BMW in first satellite links to cars and direct V2X
The 5G Automotive Association and BMW are set to demonstrate the first standard satellite link to cars on public roads for technology that will roll out in 2027.
The demo next week in Paris uses the Non-terrestrial Network (NTN) standard specification from the 3GPP via satellites from Viasat and Skylo. The key is that by using the 3GPP specification the links are seamless with terrestrial cellular networks. However the satellite links are very low bit rate, at 0.5 to 1kbit/s, for safety messages via satellites in geostationary orbits.
The 5GAA will also be showing the first direct car-to-car data links in operation.
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“We are looking at connectivity of the vehicles with any different radio access technologies, from traditional mobile networks both terrestrial and no-terrestrial as well as peer-to-peer, vehicle to vehicle,” said Maxime Flament, CTO of 5GAA. “We are initially mostly looking at traffic efficiency and safety form the simple information and intersection safety to more challenging connectivity with information about dynamic objects around the vehicle.
5GAA has been testing receivers to ensure interoperability across multiple OEMs and Tier One suppliers. The association includes 10 of the top 15 OEMs, with BMW, Mercedes, Honda, Audi, VW, Volvo, Renault, Nio, GM, Nissan, Stellantis, Tata and Ford. It also includes Bosch, Continental, Denso, Hundai Mobis, Valeo and Marben as integrators.
However this does not include the world’s largest car maker, Toyota.
Qualcomm and Mediatek are the chip suppliers to Cohda Wireless and Autotalks for modules in the West, with Huawei and ZTE in China, and the 5GAA also includes eight of the top ten mobile operators and two top smartphone makers.
“Connectivity is becoming more and more important for vehicles,” said Olaf Eckart, the engineering lead for NTN at BMW. “No connection is not an option. Satellite came to our attention 3 to 5 years ago and then it was costly and proprietary with large terminals. Cross industry cooperation is necessary to get good connectivity, and in 2022 the initial work item was set up to address NTN requirements.”
He points to the need for such connections even across Europe, with permanent gaps in cellular coverage and to address disasters such as the recent floods in Germany that destroyed cellular infrastructure.
“In order to get a cost effective and scalable solution, the satellite technology must be integrated into terrestrial networks and will be in FR1 band below 6GHz that is used by NB-IoT and 5G NR.”
“We see this as a phased roll out with narrowband for safety and transiting to wideband as the technology develops,” said Tim Daly, Viasat global L band network VP sales and business development. “This is using the beams we have available in Europe and globally,” said Daly, “it’s a really positive move that we have accomplished over the last few months.”
Stellantis is also using the NTN technology in a static demonstration of narrowband links to give emergency services ubiquitous connections, says Laurent Dizambourg, Connectivity Innovation Project manager at Stellantis.
Initial deployment is expected by 2027.
The car-to-car direct V2X links use the 5.9GHz harmonised ISM band that is independent of the cellular network. This provides a short range link of up to 100m
“We have for some time now included v2x direct in the roadmap for 2026 to 2029,” said Flament at 5GAA. “Europe will be first in line to implement the 5G V2X direct solution.”
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