Method for testing an eCall function in a vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for testing an eCall function in a vehicle (100), wherein the vehicle (100) has at least one main antenna (1, 2) and an emergency antenna (3), wherein at least one base station (BS1) of a mobile communications provider carries out measurements on the at least one main antenna (1, 2) at regular time intervals in order to determine the reception quality (E) of the at least one main antenna (1, 2), and wherein these measurements (M) are used to determine the reception quality (E) of the emergency antenna (3).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for checking an eCall function (emergency call function) in a vehicle (or means of transport) according to an independent method claim, a corresponding eCall module for a vehicle according to an independent device claim, and a vehicle having a corresponding eCall module according to a parallel independent device claim.

[0002] In modern vehicles, legislation mandates so-called eCall modules to ensure that emergency calls, or eCall signals, can be reliably transmitted in the event of an accident, for example if the vehicle's main antenna is damaged. Known eCall modules typically include an RF modem with a connected emergency antenna, or so-called eCall antenna, and a control unit that evaluates signals from special accident sensors in the vehicle that can detect emergency situations, such as vehicle accidents. Because this emergency antenna must only be used in rare emergency situations, it must ensure that it functions as intended.

[0003] EP 3 001 708 A2 discloses a method for checking which of the vehicle's antennas, the main antenna or the emergency antenna, is (still) suitable for transmitting an emergency call in an emergency situation, when the vehicle has already been involved in an accident. However, this does not cover the possibility that both antennas may be faulty during the vehicle emergency. Alternatively, the emergency antenna can be checked during a service interval. However, this involves additional costs. In this case, there is also the risk that a fault in the emergency antenna may not be detected between service intervals.

[0004] Therefore, the present invention is directed to providing a method for testing the eCall functionality in a vehicle. In particular, the present invention is directed to ensuring that the vehicle's emergency antenna, also known as the eCall antenna, reliably performs its function and reliably transmits emergency calls in emergency situations, such as in the event of a vehicle malfunction. Furthermore, the present invention is directed to providing a corresponding eCall module for a vehicle and a vehicle having a corresponding eCall module.

[0005] The technical problem according to the present invention is solved by a method for testing an eCall function in a vehicle having the features of the independent method claim, in particular from the characterizing part thereof; by an improved eCall module for a vehicle having the features of the independent device claim, in particular from the characterizing part thereof; and by a vehicle having a corresponding eCall module having the features of the parallel independent device claim. Preferred developments of the invention are described in the dependent claims. The features disclosed for the various aspects of the invention can be combined with one another in such a way that reference is always made to one another or can be made to one another with respect to the disclosure of the inventive aspects of the invention.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, in order to solve the technical problem according to the present invention, a method for testing the eCall function in a vehicle (or the eCall function of a vehicle) is proposed, wherein the vehicle has at least one main antenna and an emergency antenna, wherein at least one base station of a mobile communications provider performs (or initiates) measurements on the at least one main antenna at regular time intervals in order to determine the reception quality of the at least one main antenna, and wherein these measurements are used to determine the reception quality of the emergency antenna.

[0007] Measurements within the meaning of the present invention include at least one transmission of transmission samples that can be used to measure the reception quality on the respective antenna. Furthermore, measurements within the meaning of the present invention may include receiving an impulse response from the respective antenna at at least one base station.

[0008] To measure reception quality, measured values such as RSSI, RSRP, etc. can be determined within the scope of the present invention. Transmission samples can be sent by at least one or more base stations of a mobile communications provider. These measurements can be performed either in the so-called idle mode (for cell selection or cell reselection) or in the so-called connected mode (for handover or circuit handover fallback).

[0009] A main antenna within the meaning of the present invention may comprise a roof antenna and, if necessary, a diversity antenna, for example on a shock absorber of the vehicle. An emergency antenna may be installed inside the vehicle.

[0010] The inventive concept is to regularly test the transmission and / or reception quality of an emergency antenna on-site (or in the field) so that the emergency antenna is safe and usable in an emergency. This approach is based on the fact that the emergency antenna (and any type of participating device in the mobile communication network) can receive transmission samples for reception quality measurement at regular intervals, defined by the standard / network operator. The method according to the present invention utilizes these measurements, i.e., transmission samples, to measure the emergency antenna with at least an accuracy sufficient for its intended application of transmitting emergency calls. Based on the analysis of the measurement results, quality assurance measures, such as replacement or a repair visit, can be initiated on the emergency antenna within the scope of the present invention. Because reception / transmission quality is direction-dependent, the determination or analysis of reception quality according to the present invention can be carried out based on basic knowledge of the antenna's directional dependence and / or an expected statistical distribution of the measured values, for example, depending on the vehicle's respective operating situation, its geographical location, etc. Advantageously, within the scope of the present invention, additional data, such as the relative location of the vehicle and the corresponding base station, the vehicle's occupancy status, traffic conditions, basic knowledge from previous measurements or measurements on other vehicles (e.g., cloud-based), etc., can be taken into account when analyzing the reception quality. According to another advantage of the present invention, the method can be implemented in two stages. First, the output loss characteristics of the emergency antenna can be identified within the scope of a preliminary measurement, wherein, in particular, specific system parameters of the emergency antenna, such as its location or installation position in the vehicle, the influence of the vehicle's load status, etc., can be taken into account in the preliminary measurement. Then, within the scope of a field test (i.e., "on-the-road"), the current antenna characteristics of the emergency antenna can be evaluated, wherein, in particular, specific operating parameters of the vehicle, such as the occupancy status, reference data from previous measurements, statistical data, etc., can be taken into account in the field test. Thus, the present invention ensures that the vehicle's emergency antenna, a so-called eCall antenna, reliably performs its function and safely transmits an emergency call in an emergency situation, such as in the event of a vehicle accident.

[0011] Furthermore, in the method for testing the eCall functionality in a vehicle, the present invention may provide that the measurement includes transmitting transmission samples from at least one base station to at least one main antenna and / or emergency antenna. The transmission samples can thus be used to determine values such as RSSI or RSRP of the corresponding antenna.

[0012] In this way, the reception quality of the at least one main antenna and / or the emergency antenna can be determined simply and appropriately.

[0013] Furthermore, in the method for testing the eCall functionality in a vehicle, the present invention can provide that the measurement includes receiving an impulse response from at least one main antenna and / or emergency antenna at at least one base station. In this way, the connection quality of the respective connection and the overall transmit and receive functionality of the at least one main antenna and / or emergency antenna can be determined.

[0014] It is conceivable within the scope of the present invention to carry out the measurement in idle mode or connected mode. In idle mode, it is advantageous to be able to test the emergency antenna in a stationary state. In connected mode, it is advantageous to be able to test the operation of at least one main antenna.

[0015] Furthermore, in the method for testing the eCall function in a vehicle, the present invention can provide for initiating at least one quality assurance measure at the emergency antenna based on the result of determining the reception quality of the emergency antenna. This can achieve the advantage that the emergency antenna can be tested repeatedly during the ongoing operation of the vehicle, and faults in the emergency antenna can be reliably detected even between vehicle service intervals.

[0016] Furthermore, in the method for testing the eCall function in a vehicle, the present invention can provide for at least one quality assurance measure to be output as a recommendation to the driver, for example by means of a flashing light. In this way, the driver can be informed that the emergency antenna has a fault and / or malfunction and, if necessary, be advised to replace the emergency antenna, for example within the context of a workshop visit.

[0017] Furthermore, in the method for testing the eCall functionality in a vehicle, the present invention can provide for determining the reception quality of the emergency antenna in two phases: a preparatory measurement and a field test. This allows the emergency antenna's output loss characteristics to be evaluated first within the preparatory measurement, and then the emergency antenna's current antenna characteristics to be evaluated within the field test. This allows changes in the expected functionality of the emergency antenna to be detected.

[0018] Furthermore, in the method for testing eCall functionality in a vehicle, the present invention may provide that the preparatory measurement includes a first measurement of the emergency antenna in the uninstalled state and a second measurement of the emergency antenna in the installed state. The present invention recognizes that installing the antenna inside the vehicle may result in shielding of the emergency antenna and / or attenuation of the received signal through the vehicle body. The first measurement of the emergency antenna in the uninstalled state and the second measurement of the emergency antenna in the installed state advantageously allow testing of how the antenna's installation within the vehicle affects its functionality.

[0019] Furthermore, in the method for testing the eCall functionality in a vehicle, the present invention can provide for determining the reception quality of the emergency antenna as a function of direction. This allows for the fact that the reception / transmission quality of the antenna may be direction-dependent. This also allows for the possibility that the relative position of at least one measuring base station and the vehicle may vary.

[0020] Furthermore, in the method for testing the eCall function in a vehicle, the present invention can provide for determining the reception quality of the emergency antenna as a function of its position in the vehicle. This allows for directionally-dependent shielding of the emergency antenna and / or attenuation of the received signal by the vehicle body to be taken into account.

[0021] Furthermore, in the method for testing the eCall functionality in a vehicle, the present invention can provide for determining the reception quality of the emergency antenna as a function of at least one operating parameter of the vehicle and / or the location of at least one base station of a mobile communications provider. Thus, various parameters that may influence the quality of the connection between the vehicle and the at least one base station of the mobile communications provider can be taken into account.

[0022] Advantageously, in the method for testing the eCall function in a vehicle, the present invention may provide that the at least one operating parameter of the vehicle may include at least one of the following parameters, for example:

[0023] - location,

[0024] - occupancy status,

[0025] - reference data from previous measurements, and / or

[0026] -Statistical data.

[0027] By taking into account the vehicle's location, the relative position of at least one base station relative to the vehicle can be determined. The vehicle's occupancy status can be used to determine the current position of the emergency antenna in the vehicle. Reference data from previous measurements can be used to identify changes in the expected functionality of the antenna to be measured. Since not all operating parameters of the vehicle, the antenna to be measured, or at least one base station may be known in some cases, statistical data or statistical measurement value distributions can be advantageously used. In these statistical data, for example, the measurement values are roughly categorized by location type (city / country, etc.) or by frequency / band / provider (traffic situation, cell, own location, etc.) and collected over a defined period of time. The statistical evaluation can examine, for example, how often a specific reception quality of the emergency antenna falls below a specific threshold. If the threshold is exceeded too frequently (within the shortest possible time period and in unrelated measurements), a malfunction of the emergency antenna can be inferred.

[0028] Furthermore, it may be advantageous to carry out the determination of the reception quality of the emergency antenna based on, for example, the following vehicle-external data:

[0029] - Traffic conditions,

[0030] - a comparative value for a vehicle of the same type that is different from this vehicle,

[0031] - comparative values of vehicles of different types than this vehicle,

[0032] - statistical data, and / or

[0033] -Cloud information.

[0034] Thus, vehicle-external data can be advantageously included in order to improve the check according to the invention and / or make it more precise.

[0035] According to another aspect of the present invention, to solve the technical problem according to the present invention, an eCall module for a vehicle is proposed, wherein the vehicle has at least one main antenna and an emergency antenna. The eCall module comprises: the emergency antenna for transmitting the eCall signal; a control unit for evaluating signals from at least one accident sensor of the vehicle; and an RF modem module for providing the eCall signal based on the evaluation by the control unit. To this end, the present invention provides that the control unit is configured to execute a method, which can be executed as described above, to determine the reception quality of the emergency antenna. The control unit according to the present invention can be a central control unit of the vehicle or a special control unit for the eCall module, which is communicatively connected to the central control unit of the vehicle. The eCall module according to the present invention achieves the same advantages as described above in conjunction with the method according to the present invention. Reference is now made to these advantages in full.

[0036] According to another aspect of the present invention, in order to solve the technical problem according to the present invention, a vehicle having an eCall module is proposed, which can be implemented as described above. The vehicle according to the present invention achieves the same advantages as described above in conjunction with the method according to the present invention. Reference is also made here to these advantages in full.

[0037] Further measures for improving the invention are described in detail below using a description of preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. The features mentioned in the claims and the description may be essential to the invention individually or in any combination. It should be noted that the drawings are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the invention in any way. Among them:

[0038] Figure 1 shows possible structures of different antennas on a vehicle,

[0039] Figure 2 shows a possible emergency situation of the vehicle within the meaning of the present invention,

[0040] Figure 3 A schematic diagram showing a vehicle within the meaning of the present invention and a plurality of surrounding base stations of a mobile communications provider,

[0041] Figure 4 shows a schematic flow chart of the method according to the present invention,

[0042] Figure 5 shows a schematic identification of the normal function of the antenna,

[0043] Figure 6 shows a schematic identification of antenna failure,

[0044] Figure 7 shows schematic reception qualities of different antennas in normal function, and

[0045] Figure 8 Schematic representation of the reception qualities of different antennas in the event of a failure of the emergency antenna is shown.

[0046] Figure 1 A vehicle 100 is shown, which may have at least one main antenna 1 , 2 and an emergency antenna 3 . The at least one main antenna 1 , 2 may include a roof antenna 1 and a diversity antenna 2 , for example.

[0047] Figure 2 A possible emergency situation of vehicle 100 is shown, for example, after a rollover accident of vehicle 100. Here, it may happen that the functionality of at least one main antenna 1, 2, including a roof antenna and / or a diversity antenna, may be impaired. In such an emergency situation, ensuring the functionality of emergency antenna 3 is crucial for the vehicle's occupants.

[0048] Figures 3 to 8 The method according to the invention is used to test the so-called eCall function of the vehicle 100. Figure 3 As shown in FIG, the vehicle 100 may have at least one main antenna 1, 2 and an emergency antenna 3. Figure 3 As further shown, at least one base station BS1 of a mobile communications provider (four base stations BS1 , BS2 , BS3 , BS4 are shown by way of example) can carry out measurements M on at least one main antenna 1 , 2 at regular time intervals in order to determine the reception quality E of the at least one main antenna 1 , 2 .

[0049] The invention provides for these measured values M to be used for determining the reception quality E of the emergency antenna 3 (see also Figures 4 to 8).

[0050] like Figure 3 As further shown, the measurement M may comprise sending at least one transmission of samples S, which may be used to measure the reception quality E on the respective antenna 1, 2, 3. Figure 3 As further schematically shown, the measurement M may also comprise receiving an impulse response A of at least one main antenna 1 , 2 and / or an emergency antenna 3 at at least one base station BS1 .

[0051] These measurements can in turn be carried out either in the so-called idle mode (for “cell selection” or “cell reselection”) or in the so-called connected mode (for “handover” or “circuit handover fallback”).

[0052] Exemplary results of the measurement of the reception quality E are shown in decibel milliwatt units (dBm) at Figure 7 and Figure 8 middle.

[0053] In order to measure the reception quality E, measurement values such as RSSI, RSRP etc. can be determined within the scope of the invention, e.g. Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown schematically.

[0054] like Figure 3 As further schematically shown, the transmission samples S may be sent by a plurality of base stations BS1 , BS2 , BS3 , BS4 of a mobile communications provider.

[0055] As provided by the invention, the reception quality E (advantageously the transmission and / or reception quality) of the emergency antenna 3 is checked at least regularly on site, so that in an emergency (cf. Figure 2 ) to ensure reception quality. The present invention may also provide that, based on the result of determining reception quality E of emergency antenna 3, at least one quality assurance measure is initiated on emergency antenna 3, which is output to the driver, for example, as a recommendation, such as by means of a flashing light. In this way, the driver can be informed that emergency antenna 3 has a fault and / or malfunction. In this case, a recommendation to replace emergency antenna 3, for example within the context of a workshop visit, may be made.

[0056] like Figure 4 As shown, the reception quality E of the emergency antenna 3 can be determined in two phases I, II, namely a preparatory phase measurement I and a site check II or “on the road”.

[0057] In the preparatory phase measurement I, a first measurement a of the emergency antenna 3 in an uninstalled state and a second measurement b of the emergency antenna 3 in a state installed in the vehicle 100 can also be set to evaluate how the installation of the emergency antenna 3 in the vehicle 100 affects its function.

[0058] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the determination of the reception quality E of the emergency antenna 3 can advantageously be carried out as a function of direction in order to take into account the relative position of the at least one base station BS1 performing the measurement M and the vehicle 100. Furthermore, the present invention can take into account the position of the emergency antenna 3 itself in the vehicle 100 when determining the reception quality E of the emergency antenna 3.

[0059] like Figure 4 As further shown, the reception quality E of the emergency antenna 3 can be determined based on at least one operating parameter B of the vehicle 100 and / or the location of at least one base station BS1 of a mobile communications provider. The following parameters are conceivable as operating parameters B of the vehicle 100:

[0060] - location,

[0061] - occupancy status,

[0062] - reference data of previous measurements M,

[0063] -Statistical data.

[0064] By taking into account the location of the vehicle 100, the relative position of the at least one base station BS1 with respect to the vehicle 100 can be determined. The current position of the emergency antenna 3 in the vehicle 100 can be determined by the occupancy state of the vehicle 100. Failures of the antennas 1, 2, 3 to be measured can be detected by reference to previous measurement values M (see Figure 6 and Figure 8 If the operating parameter B of the vehicle 100 is unknown, statistical data or a statistical measured value distribution can be used. In the statistical evaluation, for example, it can be checked how often a certain reception quality E of the emergency antenna 3 falls below a certain threshold value. If it falls below the threshold value too frequently, e.g. Figure 6 As schematically shown, a malfunction of the emergency antenna 3 can then be inferred.

[0065] Furthermore, within the scope of the invention, the determination of the reception quality E of the emergency antenna 3 can be carried out based on vehicle-external data, such as

[0066] - Traffic conditions,

[0067] - a comparison value for a vehicle of the same type other than vehicle 100,

[0068] - comparative values for different types of vehicles different from vehicle 100,

[0069] - statistical data, and / or

[0070] -Cloud information.

[0071] Thus, all information about the vehicle 100 and its surroundings which may influence the quality of the connection between the at least one base station BS1 and the corresponding antenna 1 , 2 , 3 can be taken into account.

[0072] like Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, an eCall module 10 for vehicle 100 is also an aspect of the present invention. Here, eCall module 10 may include an emergency antenna 3 for transmitting an eCall signal, a control unit 11 for evaluating signals from at least one accident sensor of vehicle 100, and an RF modem module 12 for providing the eCall signal based on the evaluation by control unit 11. According to the present invention, control unit 11 is designed to execute a method, which can be operated as described above, to determine the reception quality E of emergency antenna 3.

[0073] A vehicle 100 with a corresponding eCall module 10 is yet another further aspect of the present invention.

[0074] The above description of the drawings describes the invention only within the scope of the exemplary embodiments. Of course, the individual features of the exemplary embodiments can be freely combined with one another as long as it is technically reasonable without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0075] Reference Signs List

[0076] 1 Main antenna, roof antenna

[0077] 2 main antennas, diversity antennas

[0078] 3 Emergency Antenna

[0079] 10 eCall module

[0080] 11 Control Unit

[0081] 12 RF modulation and demodulation modules

[0082] 100 vehicles

[0083] B. Operating Parameters

[0084] BS1 base station

[0085] BS2 Base Station

[0086] BS3 Base Station

[0087] BS4 Base Station

[0088] E Reception quality

[0089] S Send Sample

[0090] A impulse response

[0091] I. Preparatory Phase Measurement

[0092] II Site Inspection

[0093] a First measurement

[0094] b Second measurement

Claims

1. A method for testing an eCall function in a vehicle (100), wherein: The vehicle (100) has at least one main antenna (1, 2) and an emergency antenna (3), wherein at least one base station (BS1) of a mobile communications provider carries out measurements at the at least one main antenna (1, 2) at regular time intervals in order to determine the reception quality (E) of the at least one main antenna (1, 2), and wherein the measurements (M) are used to determine the reception quality (E) of the emergency antenna (3), wherein the determination of the reception quality (E) of the emergency antenna (3) is carried out based on the following vehicle-external data: - a comparative value for a vehicle of the same type other than said vehicle (100), - Comparative values for vehicles of different types than said vehicle (100).

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The measurement (M) comprises sending transmit samples (S) from at least one base station (BS1) to at least one main antenna (1, 2) and / or an emergency antenna (3), and / or wherein the measurement (M) comprises receiving an impulse response (A) from at least one main antenna (1, 2) and / or an emergency antenna (3) at the at least one base station (BS1), and / or wherein the measurement (M) is performed in idle mode or in connected mode.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: Depending on the result of the determination of the reception quality (E) of the emergency antenna (3), at least one quality assurance measure is initiated on the emergency antenna (3).

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein: At least one quality assurance measure is output as a recommendation to the driver, and / or at least one quality assurance measure includes replacing the emergency antenna (3) and / or visiting a workshop.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein The reception quality (E) of the emergency antenna (3) is determined in two phases (I, II), namely a preparatory phase measurement (I) and a site check (II).

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein: The preparation phase measurement (I) includes a first measurement (a) of the emergency antenna (3) in an unmounted state and a second measurement (b) of the emergency antenna (3) in a state mounted in a vehicle (100).

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein The reception quality (E) of the emergency antenna (3) is determined as a function of direction and / or the reception quality (E) of the emergency antenna (3) is determined as a function of the position of the emergency antenna (3) in the vehicle (100).

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein The reception quality (E) of the emergency antenna (3) is determined based on at least one operating parameter (B) of the vehicle (100) and / or the location of at least one base station (BS1) of the mobile communications provider.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein The at least one operating parameter (B) of the vehicle (100) can include at least one of the following parameters: - location, - occupancy status, - reference data of previous measurements (M), and / or -Statistical data.

10. An eCall module (10) for a vehicle (100), wherein: The vehicle (100) has at least one main antenna (1, 2) and an emergency antenna (3), and the eCall module has: Emergency antenna (3), used to send eCal l signals, a control unit (11) for evaluating a signal from at least one accident sensor of the vehicle (100), an RF modem module (12) for providing an eCall signal based on the evaluation by the control unit (11), The control unit (11) is configured to carry out the method according to any one of the preceding claims in order to determine the reception quality (E) of the emergency antenna (3).

11. A vehicle (100) having the eCall module according to claim 10.

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