This event enabled vendors to run test sessions to assess the level of interoperability of their implementation and validate the understanding of the ETSI TC ITS and 3GPP standards.

This week-long face to face Plugtests at Dekra, Malaga, provided an opportunity to test C-V2X devices. Field interoperability testing included road hazard signalling, road works warning, longitudinal collision risk warning and intersection collision risk warning.

The ETSI 5GAA joint workshop which was organized in parallel, addressed C-V2X interoperability and deployment and was attended by 65 people. Leading speakers from the European Commission, the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Global Certification Forum presented the latest updates on ITS deployments and certifications.

Participants included:

• Eight On-Board Units: Bosch, Commsignia, Ficosa, Huawei, LGE, Neusoft, Qualcomm, Savari
• Four PKI Providers: Crypta Labs, Gemalto (Thales), Microsec, Penta Security
• Five Test Equipment Vendors: Anritsu, Keysight, Rhode & Schwarz, Spirent, Software Radio Systems

Performance validation of C-V2X is crucial for C-V2X certification and commercialization. 3GPP validation of Keysight’s conformance test case enables the C-V2X connected ecosystem to achieve performance compliance with the specifications of the 3GPP standards, both for Release 14 and 5G new radio (NR) Release 16. The test case validation, which took place in Austin, Texas, on October 23^rd, was achieved using Keysight’s 5G radio frequency (RF) and radio resource management (RRM) DVT & Conformance Toolset and the Qualcomm 9150 C-V2X chipset platform, which is designed to deliver precise positioning, efficient processing and security capabilities.

Keysight supports short-range wireless technologies, such as C-V2X. C-V2X is expected to be instrumental in transforming in-vehicle experiences and delivering safer road conditions for passengers, drivers and pedestrians. Keysight 5G RF/RRM DVT & Conformance Toolset offers C-V2X end-to-end signaling test capabilities that include Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signal emulation for validating User-to-UTRAN (Uu) and PC5 links.

Keysight’s 5G RF/RRM DVT & Conformance Toolset, part of Keysight’s suite of 5G network emulation solutions, cost-effectively addresses a wide range of test needs on a single platform using common software. Early access to a wide range of 5G NR protocol and RF test cases for both non-standalone (NSA) and standalone (SA) mode in FR1 and FR2 allows market makers to quickly and cost-effectively address global test requirements of 5G multi-mode devices in different form factors. Keysight 5G Conformance Toolsets, used by test labs including Bureau Veritas, Tech Mahindra and PCTEST, offer a leading number of test cases validated by both by the Global Certification Forum (GCF) and PCS Type Certification Review Board (PTCRB), which are key certification bodies for wireless technologies.

Developed by SAIC Motor, the heavy smart trucks are powered by advanced technologies, including 5G, V2X and AI, to achieve 5G L4-level intelligent driving at the port. Each truck has been equipped with “senses” to detect the external environment and cope with unexpected situations such as crosswinds, obstacles in the road or pedestrian traffic. After arriving at the destination, the vehicles can also dock in target locations.

Quectel C-V2X modules AG15 were integrated in the trucks to help identify and communicate with roadside units such as gates and traffic lights, greatly improving driving safety and efficiency.

The introduction of 5G provides port owners with an unprecedented opportunity to embrace automation to reduce costs by 25-55% and raise productivity by up to 10-35%, according to the same report.

Modules, such as the Quectel C-V2X portfolio, offer even more significant cost-effectiveness and flexibility than conventional forms of investment in automation as they can be custom-installed to meet automakers’ or port authorities’ requirements.

Additionally, Quectel’s AG520R module integrating LTE+C-V2X technologies has supported over 30 automotive customers in product design. The 5G+C-V2X module AG550Q is currently under development and compatible with AG520R in both HW/SW, ensuring a smoother migration from LTE to 5G, which means that the future of automation is now just a module away.

During a live demo event in Turin, the 5G Automotive Association (5GAA) showcased ready to deploy use cases in the streets of the city and a sneak preview of what the future has in store on the renowned Lingotto rooftop test track.

Prominent members and partners of the 5GAA including Audi, Continental, Ericsson, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Harman Samsung, Marelli, Pirelli, Qualcomm, TIM and Vodafone demonstrated the current state of C-V2X and the road to future, Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V), Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I), and Vehicle-to-Network (V2N) applications based on 4G LTE and 5G.

Using both direct short-range communications and mobile networks, the open-road demonstrations showcased the extensive capabilities of today’s C-V2X technology, ready for deployment. To name a few:

• Protecting vulnerable road users, for instance, by alerting drivers about a pedestrian at a crossing using LTE-connected infrastructure.
• Smoothing traffic by allowing public authorities and road operators to provide real-time warnings to drivers in urban environments concerning roadworks or speed limits, via the network.
• Preventing incidents at dangerous intersections or in the event of unexpected braking, thanks to C-V2X direct-short range communications between vehicles.

The track demonstrations at Lingotto underlined the enhanced safety benefits that can be expected thanks to the versatility of 5G and the wide range of services it enables. To name a few:

• Vehicles will geo-tag dangerous areas for the following cars or provide ‘see-through’ functions to avoid dangerous overtaking.
• Pedestrians will be detected directly via their smartphones and surrounding vehicles will be warned.
• In case of accidents, emergency services will be able to visualize the situation live using on-board cameras of surrounding vehicles, improving response times and providing emergency responders situational awareness prior to arriving at the crash scene.

Furthermore, Intel showcased an “In Vehicle Entertainment” demo at the Museum, in collaboration with Marelli, TerraNet and Equinix, showing how Multi-Access Edge Computing (MEC) can support immersive high-definition (HD) entertainment for all occupants of a moving vehicle, including video streaming, gaming, virtual reality (VR), office work, online education, advertisement.

A short summary on each of the 5GAA C-V2X use cases, demonstrated today in Turin

Demo 1 “Vulnerable Road Users”: open road demos on safety

In this trial – which is part of Torino Smart Roads Initiative patronized by the Municipality of Turin – TIM, Links Foundation and Luxoft showed how the communication between the various actors moving along the roads can help in detecting potentially dangerous situations. The goal of the demos was to demonstrate how the 5G mobile network facilitates the protection of Vulnerable Road Users: pedestrians (“Presence of a pedestrian on a crosswalk”) and cyclists (“Presence of a connected bike on the road”). In the case of a pedestrian approaching a crosswalk, a Roadside Unit connected to the mobile network, equipped with a camera able to detect the event, sent a warning message to the nearby connected vehicles (I2V communication). In the case of a connected bike and a connected vehicle that are approaching each other, the two vehicles received a warning message about their presence when a risk of collision is detected.

Demo 2 “Urban Georeferenced Alerting” in open roads

TIM, FCA, Links Foundation, City of Turin with 5T, and Politecnico di Torino showed how the Local Traffic Authority in Turin intends to notify drivers in real time of possible dangers and special situations on the road (traffic jam, road works warning, dynamic speed limit, etc.). A standard geo-referenced warning message was dispatched to a TIM AMQP broker” at the edge of the 5G mobile network and only the involved vehicles received the geo-localized message from the AMQP Broker using the TIM 5G Network. The warning was read and displayed in an FCA vehicle through the on-board HMI and can for instance notify the driver of upcoming speed reduction. The aim of the trial was to demonstrate how the TIM 5G Network is suitable for realizing smart roads services for connected cars. The solution is compliant with the standards so it can be applied in other locations covered with mobile networks.

Demo 3 Intersection Movement Assist (IMA), Forward collision Warning (FCW)

FCA and Harman Samsung showcased two Vehicle to Vehicle (V2V) demos, by integrating C-V2X direct-short range communication into Maserati Levante and Quattroporte. The vehicles, through a direct radio link (network-less radio link), anonymously communicated basic information such as their position and related direction.

The Forward Collision Warning (FCW), detected possible frontal collision and warned the driver accordingly. The Intersection Movement Assist (IMA), assisted the driver at the cross junctions to avoid a possible lateral collision with an oncoming vehicle.

Demo 4 Emergency Electronic Brake Light (EEBL), Stationary Vehicle Warning (SVW)

FCA, Continental, and Qualcomm demonstrated fast and reliable information exchange between vehicles in emergency situations. The two demos are based on C-V2X direct-short range technology, enabling Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication between two Jeep Renegade. There were two portions to this demo:

“Stationary Vehicle Warning” (SVW): when the hazard lights are activated, the application broadcasted a message to all nearby vehicles so that approaching vehicles could be informed even if the hazard was not visible.

“Emergency Electronic Brake Light warning” (EEBL): in the event of a sudden braking, the application broadcasted a message to following vehicles, such that approaching vehicles were notified of the potentially dangerous situation.

Demo 5 See-through

Vodafone, FCA, Vodafone Automotive, Marelli and Altran revealed the ‘See Through’ that uses C-V2X long-range cellular network communication to exchange streamed video in real time between vehicles, extending the driver’s visual range under obstructed visibility scenarios and to prevent accidents, especially those that may occur in an overtaking phase. The two involved Jeep Renegades vehicles were equipped with a connectivity solution (Marelli) and high frame-rate cameras (Marelli Motorsport) to detect the road lanes.

A real time tracking system and a space mapping algorithm of the vehicles, specifically developed by Vodafone Automotive, allowed Vodafone’s Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC) to dynamically manage and route the video flows on the basis of the vehicles’ relative positions and to ensure minimal end-to-end latency in the interest of drivers’ safety. Vodafone 5G ultra-low latency and high reliability were paramount to ensure the flow and synchrony of the real-time video exchange between vehicles, also under high traffic and cell saturation conditions.

Demo 6 World-first 5G-enhanced ADAS services

Audi, Ericsson, Italdesign, KTH, Pirelli, Qualcomm, TIM and Tobii showed how smart cars, commercial 5G smartphones and 5G networks jointly improve comfort, safety and efficiency. This unique collaboration combined the power of eye-tracking glasses, intelligent tires, in-vehicle augmented reality and 5G phones to work together over a live 5G network. With its high capacity and low latency, cellular 5G connectivity is ready to enable instantaneous cooperation between vehicles, the IoT ecosystem and more advanced driver assistance services. The live demonstrations at the Turin Lingotto test track were based on TIM’s commercial 5G network delivered in Turin in partnership with Ericsson. Audi cars, equipped with Pirelli Cyber Tyre, and embedded 5G modems provided by Qualcomm and available 5G smartphones were utilized to enhance pedestrian’s safety.

Ettifos’ SDR-based C-V2X solution can flexibly process applications not only based on C-V2X standards (3GPP Release 14, 15), but is also able to work through WAVE (802.11p) and 802.11bd, the next-generation standard for WAVE, in addition to the new 5G NR V2X standard (3GPP Release 16), set to be completed in 2020. While existing C-V2X communication chipsets make it difficult for terminal or equipment manufactures to change functions once the chipset is designed and produced, Ettifos’ SDR V2X solution circumvents that issue by implementing many V2X functions as software in order to flexibly match the needs of its users.

While V2X technology has long been put on the forefront of innovative technology, major government players such as the EU and the United States Department of Transportation have recently pulled legislation that would have potentially set up a singular standard for the industry to follow. As both WAVE and C-V2X have been considered and heavily debated as to their viability and feasibility, governments across the globe have yet to decide upon a single standard for V2X communication, therefore pushing several key industry leaders such as Toyota and Qualcomm and consortiums such as the 5GAA to lobby governments to decide upon a single standard.

As such, the fact that there now exists a SDR solution capable of handling several different forms of communication standards in one platform is welcoming news to V2X research institutions and equipment manufacturers globally, specifically because they will be able to decrease their reliance on a singular semiconductor company and work with a solution capable of collectively testing a variety of different communication standards in a single environment.

Rohde & Schwarz in collaboration with Vector, Savari and Quectel successfully presented an application layer test solution for 3GPP C-V2X Release 14, specifically aimed at the growing Chinese market. This integrated test platform was presented at the Mobile World Congress in Shanghai 2019 and is a complete solution for simulation development and testing of all V2X-based applications.

The presented C-V2X test solution consists of a device under test C-V2X module AG15 provided by Quectel, running Savari’s MobiWAVE V2X Software Stack and receiving the ITS messages provided by the R&S CMW500 wideband radio communication tester and the GPS signal by R&S SMBV100B vector signal generator. The R&S CMW500 uses a C-V2X software package needed to simulate the Physical- and MAC-layer in order to transmit and receive data over the PC5 radio interface. Vector’s software environment for V2X application testing, CANoe .Car2x, is used to create and simulate detailed traffic situations for the verification of C-V2X connectivity. Savari’s C-V2X middleware helps demonstrate the outstanding versatility and performance of the R&S CMW500, while presenting a variety of applications ideal for 3GPP LTE-V2X PC5 interoperability testing. It offers the full support of the necessary standards and specifications required for proper functioning in China’s networks, such as the GB/T 31024 standard for the next generation of cooperative intelligent transport systems.

This is the only test solution available that covers all layers, from the physical layer and the RF measurements, the protocol layer and the protocol conformance tests, up to the application layer with the fully integrated ITS stack.

This setup presents an end-to-end solution for testing all related functionalities of C-V2X. This includes both device-to device communication – between a vehicle and another vehicle (V2V), a vehicle and a pedestrian (V2P), a vehicle and the surrounding road infrastructure (V2I), and device-to-network (V2N) type of communication.