| From wireless Internet access at cafes to the expanding popularity of smart phones, ubiquitous Internet access has generated much public demand and research. Supplying broadband Internet access for in-vehicle applications is a research area still in its infancy. This thesis examines the strengths and weaknesses of WiMAX and DSRC, two protocols that have been central in much of the research surrounding in-vehicle network access. The thesis then proposes a novel system structure that combines both of these technologies and adds a network access layer in order to provide a system structure that offers high bandwidth, bounded latency and robust support for the high levels of mobility experienced by vehicle-based users. This provides the network support for applications such as streaming audio, video and Voice over IP. The thesis also describes a demonstration system that partly implements the proposed system structure. |
