Feature: Automotive
Whereas connectivity on the road was not guaranteed before, today the wireless infrastructure can support V2X, enabling new safety and convenience features
Connectivity performance Modern vehicles are equipped with many sensors and antennas to seamlessly communicate with the world around them, laying the groundwork for eventual autonomy. Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication will underpin many features in this era, which have been divided into several subcategories: vehicle-to-device (V2D), vehicle-to-network (V2N), vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P) and vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V). Whereas connectivity on the road was not guaranteed before,
Redefi ning “Everything” in automotive V2X connectivity
By Dietmar Schnepp, Product Director, Molex Connected Vehicle Solutions
F
iction has been instrumental in introducing us to advanced cars over the decades, like KITT from the 1980s’ TV series Knight Rider. Such advanced vehicles are now becoming a reality in our everyday life, too, thanks to developments in computing, communications and other technologies.
Autonomous driving, intelligent voice communication, remote access to data and the ability to control external electronic devices locally and remotely will be a reality for all of us very soon.
14 April 2024
www.electronicsworld.co.uk
today the wireless infrastructure can support V2X, enabling new safety and convenience features like collision avoidance systems, adaptive cruise control and parking assistance. Optimised data rates will support V2N via 5G FR1 multiple-in-multiple- out (MIMO) technology, for example. T is frequency band (410MHz-7.125GHz) allows high-speed 4G and 5G performance, minimising errors, improving data speeds and widening the wireless transmission bandwidth by concurrently sending data over multiple signal paths. MIMO provides stable and less- congested connections, thus vehicles must incorporate a vehicle distributed antenna system (vDAS) architecture, which consists of several connected antennas. T ese antennas can be discreetly integrated throughout the vehicle, enhancing signal reliability whilst supporting a streamlined cabin and vehicle body aesthetics. Common locations for mounting them include the vehicle roof, windshield, instrument panel, or the spoiler and front fascia. Since there are many devices positioned throughout the vehicle,
as well as the added processors that control and manage them, this makes vDAS wiring complex. Moving to a zonal architecture – i.e., the vehicle is divided into zones so that individual devices like the antennas are connected to the nearest zonal controller – simplifi es this cabling, lowering wiring harness and installation costs; see Figures 1-3. Using digital interfaces accommodates the vDAS implementation without adding much to vehicle weight or wiring harness complexity. Additionally, diff erent antenna types can be used for diff erent objectives: 5G 4x4 MIMO antenna arrays, blade antennas and shark-fi n antennas for V2X, Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) antennas for navigation, radio antennas for simple radio reception, and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth low-energy (BLE) antennas for connecting to devices inside the vehicle; see Figure 3.
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