Coexistence of DSRC and Wi-Fi: Impact on the performance of vehicular safety applications

Abstract

To adequately support high-throughput applications in next-generation WLANs, more spectrum will be needed to accommodate wider channels. To address this issue, spectrum regulators and stakeholders from the wireless industry and the intelligent transportation system communities are exploring possible band sharing approaches in the 5.9 GHz band. Such approaches include techniques that enable the harmonious coexistence of Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC) networks and IEEE 802.11ac networks. In this paper, we provide in-depth discussions on how the coexistence of DSRC and 802.11ac impacts the performance of DSRC applications, with a particular focus on vehicular safety applications. We propose an analytical model that provides valuable insights on DSRC network performance and its vulnerability to interference induced by other DSRC nodes as well as 802.11ac nodes. Using the analytical results derived from the model and extensive simulation results, we also propose a methodology for adjusting 802.11ac parameters that enables a DSRC network to meet the performance requirements of safety applications. Using simulations, we also analyze the throughput of the coexisting 802.11ac network.