Following the announcement of C-V2X (Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything) trials conducted between six different companies back in January, Qualcomm has taken to its official newsroom blog to discuss its role in pushing vehicle-to-everything into the mainstream. More directly, the company says it is working with industry leaders ranging from Tier-1 suppliers and cellular module manufacturers to software solution providers and automakers to promote the commercial viability of V2X solutions. Moreover, bolstered by its current run of testing and validations trials, the company revealed that it plans to see its chipset implemented in both production vehicles and roadside infrastructure beginning in 2019. Tests are being operated in Germany, France, Korea, China, Japan, and the U.S.
According to the company, its chipset has been proven to be the most cost-effective solution to date through analysis conducted by P3 North America. At the same time, the overall goal of C-V2X and the focus of creating the Qualcomm 9150 C-V2X chipset is to provide communications that will improve safety, vehicle automation, and efficiency of both vehicles and traffic, in general. To that end, the company says it has been working with a number of the software stack and application providers, as well as system integrators to expedite commercial viability and take advantage of standardized protocols – such as ETSI-ITS, IEEE WAVE, and SAE. Beyond that, Qualcomm has designed its chip to be compatible with 5G and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) sensors from around the world. The 9150 C-V2X chipset also offers low-latency communications across the gamut of possibilities, allowing a vehicle utilizing the chips to “talk” to other vehicles, infrastructure, and pedestrian devices. Best of all, that will take place over the 5.9GHz ITS spectrum, as opposed to requiring a cellular network or subscription.
Tier 1 suppliers and cellular module manufacturers that already plan or are interested in incorporating the Qualcomm 9150 C-V2X are said to include as many as 12 different companies. On the supplier side, that includes LG Electronics, Continental, Ficosa-Panasonic, Lear, and Valeo. On the other side of the equation, companies such as Gemalto, LG Innotek, Quectel, Sierra Wireless, Telit, WNC, and ZTE are cited as having taken an interest. Meanwhile, Qualcomm also revealed that it will be demonstrating its C-V2X chips and associated technologies at MWC 2018. For those attending the event, demonstrations are scheduled to take place between February 26 and March 1 in Hall 3 at Qualcomm’s Stand 3E10. Specifically, those are set to center around the company’s 9150 C-V2X Chipset solutions outlined in the announcement and meant for use in vehicles and roadside infrastructure.