PhD thesis defense to be held on June 23, 2025 at 14:00-16:00 (Conference Room, Ground Floor, New ECE Building)
Thesis title: "5G Enabled Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) in Cross-Border Conditions: Challenges, Performance Assessment and Way Forward"
Abstract: The work presented in this study investigates the deployment and operational challenges of 5G-enabled Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) in cross-border conditions. Through a series of comprehensive measurements and analyses, this study evaluates the performance of various 5G network configurations and CAM application settings specifically in the context of 5G Non-Standalone (NSA) architecture, to understand their impact on the CAM user experienced performance across borders.
The study begins by outlining the current state of CAM technologies, highlighting the benefits of 5G for CAM, and performs an extensive analysis of the barriers to the adoption and deployment of CAM services across national borders, including issues related to network interoperability, edge node placement, OBU and CAM application configuration, data privacy, and the fragmentation of regulatory frameworks across EU member states.
A comprehensive analysis of stakeholders' perspectives is presented, revealing that key factors for successful CAM deployment include seamless network coverage, robust cybersecurity measures, and the harmonization of technical standards. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the importance of cross-border cooperation among national governments, telecommunications providers, and automotive manufacturers to ensure the continuity of CAM services as vehicles move between different jurisdictions. A state-of-the art cross-border 5G corridor is set-up between the borders of Greece and Turkey, and extensive measurement campaigns are performed to identify the optimum solutions to mitigate the cross-border challenges and to optimize CAM performance across borders, Level 4 using autonomous tracks and 5G NSA networks.
The research presents a detailed examination of key network parameters, including end-to-end (E2E) latency, handover interruption times, and the effects of different roaming and interconnection strategies on service continuity, as well as thorough investigation of the effect of different OBU and application configurations on the observed performance. The findings indicate that the Home Routing (HR) with Direct interconnection configuration offers the most reliable performance for CAM services, with E2E latency consistently meeting the stringent requirements of less than 100 ms. In contrast, the Local Breakout (LBO) strategy, while beneficial in reducing latency under ideal conditions, exhibits significant drawbacks during inter-Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) handovers, leading to unacceptable service interruptions.
Furthermore, the study highlights the critical role of edge computing in reducing latency, where placing applications closer to the network edge substantially improves response times, making it a preferred solution for latency-sensitive CAM applications. The dissertation also identifies the challenges posed by inter-PLMN handovers, particularly in maintaining the Quality of Service (QoS) for high-priority CAM applications during cross-border transitions.
In conclusion, the work presented in this study offers some of the first globally available insights regarding cross-border CAM performance with 5G-NSA networks, based on real-life network and application measurements, showcasing the performance limits of 5G-NSA networks for cross-border CAM and pointing towards the proper networks settings and application configurations to optimize performance. The study also provides a roadmap for the future development of CAM in Europe, emphasizing the need for continued investment in 5G infrastructure (evolution towards 5G-SA networks), greater cross-border regulatory alignment, and proactive preparation for the integration of B5G and 6G technologies. By addressing these areas, the EU can accelerate the deployment of CAM, thereby contributing to safer, more efficient, and environmentally friendly transportation systems.
Supervisor: Professor Nikolaos Mitrou
PhD Student: Trichias Konstantinos