KDDI, Nokia trial eMBMS for connected vehicles

Japan’s KDDI and Nokia have completed trials of LTE connected vehicle applications including the first vehicle based LTE broadcast trial.

During a trial on the island of Hokkaido, the companies implemented evolved multimedia broadcast multicast service (eMBMS) technology for two in-vehicle applications.

These included vehicle-to-network-to-vehicle connectivity, allowing cars to stay in constant contact with a Nokia-based multi-access edge computing (MEC) platform, sending real-time location, direction and speed data to roadside sensors.

The proof of concept allows drivers to alert the application and allow information to be distributed to other vehicles using eMBMS.

In addition, eMBMS was applied in a network real-time kinematic (network RTK) trial of LTE for enhance fully automated in-vehicle navigation, demonstrating how eMBMS could more cost-efficiently use existing geo-location systems to communicate to many vehicles in real-time.

The companies said the trials are a step towards preparing the car industry for the introduction of 5G-based automated vehicles.

“We are pleased to work with Nokia to demonstrate our leadership in the delivery of mobile networks for IoT and connected car communications,” added Munefumi Tsurusawa, general manager of the connected vehicle technology department and KDDI’s technical planning division.

“This is an important trial showing how the automotive industry can leverage cellular technology to enhance safety of connect vehicles on the roads.”