Qualcomm Technologies is learning about new ways to use Wi-Fi in an automotive environment thanks to a collaboration with the Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team. The two have collaborated to enable racecar telemetry data to be downloaded via Wi-Fi using 5 GHz spectrum during Formula One practice sessions.
The telemetry includes data from thermal imaging tire cameras, which are used to improve speed, efficiency and vehicle safety. Sharing the data via Wi-Fi over the 5 GHz spectrum is designed to enable faster data transfer of large vehicle diagnostics files and prevent frequent trips to the garage to offload data, which previously required a plug-in connection from the car to computers in the garage. Transferring data via high-speed wireless in the pitlane allows the Mercedes racecar to make better use of limited practice sessions and spend more time testing the configuration of the vehicle. Qualcomm says the technology has the potential to shape future developments in dedicated short range communications (DSRC), vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communications. Article