In recent years, Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) technology has emerged as a game-changer in enabling safer, more reliable, and efficient road experiences for all users. The key technologies driving V2X communication are Dedicated Short Range Communication (DSRC) and Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X), both designed to connect all road entities, allowing them to communicate and share critical information about road conditions, potential hazards, and traffic flow.
As the automotive industry advances, regions like the U.S. and China are moving toward full C-V2X deployment, while the European Union continues to use DSRC (ITS-G5) for now. While both technologies share the same goal of improving road safety and efficiency, what are the key distinctions between them?
Dedicated Short Range Communication (DSRC)
DSRC is an IEEE 802.11p-based WAVE technology, developed from standard Wi-Fi specifically for automotive and transportation applications. DSRC uses WLAN technology to establish short-range communication between vehicles and infrastructure, allowing them to send and receive information directly. DSRC was the first V2X communication standard developed by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) over the past two decades. In Europe, the technology is referred to as the ETSI ITS-G5 standard and tailored to meet European regulatory requirements.
Both the U.S. and Europe use the 5.9GHz spectrum band for DSRC, dedicated to intelligent transport systems to ensure the technology remains free from interference.
Since its standardization in 2010, DSRC has undergone extensive testing by both government agencies and private companies, providing vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), and vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P) communication over a range of up to 1 km. In these instances, DSRC relies on On-Board units in vehicles and Roadside Units on infrastructure to send and receive rapid short-range basic safety messages using SAE J2735 message sets without the need for a third-party cellular network.
Both the U.S. and EU have previously attempted to mandate the DSRC standard for full deployment. The FCC allocated part of the 5.9GHz band to DSRC in 1999, but delays in standardization and the development of C-V2X led to a shift away from mandating DSRC in 2017. Similarly, the European Commission had initially planned to mandate DSRC but became technologically neutral in 2019, considering both DSRC and C-V2X for cooperative intelligent transport systems (C-ITS).
An illustration depicting vehicle-to-everything communication with all road entities connected via V2V, V2I and V2P communication.
Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X)
C-V2X, standardized in 2017, is based on 3GPP standards (LTE-V2X: Release 14, 15; 5G-V2X: Release 16, 17). Like DSRC, C-V2X uses the 5.9GHz spectrum for communication, but it also leverages existing cellular networks to enable vehicle-to-network (V2N) communication, alongside V2V, V2I, and V2P.
One of the primary advantages of C-V2X is its use of both direct (PC5/sidelink) and indirect (Uu/network) communication methods. Critical safety messages can be sent via direct communication, while less urgent messages can be sent through indirect communication, optimizing efficiency for each use case. This flexibility enhances C-V2X's ability to support both safety features and additional commercial services from third parties.
With the integration of LTE and 5G cellular networks, C-V2X can provide broader coverage in rural areas, eliminating the need for extensive roadside unit deployment. 5G-V2X will offer even higher throughput, lower latency, and greater reliability for both current and future V2X applications. As a result, it will support more advanced features, such as sensor sharing—for example, enabling drivers to receive real-time, high-quality video feeds from other vehicles to enhance visibility around blind spots or obstacles.
As a newer technology, C-V2X is still undergoing development and testing to ensure it meets the evolving needs of the automotive industry, positioning it as a critical component of the future of connected mobility.
Key Summary
Similarities:
Both DSRC and C-V2X share the same fundamental goal to enhance road safety and make journeys more efficient for road users
Both technologies facilitate low-latency communication exchanges between vehicles, roadside infrastructure, and pedestrians using direct communication
Both technologies use the 5.9GHz frequency band to send wireless short-range communication
Differences:
C-V2X makes use of cellular networks in its system, in addition to the 5.9GHz frequency band used by the DSRC standard
The DSRC standard only provides short range communication up to 1 km depending on the specific use case, whereas the C-V2X standard provides additional long range communication via networks that extends the range of transmission up to a few kilometers
DSRC and subsequent scenario usage have been well-tested over the past two decades by government agencies and private organizations, whereas C-V2X is still in the early stages of development and testing
About Ettifos:
Founded in 2018, Ettifos is a 5G-focused V2X solutions provider invested in enabling the most advanced smart city/smart intersection deployments and connected vehicles (CV) technology.
The company supplies innovative and versatile OBU and RSU systems tailored to customers’ specific project and service requirements, with the vision of connecting all entities in motion to create a world with safer, smarter, and more efficient roads.