Qualcomm Technologies announced that it completed the first successful multichipset vendor interoperability test of LTE-V2X with the Datang Telecom Group, also known as China Academy of Telecommunications Technology (CATT).
Specifically, the test involved 3GPP Release 14 C-V2X direct communications Mode 4 at a Qualcomm laboratory in Beijing and used the Qualcomm 9150 C-V2X chipset solution and Datang’s LTE-V2X module, the DMD31. Qualcomm said it represents the maturing state of C-V2X radio technology and applications to improve automotive safety, automated driving and traffic efficiency.
“Qualcomm Technologies prides ourselves in developing and delivering automotive solutions that will transform the industry of Internet Connected Vehicles, and C-V2X is no exception,” said Nakul Duggal, vice president of product management, Qualcomm Technologies, in a press release. “Achieving this milestone with Datang is quite significant as it exemplifies the technology maturity to support C-V2X commercial deployments starting in 2019. With our long history of wireless leadership in China, and close collaborations with the automotive and telecom industries, we look forward to continued work alongside leaders in China as we collectively advance towards the commercial reality of safer and more connected vehicles.”
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Datang Telecom Group CTO Yingmin Wang described the interoperability test as one of great importance and a milestone for the industry, demonstrating the readiness of commercial deployment for C-V2X technology. “Datang Telecom Group is a recognized leader in C-V2X, and we believe that the technology will play a key role in the intelligent and connected vehicles industry,” he said in a statement.
C-V2X happens to be competing with dedicated short-range communications (DSRC) systems that some auto-makers, like Toyota, are advocating. The U.S. so far has not mandated a particular technology and in some states, like Colorado, state agencies are accommodating both DSRC and C-V2X until the market decides where it’s going to end up.
RELATED: Qualcomm, Ford and Panasonic mark first U.S. C-V2X deployment in Colorado
The Next Generation Mobile Networks (NGMN) investigated and concluded that C-V2X technology is superior to IEEE 802.11p standards, technically, economically and ecosystem wise. NGMN predicts the technology will be deployed by 2020, according to a recent white paper (PDF).
Qualcomm, which has developed chips for both C-V2X and 802.11p-based DSRC, also has done considerable research into both technologies and concluded that C-V2X is superior. But car makers in the U.S. still are not all on board.
Toyota announced in April that it would be deploying DSRC in Toyota and Lexus vehicles sold in the U.S. starting in 2021, and General Motors plans to eventually extend DSRC to its entire Cadillac portfolio.
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