Magna Supercharges ADAS with 5G

While 5G cellular data systems do not cause Covid, contrary to the internet myth, the wireless communication system can be applied to improve the performance of vehicles’ advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).

Developing that potential is the goal of Magna’s partnership with the Northstar industrial 5G innovation program that is backed by Telia Sweden and Ericsson. The Northstar partners have built a dedicated, private 5G network at Magna’s test track located in Vårgårda, Sweden, so that Magna can test new ADAS and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) connectivity.

The system employs 5G millimeter wave (mmWave) technology, which provides low-latency gigabit speeds and seamless connectivity for new ADAS trials. It is also being used to develop new joint sensing and communication systems.

"By utilizing the latest advancements in mobile networks, we are able to accelerate the automotive domain by offering sensor enhancements and as a result offer more capable and competitive ADAS products,” said Bill Snider, President of Electronics. “Our focus is not only on meeting challenging technical requirements but also on developing products that can help anticipate critical situations to prevent accidents, ultimately making the roads safer for all.”

Magna’s test track will use 5G in both the 26GHz frequency band and the 400MHz bandwidth to augment real-time data from vehicle sensors. NorthStar’s 5G network uses Ericsson’s dual-mode 5G Core, connected to Telia’s existing public 5G network. This interconnectivity will enable Magna to benefit from high-speed connectivity across large geographical areas to provide data on weather, other vehicles, and other relevant information that can assist the onboard sensors to improve driver safety.

"As an industry leader in ADAS technologies, Magna is exactly the kind of company we envisioned joining us when we started the NorthStar program,” said Magnus Leonhardt, head of innovation and strategy at Telia Sweden’s enterprise business unit. “The solutions they develop are based on the premise that vehicles and road users can share data in near real-time. This is a great opportunity to really push the boundaries of 5G and the millimeter wave technology.”