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Multicast networks | Fueling the future of the connected car

January 3, 2023 by Mary Crebassa, VP Major Accounts
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Smart autonomous car driving, interacting with intelligent traffic signals, cutting-edge infotainment, and vehicle-to-vehicle communication are just some of the exciting features that connected cars will increasingly be delivering as standard.

Connected cars require a great deal of innovation to achieve the level of intelligence, autonomy, and safety required to bring them to life. The driving force behind the next generation of connected cars is ATSC 3.0. The all-IP broadcast standard brings new opportunities for innovation, from in-vehicle entertainment experiences to geolocation services and over-the-air (OTA) software updates.

This is because, thanks to the right IP network, ATSC 3.0 enables the delivery of one file to an unlimited number of moving vehicles simultaneously instead of sending the same file multiple times to reach each vehicle. Multicasting is the underlying mission-critical capability that enables ATSC 3.0 to realize its potential. The right multicast IP network will be the power engine behind innovation in the automotive industry moving forward.

The right multicast IP network will be the power engine behind innovation in the automotive industry moving forward.

The ATSC 3.0 potential

ATSC 3.0 is already making waves in the broadcasting world. The new broadcasting standard is a wireless IP pipeline designed for portability and mobility in line with 3GPP, 4G, and 5G standards to reach audiences across multiple distribution platforms. What makes it different from previous broadcasting standards is that it has an IP-based architecture. This architecture allows it to deliver additional capacity, low latency, high-speed data delivery, and cost-efficient and robust mission-critical mobile connectivity.

The automotive industry is changing dramatically due to the accelerated innovation behind ‘software-defined’ cars. This new car generation operates as ‘computers on wheels, ’ delivering unparalleled capabilities for increased user control and a redefined in-vehicle experience. Connected and software-defined cars require cutting-edge connectivity and data flows. Therefore, they are a key space where the ATSC 3.0 potential can be realized and make a real impact on the lives of millions of people worldwide.

Connected and software-defined cars require cutting-edge connectivity and data flows. Therefore, they are a key space where the ATSC 3.0 potential can be realized and make a real impact on the lives of millions of people worldwide.

Challenges and opportunities

Connected cars are becoming a reality. It is estimated that about 95% of new vehicles sold globally by 2030 will be connected, up from around 50% in 2021. However, before we see our roads being filled by intelligent cars, we need to address some key challenges, and most importantly, the connectivity needed to power them. Cellular connectivity is not only expensive but also comes with coverage limitations. It doesn’t reach every road, region, or country/geography. We simply can’t allow the rise of connected cars to deepen the digital divide.

ATSC 3.0 can address the connectivity challenge, delivering what connected cars require. That is ubiquitous connectivity. We already know the benefits that ATSC 3.0 brings, especially around capacity. There are multiple ways the additional capacity provided by ATSC 3.0 can be leveraged outside of the broadcast space: from datacasting and enhanced GPS services to in-car infotainment, autonomous vehicle control, and a host of IoT use cases:

  • Benefits for consumers: Enabled by unparalleled super-fast, low-latency connectivity, cars become platforms that are truly software-defined and deliver compelling driving and entertainment experiences. In-car entertainment is redefined, bringing fully-intuitive immersive experiences (video and audio streaming, gaming, voice control, 4K UHD resolution, HDR video quality, and Dolby Atmos enhanced sound). In addition, exciting apps and driver-assist technologies, and the full integration with IoT devices revolutionize how users interact with their cars, enjoying truly intelligent driving experiences.

  • Benefits for the automotive industry: A key feature of connected cars that becomes possible with ATSC 3.0 is the delivery of next-generation, highly-precise geo-location services enabled by an always-on data path. ATSC 3.0 also enables the gathering of more data and vehicle diagnostics. Car manufacturers and suppliers can use this data to improve support services and make informed decisions on product development and further innovation. Finally, ATSC 3.0 simplifies OTA software updates that take place instantaneously to millions of vehicles, delivering a more streamlined user experience.

  • Benefits for broadcasters and advertisers: ATSC 3.0 enables the delivery of full HD content, multi-viewing experiences, and in-vehicle targeted ads with seamless switching between ads and programming. This means that in addition to being ‘computers on wheels’, connected cars are also powerful and popular content consumption platforms that can be harnessed for further monetization.

ATSC 3.0 can address the connectivity challenge, delivering what connected cars require. That is ubiquitous connectivity.
ATSC 3.0


Delivering the IP automotive revolution with the right multicast backbone

For all these exciting new opportunities to come to fruition, ATSC 3.0 requires the right IP network. Traditional unicast network solutions delivering live feeds from point A to point B are a temporary ‘fix’ rather than a future-proofing investment. This is because additional investment will inevitably be required to enable the delivery of live feeds from point B to points C, D, and E, and ultimately as use cases evolve and new use cases emerge to X, Y, and Z.

A robust, reliable, intelligent, and fully managed multicast IP network delivers the mission-critical capabilities required to reach any platform, any device, and any destination simultaneously and in real time, even when dealing with millions of endpoints:

  • Reliability: Connected cars rely on data and information that needs to be delivered instantaneously to millions of users. To ensure smooth and secure delivery, the multicast IP network needs to be built on a highly reliable architecture that features multiple points of redundancy and extremely high Service Level Agreements (SLAs). LTN offers the industry’s only SLA guarantee for internet-based video transport that covers five 9s reliability, availability, and <200 ms latency in North America and <300 ms worldwide across the LTN Network. This reliability compares to satellite transport and is critical for the transport of high-value content distribution.

  • Interoperability: LTN’s open and agnostic network strategy is designed to reduce complexity and increase efficiency in an increasingly hybrid network environment, and work with any protocol and standard. This is essential when data needs to be delivered to multiple devices and platforms seamlessly and instantaneously.

  • Intelligence: The IP transport network carries high-value information that needs to be delivered accurately and securely to multiple endpoints. For this complex process to happen seamlessly, the transport network requires the intelligence to ‘know’ the what, when, and where of live feed delivery.

  • Fully-managed solution: LTN supports its innovative network solution with a fully managed service, including a 24/7/365 network operations center (NOC) staffed by highly trained technical personnel who are able to monitor, isolate, diagnose, and fix any issues on the LTN Network affecting a customer’s feed, and are available as a 24/7 customer help desk.

The LTN Network delivers proven industry-leading capabilities to power the connected car architecture. LTN has also demonstrated its experience and expertise in ATSC 3.0 by supporting the ATSC 3.0 rollout in 50 US markets so far.

A robust, reliable, intelligent, and fully managed multicast IP network delivers the mission-critical capabilities required to reach any platform, any device, and any destination simultaneously and in real time, even when dealing with millions of endpoints.

Driving the connected car potential with a multicast network

We are living a ‘connected’ life in a ‘connected’ world. From our smartphones to our homes and offices, we are used to using smart devices that ‘talk’ to each other and share data to simplify daily tasks. The connected car is the next big platform for innovation.

Connected cars leverage the power of data to deliver compelling in-vehicle experiences, intelligence, and data-powered assisted driving. However, to realize their true potential, critical data requires the right network to ensure real-time, accurate, reliable, and secure delivery to millions of vehicles.

A multicast network with proven scale, speed, intelligence, and latency capabilities is the backbone to enable the connected car architecture to operate seamlessly and deliver on its promises.

A multicast network with proven scale, speed, intelligence, and latency capabilities is the backbone to enable the connected car architecture to operate seamlessly and deliver on its promises.


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