Implementing DSRC above cellular is more cost-effective

Up until now, the added cost of V2X, which constitutes a significant parameter, was hardly compared between DSRC and C-V2X. As vehicle manufacturers are increasingly integrating V2X in TCUs (Telematics Control Units), an ABI Research study analysed the cost of adding V2X to the TCU using both technologies.

"We estimate that in the initial years of deployment, C-V2X plus LTE will carry a system cost between US$13.50 and US$15 higher than DSRC plus LTE," says James Hodgson, Senior Analyst for Smart Mobility & Automotive research at ABI Research.

"DSRC, being the longer established and incumbent technology has cost advantages typically associated with deployments in the field and a more competitive ecosystem.”

ABI Research's new cost analysis indicates that C-V2X's complexity and challenging requirements add cost over DSRC when taking into account that V2X is safety-critical technology.

The key architectural differences which impact cost according to ABI Research are LTE ruggedisation and automotive qualification, the need for high accuracy clock source, the cellular royalty scheme and the use of WiFi which is bundled with DSRC for free (DSRC is part of the WiFi standards family).

Since both DSRC and 4G cellular are available technologies with mature products on the market, the findings strengthen the industry view that the hybrid model of DSRC plus cellular is not only simpler to design and deploy but is more affordable as well.