Wireless: The Ultimate Platoon Network Revolution
Mark Patrick from Mouser Electronics explains the concept of platooning for autonomous trucks
The newest radar and wireless technologies are sparking big changes in the trucking industry. Innovations originally designed for adaptive cruise control in cars are now being used to connect trucks so that one driver can operate four or five vehicles safely and efficiently. These truck groups, or “platoons,” are being tested globally to make transporting goods cheaper and more energy-efficient.
Platooning combines several technologies. Radar sensors measure the distance to the truck ahead and adjust the steering and throttle to keep a safe distance. To do this safely, there’s also a wireless link from the lead truck to the following ones, drastically cutting the time needed for braking or accelerating decisions since all the trucks get data almost instantly.
How data is transmitted quickly and which technology to use has been the subject of research for several years. One option is Digital Short Range Communications (DSRC) at 5.9GHz in the USA for vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) links. Another is a version of WiFi called 802.11p, which also uses the 5.9GHz band. Lastly, there are advanced 5G cellular networks.
These technologies need to work together with sensors, antennas, and controllers in secure networks between the trucks and a control center that monitors their health and operations.
Scania, part of the Volkswagen group, is developing the world’s first full-scale autonomous truck platooning systems. Their group of four trucks will operate on public roads, transporting containers between port terminals in Singapore. The lead truck will be driven by a human, while the other three will follow automatically.
This technology comes from the Companion European research project, where Scania is working with Ericsson to use low-latency 5G cellular links for the lead vehicle and 802.11p wireless links for the platoon. Scania has set up three early-stage 5G wireless base stations at its research center in Sweden.
“The 5G components in the test network offer high-quality, low-latency, high-bandwidth mobile services, allowing fast and reliable data transfers,” said Anders Ställberg, project manager for city automation at Scania. “This priority communications lane is essential for platooning projects.”
With a latency of under 3 milliseconds, 5G technology allows for quick and reliable transmission of braking and directional information between vehicles, which is critical for the safety and efficiency of platoons. Commercial 5G services for truck platoons are set to roll out in 2018.
The platooning trials will unfold in two phases. The first phase will involve designing, testing, and refining the technology to fit local conditions, conducted by Scania and Toyota at their research centers in Sweden and Japan. The second phase will include local trials and further development in Singapore.
“Trucking today is very labor-intensive,” said Pang Kin Keong from Singapore’s government Committee on Autonomous Road Transport (Carts). “We don’t have enough truck drivers. Platooning technology can increase productivity in the port and trucking sectors and give truck drivers the chance to take on higher-skilled roles as fleet operators and managers.”
Another technology being used to connect truck platoons is V2X wireless, a well-established method for linking vehicles.
