device the society perceives them to be. Register
REFERENCES now !
[1] Ghafoor, K.; Guizani, M.; Kong, L.; Maghdid,
H. S.: Enabling Efficient Coexistence of DSRC and
C-V2X in Vehicular Networks. In: IEEE Wireless
Communications 27 (2019), No. 2, pp. 134-140
[2] Choi, J.; Marojevic, V.; Dietrich, C. B.; Reed,
J. H.; Ahn, S.: Survey of Spectrum Regulation for
Intelligent Transportation Systems. In: IEEE Access
8 (2020), pp. 140145-140160
[3] Juniper Research (ed.): Vehicle to Vehicle Com-
munication to be installed in 62m Vehicles by 2023,
as 5G Disrupts Established. Online: https://www.
juniperresearch.com/press/vehicle-to-vehicle-com-
munication-installed-by-2023, access: August 2,
2021
[4] Thales (ed.): V2X: What is Vehicle to Every-
thing?. Online: https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/
markets/digital-identity-and-security/iot/industries/
automotive/use-cases/v2x, access: August 3, 2021
[5] Raposo Alonso, M.; Ciuffo, B.; Makridis, M.;
Thiel, C.: The r-evolution of driving: from Connected
Vehicles to Coordinated Automated Road Transport
(C-ART). Part I: Framework for a safe & efficient
coordinated automated road transport (C-ART)
system. Online: https://data.europa.eu/doi/
10.2760/052089, access: January 19, 2022 IST - International Surface Technology –
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