The Role of Communication Technologies in Vehicular Applications

Abstract

Vehicular networks attract a lot of attention in the research world. Novel vehicular applications need a suitable communication channel in order to extend in-vehicle capabilities and, be aware of surrounding events. However, these networks present some peculiarities, such as high mobility or specific topologies. These features affect the performance of applications; hence, more effort should be directed to identify the final necessities of the network. Few works deal with application requirements that should be considered when vehicular services are designed. In this chapter this gap is filled, proposing an analysis of application requirements mapped with suitable communication technologies for physical/MAC and network layers. This study contains key factors that must be taken into account not only at the design stage of the vehicular network, but also when applications are evaluated.