Vol.5, No.

9 September 2014 ISSN 2079-8407

Journal of Emerging Trends in Computing and Information Sciences

©2009-2014 CIS Journal. All rights reserved.

http://www.cisjournal.org

A Survey of VANET Technologies

1
M. Shahid Anwer, 2 Chris Guy
1
PhD Student, School of Systems Engineering, University of Reading, UK, 2014
2
Professor, School of Systems Engineering, University of Reading, UK 2014

ABSTRACT
Recent advancement in wireless communication technologies and automobiles have enabled the evolution of
Intelligent Transport System (ITS) which addresses various vehicular traffic issues like traffic congestion,
information dissemination, accident etc. Vehicular Ad-hoc Network (VANET) a distinctive class of Mobile ad-hoc
Network (MANET) is an integral component of ITS in which moving vehicles are connected and communicate
wirelessly. Wireless communication technologies play a vital role in supporting both Vehicle to Vehicle (V2V) and
Vehicle to Infrastructure (V2I) communication in VANET. This paper surveys some of the key vehicular wireless
access technology standards such as 802.11p, P1609 protocols, Cellular System, CALM, MBWA, WiMAX,
Microwave, Bluetooth and ZigBee which served as a base for supporting both Safety and Non Safety applications. It
also analyses and compares the wireless standards using various parameters such as bandwidth, ease of use, upfront
cost, maintenance, accessibility, signal coverage, signal interference and security. Finally, it discusses some of the
issues associated with the interoperability among those protocols.

Keywords: ITS, VANET, V2V, V2I, DSRC, WAVE, IEEE 802.11p, CALM

1. INTRODUCTION between VANET and MANET. Since the vehicles are

A VANET is a distinctive class of a MANET in moved along the road, the mobility of nodes in
which moving vehicles act as either a node or a router to VANET is predictable unlike MANET [5].
exchange messages between vehicles, or an Access Point Furthermore, there is no limitation of storage and
(AP). Typically, it can connect to vehicles within the processing capability and battery power of nodes in a
range of 100 to 900 meters if using 802.11p. It is aimed to VANET. Due to the fast movement of nodes in a
support both V2V and V2I communication over VANET the formed wireless network topology is
infrastructure less network. It is essential to realize that highly dynamic. In addition, network density in
the ITS aims to improve road safety and provides a VANET varies over time and location significantly
comfortable travel experience to driver and passengers [10].
[1][8]. There have been numerous research initiatives Typically, a VANET consists of four major
such as COOPERS, CVIS, SAFESPOT, PReVENT, components namely: Vehicles, Devices/Sensor such as
Wireless Access in Vehicular Environments (WAVE) and GPS enabled devices, Road-side Info-Stations and
Advanced Safety Vehicle Program (ASV) carried out Traffic Management Centre (TMC) [2][11]. All these
across Europe, US and Japan to make ITS into a reality. components communicate using wireless
VANETs are used to support safety critical communication standards/protocols that will determine
applications and non-safety infotainment or the various aspects of communication such as data
entertainment based applications. Safety applications transmission range and rate, latency and security.
such as collision avoidance, pre-crash sensing or lane Perhaps, data delivery is considered as the key
changing are aimed to minimize road accidents by challenge due to the fast topology change, frequent
using traffic monitoring and management applications. signal disruptions, and contact opportunities of
Non Safety applications enable passengers to access VANET [9]. A VANET could use multiple networking
various services like internet access, interactive technologies such as WAVE IEEE P1609, DSRC
communication, online games, payment services and IEEE802.11p, WiMAX IEEE 802.16, Bluetooth IEEE
information updates whilst vehicles are on move. The 802.15.1, MBWA IEEE 802.20, Infrared and cellular
notable difference between safety and non-safety to facilitate ad-hoc communication among the
application is that the safety applications are capable vehicles[4][7]. This paper describes the characteristics
of sending and processing messages in real time [3]. of wireless access standards and their limitations and
The driver and passengers can access both kinds of suitability for VANETs.
services from the nearby infrastructure seamlessly
using wireless access technologies [7]. The paper is organized as follows. Section 2
describes the various wireless standards used in
VANET and MANET have many similarities VANETs. Section 3 compares the communication
such as dynamic topology, multi-hop data technologies to find out their suitability for VANET
transmission, distributed architecture and Omni- applications. Finally, Section 4 concludes the paper.
directional broadcast. In both networks, mobile nodes
are able to route or relay data to the destination by
itself. However, there are some notable difference

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Journal of Emerging Trends in Computing and Information Sciences

©2009-2014 CIS Journal. All rights reserved.

http://www.cisjournal.org
2. WIRELESS ACCESS STANDARDS General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), introduces a
In VANET, vehicles use numerous wireless packet oriented, mobile data service. It improves the data
access technologies to communicate with other vehicles transfer rate through efficient bandwidth utilization as
and roadside base stations [6]. Generally, this is to compared to GSM. GRPS and GSM together are called
improve traffic management and monitoring and enable 2.5G. They support a data transmission speed of up to
the driver and passengers to access 170 Kbps and enables internet access [14].
infotainment/entertainment services. These protocols are Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE)
broadly classified into five categories: Cellular systems, / Enhanced GPRS (EGPRS), uses Eight State Phase Shift
WLAN/Wi-Fi Standards, DSRC/WAVE Standard, Keying (8-PSK) in combination with Gaussian Mean
CALM Standard and Miscellaneous standards including Shift Keying (GMSK) modulation techniques to achieve a
Bluetooth, ZigBee, and Infrared. These protocols can also higher data rate. It can be operated on any GSM
be grouped into three categories based on their range as frequency band and increases the data rate up to 384kbps
shown in Fig.1. This section describes the design [15]. It is a more suitable standard to support email,
principles and technical feature of some key data wireless multimedia, video conferencing and web based
communication protocols. infotainment applications than GPRS.

3G/UMTS (Universal Mobile

VANET Communication Telecommunications System) operates in the band from
Technology 1.8GHz to 2.5 GHz. It uses more advanced adaptive
modulation techniques such as Quadrature Phase Shift
keying, or 64QAM (QPSK), Differential phase shift
Long Range Medium Range Short Range keying (DPSK), Bipolar phase shift keying (BPSK) and
Pulse modulation (PM). It provides data transfer
speeds up to 2 Mbps. 3G HSPA (High-Speed Packet
Access) offers a downstream data transfer rate of 14
Cellular Wi-Fi Infrared
Mbps and an upstream data transfer rate of 5.74 Mbps. In
contrast, 3G HSPA+ (Evolved HSPA) achieves 42 Mbps
WiMAX Bluetooth in the downlink and 11 Mbps in the uplink. 3G
DSRC/
WAVE HSDPA (High-Speed Downlink Packet Access)
MBWA ZigBee technique was developed to meet the requirements of
bandwidth-intensive applications such as large file
Microwave CALM UWB transfers, and fast Web browsing. It is an ideal technology
Fig 1: VANET communication technology signal range to support real time application due to its low latency (70
wise to 100 ms). It can support data transfer speed of up to
14.4Mbps. [15]
2.1 Long Range Protocols
2.1.1 Cellular Systems (2G/3G/4G) The Fourth Generation (4G) technologies were
Cellular system uses radio waves to transmit developed to offer high speed, broadband, cheaper mobile
data over long distances. They have been used to provide services. They support high mobility through soft
mobile services since the 1970s. They use a concept of handoffs and seamless switching [16]. 4G/ LTE (Long
“frequency reuse” to increase coverage area and also for Term Evolution) network uses the 1700 MHz and 2100
multiple transmissions simultaneously [12]. In the first MHz frequency bands, and its data transfer speed is up to
generation (1G), analog signals are used to transmit data. 129Mbps. 3G Cellular network has already used for
The Second Generation (2G) supports secure, digital timely data dissemination in order to support VANET
transmission unlike its predecessor 1G. It has various applications such as accident prevention and traffic jam
forms such as the Global System for Mobile avoidance [47]
communications (GSM), digital AMPS (D-AMPS),
Code-Division Multiple Access (CDMA), and Personal 2.1.2 WiMAX Standard
Digital Communication (PDC) techniques. Amongst WiMax (Worldwide Interoperability for
these GSM is predominately used. GSM uses Frequency Microwave Access) provides Internet access at the
Division multiple access (FDMA) along with Time distance of up to 50km with a speed of 70Mbps. As it
Division Multiple Access (TDMA) technique. It operates uses higher frequency band (2.5 GHz) compared to LTE,
in fourteen frequency bands but GSM-900 and GSM- it provides high bandwidth which in turn increases
1800 are used in many countries. GSM-900 uses 890– throughput. The new standard, WiMAX Mobile (IEEE
915 MHz for uplink and 935–960 MHz for downlink 802.16m), uses advanced modulation techniques such as
whereas GSM 1800 uses 1,710–1,785 MHz for uplink Adaptive modulation and coding (AMC), Hybrid
and 1,805–1,880 MHz for downlink. Those frequency Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) and Fast Channel
bands are divided into several channels in order to Feedback (CQICH) to offer broadband access to mobile
transmit data [13]. GSM supports a data transfer rate of users[17]. It can offer downlink data rates of up to 63
9.6 Kbps. Its extension, called Mbps and uplink data rates of 28Mpbs. J.S Huang et al

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Journal of Emerging Trends in Computing and Information Sciences

©2009-2014 CIS Journal. All rights reserved.

http://www.cisjournal.org
[48] have used WiMax for implementing road safety It is expected that the combination of GPS, DSRC and 4G
applications by streaming real time videos. will revolutionize the ITS in the near future [19].

2.1.3 MBWA Standard 2.2 Medium Range Protocols

The IEEE 802.20 or Mobile Broadband Wireless 2.2.1 WLAN/Wi-Fi Standards
Access (MBWA) was developed to provide wireless Wireless local area network (WLAN) or wireless
Internet access to highly mobile devices. Though it is fidelity (Wi-Fi) standards are widely used to create Ad-
attempted to provide various features such as low latency, hoc networks due to their low cost, high data transfer
high data rate of up to 4.5 Mbps, support for mobility up rates and ease of deployment. These consist of several
to vehicular speeds of 250 km/h. It is operated in licensed standards including 802.11a, 802.11ac, 802.11b, 802.11e,
3.5GHz and optimized to support IP packet transmission. 802.11g and 802.11n. The IEEE 802.11b operates in the
It also supports seamless and fast handoffs [41]. unlicensed 2.4GHz frequency band and achieves data
rates of up to 11Mpbs using DSSS. IEEE 802.11a
2.1.4 MICROWAVE operates in the licensed 5 GHz frequency band and
This standard (IEEE 802.15.4) uses a frequency supports high data rate of 54Mbps. This standard is
between 0.3GHz and 300GHz and transmits data up to 16 incompatible with 802.11b and costlier. 802.11g, an
Gbps over long distance. Unlike Infrared, it provides extension of 802.11b, has the same data rate of 802.11a
broad bandwidth and supports high transmission rate. It through using an OFDM modulation technique. Like
is already used in RADAR, Micro Ovens and Satellite 802.11b, it is also vulnerable to air interferences from
Communications. Moreover, it is used to build wireless Bluetooth devices, Cordless phones due to usage of
LAN that spans multiple cities. The key limitation of unlicensed 2.4GHz frequency band [12]. 802.11n is
microwave is that it requires Line of Sight (LoS) backward compatible with 802.11a and 802.11b and
communication [37]. Like infrared, it can be used to operates in both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. It
support both safety and infotainment applications but significantly increases data transmission rate up to 100
with the LoS constraint issue. Mbps using channel bonding. Unlike 802.11g, it
improves reliability and performance using MIMO. It can
GSM based 2G is inefficient for short data support bandwidth intensive applications such as VoIP
transactions. Moreover, the key limitation of GPRS or and video streaming over long distances [13]. 802.11e
EDGE is that they cannot transfer voice and data defines the rules to improve QoS of WLAN through
simultaneously. As a result, 2G cannot be used to support modifying the MAC Layer [39].
time-critical, safety applications in a VANET. Because of
high latency and low data rates, both GSM and GPRS The 802.11ac is an emerging standard which
could not be used to support infotainment applications. provides high data rate of up to 1Gbps only in the 5 GHz
Generally, Cellular Systems such as 3G and 4G can be frequency band. It has many attractive features like beam
used for long range data communications in ITS. The 3G forming and Multiuser MIMO as opposed to 802.11n.
enables constant access to infotainment services through Wi-Fi Standards are used to create an Independent Basic
the Internet irrespective of the high mobility of vehicles. Service Set (IBSS) in VANET. However, the number of
However, it reduces the data rate to 144Kbps on moving vehicles increases significantly it affects the performance
and covers only up to 12km range. 4G Standards promise of the Wi-Fi network. Most of the Wi-Fi standards are
to support speed of 100Mbps in high mobility and 1Gbps operated on unlicensed 2.4GHz band. Hence, they are
in low mobility. The LTE Advanced Standard is expected susceptible to interference with other standards such as
to provide high performance during mobility of 15 to Bluetooth. Though some standards use 5GHz band, they
120Kmph and capable to of supporting mobile speeds of can support short range communications. Generally, Wi-
up to 500 km/h. [44] WiMAX Mobile can provide more Fi need more access points and provides less secure and
reliable communication over long distances. It can unreliable communications for VANETs than Cellular
support high-speed, handoffs and smart antenna Systems. The Vehicle tracking system (VETRAC) uses
technologies such as MIMO and beam forming. WiMAX IEEE 802.11 b/g for tracking and locating a moving
Mobile (IEEE 802.16m), supports mobility up to 350 vehicle [58].
kmph and increase the data transfer rate up to 1Gbps. [45]
2.2.2 DSRC/WAVE (IEEE 802.11p Wi-Fi Family
A hybrid approach, combining Wi-Fi and 3G Protocols)
services, can be used to support VANET applications. Dedicated Short Range Communication (DSRC /
But, it will lead to frequent handoffs and discontinued IEEE 802.11p) was exclusively developed to meet the
connection due to low-speed 3G [18]. Hence, 4G requirements of VANETs such as self organizing, self
standards are mostly preferred for VANET over 3G due configuring, high mobility and dynamic topology. DSRC
to high throughput and low loss rates. As 4G is expected works using a 75MHz spectrum in 5.9 GHz frequency
to minimize the latency, it is a potential alternative to band in US whereas in Europe and Japan it operates on
Dedicated Short Range Communication (DSRC). 30MHz spectrum in the 5.8 GHz band. It can provide
However, the availability of 4G is the biggest issue today. services to both V2V and V2I up to 1km and supports
data rate of up to 27Mbps. As shown in the Fig.2 the

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Journal of Emerging Trends in Computing and Information Sciences

©2009-2014 CIS Journal. All rights reserved.

http://www.cisjournal.org
spectrum comprises a 5MHz guard band, one 10MHz The CCH is dedicated to transmit only safety-
Control Channel (CCH) and six 10 MHz Service related messages. However, SCHs are used to support
Channels (SCHs). both safety and non-safety applications. The DSRC
allows combining two SCHs to form 20MHz channels in
order to support high data rates of 54 Mbps [26][25].

Operating Channel 174 176 178 180 182

184
No. 172 175 181
Channel
f 5.860 5.870 5.880 5.890 5.900 5.910 5.920
in GHz
SCH
Purpose channel SCH SCH CCH SCH SCH SCH
safety
Fig 2: DSRC Channels [24]

In DSRC, the Road Side Unit (RSU) and On IEEE P1609.1 - Resource Manager
Board Unit (OBU) communicate using either 802.11p or
Wireless Access in Vehicular Environment (WAVE) IEEE P1609.2 - Security Services for Applications and
standard. Usually DSRC and WAVE term are used
interchangeably. The notable differences are that DSRC Management Messages
includes IEEE 802.11p, an amendment of 802.11a MAC IEEE P1609.3 - Networking Services
and PHY whereas WAVE standard focused on the upper IEEE P1609.4 - Multi-channel Operations
layers. Furthermore, DSRC can use the WAVE Short
Message Protocol (WSMP) to support V2V and V2I DSRC is widely and chiefly used for road safety
safety applications. The following Fig.3 shows the applications due to its reliability, secure data transmission
Layered architecture of DSRC [24][29]. The MAC Layer and low latency. DSRC statndard is still a draft because
is divided into two layers: MAC sub layer and Logical of some technical issues that need to be addressed before
Link Control (LLC). The MAC sub layer allows Stations the full adaption for VANETs. It has been observed that
(STAs) to share the spectrum more effectively and uses the current specification of DSRC performs poorly in
IEEEP1609.3 standard to support multichannel operations high density and mobility conditions [27]. Protecting
of DSRC by extending MAC functions. LLC uses 802.2 safety-related and application messages against abuses is
along with Sub Network Access Protocol (SNAP) to another issue in DSRC [28]. Seamless ubiquitious non-
provide services required by higher layers including saftey TCP/IP based services need to be addressed.
1609.3. Based on the requirements of VANET DSRC is mostly used for Elecronic Toll Collection (ETC)
applications, the Network and Transport Layer uses in various countries such as Itally and Germany[56,57].
protocols such as IPv6, TCP, UDP and WSMP to
facilitate wireless connectivity. Typically, it uses WAVE
Short Message Protocol (WSMP) for single hop
transmissions and the remaining protocols for supporting
multichip transmissions. It architecture can support both
safety and non safety applications using WSMP and
TCP/IPV6 respectively. The P1609.3 standard provides
networking services and defines WSMP and WAVE
Service Advertisement (WSA). The application layer
comprises applications and some other to support
interoperability among the safety applications.

As shown in the Fig.3, DSRC comprises the following

sub standards.

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Journal of Emerging Trends in Computing and Information Sciences

©2009-2014 CIS Journal. All rights reserved.

http://www.cisjournal.org

Saftey
Non Safety
Application
Application
Sublayer
Layer
Message Sublayer
HTTP
Security SAJ 2735
Services Transport Layer
P1609.2 Network & TCP/UDP WAVE
Transport Layer Network P1609
WSMP P1609.3 Layewr
IPV6
LLC Sublayer IEEE 802.2
MAC sublayer Extension IEEE
P1690.4
MAC Sublayer DSRC
PHY Layer 802.11p
Fig 3: DSRC Architecture [29]

2.2.3 Continuous Air-Interface, Long and Medium To support low latency, real time applications,
Range (CALM): data management of multiple applications and multiple
CALM is being developed by Working Group network routing protocols, the CALM architecture was
16(WG16) of Technical Committee 204 (TC204) of ISO. revised in 2007. Fig.4 shows the key components of new,
Like the WAVE standard, it is also operates in the 5.9 flexible architecture of CALM [22]. Its management is
GHz band. Basically it is a collection of standards, governed by three components: CALM / Application
procedures and management processes. It is intended to Management Entity (CME), Network Management Entity
provide continuous and transparent communication across (NME) and Interface Management Entity (IME). The
multiple communication standards and application CME is responsible for meeting the requirements of ITS
interfaces. CALM media are classified into five applications. It interacts with the IME to perform media
categories: 5GHz wireless LAN systems (IEEE 802.11 selection and instruct the NME to establish the
WiFi/802.11p/CALM M5), Cellular systems, connection. NME performs transparent media handoffs
(GSM/HSDSC/GPRS and 3G UMTS), 60 GHz systems, whereas IME monitors the various Communication
Infrared communication and a Convergence Layer, Interface (CI) and records the quality of various channels
supporting DSRC, broadcast and positioning [21][23]. It including CALM InfraRed, CALM M5 and CALM
is capable of selecting a transmission media based on the Millimeter. In the lowest Physical and MAC Layer,
location and OBU of the vehicle. For short to medium CALM has multiple CI for wired (Ethernet/Fibre) and
distances, it recommends infrared, millimeter waves and wireless networks. The CALM Network Layer comprises
microwave communications whereas for long distances, it network and transport protocols such as CALM FAST
prefers cellular systems. It also uses satellite networking, CALM geo-routing, IPv6 to support both
communication to provide services to vehicles in CALM based and non-CALM based applications that run
mountainous and rural areas. Consequently CALM can in the topmost level. Service Access Protocols (SAPs) are
support all kinds of ITS applications including safety used to access a particular component in CALM. Since
applications and comfort applications. It is able to provide this architecture is open, futuristic communication
uninterrupted internet services through IPv6 with standard will be integrated in to the CALM standard
mobility features like Network Mobility (NEMO). It easily.
handles media handoffs more effectively than the WAVE
standard[21]. It depends on IETF IPv6 protocols for
vertical handovers and media specific protocols for
horizontal handovers. It can support three mode of
communication V2V, V2I and Infrastructure- to-
Infrastructure (I2I) communication. Unlike DSRC,
CALM supports five communication scarerios: V2I Non-
IPv6 communications, V2I/V2V Local IPv6, V2I MIPv6,
V2I NEMO and V2V Non-IPv6. CALM has seven sub
working groups that works on various CALM related
standards concerning architecture, networking,
application management, non-IP networking and security.

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Journal of Emerging Trends in Computing and Information Sciences

©2009-2014 CIS Journal. All rights reserved.

http://www.cisjournal.org

Fig 4: CALM Architecture [21]

The CALM standard is not widely used since it technology can be used to support both V2V and V2I
is still under development. Some projects have used applications [32]. As compared to other Wi-Fi standards,
CALM standards to enhance interoperability among it requires low power. However, it cannot be used to build
networks and applications. The Cooperative Vehicular safety applications because of slow transfer rate, short
Infrastructure Systems (CVIS) project, funded by the coverage area and vulnerability to air inferences. It is not
EU, has tried to use CALM to develop various ITS suitable for bandwidth intensive infotainment applications
applications. CALM is used by Germany’s LKW-MAUT such as VoIP and web browsing. Frank et al [51] have
project and applied to develop applications for in-vehicle used this technology to exchange data between two cars
internet access, dynamic navigation, safety warnings, and while moving.
collision avoidance, Curve-Warning, Hazard-Warning,
Traffic information [20]. Since it attempts to support 2.3.2 ZigBee
heterogeneous networks, it leads to a lot of ZigBee (IEEE 802.15.4) uses the license-free 2.4
implementation issues. Moreover, CALM has to store and GHz band to transfer data at the rate of 250 Kbps up to 70
manage huge amount of management data. Like other meters. It also uses lower frequency bands 915MHz (US)
communication standards, several issues concerning and 868MHz (Europe) to supports data transmission rates
architecture, routing, user acceptance, data privacy and of 40 Kbps and 20Kbps respectively. This technology
security, system openness and interoperability need to be uses low powered radio signals to transfer data up to
addressed. There are projects like Cooperative Vehicle- 100m using Offset Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (O-
Infrastructure Systems (CVIS) [20], Co-operative QPSK) modulation[33]. Since it uses low-power and low-
Systems for Intelligent Road Safety (COOPERS) latency, it is widely used in PANs, remote controls,
[54], and SAFESPOT [55] have used CALM architecture transport monitoring, and sensor networks. It is simple
to implement both road safety applications. and cheaper than Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards.
Moreover, it can support more mobile nodes
2.3 Short Range Protocols simultaneously and has self-healing capability [34]. Like
2.3.1 Bluetooth Bluetooth, it can be used to support V2V and V2I
The ISM (industrial, scientific and medical) applications [36]. However, it is not suitable for
radio bands based Bluetooth (IEEE 802.15.1) protocol is bandwidth intensive infotainment applications such as
used to transfer data at the rate of up to 1Mbps to 4Mbps VoIP, web browsing [35]. Bhargav et al used Zigbee to
over a distance of 10m. Bluetooth operates in the 2.4 GHz track the vehicular positional coordinates during rescue
band and uses it uses Frequency Hopping Spread missions of vehicular accidents [52].
Spectrum technique to overcome signal interference [30].
Though Bluetooth Version 3 can work on 6 GHz to 9 2.3.3 Infrared
GHz frequency band, it uses 2.4 GHz band to It is another popular wireless access technique
communicate with other devices. Though Bluetooth 4.0 which uses invisible light to transfer data. It operates in
uses low energy for transmission, it is not compatible the frequency band between 300 GHz and 400 THz. This
with earlier versions [31]. It is predominately used to broad spectrum is divided into three sub-bands: near-
create a Personal Area Network (PAN). Bluetooth infrared, mid-infrared and far-infrared. Based on the type

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Journal of Emerging Trends in Computing and Information Sciences

©2009-2014 CIS Journal. All rights reserved.

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of sub-band, it can transfer data from 115kbps to 4Mbps. geographical area. Though contention based protocols
Since infrared signals are affected by obstacles, it is allow collisions, They enables fast access to the service.
mainly used for short range communication [43]. Though Wireless standards that support long range transmissions
it uses low power, it supports low data rate as compared have high upfront costs whereas standard that supports
to other standards such as Bluetooth. Many peripherals short range communication have low maintenance cost.
equipped with infrared capabilities are used to form Although wireless standards use encryption and
indoor wireless LANs. This technique is able to transmit authentication to ensure secure communications, they are
voice, data, and video information more securely. It can still vulnerable to security breaches. Most of the wireless
be used to support safety application due to its ability to standards like Cellular Systems, CALM and DSRC are
support high network traffic and large amount of now providing highly secure data transmissions.
bandwidth. Japan’s most successful application Vehicle
Information and Communication System (VICS) uses Cellular systems such as 3G/4G, Mobile
radio-wave beacons on the expressway and infrared WiMAX and MBWA can be used to provide
beacons on the arterial routes [38]. infotainment services over long distances. Though 3G
supports high mobility of STA, it reduces the data rate
2.3.4 Ultra Wideband (UWB) to 144 kbps. Similarly, Mobile WiMAX (IEEE
UWB, which operates on unlicensed frequency 802.16e) can support a Mobile Station (MS) with the
band between 3.1 and 10.6 GHz, can support a STA with speed of 60 kmph but it drops the data rate to 10Mbps
mobility of 10 kmph [46]. It support low power operation, over 2km. MBWA and 4G LTE can provide highest
low power dissipation, robustness for multi-path fading spectrum efficiency, STA mobility up to 250 kmph and
and higher throughput of up to 480 Mbps. Like Bluetooth, fast mobile-IP connectivity. It is noted that 4G, DSRC/
it has a transmission range of 10m. In VANET, it can be MBWA/WiMAX with 3G are adequate to support all
used for collision avoidance. This standard and types of VANET applications including multi-hop
differential GPS (DGPS) together were used to determine infotainment applications such as internet access and
the relative position of a vehicle [53]. video streaming.

3. COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS The Wi-Fi based protocols such as DSRC and

The suitability of various wireless access CALM are more suitable for VANET due to their support
standards to support VANET applications including of low latency and broad coverage area compared to other
infotainment applications are compared in terms of Wi-Fi standards. These standards are already used to
Bandwidth, Signal coverage, Signal Interference, implement V2V and V2I applications particularly safety
Accessibility, Maintenance, Upfront cost and Security. related applications. It is observed that protocols like
The data transmission rate determines the amount of data DSRC were chiefly designed and developed to support
transmitted between the ends of communication at a time. road safety applications. Safety applications demand low
Infotainment applications such as large data transfers, latency and high reliability, whereas infotainment
video chat, VoIP needs more bandwidth. Signal coverage applications needs high throughput, high resource
which determines the service area is essential for the utilization and low packet loss. One of the biggest
deployment of specific standard. It is measured using challenges in VANET is data dissemination which is the
signal strength and propagation path loss caused by key component of infotainment applications [42]. To
factors like multi-path propagation, reflection, absorption provide fair data dissemination, a VANET must use
and diffraction. Signal interference decreases coverage different wireless protocols. Switching from one
range and throughput. Many devices including Direct standard to another either to provide backward
Satellite Service (DSS), external electrical sources such compatibility or to adapt the available protocol in the
as power lines, electrical, power stations, Wireless service area affects throughput and packet loss.
speakers, microwaves, cameras, wireless devices that Moreover, providing seamless handoffs and ubiquitous
operate in the same frequency band affect the data service coverage is difficult in a VANET due to high
transmission. Accessibility determines the number of mobility of vehicles. VANETs use MIPv6,
simultaneous data transmission of multiple users so as to Hierarchical Mobile Internet Protocol (HMIPv6) and
improve bandwidth utilization. Maintenance deals with Network Mobility (NEMO) for IP assignment and
the life of network whereas upfront cost covers the total reassignment to achieve soft and vertical handoffs.
costs of acquisition. The last parameter addresses how These protocols must be used along with wireless
wireless standard protect communications over a shared protocols to handle mobility in VANET. Furthermore,
wireless medium. the impact of several handoffs on throughput should
also be investigated in future.
As shown in the Table.1, many wireless
standards operate in either the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz Bluetooth, Zigbee, Infrared and UWB standards
frequency band. It is observed that wireless standards that are now used to create Wireless Personal Area Networks.
operate on high frequencies are less affected by air These technologies support high transmission rates over
inferences. Cellular Systems, WiMAX, MBWA are used short distance. They are most preferable to provide
to provide services to large coverage over a wide comfort (service related) applications like Parking Spot

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Journal of Emerging Trends in Computing and Information Sciences

©2009-2014 CIS Journal. All rights reserved.

http://www.cisjournal.org
Locator, Parking Availability Notifications and Electronic (WLAN). Most of the Wi-Fi standards particularly
Toll Tax Collection. Most OBU are already equipped 802.11n support higher throughput, reasonable range and
with these capabilities to enable in-vehicle link quality. Moreover, they ensure high network
communications. Wi-Fi protocols have become the most utilization and availability.
common protocol for wireless Local Area Networks

Table 1: Comparison of Wireless Access Technologies

Max
Data Signal Accessibil
Wireless f in Signal Maintenan Upfron Securi
Transmission Interferen ity
Standard GHz Coverage ce t Cost ty
Rate ce
≈
Operator
Cellular ≈ 384 Kbps -129 Contentio
Depende 50 km Low Difficult High High
Systems Mbps n Based
nt
WiMAX 2.3/2.5/3. Schedule
≈ 75- 300 Mbps 50 km High Difficult High High
802.16m 5 Based
MBWA Schedule
3.5 ≈ 4.5 Mbps 15 km High Easy High High
802.20 Based
Microwa Contentio
1-3 ≈ 16 Gbps 30 km High Difficult High Low
ve n Based
Wi-Fi Contentio
5.1/5.8 ≈ 54 Mbps 100 m Low Easy High Low
802.11a n Based
Wi-Fi Contentio Modera
2.4 ≈ 11 Mpbs 100 m High Easy Low
802.11b n Based te
Wi-Fi Contentio Modera
2.4 ≈ 54 Mbps 140 m High Easy Low
802.11g n based te
Wi-Fi Contentio
2.4/5 ≈100 Mbps 250 m High Easy High High
802.11n n Based
DSRC Contentio Modera
5.8/5.9 ≈ 27 Mbps 1 km Low Easy High
802.11p n based te
CALM Contentio High
5 ≈ 6 Mbps 10 km High Difficult High
M5 n Based
300 GHz
≈ 115 Kbps – 4 100 m Contentio
Infrared - 400 Low Easy Low High
Mbps n Based
THz
Bluetoot
Schedule
h 2.4 GHz ≈ 1-24 Mbps 100 m High Easy Low Low
Based
802.15.1
2.4
ZigBee Schedule
/868MHz ≈ 250 Kbps 100 m High Easy Low High
802.15.2 Based
/915MHz
UWB 3.1 to Contentio
< 100 Mbps 10m Low Easy Low High
802.15.3 10.6 GHz n based

4. CONCLUSION parameters including bandwidth, service coverage and

The Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) has signal interference. VANET requires multiple wireless
been recently attracted both academia and industry since protocols to support constant communication connectivity
it has the potential to save lives, time, money and the in multi-hop environment. Hence, interoperability issues
environment. A VANET is an important component of between wireless standards need to be investigated.
ITS which employs multiple wireless communication DSRC/WAVE is considered to be best suited for Safety
protocols in order to support applications for both V2V critical application though its efficiency to support
and V2I. In VANET, the choice of access protocols is an ubiquitous connectivity based application needs to be
important issue since it determines the transmission addressed.
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