Edge computing in the loop simulation framework for automotive use cases evaluation

Abstract

Edge architectures provide local, decentralized services, enabling balancing network traffic and distributing hardware resources. Later, many new use cases can be implemented by combining the advantages of the edge computing concept with the services of 5G systems. One of the biggest beneficiaries of this could be the Vehicle-to-Cloud (V2C) technology, where it is necessary to efficiently process large amounts of data resulting from Vehicle-to-Everything communication (V2X) services. In specific use cases, this makes it possible to process sensor data collectively, enhanced by fusion, which promotes a more effective virtual representation of the real world. The effective implementation of these technologies is a complex task. One of the most important steps before tests on actual infrastructures with real vehicles is evaluating and validating edge cloud systems. We present a solution for this problem, the Cloud-in-the-Loop (CiL) simulation framework. It can orchestrate a real-size, telco-grade level, Kubernetes-based edge cloud infrastructure based on information gathered from a traffic simulator and performing fine-grained benchmarking and data collection. In addition to the performance analysis of the edge system, it also enables an in-depth examination of cloud-native applications serving complex automotive use cases. In this paper, we focus on presenting the developed framework and its capabilities by utilizing the system with implemented test applications, and give an example of testing QoS and QoE aspects of the edge cloud-based V2C concept.