5G-CARMEN - Infotainment in cross-border scenarios

5G Context for Infotainment in autonomous vehicles and cross-border scenarios

The European Union is driving large-scale, collaborative cross-border validation activities on cooperative, connected and automated mobility (CCAM). The aim is further advance the blending of infrastructures and vehicles with the digital world as it becomes increasingly always-connected, automated and intelligent. This include infotainment services enabled by advanced wireless networks and phones. 

The on-demand streaming of movies,live broadcasts and HD videos is one of the most popular forms of infotainment and dominates Internet traffic. Passenger expect to be able to enjoy the same service in an autonomous vehicle through an always-on connection that delivers the speed and latency required for high-quality video streaming, no matter where they are.

Through the 5G PPP, 5G-CARMEN tackles current limitations with 5G technology enablers, such as: 5G New Radio (NR); C-V2X; Multi-access edge computing; predictive quality of service, as well as secure multi-domain and cross-border servie orchestration for end-to-end network services. 

Overview of Trial Goals

5G-CARMEN is exploring different network architectures and configurations aimed at meeting user Quality of Experience (QoE). Key in this regard is the prediction of the expected Quality of Service (QoS) and the proactive adaptation of streaming applications with a view to avoiding interruptions in the service wherever possible. 

High-quality services should always be available even in cross-country border situations and inter-operator scenarios. To this end, 5G-CARMEN is investigating mobile network synergies between LTE, 5G, C-V2X and other technologies with the aim of guaranteeing not only data rate requirements but also the coverage needed at all times.

Trial Locations

German-Austrian border (Kufstein), Germany, Austria. These locations are part of a 600 km road corridor from Bologna to Munich linking the regions of Bavaria, Tirol and Trentino. 

Trial Dates

Q3-2021

Technical Overview

A video streaming client in the vehicle initiates the process with a request for a specific video to the content provider. This will be a video streaming server in the OEM´s backend. The content provider then answers with the available video options (e.g. available resolutions, codec). The actual video transmission begins with a request for a video chunk done by the client, to which, the provider answers with the appropriate data. This is repeated until the video has been completely transferred or the service is terminated. In a cross-border situation, performance may worsen due to possible coverage holes or high vehicle speed on the highway. Hence, 5G-CARMEN considers some optional information on the expected network quality that might influence the client choices. This is delivered by the Network/QoS management entity.

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