Qualcomm and Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport Conduct Trials Utilizing 802.11ad Multi-gigabit Wi-Fi for Racecar Data Communications

BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) today announced that its subsidiary, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., and Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport, are conducting field trials to test high-speed wireless download of vehicle sensor information utilizing 802.11ad Wi-Fi^® technology in the 60 GHz band.  With the success of initial testing conducted during the Formula 1^TM US Grand Prix in the 2016 season, Qualcomm Technologies and Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport plan to continue technology development and conduct additional trials during the British Grand Prix in July.  During these field trials, race engineers utilize both 5 GHz 802.11ac and Multi-gigabit 802.11ad Wi-Fi technology, which operates in the millimeter wave (mmWave) 60GHz band, to gather data directly from the team's race car while in, or approaching the garage. The handover between the two 802.11 modes are handled automatically as radio conditions dictate throughput performance.

The goal of the trial is to accelerate how quickly and efficiently data can be pulled from the vehicle, as well as help evaluate vehicle performance under extreme race conditions, helping with quicker assessments and less time in the pit lane.  Utilizing motorsport as a test bed, Qualcomm Technologies can also utilize the trial to assist in further developing technologies and applications that can be potentially used for safer road vehicles, as well as the pursuit of the wireless garage.

"It has already been a rewarding journey to work with Qualcomm Technologies to develop technology that helps the team improve performance on track and could ultimately have a big impact on people's lives," said Toto Wolff, executive director and head, Mercedes-Benz Motorsport. "Following a successful field trial in Austin last year, the target is to have the 802.11ad Wi-Fi technology running on-car during Friday practice from the 2017 US Grand Prix onwards. Qualcomm Technologies' leadership in vehicle connectivity is advancing wireless technology in our race garages and accelerating progress in the wider automotive industry."

"Today's rate of innovation in automotive is unprecedented, in both raceways and freeways, demanding increasing levels of performance in connectivity," said Derek Aberle, president, Qualcomm Incorporated. "Qualcomm Technologies has been leading the way in creating a robust 802.11ad ecosystem, helping industry leaders introduce the first commercial smartphones, access points, notebooks and adapters using our 802.11ad chips.  802.11ad Multi-gigabit Wi-Fi technology can also address the growing need of bandwidth for content-rich applications in homes, offices and cars. We look forward to continuing this trial with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport team as it will help us learn how we can accelerate bringing the benefits of 802.11ad to these everyday use cases, as well as evolve towards 5G connectivity." 

The introduction of 802.11ad Wi-Fi technology to transfer vehicle sensor information builds on the concept of downloading racecar telemetry data via Wi-Fi using the 5 GHz spectrum announced by both companies last year, where tire data was pulled wirelessly utilizing thermal cameras.  The system will feature a Qualcomm^® Snapdragon™ 820 processor with up to 128 GB of Universal Flash Storage memory to collect telemetry data while the car is on circuit. A Qualcomm^® QCA9500 chip will be used to support the 802.11ad Wi-Fi.  Through the increased throughput provided by the 60 GHz connection, race engineers will be provided more data intensive telemetry, enabling the team to make critical decisions with the aim of making informed decisions.  With changes made to tire regulations for the upcoming race season, using significantly wider tires with different performance characteristics, the increased amount of tire data becomes even more critical.  

During the Formula 1^TM US Grand Prix trial in 2016, Qualcomm^® Mobile Test Platforms (MTP), a reference design built by Qualcomm Technologies, were re-purposed to behave as both the on-vehicle unit, as well as function as the 802.11ad wireless access point. During in-garage testing of download speeds of over 2 Gbps, robust and reliable connections were established as race engineers undertook normal garage-related activity on the car.  Utilizing the additional download capacity supports additional opportunities to gather data from sensors with the goal of further helping Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport evaluate and optimize the cars' performance during the free practice session at Grands Prix. With these 802.11ad Wi-Fi faster data transfers, the team's drivers, Lewis Hamilton and Valterri Bottas, will be able to spend more time on the track, fine tuning performance, and less time in the garage.

In addition to the multi-year relationship between Qualcomm Technologies and the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport, Qualcomm Technologies has a long-standing reputation as a trusted advisor and technical resource in the automotive industry. All major global automakers currently use products from Qualcomm Technologies' broad portfolio of automotive solutions, including the company's flagship Snapdragon automotive processors and modems. Across telematics, infotainment and connectivity, Qualcomm Technologies has achieved more than 150 automotive design wins, and car manufacturers across the globe have selected Snapdragon processors for their next generation infotainment solutions. 

802.11ad Wi-Fi technology is expected to play a growing role in infotainment application within production vehicles, benefiting from ultra-fast speeds to support several infotainment use cases, including simultaneous 4K video streaming to multiple devices and lag-free screen mirroring between smartphones and in-car displays. 

About Qualcomm

Qualcomm's technologies powered the smartphone revolution and connected billions of people. We pioneered 3G and 4G – and now we are leading the way to 5G and a new era of intelligent, connected devices. Our products are revolutionizing industries, including automotive, computing, IoT, healthcare and data center, and are allowing millions of devices to connect with each other in ways never before imagined. Qualcomm Incorporated includes our licensing business, QTL, and the vast majority of our patent portfolio.  Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated, operates, along with its subsidiaries, all of our engineering, research and development functions, and all of our products and services businesses, including, our QCT semiconductor business. For more information, visit Qualcomm's website, OnQ blog, Twitter and Facebook pages.

About Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport

Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport are the reigning FIA Formula One^TM World Constructors' Champions, with operations headquartered at two technology campuses in the UK. The race team, is based in Brackley, Northants.  The team's cutting-edge hybrid power units are designed and built by Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains in nearby Brixworth.
MercedesAMGF1.com

Qualcomm and Snapdragon are trademarks of Qualcomm Incorporated, registered in the United States and other countries.

Wi-Fi is a registered trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance.

Qualcomm Snapdragon is a product of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. The QCA9500 802.11ad chipset is a product of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.

Qualcomm Contacts:
Pete Lancia, Corporate Communications
Phone:  1-858-845-5959
Email:  [email protected]

John Sinnott, Investor Relations
Phone:  1-858-658-4813
Email:  [email protected]

SOURCE Qualcomm Incorporated