How SDR Is Helping Create Cost-Effective Connected Vehicles

By John Oncea, Editor

Software defined radio and connected vehicles appear to be a match made in heaven. Here’s how the former technology is helping to develop the latter.
The automotive industry makes use of software-defined radio (SDR) technology – which allows for the transmission and reception of different radio protocols by changing software, instead of hardware components – to create more flexible, cost-effective, and connected vehicles.
Why? In part, because SDR enables the creation of a flexible Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) platform for car manufacturers allowing for communication between vehicles and infrastructure, which can help with driverless cars. In addition, SDR-enabled vehicles can adapt to different driving preferences and algorithms. For example, a vehicle could be programmed to stop at a specific location on the way to work.
SDR brings with it cost efficiency as it is less expensive than traditional radio systems which require hardware components like mixers and filters. Its software focus streamlines the development process and leads to more innovative features.
The future of SDR in the automotive industry will include the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to personalize the in-car experience and improve advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Reliance on cloud connectivity will allow SDR-enabled vehicles to receive real-time traffic updates and perform remote diagnostics as well.
SDR’s Role In Cost-Effective CVs
SDR plays a pivotal role in the development of cost-effective connected vehicles (CVs) by offering flexibility, scalability, and efficiency in vehicular communication systems. SDR enables CVs to adapt to various communication standards and frequencies through software updates, reducing the need for specialized hardware components.
Flexibility and upgradability are two additional areas in which SDR is driving CV development. Traditional vehicular communication systems often rely on hardware components tailored to specific standards, making upgrades cumbersome and costly, writes NXP.
SDR addresses this limitation by allowing vehicles to switch between different communication protocols and frequencies via software modifications, an adaptability that ensures CVs remain compatible with evolving communication standards without the need for extensive hardware overhauls. For instance, SDR technology allows the creation of a flexible, cost-effective V2X platform for car makers and infrastructure equipment manufacturers.
As noted, cost efficiency is another reason CV manufacturers are integrating SDR. By consolidating multiple communication functions into a single SDR platform, manufacturers can reduce the number of hardware components required in each vehicle, writes Electronic Products.
This consolidation leads to lower production costs and simplifies the supply chain. Additionally, SDR’s ability to be reprogrammed means that vehicles can receive updates to their communication systems without the need for physical component replacements, further reducing maintenance costs. The high flexibility of SDRs can improve security, safety, and connectivity in autonomous vehicles and intelligent transport systems.
SDR also enhances connectivity and improves the safety of CVs by facilitating seamless communication between vehicles and infrastructure, a critical aspect of connected and autonomous driving. By supporting various communication protocols, SDR ensures that vehicles can communicate effectively with different systems, enhancing situational awareness and safety. For example, SDR technology allows the creation of a flexible, cost-effective V2X platform for car makers and infrastructure equipment manufacturers.
Finally, as CVs become more prevalent, ensuring the security and integrity of their communication systems is paramount. The Bureau of Industry and Security notes that SDRs’ reconfigurable nature allows for the implementation of advanced security measures and rapid responses to emerging threats.
Recent regulatory actions, such as the U.S. Department of Commerce’s rule to secure connected vehicle supply chains from foreign adversary threats, highlight the importance of robust and adaptable communication systems in modern vehicles.
Integrating SDR into CVs offers a versatile, cost-efficient, and secure solution for communication systems. As the automotive industry evolves, SDR emerges as a critical enabler of advanced vehicular connectivity, allowing vehicles to adapt to new standards and technologies with minimal hardware modifications.