Comparing Communication Performance of DSRC OBEs from Multiple Suppliers

As Dedicated Short Range Communication (DSRC) moves closer to deployment, it is interesting to compare the communication performance of devices from different suppliers when tested in realistic settings. This paper reports the results of extensive tests that compare four on-board equipment (OBE) devices sending safety messages. The tests were conducted on public roads in a variety of intersection and freeway settings, including with a large truck creating non-line-of-sight conditions. The tests also explore several configuration options with regard to channel bandwidth, transmit power, and bit rate. The results show that some devices consistently perform moderately better than others. They also show that some configurations appear well suited for supporting collision avoidance safety applications, while others do not.