Infotainment services based on push-mode dissemination in an integrated VANET and 3G architecture

Given the bandwidth assignment for dedicated short range communications for use in vehicular ad-hoc network (VANET) and the expected introduction of equipment in the next few years, we elaborate on how VANET can support infotainment services. We define an architectural model for the integration of VANETs and cellular networks, according to a push mode paradigm where VANETs are used primarily to disseminate service announcements and general interest messages. Cooperation with cellular network is addressed by comparing architecture alternatives. A set of information dissemination protocols for VANETs is compared via simulations on a real urban map. Some results from a lab testbed based on IEEE 802.11p boards are presented along with an application developed for Android operating system to demonstrate the concept of the paper.