Vehicle-to-vehicle or V2V communication is the wireless transmission of data between motor vehicles and the primary motive of this communication is to prevent accidents. The vehicles in transit send position and speed data to each other over an ad hoc mesh network. Based on the implemented technology, the driver of the vehicle either receive risk warning of an accident or the vehicle itself take preemptive action like braking to slow down the vehicle. The basic technology behind V2V communication is dedicated short-range radios that allow cars to communicate and send data like location, speed, direction and braking status. The radio technology have a range of about 300 meters and offer a farther range than radar or camera sensors, besides not being impaired by obstacles or other vehicles. However this technology would prove to be of great help for drivers, as it will warn drivers of the oncoming dangers especially while turning at intersections or changing lanes.
Once deployed V2V will provide 360-degree situational awareness on the road and will enhance vehicle safety. The technology will also take care of the personal privacy and no personal information about the driver or vehicle will be broadcasted using V2V and only general safety information will be broadcasted. The ultimate idea behind V2V communication technology is to prevent automobile crashes. The idea is, if collision avoidance systems can work between vehicles, then every car plying on the road will be safe, as accidents will be completely avoided. Because of its technology cooperative nature, the benefits of V2V communication can only be realized when even the surrounding vehicles are equipped with this V2V communication and the maximum benefits can only be achieved if all the surrounding vehicles plying on the road can communicate with each other.
V2V communication basically employs a small radio transmitter and receiver on every vehicle to broadcast about its location, speed and direction to other vehicles within several hundred yards. This will enable the vehicles to know what oncoming vehicles are doing or vehicle those are around corners and out of sight. The hardware of V2V comprises of an electronics package of a small box size, which will house a radio transmitter, receiver and a microcomputer. The radio operates in the 5.9-GHz band in a DSRC mode and are souped-up version of the the Wi-Fi systems used with the computer and are optimized for moving vehicles with a range of up to half a mile. Every vehicle will have a designated ID and will be connected to an on-board GPS system that can locate the vehicle’s position within a foot or two. The surrounding vehicles information will be tracked by the V2V system and broadcast at a rate of 10 times per second. This data is sent to the on-board computers that control and operate the electronic safety systems.
