Cellular V2X: Continental Successfully Conducts Field Trials in China

• Continental’s initial C-V2X trials in Shanghai with Huawei have successfully reached an average latency of 11 ms for direct communication between vehicles
• Promising results underline suitability of cellular technology for safety critical V2X communication
• Continental strengthens collaboration with ecosystem to build the foundation for C-V2X

The technology company Continental and Huawei have conducted field trials to test the efficiency of the Cellular Vehicle to Everything (C-V2X) communication standard in Shanghai with positive results. C-V2X is emerging as a promising wireless communication technology, demonstrating strong potential for use in automated driving and intelligent mobility. C-V2X allows road users to communicate leveraging LTE in future, the 5G mobile network. It is also designed to directly connect vehicles with each other as well as with the infrastructure and further road users. Even in areas without mobile network coverage, C-V2X communication allows an exchange of time sensitive and safety critical information, for example about warnings of potentially hazardous situations.

In their field tests, the companies judged the performance of C-V2X direct communication on a set of parameters including reliability and latency. To test in realistic conditions, Continental conducted its driving tests in China’s National Intelligent Connected Vehicle Pilot Zone in Shanghai named “A Nice City”. The joint tests leveraged Huawei’s prototype C-V2X module and infrastructure for use cases such as Emergency Brake Light and Stationary Vehicle Warning. While the average latency was 11 ms, single event message latencies as low as 8 ms were achieved, and throughout the tests the packet reception rate was nearly 100 percent.

“Our C-V2X field test results have been extremely promising so far in terms of latency and reliability. What’s more – we have measured the results using pre-development hardware and we expect an even better outcome with serial products. We will continue our intense research and development into this new technology in order to bring the next generation of intelligent features to the connected car”, said Johann Hiebl, head of Continental’s Business Unit Infotainment & Connectivity.

“Huawei will continue to invest in C-V2X and continue to work with industry partners, with an open mind, to drive forward industry development. We believe that C-V2X will become integral to people’s lives, and that it will make traveling safer and more efficient for everyone” said Lu Xiaofeng, director of Huawei Wireless Network-Industry Development Department.

Connected and automated cars require an optimal technology foundation that will remain scalable and relevant in the years to come. With its competence and experience in vehicle safety and communication, Continental is committed to working in partnership with the ecosystem to integrate and deploy different wireless communication technologies, including 5G, C-V2X and Dedicated Short Range Communication (DSRC, IEEE 802.11p) to cater to the unique market needs for advanced communications in the automotive industry.

Continental will demonstrate the results of the C-V2X field trials during the CES in Las Vegas, January 09-12, 2018 to its customers.