The development of autonomous ground and aerial vehicles has driven the requirement for radio access technologies (RATs) to support low latency applications. While onboard sensors such as Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR), Radio Detection and Ranging (RADAR), and cameras can sense and assess the immediate space around the vehicle, RATs are crucial for the exchange of information on critical events, such as accidents and changes in trajectory, with other vehicles and surrounding infrastructure in a timely manner. Simulations and analytical models are critical in modelling and designing efficient networks. In this dissertation, we focus on (a) proposing and developing algorithms to improve the performance of decentralized vehicular communications in safety critical situations and (b) supporting these proposals with simulation and analysis of the two most popular RAT standards, the Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC) standard, and the Cellular vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X) standard. In our first contribution, we propose a risk based protocol for vehicles using the DSRC standard. The protocol allows a higher beacon transmission rate for vehicles that are at a higher risk of collision. We verify the benefits of the risk based protocol over conventional DSRC using ns-3 simulations. Two risk based beacon rate protocols are evaluated in our ns-3 simulator, one that adapts the beacon rate between 1 and 10 Hz, and another between 1 and 20 Hz. Our results show that both protocols improve the packet delivery ratio (PDR) performance by up to 45% in congested environments using the 1-10 Hz adaptive beacon rate protocol and by 38% using the 1-20 Hz adaptive scheme. The two adaptive beacon rate protocol simulation results also show that the likelihood of a vehicle collision due to missed packets decreases by up to 41% and 77% respectively, in a three lane dense highway scenario with 160 vehicles operating at different speeds. In our second contribution, we study the performance of a distance based transmission protocol for vehicular ad hoc network (VANET) using tools from stochastic geometry. We consider a risk based transmission protocol where vehicles transmit more frequently depending on the distance to adjacent vehicles. We evaluate two transmission policies, a listen more policy, in which the transmission rate of vehicles decreases as the inter-vehicular distance decreases, and a talk more policy, in which the transmission rate of vehicles increases as the distance to the vehicle ahead of it decreases. We model the layout of a highway using a 1-D Poisson Point process (PPP) and analyze the performance of a typical receiver in this highway setting. We characterize the success probability of a typical link assuming slotted ALOHA as the channel access scheme. We study the trends in success probability as a function of system parameters. Our third contribution includes improvements to the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Release 14 C-V2X standard, evaluated using a modified collision framework. In C-V2X basic safety messages (BSMs) are transmitted through Mode-4 communications, introduced in Release 14. Mode-4 communications operate under the principle of sensing-based semi-persistent scheduling (SPS), where vehicles sense and schedule transmissions without a base station present. We propose an improved adaptive semi-persistent scheduling, termed Ch-RRI SPS, for Mode-4 C-V2X networks. Specifically, Ch-RRI SPS allows each vehicle to dynamically adjust in real-time the BSM rate, referred to in the LTE standard as the resource reservation interval (RRI). Our study based on system level simulations demonstrates that Ch-RRI SPS greatly outperforms SPS in terms of both on-road safety performance, measured as collision risk, and network performance, measured as packet delivery ratio, in all considered C-V2X scenarios. In high density scenarios, e.g., 80 vehicles/km, Ch-RRI SPS shows a collision risk reduction of 51.27%, 51.20% and 75.41% when compared with SPS with 20 ms, 50 ms, and 100 ms RRI respectively. In our fourth and final contribution, we look at the tracking error and age-of-information (AoI) of the latest 3GPP Release 16 NR-V2X standard, which includes enhancements to the 3GPP Release 14 C-V2X standard. The successor to Mode-4 C-V2X, known as Mode-2a NR-V2X, makes slight changes to sensing-based semi-persistent scheduling (SPS), though vehicles can still sense and schedule transmissions without a base station present. We use AoI and tracking error, which is the freshness of the information at the receiver and the difference in estimated vs actual location of a transmitting vehicle respectively, to measure the impact of lost and outdated BSMs on a vehicle's ability to localize neighboring vehicles. In this work, we again show that such BSM scheduling (with a fixed RRI) suffers from severe under- and over- utilization of radio resources, which severely compromises timely dissemination of BSMs and increases the system AoI and tracking error. To address this, we propose an RRI selection algorithm that measures the age or freshness of messages from neighboring vehicles to select an RRI, termed Age of Information (AoI)-aware RRI (AoI-RRI) selection. Specifically, AoI-aware SPS (i) measures the neighborhood AoI (as opposed to channel availability) to select an age-optimal RRI and (ii) uses a modified SPS procedure with the chosen RRI to select BSM transmission opportunities that minimize the overall system AoI. We compare AoI-RRI SPS to Ch-RRI SPS and fixed RRI SPS for NR-V2X. Our experiments based on the Mode-2a NR-V2X standard implemented using system level simulations show both Ch-RRI SPS and AoI-RRI SPS outperform SPS in high density scenarios in terms of tracking error and age-of-information. / Doctor of Philosophy / An increasing number of vehicles are equipped with a large set of on-board sensors that enable and support autonomous capabilities. Such sensors, which include Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR), Radio Detection and Ranging (RADAR), and cameras, are meant to increase passenger and driver safety. However, similar to humans, these sensors are limited to line-of-sight (LOS) visibility, meaning they cannot see beyond other vehicles, corners, and buildings. For this reason, efficient vehicular communications are essential to the next generation of vehicles and could significantly improve road safety. In addition, vehicular communications enable the timely exchange of critical information with other vehicles, cellular and roadside infrastructure, and pedestrians. However, unlike typical wireless and cellular networks, vehicular networks are expected to operate in a distributed manner, as there is no guarantee of the presence of cellular infrastructure. Accurate simulations and analytical models are critical in improving and guaranteeing the performance of the next generation of vehicular networks. In this dissertation, we propose and develop novel and practical distributed algorithms to enhance the performance of decentralized vehicular communications. We support these algorithms with computer simulations and analytical tools from the field of stochastic geometry.

[ES] Las redes móviles de quinta generación (5G) destacan por su robustez, superando las prestaciones ofrecidas por sus predecesoras. Estas redes, comúnmente denominadas 5G, posibilitan mejoras significativas en los indicadores clave de rendimiento (KPIs, por sus siglas en inglés) con el propósito de respaldar casos de uso y servicios avanzados. Estos KPIs se clasifican en tres escenarios fundamentales: Banda Ancha Móvil Mejorada (eMBB, por sus siglas en inglés), Comunicaciones Ultra Fiables y de Baja Latencia (uRLLC, por sus siglas en inglés) y Comunicaciones Masivas entre Máquinas (mMTC, por sus siglas en inglés). El escenario eMBB se orienta primordialmente hacia servicios que demandan elevadas tasas de transmisión y recepción para garantizar una experiencia de usuario mejorada. En contraste, uRLLC aborda situaciones que requieren estrictos estándares de baja latencia y alta confiabilidad en la red, como es el caso de aplicaciones en tiempo real, donde la pronta respuesta de la red es indispensable. Por su parte, el escenario mMTC se refiere a aplicaciones y servicios que solicitan el respaldo de la red para la conectividad masiva de dispositivos por kilómetro cuadrado, además de una eficiencia energética mejorada. Entre los servicios y aplicaciones más destacados, se encuentran aquellos basados en comunicaciones vehiculares mediante la red celular, conocidos en el estándar como comunicaciones V2X. En términos generales, la comunicación V2X engloba el intercambio de paquetes entre vehículos y diversos elementos de la red. Cuando estas comunicaciones se efectúan mediante estándares basados en redes móviles, ya sea en LTE o NR, la interfaz radio de 5G, se denominan C-V2X. En este contexto, las comunicaciones Vehículo a Vehículo (V2V) posibilitan el intercambio de paquetes entre vehículos, mientras que las comunicaciones de Vehículos con Infraestructuras (V2I) facilitan el intercambio entre vehículos e infraestructuras de red. Por su parte, las comunicaciones de Vehículos con Peatones (V2P) comprenden la transferencia de paquetes entre vehículos y dispositivos portados por peatones, y las comunicaciones Vehículo a Red (V2N) permiten el intercambio de tráfico V2X entre vehículos y la red. Cada tipo de comunicación posibilita la implementación de diversos servicios, desde funciones básicas hasta aplicaciones avanzadas que exigen potenciales requerimientos por parte de la red. En esta Tesis Doctoral, se llevó a cabo una revisión exhaustiva del estándar para comunicaciones V2X LTE y NR V2X, destacando particularmente los modos de comunicación descentralizados, como se mencionó anteriormente. Posteriormente, se realizó una campaña de simulaciones a nivel de sistema para configurar escenarios V2X conforme a las especificaciones del 3GPP. Los resultados obtenidos permitieron evidenciar que las prestaciones del modo 4 en LTE son adecuadas para servicios básicos que no requieren un alto throughput, bajas latencias o estrictos criterios de fiabilidad en la red. En contraste, mediante el modo 2 de NR V2X, se observó un rendimiento mejorado, lo que permite la adaptación a servicios V2X avanzados. Asimismo, se demostró que altas numerologías contribuyen a un mejor comportamiento del sistema al proporcionar una mayor diversidad de recursos, reduciendo la probabilidad de que dos vehículos utilicen los mismos recursos para sus transmisiones en el modo descentralizado. Además, se comprobó que en NR V2X es crucial una combinación adecuada de numerologías, anchos de banda de canal y tamaño de los subcanales sidelink, según los servicios V2X a implementar. Finalmente, se analizó la incorporación de tecnologías de múltiples accesos radio (multi-RAT) con el fin de respaldar servicios avanzados y mejorar la interoperabilidad mediante el uso de tecnologías de acceso basadas en LTE y NR, especialmente en escenarios con múltiples operadores de red móvil (MNOs), interfaces de conexión y modos de comunicación. / [CA] Les xarxes mòbils de cinquena generació (5G) destaquen per la seva robustesa, superant les característiques que ofereixen els seus predecessors. Aquestes xarxes, comunament anomenades 5G, permeten millores significatives en els indicadors de rendiment clau (KPI) per donar suport a casos i serveis d'ús avançats. Aquests KPI es classifiquen en tres escenaris fonamentals: banda ampla mòbil millorada (eMBB), comunicacions de baixa latència i fiabilitat (uRLLC) i comunicacions massives entre màquines (mMTC). L'escenari eMBB s'orienta principalment a serveis que exigeixen altes taxes de transmissió i recepció per garantir una millor experiència d'usuari. En canvi, uRLLC aborda situacions que requereixen estàndards estrictes de baixa latència i alta fiabilitat de la xarxa. Aquesta necessitat es manifesta, per exemple, en aplicacions en temps real on la resposta ràpida a la xarxa és un factor indispensable. Pel que fa a l'escenari mMTC, es refereix a aplicacions i serveis que sol·liciten suport de xarxa per a una connectivitat massiva de dispositius per quilòmetre quadrat, a més d'una millora de l'eficiència energètica. Entre els serveis i aplicacions esmentats, destaquen els basats en comunicacions vehiculars a través de la xarxa cel·lular, coneguts segons la norma com a comunicacions V2X. En termes generals, la comunicació V2X engloba l'intercanvi de paquets entre vehicles i diversos elements de xarxa. Quan aquestes comunicacions es realitzen utilitzant estàndards basats en xarxes mòbils, ja sigui en Evolució a llarg termini (LTE) o Nova Ràdio (NR), s'anomenen C-V2X. En aquest context, les comunicacions Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) permeten l'intercanvi de paquets entre vehicles, mentre que les comunicacions Vehicle-to-Infraestructura (V2I) faciliten l'intercanvi entre vehicles i infraestructures de xarxa. Per la seva banda, les comunicacions Vehicle-to-Pedestrian (V2P) inclouen la transferència de paquets entre vehicles i dispositius transportats per vianants, i les comunicacions Vehicle a Xarxa (V2N) permeten l'intercanvi de trànsit V2X entre vehicles i la xarxa. Cada tipus de comunicació permet la implementació de diversos serveis, des de funcions bàsiques fins a aplicacions avançades que requereixen possibles requisits de la xarxa. En aquesta tesi, es va dur a terme una revisió exhaustiva de les directrius estàndard per a les comunicacions V2X LTE i NR V2X, destacant especialment els modes de comunicació descentralitzats, com s'ha esmentat anteriorment. Posteriorment, es va dur a terme una campanya de simulació a nivell de sistema per configurar escenaris V2X segons les especificacions del Projecte d'Associació de Tercera Generació (3GPP). Els resultats obtinguts van mostrar que el rendiment del mode 4 en LTE és adequat per a serveis bàsics que no requereixen un alt rendiment, latències baixes o criteris estrictes de fiabilitat de la xarxa. En canvi, es va observar un rendiment millorat mitjançant el mode 2 NR V2X, permetent l'adaptació a serveis V2X avançats. A més, s'ha demostrat que les numerologies altes contribueixen a un millor rendiment, proporcionant una major diversitat de recursos i reduint la probabilitat que dos vehicles utilitzin els mateixos recursos per a les seves transmissions en mode descentralitzat. A més, es va trobar que a NR V2X una combinació adequada de numerologies, amplades de banda del canal i mida dels subcanals SL és crucial, depenent dels serveis V2X a implementar. Finalment, es va analitzar la incorporació de múltiples tecnologies d'accés a la ràdio (multi-RAT) per donar suport a serveis avançats i millorar la interoperabilitat mitjançant l'ús de tecnologies d'accés basades en LTE i NR, especialment en escenaris amb múltiples operadors de xarxa mòbil (MNO), diferents interfícies de connexió i modes de comunicació. / [EN] Fifth-generation mobile networks, commonly referred to as Fifth Generation (5G), are known for their robustness and surpassing the performance of their predecessors. They enable significant improvements in Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to support advanced use cases and services. These KPIs are classified into three fundamental scenarios: Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), Ultra-Reliable and Low Latency Communications (uRLLC), and massive Machine Type Communications (mMTC). The eMBB scenario focuses on services that require high transmission and reception rates to improve the user experience. In contrast, uRLLC addresses situations that demand strict low latency and high-reliability standards in the network. This need is particularly evident in real-time applications where prompt network response is essential. The mMTC scenario pertains to applications and services that require network support for massive device connectivity per square kilometer and enhanced energy efficiency. In particular, services and applications based on vehicular communications via the cellular network, referred to as Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications in the standard, are prominent. V2X communication refers to the communication between vehicles and infrastructures. When using mobile network standards such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) or New Radio (NR), it is referred to as Cellular-based V2X (C-V2X). Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication enables packet exchange between vehicles, while Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) facilitates the exchange between vehicles and network infrastructures. Vehicle-to-Pedestrian (V2P) and Vehicle-to-Network (V2N) are two other types of communication that enable the transfer of packets between vehicles and devices carried by pedestrians and the exchange of V2X traffic between vehicles and the network, respectively. These types of communication enable the implementation of various services, from basic functions to advanced applications with potential network requirements. This thesis provides a comprehensive review of the standard guidelines for V2X LTE and NR V2X communications, with a particular focus on the decentralized communication modes mentioned above. Following this, system-level simulations were conducted to configure V2X scenarios according to 3GPP specifications. The results indicate that LTE mode 4 is sufficient for essential services that do not require high throughput, low latencies, or strict network reliability criteria. On the other hand, NR V2X mode 2 showed improved performance, allowing adaptation to advanced V2X services. High numerologies have been shown to contribute to better performance by providing greater resource diversity and reducing the probability that two vehicles use the same resources for their transmissions in decentralized mode. Additionally, it was found that in NR V2X, an adequate combination of numerologies, channel bandwidths, and sidelink subchannel sizes is crucial, depending on the V2X services to be implemented. Finally, the incorporation of multiple Radio Access Technologies (multi-RAT) was analyzed to support advanced services and improve interoperability through the use of LTE and NR-based access technologies, especially in scenarios with multiple Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), connection interfaces, and communication modes. / González Malla, EE. (2024). Performance Evaluation of 3GPP Standards for C-V2X Communications [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/214051