Secure data transmission could take connected autonomous vehicles to the next level

An innovative European project, named CONCORDA, has carried out research into vehicle-to-vehicle communications security over the past three and a half years. Led by Ertico – ITS Europe, a public / private partnership that develops intelligent transport systems, the project has brought together big names such as Bosch, Nokia, Telekom, Escrypt and Kapsch.

The most recent tests have focused on how to enable fast and stable data communication between connected vehicles at all times, even when passing through tunnels, for example. The tests involved trucks traveling in convoys on certain sections of the public road and three types of communication technologies.

One was direct Wi-Fi-based communication (ITS-G5), the second was direct cell-based communication (LTE-V2X PC5) and the third was indirect mobile network communication (LTE). For the third method, the signals from the autonomous truck, sent over an LTE network, “were first routed to the mobile network edge cloud server”, Then transmitted to the other trucks.

Tests have shown that the two direct lines of communication work best within a radius of 1,640 feet (500 meters) or less, which could help driver assistance systems be ready for quick responses, such as braking. emergency. On the other hand, the indirect communication channel makes it possible to send secure data over a wider radius, of nearly three thousand meters (3000 meters).

According to Bosch, most new trucks are already equipped with an LTE unit, so it would be enough for them to add the direct communication channels. The joint use of all types of communication channels can ensure secure and continuous transmission of data.

Successful vehicle-to-vehicle communication will be used as a starting point to develop even more advanced automated driving features.