5G Network Connectivity Automated Test and Verification for Autonomous Vehicles Using UAVs 2022-01-0145

The significance and the number of vehicle safety features enabled via connectivity continue to increase. OnStar, with its automatic airbag notification, was one of the first vehicle safety features that demonstrate the enhanced safety benefits of connectivity. Vehicle connectivity benefits have grown to include remote software updates, data analytics to aid with preventative maintenance and even to theft prevention and recovery. All of these services require available and reliable connectivity. However, except for the airbag notification, none have strict latency requirements. For example, software updates can generally be postponed till reliable connectivity is available. Data required for prognostic use cases can be stored and transmitted at a later time. A new set of use cases are emerging that do demand continuous, reliable and low latency connectivity. For example, remote control of autonomous vehicles may be required in unique situations. Further, additional autonomous vehicle use cases may require continuous low latency connectivity. In general, 5G networks have been proposed as the connectivity choice.

Through the utilization of UAVs, we propose a connectivity verification platform that can be used by the automotive OEM or their critical AV partner to verify connectivity performance, with initial steps serving as research opportunities utilizing more available equipment.