Mercedes-Benz shows new wireless at Comdex

LAS VEGAS -- Mercedes-Benz USA demonstrated 802.11a wireless technology from Atheros Communications in a specially equipped C320 Sedan this week at the Comdex trade show. The sedan is a research prototype used to develop and show services that would be made possible by high-performance wireless communications in an automobile. 

In the Mercedes demonstration, these services distribute web and media content from roadside units to the sedan’s onboard computer. The driver can purchase music and other digital media they hear about on the radio and have them transparently download to vehicle’s onboard computer as they pass by “DriveBy InfoFueling stations.” 

The high speed drive by transfers are enabled by Atheros 802.11a technology operating at up to 54+ Mbps. In future systems, automobiles could access up-to-date map data, traffic and road conditions, and information on local points of interest as the vehicle drives by roadside beacons. In addition, rich audio, video, and gaming content could be downloaded from a person’s home computer, entertainment center or residential gateway. Commercial vehicles could exchange detailed cargo status and other information as they pass truck stops and gas stations.

Technologies combined

The Mercedes sedan uses Atheros AR5000-based products in a DriveBy InfoFueling application that combines automotive, computer and wireless telecommunications technologies -- an emerging capability called telematics. Such applications would complement current Mercedes-Benz telematics technologies such as the Tele Aid automated emergency communications systems, GPS (Global Positioning System), collision avoidance radar, and cellular communications.

"Mercedes-Benz is blazing new ground in its development of telematics,” said Frank Howley, vice president of business development for Atheros Communications. “The ability of the AR5000 to perform well in the challenging vehicular environment is a credit to the versatility and the robustness of that chipset."

By transferring high-volume data in and out of the car, the new DriveBy InfoFueling technology introduces a new "sometime, somewhere" paradigm that will complement the existing "anytime, anywhere" paradigm of cellular technology, the company said. Such data could be digital video, music and even up-to-date maps incorporating real-time traffic reports. Conventional cellular systems will still be needed for voice communication and safety services such as automatic emergency notification -- a key feature of the Mercedes-Benz Tele Aid system.

Developed by DaimlerChrysler Research and Technology North America, Inc. (DCRTNA) in Palo Alto, California, the DriveBy InfoFueling prototype is a Mercedes-Benz C320 sedan fitted with a special broadband telematics system that allows high volumes of wireless data to be transmitted efficiently in a few seconds.

DaimlerChrysler provided examples of what was described as "real-world usefulness" for DriveBy InfoFueling:

▪ You hear a great new song on your satellite radio. Although you didn't catch the artist or song title, you push the "buy button" on your audio system, which initiates a secure on-line transaction, and a legal copy of the song is purchased and downloaded to the car at the next DriveBy InfoFueling station. From now on, you can listen to the song over and over again, just like you would with a CD.

▪ In another scenario, you shoot a digital video of your five-year-old playing in the sand at the beach, and you transfer the video to the car. On the way home, you e-mail the video to Grandma, and it's transmitted to her as you pass the next DriveBy InfoFueling station. You can also use the system to upload digital photos and video to a server, freeing up your camera to take more pictures.

▪ Next, imagine that you're driving in an unfamiliar city with the help of a good GPS navigation system that relies on maps stored on CDs. Wouldn't it be nice if your DriveBy InfoFueling system updated your maps to show new roads, highway construction, and detours, as well as up-to-the-minute traffic information with suggested alternate routes around traffic slowdowns?

▪ In addition, when you synchronize your e-mails, calendar and address book with the car, your navigation system can take the destination for your next off-site meeting and give you directions. While you're driving, the e-mail invitation, agenda and participants list are read to you through the use of text-to-speech technology.

The DriveBy InfoFueling system will use Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC), a system that involves a series of high-bandwidth wireless local area network transceivers at strategic locations along the road. For future Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) services, DSRC has been designed for the high-speed transfer of information between vehicles and the infrastructure as well as between vehicles.

FCC encouragement

To encourage the development and implementation of driver information and assistance services such as electronic toll collection and local traffic information, the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) allocated the 5.9 GHz range for DSRC usage two years ago. Recently, the standards writing group for DSRC 5.9 GHz decided to use 802.11a R/A as the base technology for licensed telematics applications in the reserved ITS band.

Mercedes-Benz is the first automotive manufacturer to showcase a DSRC prototype application using 802.11a technology, supplied to DaimlerChrysler Research and Technology North America, Inc. by Atheros Communications, Inc.