5G network as key-enabler for vehicular platooning

The future of goods transportation will rely on increased efficiency, lower risks, and diminished delays through the use of vehicle platoons that benefit from vehicular connectivity using V2X (Vehicle to Everything) applications. This article describes a system that offers the aforementioned vehicular connectivity to platoons, based on AI-enhanced 5G for resource allocation in wireless platoon intra-communications under three scenarios (latency emergency braking, platoon wireless resource management in tunnels, V2X communications interference in a traffic congestion). Demos are described for each of the scenarios, targeting different layers, starting by the PHY (physical) layer where propagation models are implemented, then a simulation-based MAC (medium access control) layer that allows the allocation of resources to the connected User Equipments (UE) and finally a management and orchestration layer capable of monitoring and managing the radio network, offering features such as network slicing management using O-RAN (Open Radio Access Network) standards.