Qualcomm has hailed the progress with cellular vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X) technology in recent months, including with certification of seven products using its own Qualcomm 9150 C-V2X chipset.
C-V2X is a global solution for vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and V2X communication, standardized in 3GPP. It is designed to enhance road safety and smart transportation systems, including support of automated driving. It offers forwards-integration with 5G networks being deployed globally, and backwards-compatability with other 3GPP standards.
The technology is gaining momentum across the globe, observed Qualcomm. Field tests are transitioning to early deployments in China. In the United States, recent field tests have shown significant range, reliability, and performance advantage of C-V2X direct communications, in addition to the ability for C-V2X to work well in congested environments.
In Europe, recent plugtests organized by ETSI and 5GAA demonstrated multi-vendor interoperability, while multiple corridor projects are being planned to test the technology on the road, starting from the 5G-CARMEN and Concorda projects.
A new European Standard defining the use of C-V2X as an access layer technology for intelligent transportation system (ITS) devices has been approved recently through the European Telecommunication Standardization Institute (ETSI).
ETSI standards defining other ITS protocols above the access layer have been updated to support utilization of C-V2X as the underlying access layer.
These standards and specifications have been included in the ETSI ITS Release 1 specification set and provide the basis for development of interoperable C-V2X ITS implementations and devices from multiple vendors.
Seven products running on Qualcomm’s 9150 C-V2X chipset solution have now completed certification in accordance with the European radio equipment directive (RED) certification in Europe. Qualcomm called it a “major step forward toward the commercial introduction of C-V2X in Europe”.
Dino Flore, vice president of technology at Qualcomm Europe, said: “In the past few months, we have seen tremendous momentum for C-V2X around the world. Thanks to our joint efforts with leading automotive and infrastructure companies, there are now multiple RED-certified C-V2X products, which paves the way to C-V2X commercialization in Europe.”
The seven RED-certified 9150-based devices include on-board units (OBUs) from Commsignia, Ficosa, and Savari and roadside units from Commsignia, Kapsch, and Savari. Qualcomm said early product availability will accelerate adoption of C-V2X in the region.
Laszlo Virag, chief technology officer at Commsignia, said: “We are at the dawn of a new era in mobility and Commsignia is excited to be amongst those who lead the way towards it. Such milestones are crucial as they actively support the spread of V2X technologies. We look forward to the next step: using the technology to effectively make transportation safer.”
Joan Palacin, business unit director at Ficosa, said: “Not only in Europe but also China, USA and globally, we see C-V2X as a key technology to achieve automotive industry challenging safety goals by significantly reducing fatalities on our roads.”
Alfredo Escriba, chief technology officer at Kapsch , said: “We always strive to enable our customers delivering their smart road, demand management, pollution reduction and safety objectives.”
Paul Sakamoto, chief operating officer at Savari, said: “This brings us one step closer to making C-V2X a reality in Europe as the technology prepares for commercial deployment.”
Fayu Chen, general manager of automotive and industrial solutions at WNC, said: “WNC has and will provide the global technical support for the C-V2X development platform and the ITS abstraction layer SDK, fulfilling our promise to the eco-system to facilitate fast-to-market development.”
