Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1066130
14 I ICT TODAY Two standards used today are Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC) and Wireless Access in Vehicular Environments (WAVE). They are likely more complicated than an integrated global 5G system would be, but DSRC and WAVE have been in development for close to 20 years and are, therefore, far better developed and established. The FCC allocated 75 MHz of spectrum in the 5.9 GHz band (5850-5925 MHz) for DSRC in 1999. This is part of the U-NII bands; above those bands used by 802.11ac and reserved specifically for the automotive and FIGURE 6: Vehicle to Everything (V2X). Courtesy of NXP. highway safety and road commissions. DSRC systems communicate using a variation on the common IEEE 802.11 protocols. This variation, referred to as WAVE, is specified in IEEE 802.11p–2010. Like 802.11ac, though modified slightly, it currently cannot talk directly with 802.11ac because it is at a different frequency. The IEEE is looking at how to use this additional 5.9 GHz band without diminishing its future capacities for V2V and V2I. For now, it is unclear what the path will be for direct communications with home and business Wi-Fi systems. This is where 5G comes in. A competing standard has recently been completed called Long Term Evolution- Vehicle to Everything (LTE-V2X), shown in Figure 6. V2X was developed primarily by the China Communications Standards Association (CCSA), which has a very large global following because it utilizes the massive existing infrastructures of cellular providers worldwide. This may provide a much more rapid adoption of V2X development, which in turn will speed up the development of the autonomous vehicle. However, current 4G networks around the world may not be capable of the additional burden V2X may add. Nevertheless, testing continues using 4G, knowing that a widespread 5G deployment could greatly enhance the economics of the autonomous vehicle market. The downside is that the cellular carriers would now own the connectivity, rather than highway authorities and automakers. A subject for another day. SUMMARY The wireless world has dramatically changed how people function and will continue to change everyday lives at home, in school, at work, and at play. This article only scratches the surface on the many different standards, technologies and methodologies that shape this industry, and there are many more on the horizon that could cause a shift in any of those that preceded them. The technologies discussed herein are based on radio frequency systems; however there is a ton of development occurring using infrared, ultraviolet, and even visible light not contained in a piece of glass (Google LiFi). A year from now, this article could be very out of date. For ICT professionals, trying to keep up with technology is vital, but it is not necessarily easy. Nothing worthwhile ever is. AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY: Chris Scharrer, RCDD, NTS, OSP, CTS is the owner of DCS Technology Design, LLC. He has over 40 years of industry experience and has received international recognition for his work. He is the current U.S. North-Central Regional Director for BICSI and a contributor for many publications and curriculums. He also sits on the Editorial Review Board for ICT Today. Chris can be reached at cscharrer@bicsi.org. Note: Wi-Fi is a registered trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance; Bluetooth is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc.