Here is a closer look at each of the technologies that will enhance the network to support autonomous vehicles:

DSRC: Dedicated Short-Range Communications are designed specifically for automotive applications. And while they also can be seen as a competitor to 5G, the likely case is that they’ll provide a dedicated system to support secure and reliable V2X communications applications.

Mobile Edge Computing: By integrating computing, storage, and networking resources into the base station, mobile edge computing brings the cloud closer to the edge of the network and the end user—offloading huge amounts of computing and storage activity from the 5G network. One of the primary advantages of this system in the context of autonomous driving is its ability to reduce network latency to the required <10ms level that would not be possible with 5G radio technology alone.

Multi-Layer Architecture: Redundancy is a hallmark of any mission-critical framework, and ensuring reliable connectivity will likely require a combination of low-, mid-, and high-frequency 5G layers to provide both the coverage and capacity to meet the rigorous demands of autonomous driving.

Support Networks: 5G is a network that will sit on the shoulders of other networks. Well-established 4G networks will offer fail safes. Fiber networks will connect the infrastructure. mmWave point-to-point links will provide high-speed backhauls. And small cells will deliver the required high-density coverage, especially in urban areas.

5G phases

Over the past few years, 5G has evolved from a core set of technical specifications into two distinct phases of standards development associated with the release of complete 5G standards sets, called Release 15 and Release 16. The latter is slated for summer 2020, while the former, ratified in 2018, defined the requirements for 5G Standalone (SA) as well as 5G New Radio (NR) networks.

In effect, Release 15 laid out the track for delivering an end-to-end 5G network capable of sending and receiving wireless signals from clients like phones, computers, and cars to and from the cellular network. These specifications are required to take full advantage of the incredible speeds, low latency, and network-slicing functions of 5G network technology.

In fact, for years, mobile operators have been building out the infrastructure for the networks themselves, including the installation of the many thousands of additional cell sites that will be required to support 5G—especially in the high-powered mmWave part of the spectrum. Tower upgrades for low-band, sub-6 spectrum and mid-band deployments are also in the works.

Many operators who started with the first track release of non-standalone 5G in 2017 got ahead of the game early to start delivering 5G services sooner. They will be making the transition to standalone 5G NR networks in the coming years, and we expect to see many operators make the switch by 2025.

T-Mobile, for example, lighted up 2.5Ghz mid-band spectrum in Philadelphia and New York City in April and was the first to switch on 5G last year with its foundational 600Mhz low-band network in locations across the US. Meanwhile, Verizon and AT&T both deployed high-capacity mmWave in various municipalities. And network slicing is in trials with a number of operators throughout the country. 

The next steps will be the continued buildout of 5G network infrastructure, preparing operators to make the full switch to standalone 5G. This phased rollout gives device and automotive manufacturers time to dial in the autonomous driving technology that will eventually interface with the network.

Autonomous driving technology has many years of exciting developments ahead. And with vendors, operators, and municipalities jumping on board to address the many demands that COVID-19 has prompted, we’ll be seeing an increased focus on robust 5G networks and their ecosystem to support increased levels of self-driving technology.

The future is already here. 5G networks are growing and coming online. Driverless cars have been driving and collecting data. The exciting part is happening right now as the networks carve out a path for the driving technology to follow. It is precisely here where the rubber hits the road.