ODU: Open DSRC Unit Toward Effective Dissemination of V2X Applications

In the context of Intelligent Transportation Systems, a Vehicular Ad-Hoc Network provides communication among nearby vehicles and roadside infrastructure. Commercial devices enabling this type of communication via the IEEE 802.11p standard are expensive and proprietary, limiting research and independent field testing. Furthermore, as the industry is their target client, they integrate features like metal waterproof en-closures or mounting brackets, which often result in relatively cumbersome devices unable to accommodate use by vulnerable road users with limited space and weight-bearing capabilities. Aiming to address these concerns, this paper presents a low-cost and open-source device assembled with off-the-shelf components, which we named Open DSRC Unit or ODU in short. The design minimizes the steps required to implement the unit while maintaining a degree of flexibility for potential extension with future upgrades. As a result, the device can act as both a RoadSide Unit and an On-Board Unit, leaving open the possibility of implementing custom messages and acting with custom roles.