Vanetza in a nutshell

Vanetza is an open-source implementation of the ETSI C-ITS protocol suite. Among others, it comprises the following protocols and features:

  • GeoNetworking (GN)
  • Basic Transport Protocol (BTP)
  • Decentralized Congestion Control (DCC)
  • Security
  • Support for ASN.1 messages (Facilities) such as CAM and DENM

Though originally designed to operate on ITS-G5 channels in a Vehicular Ad Hoc Network (VANET) using IEEE 802.11p, Vanetza and its components can be combined with other communication technologies as well, e.g. GeoNetworking over IP multicast.

Project layout

In the first place, Vanetza is a conglomerate of C++ libraries, some depending on others. Sources of these libraries, also known as Vanetza component, are bundled in their respective subdirectories.

Component Depends on Features
access net Access layer, helpers for IEEE 802.11 PHY and MAC
asn1 - Generated code and wrappers for ASN.1 based messages, e.g. CAM and DENM
btp geonet Headers and interfaces for BTP transport layer
common - General purpose classes used across Vanetza components, including serialization and timing
dcc access, net Algorithms for DCC cross-layer
facilities asn1, geonet, security Helpers to generate and evaluate ITS messages
geonet dcc, net, security GeoNetworking layer featuring geographical routing
gnss - Satellite navigation integration for positioning
net common Utilities for socket API and packet handling
security common, net Security entity to sign and verify packets

For most of the code unit tests exist. We are using Googletest for those. Compilation of Vanetza unit tests can be enabled via the BUILD_TESTS CMake option. You can the run those tests in your build directory by executing ctest.

Additionally, the tools directory contains several utilities making use of Vanetza libraries.

Tool Purpose CMake option
benchmark Benchmarking security features, e.g. signing or validating a lot messages in a row BUILD_BENCHMARK
certify Utility for generating and handling security certificates, authorization tickets etc. BUILD_CERTIFY
socktap Example application using most of the Vanetza stack operating on sockets, i.e. either Linux packet sockets or optionally Cohda LLC sockets BUILD_SOCKTAP

Deployments

Vanetza has been developed for network simulations and testing on embedded devices at Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt initially. Meanwhile, Vanetza is used by many more parties and for more use cases than anticipated in the beginning.

  • Artery is a V2X simulation framework based on OMNeT++. Vanetza is used in this network simulation as (quite detailed) model of ITS-G5 protocols.
  • Various communication units (roadside units, vehicles and testbeds) in the CARISSMA Car2X lab are powered by Vanetza.
  • Prototype motorcycles operated by the Connected Motorcycle Consortium use Vanetza for evaluation of novel ITS applications to enhance rider safety.
  • nfiniity integrates its cube V2X ecosystem with Vanetza.

If you are using Vanetza, we would love to add your project to the list above. Please write an e-mail to raphael@riebl.net or open a pull request.