A Scalable and Quick-Response Software Defined Vehicular Network Assisted by Mobile Edge Computing

TLDR

Connected vehicles promise advanced transformations and business opportunities, yet current radio technologies such as IEEE 802.11p and 5G cannot satisfy all vehicular communication requirements. The authors propose an SDN‑enabled network architecture assisted by mobile edge computing that integrates multiple access technologies to deliver low‑latency, high‑reliability communication. MEC’s on‑premises capability reduces data transmission time and enhances user experience for latency‑sensitive applications, forming a key component of the SDN‑MEC architecture. A practical use case validated the architecture, demonstrating that it meets application‑specific requirements while maintaining scalability and responsiveness.

Abstract

Connected vehicles provide advanced transformations and attractive business opportunities in the automotive industry. Presently, IEEE 802.11p and evolving 5G are the mainstream radio access technologies in the vehicular industry, but neither of them can meet all requirements of vehicle communication. In order to provide low-latency and high-reliability communication, an SDN-enabled network architecture assisted by MEC, which integrates different types of access technologies, is proposed. MEC technology with its on-premises feature can decrease data transmission time and enhance quality of user experience in latency-sensitive applications. Therefore, MEC plays as important a role in the proposed architecture as SDN technology. The proposed architecture was validated by a practical use case, and the obtained results have shown that it meets application- specific requirements and maintains good scalability and responsiveness.