Range and Range-Rate Measurements Using DSRC: Facts and Challenges

Vehicular network with communication among vehicles and between roadside units and vehicles is a recently emerged field of challenge for researchers. Dedicated Short Range Communication (DSRC) is the nominated communication channel specifically designed for this network. Using DSRC, besides sharing information among vehicles, the distances between the nodes of the network can also be estimated for their positioning solutions. In the literature, many algorithms and strategies are presented for radio ranging with less emphasis on constraints and difficulties of distance estimation in vehicular networks. In this paper, different methods of radio ranging like Received Signal Strength (RSS), Time of Arrival (TOA), and Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA) for distance estimation are introduced with emphasis on some important aspects of these methods which should be taken into account by researchers and engineers. Considering some important concerns, related to ranging and positioning with radio signals, some special aspects of each method are presented and discussed. Finally, with regard to the limitations imposed by vehicular networks and DSRC, the preferred ranging approach is proposed.