Communication control device and method for establishing a communication link by using the device

Abstract

A method for establishing a communication link, comprising: monitoring a forward direction of a vehicle; when the forward direction of the vehicle changes by a preset angle or a greater angle, determining a search order among a plurality of antenna modules by considering the changed forward direction of the vehicle and mounting positions of the plurality of antenna modules mounted on the vehicle; evaluating the plurality of antenna modules according to the search order; and communicating with a base station via a newly selected antenna module based on an evaluation result instead of via an old antenna module used for communicating with the base station.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to automotive electronic devices. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a communication control device for establishing a communication link of a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] A connected vehicle is a vehicle that is connected to a network and provides various services. A connected vehicle is one of various concepts of future vehicles, such as autonomous vehicles and smart vehicles.

[0003] Early connected vehicles were designed to connect to a nearby network or the Internet to provide services such as vehicle start, vehicle diagnosis, sending and receiving of phone / message / email, real-time traffic information, and emergency rescue. Due to the popularity of the Internet of Things (IoT) that has recently received attention, connected vehicles are gradually going beyond early telematics functions. The ultimate goal of today's connected vehicles is to achieve autonomous driving while providing various infotainment in the vehicle. Based on the technology represented by vehicle-to-X (V2X), connected vehicles support vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication and vehicle-to-everything communication. In addition, connected vehicles also provide safe autonomous driving or driving assistance functions or information about the vehicle itself, traffic flow, etc.

[0004] To achieve the ultimate goal of connected vehicles, communication technology must be developed. It is difficult to meet the rapid growth of various mobile communication services based on the fifth-generation (5G) mobile communication only by using signals in the existing 6 GHz or lower frequency band and increasing communication capacity. In particular, the requirements for 5G mobile communication include high data transfer rate, very low latency, the ability to handle a large number of devices, high reliability, energy efficiency, etc. To meet these requirements, research on 5G radio access network (RAN) systems is being actively carried out, and a new radio access technology based on millimeter wave (mmWave) is applied to the system.

[0005] Since the frequency band of millimeter wave ranges from 28 GHz to 100 GHz, its available continuous bandwidth is greater than that of the 6 GHz or lower frequency band. Millimeter wave signals are troubled by problems such as path loss and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) due to their high frequency. Therefore, in the 5G new radio design, the base station (BS) and the user equipment (UE) use narrow beams configured through beam adjustment. The biggest challenge in using narrow beams is to establish and maintain a communication link between the BS and the UE. To establish and maintain a communication link, operations such as periodic monitoring and searching for beams need to be performed, but such operations may cause problems such as heat generation and power loss. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Technical Problem

[0007] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication control device and a method for establishing a communication link performed by the communication control device to stably maintain communication between a vehicle and a base station.

[0008] In addition, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication control device and a method for establishing a communication link performed by the communication control device to reduce the load applied to the communication control device and minimize the power consumption for establishing and maintaining the communication link.

[0009] Technical Solution

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for establishing a communication link performed by a communication control device may include: monitoring the forward direction of the vehicle; when the forward direction of the vehicle changes by a preset angle or more, determining a search order among a plurality of antenna modules by considering the changed forward direction of the vehicle and the installation positions of the plurality of antenna modules mounted on the vehicle; evaluating the plurality of antenna modules according to the search order; and communicating with the base station via a newly selected antenna module based on the evaluation result instead of via an old antenna module used for communicating with the base station.

[0011] Advantageous Effects

[0012] According to the communication control device and the method for establishing a communication link performed by the communication control device, according to an embodiment, communication between the vehicle and the base station can be stably maintained.

[0013] In addition, according to the communication control device and the method for establishing a communication link performed by the communication control device, according to an embodiment, in order to establish and maintain the communication link, the load applied to the communication control device can be reduced, and the power consumption can be minimized.

[0014] However, according to an embodiment, the effects achievable by the communication control device and the method for establishing a communication link performed by the communication control device are not limited to the above effects, and other advantageous effects not described will be clearly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art from the following description. Description of the Drawings

[0015] To understand the drawings more fully, a brief description of each drawing is provided.

[0016] Figure 1 is a diagram showing a vehicle and a base station.

[0017] Figure 2 is a diagram showing a communication control device and a plurality of antenna modules mounted on a vehicle according to an embodiment.

[0018] Figure 3 is an example diagram showing the configuration of an antenna module.

[0019] Figure 4It is a diagram showing a vehicle equipped with multiple antenna modules.

[0020] Figure 5 It is a diagram showing a method for determining a search order between antenna modules according to an embodiment.

[0021] Figure 6 It is a diagram showing a method for determining a search order between antenna modules according to an embodiment.

[0022] Figure 7 It is a diagram showing a method for determining a search order between antenna modules according to an embodiment.

[0023] Figure 8 It is a diagram showing a method for selecting a new antenna module according to a base station change.

[0024] Figure 9 It is a diagram showing a method for determining a search order between multiple beams according to an embodiment.

[0025] Figure 10 It is a diagram showing a method for determining a search order between multiple beams according to an embodiment.

[0026] Figure 11 It is a diagram showing a method for determining a search order between element groups according to an embodiment.

[0027] Figure 12 It is a diagram showing a method for determining a search order between element groups according to an embodiment.

[0028] Figure 13 It is a flowchart showing a method for maintaining a communication link according to an embodiment.

[0029] Figure 14 It is a flowchart showing a method for maintaining a communication link according to an embodiment.

[0030] Figure 15 It is a diagram showing an operation performed by using artificial intelligence technology according to an embodiment.

[0031] Figure 16 It is a diagram showing a communication control device operating in combination with a server.

[0032] Figure 17 It shows in detail Figure 16 an example of Detailed Description of the Invention

[0033] Best Mode

[0034] According to an embodiment, a method for establishing a communication link performed by a communication control device may include: monitoring a forward direction of a vehicle; when the forward direction of the vehicle changes by a preset angle or more, determining a search order among a plurality of antenna modules by considering the changed forward direction of the vehicle and installation positions of the plurality of antenna modules mounted on the vehicle; evaluating the plurality of antenna modules according to the search order; and communicating with a base station via a newly selected antenna module based on an evaluation result instead of via an old antenna module used for communicating with the base station.

[0035] In an embodiment, the evaluation of the plurality of antenna modules may include comparing a quality index of a beam generated by each of the plurality of antenna modules with a quality index of a beam generated by the old antenna module.

[0036] In an embodiment, when each of the plurality of antenna modules can generate a plurality of beams, the method for establishing a communication link may further include determining a search order among the plurality of beams by considering the changed forward direction of the vehicle and pointing directions of the plurality of beams, and the evaluation of the plurality of antenna modules may include comparing a quality index of each of the plurality of beams with a quality index of a beam generated by the old antenna module according to the search order among the plurality of beams.

[0037] In an embodiment, when array antennas of each of the plurality of antenna modules operate while being divided into element groups, the method for establishing a communication link may further include determining a search order among the element groups by considering the changed forward direction of the vehicle and positions of the element groups in the array antennas, and the evaluation of the plurality of antenna modules may include comparing a quality index of a beam generated by each element group with a quality index of a beam generated by the old antenna module according to the search order among the element groups.

[0038] In an embodiment, determining the search order among the plurality of antenna modules may include, when the forward direction of the vehicle changes in a clockwise direction, determining a search direction of the plurality of antenna modules as a counterclockwise direction, and when the forward direction of the vehicle changes in a counterclockwise direction, determining a search direction of the plurality of antenna modules as a clockwise direction.

[0039] In an embodiment, determining the search order among the plurality of antenna modules may include selecting an antenna module adjacent to the old antenna module from the plurality of antenna modules as a first search target.

[0040] In an embodiment, determining the search order among the plurality of antenna modules may include selecting a first search target from the plurality of antenna modules by considering a position of a base station and positions of obstacles around the vehicle.

[0041] In an embodiment, the forward direction of the vehicle may be checked from at least one of the rotational angle of the vehicle's steering wheel, a navigation system, a global positioning system (GPS), or a gyro sensor.

[0042] In an embodiment, determining a search order among a plurality of antenna modules may include selecting some of the plurality of antenna modules by considering the position of a base station and the installation positions of the plurality of antenna modules mounted on the vehicle, and determining a search order among the selected antenna modules.

[0043] In an embodiment, determining a search order among a plurality of beams may include selecting some of the plurality of beams by considering the position of a base station and the pointing directions of the plurality of beams, and determining a search order among the selected beams.

[0044] According to an embodiment, a communication control device may include a processor and a memory storing at least one instruction, wherein the processor may be configured to execute the at least one instruction to monitor the forward direction of the vehicle, and when the forward direction of the vehicle has changed by a preset angle or more, determine a search order among a plurality of antenna modules by considering the changed forward direction of the vehicle and the installation positions of the plurality of antenna modules mounted on the vehicle; evaluate the plurality of antenna modules according to the search order; and communicate with the base station via a newly selected antenna module based on the evaluation result instead of via an old antenna module used for communicating with the base station.

[0045] In an embodiment, the processor may also be configured to execute at least one instruction to evaluate the plurality of antenna modules and compare a quality index of a beam generated by each of the plurality of antenna modules with a quality index of a beam generated by the old antenna module.

[0046] In an embodiment, the processor may also be configured to execute at least one instruction to select, as the new antenna module, an antenna module having a beam earliest recognized as having a quality index higher than that of the beam generated by the old antenna module from among the plurality of antenna modules.

[0047] In an embodiment, the processor may also be configured to execute at least one instruction to determine a search order among a plurality of beams by considering the changed forward direction of the vehicle and the pointing directions of the plurality of beams when each of the plurality of antenna modules can generate a plurality of beams; and, to evaluate the plurality of antenna modules, compare a quality index of each of the plurality of beams with a quality index of a beam generated by the old antenna module according to the search order among the plurality of beams.

[0048] In an embodiment, the processor may also be configured to execute at least one instruction to determine a search order between element groups by considering a changed forward direction of the vehicle and positions of the element groups in the array antennas when the array antennas of each of the plurality of antenna modules operate while being divided into element groups, and to compare a quality index of a beam generated by each element group with a quality index of a beam generated by an old antenna module according to the search order between the element groups in order to evaluate the plurality of antenna modules.

[0049] Inventive mode

[0050] The present disclosure may undergo various changes and modifications and have various embodiments, and specific embodiments of the present disclosure are shown in the drawings and will be described in detail in the following detailed description. However, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments, and these specific embodiments include all variations, equivalents, and substitutions falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0051] When describing embodiments of the present disclosure, a detailed description of well-known technologies related thereto will be omitted when it may obscure the subject matter of the present disclosure. In addition, the numbers used herein to describe the embodiments (e.g., first, second, etc.) are merely identification symbols for distinguishing one component from other components.

[0052] Here, it should be understood that when a component is referred to as being "coupled to" or "connected to" another component, unless otherwise stated, one component may be directly coupled to or directly connected to another component, or may be coupled to or connected to another component through an intermediate component.

[0053] In addition, herein, when a component is represented by terms such as "... unit", "... part", "... module", etc., two or more components may be integrated into one integrated component, or one component may be divided into two or more sub-components according to functions. In addition, of course, regarding each component described below, a component may additionally perform part or all of the functions of another component, or some main functions of a component may be entirely responsible for and performed by another component.

[0054] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail in sequence.

[0055] Figure 1 is a view showing a vehicle 20 and a base station 10.

[0056] According to an embodiment, an antenna module 250 and a communication control device 200 for communicating with the base station 10 are installed on the vehicle 20. As Figure 1As shown, the antenna module 250 and the communication control device 200 may be located under the roof panel of the vehicle 20. According to an embodiment, at least one of the antenna module 250 and the communication control device 200 may be located on at least one of the hood panel, the door panel, the fender panel, the pillar panel, the bumper panel, or the trunk panel.

[0057] The communication control device 200 sends data to and receives data from the base station 10 through the antenna module 250. The communication control device 200 may communicate with the base station 10 by using signals in the millimeter wave band. Signals in the millimeter wave band may suffer from problems such as path loss and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) due to their high-frequency characteristics. Therefore, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, multiple antenna modules 250 may be installed on the vehicle 20, and the communication control device 200 may stably maintain the communication link between the vehicle 20 and the base station 10 by selecting the antenna module 250 to be used for communicating with the base station 10 from the multiple antenna modules 250.

[0058] Figure 2 is a diagram showing the communication control device 200 and multiple antenna modules 250a, 250b, and 250c installed on the vehicle 20 according to an embodiment.

[0059] The communication control device 200 according to an embodiment selects the antenna module to be used for communicating with the base station 10 from the multiple antenna modules 250a, 250b, and 250c. As described below, while the communication control device 200 communicates with the base station 10 by using one antenna module, when a change in the forward direction of the vehicle 20 or a change in the base station 10 is sensed, the communication control device 200 may select the antenna module that can establish the best communication link from the multiple antenna modules 250a, 250b, and 250c.

[0060] Hereinafter, the antenna module communicating with the base station 10 is referred to as the old antenna module, and the newly selected antenna module due to reasons such as a change in the forward direction of the vehicle 20 or a base station change is referred to as the new antenna module.

[0061] As Figure 2 shown, the communication control device 200 includes a memory 210 and a processor 230. The memory 210 may store at least one instruction, and the processor 230 may execute at least one instruction to perform the processes of selecting a new antenna module, selecting an optimal beam, etc., described below.

[0062] The memory 210 may store information for the processor 230 to select a new antenna module or an optimal beam, such as information about the installation positions of the antenna modules 250a, 250b, and 250c or information about the pointing directions of the beams generated by each of the antenna modules 250b, 250c.

[0063] The processor 230 may communicate with the base station 10 by using a new antenna module selected from among the multiple antenna modules 250a, 250b, and 250c. The processor 230 may select a new antenna module by considering the installation positions of the multiple antenna modules 250a, 250b, and 250c, the forward direction of the vehicle 20, etc., and the operation of the processor 230 will be described in detail below.

[0064] Figure 3 is an exemplary diagram showing the configuration of the antenna module 250 mounted on the vehicle 20.

[0065] Reference Figure 3 , the antenna module 250 may include a transceiver 252, a radio frequency front-end module (RF FEM) 254, an array antenna 256, and a power management integrated circuit (PMIC) 258.

[0066] The transceiver 252 changes a data signal (e.g., a voice signal, etc.) from a modem (e.g., the communication control device 200) into a signal having a transmittable frequency, and changes a signal received from the base station 10 into a data signal, thereby relaying data between the base station 10 and the modem.

[0067] The RF FEM 254 may include a power amplifier, a low-noise amplifier, etc. The RF FEM 254 relays a frequency signal between the array antenna 256 and the transceiver 252 by increasing or decreasing the amplitude of the frequency signal.

[0068] The array antenna 256 includes elements that output radio wave signals (or frequency signals). By performing phase adjustment on the radio wave signals output from the elements, a beam having a specific direction can be output from the array antenna 256.

[0069] The PMIC 258 transmits the power supplied from the battery to the transceiver 252, the RF FEM 254, and the array antenna 256. The PMIC 258 may convert the power supplied from the battery into a voltage and current having amplitudes required by the transceiver 252, the RF FEM 254, and the array antenna 256.

[0070] Figure 3 The PMIC 258, the transceiver 252, and the RF FEM 254 shown in may be implemented by separate devices from each other. In some embodiments, the PMIC 258, the transceiver 252, and the RF FEM 254 may be implemented by one or more devices.

[0071] Figure 4 is a diagram showing the vehicle 20 equipped with multiple antenna modules 250a to 250h.

[0072] According to an embodiment, a plurality of antenna modules 250a to 250h may be respectively installed at different points in the vehicle 20. Although Figure 4 all of the plurality of antenna modules 250a to 250h are shown installed on the roof panel of the vehicle 20, this is merely an example, and at least some of the plurality of antenna modules 250a to 250h may be installed at various points other than the roof panel. In addition, the number of antenna modules 250a to 250h may be changed differently.

[0073] The communication control device 200 may select a new antenna module to communicate with the base station 10 instead of an old antenna module by considering the forward direction H of the vehicle 20 and the installation positions of the plurality of antenna modules 250a to 250h.

[0074] The communication control device 200 may monitor the forward direction H of the vehicle 20.

[0075] For example, the communication control device 200 may monitor the forward direction H of the vehicle 20 based on the rotation angle of the steering wheel of the vehicle 20. Specifically, the communication control device 200 may sense how many degrees the steering wheel has rotated relative to a reference position (in other words, the position that causes the vehicle 20 to move straight).

[0076] As another example, the communication control device 200 may monitor the forward direction H of the vehicle 20 through a GPS unit installed on the vehicle 20.

[0077] As yet another example, the communication control device 200 may monitor the forward direction H of the vehicle 20 based on the movement path of the vehicle 20 checked by the navigation system.

[0078] As yet another example, the communication control device 200 may monitor the forward direction H of the vehicle 20 through a gyro sensor installed on the vehicle 20.

[0079] When the forward direction H of the vehicle 20 changes by a preset angle or a greater angle, the communication control device 200 may determine that a process of selecting a new antenna module is required, and may select a new antenna module to replace the old antenna module from among the plurality of antenna modules 250a to 250h.

[0080] In order to maintain the communication line with the base station 10, when the processes of repeatedly selecting the optimal antenna module and selecting the optimal beam are performed, the power consumption may increase significantly, and there may be problems such as heat generation. Therefore, by considering the forward direction H of the vehicle 20 and the installation positions of the multiple antenna modules 250a to 250h, the communication control device 200 according to the embodiment determines the search order among the multiple antenna modules 250a to 250h, and evaluates the multiple antenna modules 250a to 250h one by one in accordance with the determined search order. In other words, by first evaluating the antenna module with a high probability of being selected as the new antenna module, the communication control device 200 can quickly establish a communication line with the base station 10 without interrupting the communication, while minimizing the power consumption.

[0081] In the embodiment, the communication control device 200 may determine the search order among the multiple antenna modules 250a to 250h based on in which direction the forward direction H of the vehicle 20 changes and where the multiple antenna modules 250a to 250h including the old antenna module are installed. According to the change of the forward direction H of the vehicle 20 and the installation positions of the multiple antenna modules 250a to 250h, the corresponding search order can be stored in advance.

[0082] In order to determine the search order among the multiple antenna modules 250a to 250h, the communication control device 200 according to the embodiment may determine the search directions of the multiple wireless modules 250a to 250h, and may also determine the antenna module corresponding to the first search object. When determining the first search object, starting from the antenna module corresponding to the first search object, the remaining antenna modules may be evaluated sequentially according to the search directions.

[0083] For example, the communication control device 200 may select the antenna adjacent to the old antenna module from among the multiple antenna modules 250a to 250h as the first search object. As another example, the communication control device 200 may select the first search object by considering the position of the base station 10 and the positions of the obstacles around the vehicle 20. For example, when the communication between the antenna module adjacent to the old antenna module and the base station 10 is expected to be blocked by the obstacles around the vehicle 20, the communication control device 200 may select the antenna module not blocked by the obstacles near the vehicle 20 as the first search object.

[0084] To evaluate antenna modules 250a to 250h, the communication control device 200 may compare the quality index of the beam generated by the old antenna module with the quality index of the beam generated by each of antenna modules 250a - 250h. When the quality index of the beam of an antenna module evaluated according to the search order is greater than the quality index of the beam of the old antenna module, the communication control device 200 may select an antenna module as the new antenna module. When the quality index of the beam of each of antenna modules 250a to 250h evaluated according to the search order is equal to or less than the quality index of the beam of the old antenna module, the communication control device 200 may continue to communicate with the base station 10 via the old antenna module.

[0085] When performing communication with the base station 10 by using a specific beam, the quality index may be one of a packet error rate (PER), quality of service (QoS), and resource information indicating the amount of allocated resources, or may be a value derived from a combination of at least one of them.

[0086] Hereinafter, Figures 5 to 12 the process of selecting a new antenna module and the process of selecting an optimal beam will be described in detail.

[0087] Figure 5 is a diagram showing a method of determining a search order between antenna modules according to an embodiment.

[0088] Referring to Figure 5 , four antenna modules 550a, 550b, 550c, and 550d are installed on the vehicle 20, and the base station 20 is located on the left side of the vehicle 20. Assume that the antenna module 550a called A among the four antenna modules 550a, 550b, 550c, and 550d is the old antenna module communicating with the base station 10.

[0089] When the forward direction of the vehicle 20 changes from H1 to H2, the communication control device 200 determines whether the angle s between H1 and H2 is equal to or greater than a preset angle. When the angle s is equal to or greater than the preset angle, the communication control device 200 determines the search order between the four antenna modules 550a, 550b, 550c, and 550d by considering the installation positions of the four antenna modules 550a, 550b, 550c, and 550d and the changed forward direction (i.e., H2).

[0090] For example, as Figure 5As shown, when the forward direction of the vehicle 20 changes from H1 to H2, i.e., in the clockwise direction, the communication control device 200 may determine the search directions of the four antenna modules 550a, 550b, 550c, and 550d to be the counterclockwise (CCW) direction. Conversely, when the forward direction of the vehicle 20 changes in the CCW direction, the communication control device 200 may determine the search directions of the four antenna modules 550a, 550b, 550c, and 550d to be the clockwise (CW) direction.

[0091] This is because when the forward direction of the vehicle 20 changes in the CW direction, the quality of the communication link between the base station 10 and the antenna module located in the CCW direction with respect to the old antenna module is expected to be excellent, and when the forward direction of the vehicle 20 changes in the CCW direction, the quality of the communication link between the base station 10 and the antenna module located in the CW direction with respect to the old antenna module is expected to be excellent.

[0092] When the search direction is determined to be the CCW direction, the communication control device 200 may select the antenna module 550b called B as the first search object, which is closest to the old antenna module in the CCW direction. In addition, the communication control device 200 may compare the quality index of the beam of the old antenna module with the beam quality indices of each of the antenna modules 550a, 550b, 550c, and 550d in the order of the antenna module 550b called B, the antenna module 550c called C, the antenna module 550d called D, and the antenna module 550a called A. When evaluating the antenna modules 550a, 550b, 550c, and 550d according to the search direction, the communication control device 200 may select the antenna module having the beam whose quality index is earliest identified as higher than that of the old antenna module as the new antenna module. When the beam quality indices of each of the antenna modules 550b called B, 550c called C, and 550d called D are not greater than the beam quality index of the old antenna module, the communication control device 200 may communicate with the base station 10 by using the old antenna module (i.e., the antenna module 550a called A).

[0093] Although Figure 5 An example where the base station 10 is located on the left side of the vehicle 20 is shown, but even when the base station 10 is located on the right side of the vehicle 20, the communication control device 200 may select the new antenna module in the same manner. Specifically, when the forward direction of the vehicle 20 changes in the CW direction, the communication control device 200 may determine the search directions of the antenna modules 550a, 550b, 550c, and 550d to be the CCW direction, and when the forward direction of the vehicle 20 changes in the CCW direction, the communication control device 200 may determine the search directions of the antenna modules 550a, 550b, 550c, and 550d to be the CW direction.

[0094] Figure 6 is a diagram showing a method of determining a search order between antenna modules according to an embodiment.

[0095] Referring to Figure 6 , three antenna modules 650a, 650b, and 650c are mounted on a vehicle 20, and a base station 10 is located on the left side of the vehicle 20. It is assumed that the antenna module 650a, called A among the three antenna modules 650a, 650b, and 650c, is an old antenna module that communicates with the base station 10.

[0096] When the forward direction of the vehicle 20 changes from H1 to H2, the communication control device 200 determines whether the angle s between H1 and H2 is equal to or greater than a preset angle. When the angle s is equal to or greater than the preset angle, the communication control device 200 determines the search order between the three antenna modules 650a, 650b, and 650c by considering the installation positions of the three antenna modules 650a, 650b, and 650c and the changed forward direction (i.e., H2).

[0097] As Figure 6 shown, when the forward direction of the vehicle 20 changes from H1 to H2, that is, in the CCW direction, the communication control device 200 may determine the search direction of the antenna modules 650a, 650b, and 650c as the CW direction. Conversely, when the forward direction of the vehicle 20 changes in the CW direction, the communication control device 200 may determine the search direction of the antenna modules 650a, 650b, and 650c as the CCW direction. This is because when the forward direction of the vehicle 20 changes in the CCW direction, the quality of the communication link between the base station 10 and the antenna module located in the CW direction relative to the old antenna module is expected to be excellent, and when the forward direction of the vehicle 20 changes in the CW direction, the quality of the communication link between the base station 10 and the antenna module located in the CCW direction relative to the old antenna module is expected to be excellent.

[0098] When the search direction is determined to be the CW direction, the communication control device 200 may select the antenna module 650c, called C, as the first search object, which is the closest to the old antenna module in the CW direction. In addition, the communication control device 200 may compare the quality index of the beam of the old antenna module with the quality index of the beam of each of the antenna modules 650a, 650b, and 650c in the order of the antenna module 650c, called C, the antenna module 650b, called B, and the antenna module 650a, called A. When evaluating the antenna modules 650a, 650b, and 650c according to the search order, the communication control device 200 may select the antenna module having the beam whose quality index is earliest recognized as higher than that of the old antenna module as the new antenna module.

[0099] Although Figure 6 An example is shown where the base station 10 is located on the left side of the vehicle 20. However, even when the base station 10 is located on the right side of the vehicle 20, a new antenna module can be selected in the same manner.

[0100] Figure 7 is a diagram showing a method for determining a search order between antenna modules according to an embodiment.

[0101] When determining the search order among multiple antenna modules 750a, 750b, 750c, and 750d, the communication control device 200 can determine the search order by considering the position of the base station 10 and / or the position of the obstacle 30 around the vehicle 20.

[0102] Assume that when the vehicle 20 moves in the forward direction of H1, the vehicle 20 communicates with the base station 10 through the antenna module 750a called A.

[0103] When the forward direction of the vehicle 20 changes from H1 to H2, the communication control device 200 senses whether the angle between H1 and H2 is equal to or greater than a preset angle. When the angle between H1 and H2 is equal to or greater than the preset angle, the communication control device 200 determines the search order among the multiple antenna modules 750a, 750b, 750c, and 750d for selecting a new antenna module.

[0104] As referred to Figure 5 and Figure 6 As described, when the forward direction of the vehicle 20 changes from H1 to H2, that is, in the CW direction, the communication control device 200 can determine the search direction of the multiple antenna modules 750a, 750b, 750c, and 750d as the CCW direction, and can select the antenna module 750b called B as the first search object, which is the closest to the antenna module 750a called A in the CCW direction. However, as Figure 7 shown, when the obstacle 30 is located between the base station 10 and the antenna module 750b called B, it may not be necessary to evaluate the antenna module 750b called B. In other words, when the antenna module 750b called B is evaluated, even if the probability of being selected as a new antenna module is extremely low due to the obstacle 30, there may be unnecessary power consumption. Therefore, the communication control device 200 according to the embodiment can determine the first search object by considering the position of the base station 10 and the position of the obstacle 30 around the vehicle 20.

[0105] Refer to Figure 7When the forward direction of the vehicle 20 changes from H1 to H2, the base station 10 is located on the left side of the vehicle 20, and the communication control device 200 can identify that the obstacle 30 around the vehicle 20 is located on the left side of the vehicle 20. When it is recognized that the obstacle 30 is located between the base station 10 and the antenna module 750b called B, which is in the CCW direction with respect to the antenna module 750a called A corresponding to the old antenna module, the communication control device 200 can select the antenna module 750c called C as the first search target, which is in the CCW direction with respect to the antenna module 750b called B. Additionally, the communication control device 200 can select a new antenna module while performing evaluations in the order of the antenna module 750c called C, the antenna module 750d called D, the antenna module 750a called A, and the antenna module 750b called B according to the search direction.

[0106] The communication control device 200 can check the position of the base station 10 by various methods.

[0107] For example, the communication control device 200 can identify the position of the base station 10 via communication between the old antenna module and the base station 10. For example, the communication control device 200 can pre-store the position information and identification information of the base station, and can check the position of the communicating base station according to the identification information of the base station 10 that communicates with the old antenna module.

[0108] As another example, the communication control device 200 can receive the position information of the base station 10 from nearby vehicles through communication with the nearby vehicles.

[0109] As yet another example, the communication control device 200 can receive the position information of the base station 10 from an external device (e.g., a roadside unit (RSU)).

[0110] In an embodiment, the communication control device 200 can identify the position of the obstacles around the vehicle 20 through sensors installed on the vehicle 20. The sensors can include, but are not limited to, radar sensors, etc. The obstacles sensed by the sensors can include buildings, trees, fences, or nearby vehicles.

[0111] In an embodiment, the communication control device 200 can determine the search order between the remaining antenna modules except for some of the multiple antenna modules 750a, 750b, 750c, and 750d, and can evaluate the antenna modules according to the determined search order. As Figure 7As shown, when the base station 10 is located on the left side of the vehicle 20, the communication control device 200 can select an antenna module with a low probability of communication with the base station 10 by considering the installation positions of the multiple antenna modules 750a, 750b, 750c, and 750d. Specifically, since the antenna module 750d called D is farther from the base station 10 than the other antenna modules 750a, 750b, and 750c, the communication control device 200 can determine the search order among the antenna module 750a called A, the antenna module 7500 called B, and the antenna module 750c called C, excluding the antenna module 750d called D. When the forward direction of the vehicle 20 changes in the CW direction, the communication control device 200 can determine the search order as the antenna module 750b called B, the antenna module 750c called C, and the antenna module 750a called A in the CCW search direction. When it is not suitable to select the antenna module 750b called B as the first search target due to the obstacle 30, the communication control device 200 can determine the search order as the antenna module 750c called C, the antenna module 750a called A, and the antenna module 750b called B.

[0112] In an embodiment, the communication control device 200 can select the antenna module closest to the base station 10 from the multiple antenna modules 750a, 750b, 750c, and 750d as the first search target, and evaluate the multiple antenna modules 750a, 750b, 750c, and 750d according to the search direction determined from the change direction of the forward direction of the vehicle 20. As Figure 7 shown, when the base station 10 is located on the left side of the vehicle 20, the communication control device 200 can select the antenna module 750b called B, which is the closest to the base station 10, from the multiple antenna modules 750a, 750b, 750c, and 750d as the first search target, and when the forward direction of the vehicle 20 changes in the CW direction, the communication control device 200 can determine the search direction as the CCW direction. When an obstacle is located between the base station 10 and the antenna module closest to the base station 10, the communication control device 200 can select an antenna module adjacent to the antenna module closest to the base station 10 in the CW or CCW direction as the first search target.

[0113] In an embodiment, the communication control device 200 may determine the search order among multiple antenna modules 750a, 750b, 750c, and 750d in descending order of the distances between the base station 10 and the multiple antenna modules 750a, 750b, 750c, and 750d. For example, the antenna module 750b, called B, closest to the base station 10 may be selected as the first search target, and the antenna module 750d, called D, farthest from the base station 10 may be selected as the last search target. Additionally, when the antenna module 750a, called A, is closer to the base station 10 than the antenna module 750c, called C, the antenna module 750a, called A, may be selected as the second search target, and the antenna module 750c, called C, may be selected as the third search target.

[0114] Figure 8 is a diagram showing a method of selecting a new antenna module according to a change in the base station.

[0115] Although the communication control device 200 may select a new antenna module due to a change in the forward direction H of the vehicle 20, even when the change angle of the forward direction H of the vehicle 20 is not equal to or greater than a preset angle, as Figure 8 shown, when a change in the base station is required, the communication control device 200 may select a new antenna module by evaluating multiple antenna modules 850a, 850b, 850c, and 850d.

[0116] The communication control device 200 may determine the search order among the antenna modules 850a, 850b, 850c, and 850d by considering the position of the newly accessed base station and the installation positions of the antenna modules 850a, 850b, 850c, and 850d, and may select a new antenna module by evaluating the antenna modules 850a, 850b, 850c, and 850d according to the determined search order.

[0117] In Figure 8 it is assumed that the antenna module 850b, called B, is communicating with the first base station 10a.

[0118] When the vehicle 20 moves in the forward direction H, the communication control device 200 may determine that it is necessary to communicate with the second base station 10b instead of the first base station 10a. For example, when, as the vehicle 20 moves, the communication performance between the second base station 10b and the vehicle 20 is expected to be better than the communication performance between the first base station 10a and the vehicle 20, the communication control device 200 may determine to change from the first base station 10a to the second base station 10b.

[0119] As Figure 8As shown, since the second base station 10b is located on the right side of the vehicle 20 as the vehicle 20 moves, the communication control device 200 may select the antenna module 850d called D, which is the rightmost one in the vehicle 20, as the first search target. Starting from the antenna module 850d called D, the antenna modules 850a called A, 850b called B, and 850 called C may be evaluated according to a preset search direction (e.g., CW or CCW direction).

[0120] In an embodiment, the communication control device 200 may determine the search order among the multiple antenna modules 850a, 850b, 850c, and 850d in descending order of the distances between the second base station 10b and the multiple antenna modules 850a, 850, 850c, 850d. For example, the antenna module 850d called D, which is closest to the second base station 10b, may be selected as the first search target, and the antenna module 850b called B, which is farthest from the second base station 10d, may be selected as the last search target. In addition, when the antenna module 850a called A is closer to the second base station 10b than the antenna module 850c called C, the antenna module 850b called B may be selected as the second search target, and the antenna module 850c called C may be selected as the third search target.

[0121] In an embodiment, since the second base station 10b is located on the right side of the vehicle 20, the communication control device 200 may determine the search order among the antenna modules 850a called A, 850d called D, and 850c called C, excluding the antenna module 850b called B, which is the farthest from the second base station 10b, from among the antenna modules 850a, 850b, 850c, and 850d. In addition, the communication control device 200 may determine the first search target and the search direction by considering the distances between the second base station 10b and each of the antenna modules 850a called A, 850d called D, and 850c called C.

[0122] Figure 3 The array antenna 256 of the antenna module 250 shown may form beams with various pointing directions by adjusting the phases of the radio wave signals output from the elements therein. When the array antenna 256 can generate multiple beams, when evaluating the antenna module 250, the communication control device 200 needs to evaluate the beams generated by the array antenna 256 of each antenna module 250.

[0123] When the array antennas 256 of each of the multiple antenna modules 250 installed on the vehicle 20 can generate multiple beams, the communication control device 200 can determine the search order among the multiple beams. In addition, when evaluating one antenna module 250 according to the search order, the communication control device 200 can evaluate the beams generated by one module 250 according to the search order. Hereinafter, the search order among the antenna modules 250 is referred to as the first search order, and the search order among the beams is referred to as the second search order.

[0124] For example, when the first search order is determined to be the order of antenna module A and antenna module B, the communication control device 200 can compare the quality index of the beam generated by the old antenna module with the quality index of the beam generated by antenna module A according to the second search order. The communication control device 200 can select, from the beams generated by antenna module A, the beam that is earliest identified as having a quality index higher than that of the beam generated by the old antenna module as the best beam. In addition, the communication control device 100 can communicate with the base station 10 through the best beam of antenna module A. When the quality index of each of the beams generated by antenna module A is lower than the quality index of the beam generated by the old antenna module, the communication control device 200 evaluates antenna module B according to the first search order.

[0125] When one antenna module 250 can generate multiple beams, refer to Figure 9 the method for determining the second search order among the beams is described.

[0126] Figure 9 is a diagram showing the method for determining the second search order among multiple beams according to an embodiment.

[0127] Refer to Figure 9 , the base station 10 may be located on the left side of the vehicle 20, and one antenna module 250 may generate ten beams 955a to 955j with different pointing directions from each other. Assume that the beam 955a called A among the ten beams 955a to 955j is used for the old antenna module to communicate with the base station 10, and the beam 955a called A used for communicating with the base station 10 is called the old beam.

[0128] The communication control device 200 determines the second search order among the beams 955a to 955j by considering the forward direction of the vehicle 20 and the pointing directions of the beams 955a to 955j.

[0129] For example, as Figure 9As shown, when the forward direction of the vehicle 20 changes from H1 to H2, i.e., in the CW direction, the communication control device 200 can determine the search direction of the beams 955a to 955j as the CCW direction. Conversely, when the forward direction of the vehicle 20 changes in the CCW direction, the communication control device 200 can determine the search direction of the beams 955a to 955j as the CW direction.

[0130] This is because when the forward direction of the vehicle 20 changes in the CW direction, the quality of the communication link between the base station 10 and the beam located in the CCW direction with respect to the old beam is expected to be excellent, and the quality of the communication link between the base station 10 and the beam located in the CW direction with respect to the old beam is expected to be excellent.

[0131] When the search direction is determined as the CCW direction, the communication control device 200 can select the beam 955b called B as the first search object, which is the closest to the beam 955 called A in the CCW direction. In addition, the communication control device 200 can compare the quality index of the beam of the old antenna module with the quality index of each of the beams 955a to 955j in the order of the beam 955b called B, the beam 955c called C, ……, and the beam 955a called A. When evaluating the beams 955a to 955j according to the second search order, the communication control device 200 can select the beam that is earliest identified as having a quality index higher than that of the old antenna module as the best beam.

[0132] Although Figure 9 An example is shown where the base station 10 is located on the left side of the vehicle 20, but even when the base station 10 is located on the right side of the vehicle 20, the communication control device 200 can select the best beam in the same way. Specifically, when the forward direction of the vehicle 20 changes in the CW direction, the communication control device 200 can determine the search direction of the beams 955a to 955j as the CW direction, and when the forward direction of the vehicle 20 changes in the CCW direction, the communication control device 200 can determine the search direction of the beams 955a to 955j as the CW direction.

[0133] Figure 10 is a diagram showing a method of determining a second search order between multiple beams according to an embodiment.

[0134] In an embodiment, when determining the second search order between the multiple beams 1055a to 1055f generated by the antenna module 250, the communication control device 200 can consider the position of the base station 10 and / or the position of the obstacle 30 around the vehicle 20.

[0135] Assume that when the vehicle 20 moves in the forward direction H1, the vehicle 20 communicates with the base station 10 through a beam 1055f (i.e., the old beam) called F. When the forward direction of the vehicle 20 changes from H1 to H2, the communication control device 200 determines a first search order among a plurality of antenna modules for selecting a new antenna module, and determines a second search order among the beams 1055a to 1055f.

[0136] The method for determining the first search order among a plurality of antenna modules has been described above, so its repeated description is omitted here.

[0137] In an embodiment, when the forward direction of the vehicle 20 changes from H1 to H2, i.e., in the CW direction, the communication control device 200 may determine the search direction of the beams 1055a to 1055f as the CCW direction, and may select the beam 1055a called A as the first search target, which is the closest to the beam 1055f called F in the CCW direction. As Figure 10 shown, when the obstacle 30 is located between the base station 10 and the pointing direction of the beam 1055a called A, it may not be necessary to evaluate the beam 1055a called A. In other words, although the probability that the beam 1055a called A is selected as the optimal beam is extremely low, there may be unnecessary power consumption when evaluating the beam 1055a called A. Therefore, the communication control device 200 according to the embodiment may determine the first search target by considering the position of the base station 10 and the position of the obstacle 30 around the vehicle 20.

[0138] Reference Figure 10 , when the forward direction of the vehicle 20 changes from H1 to H2, the base station 10 is located on the left side of the vehicle 20, and the communication control device 200 may identify that the obstacle 30 around the vehicle 20 is located on the left side of the vehicle 20. When it is identified that there is an obstacle 30 between the base station 10 and the beam 1055a called A in the CCW direction relative to the beam 1055f called F, the communication control device 200 may select the beam 1055b called B as the first search target, which is in the CCW direction relative to the beam 1055a called A. In addition, while performing the evaluation in the order of the beam 1055b called B, the beam 1055c called C, the beam 1055d called D, the beam 1055e called E, the beam 1055f called F, and the beam 1055a called A, the communication control device 200 may select the optimal beam.

[0139] In an embodiment, the communication control device 200 may determine a second search order among the remaining beams except for some of the plurality of beams 1055a to 1055f, and may evaluate the remaining beams according to the second search order. As Figure 10As shown, when the base station 10 is located on the left side of the vehicle 20, the communication control device 200 can select a beam with a low probability of being used for communication with the base station 10 by considering the pointing directions of a plurality of beams 1055a to 1055f. Specifically, since the pointing directions of the beam 1055e called E and the beam 1055d called D do not point to the base station 10, the communication control device 200 can determine the second search order based on the beam 1055f called F, the beam 1055a called A, the beam 1055b called B, and the beam 1055c called C, except for the beam 1055e called E and the beam 1055d called D. When the forward direction of the vehicle 20 changes in the CW direction, the communication control device 200 can determine the second search order as the order of the beam 1055a called A, the beam 1055b called B, the beam 1055c called C, and the beam 1055f called F according to the CCW direction. When it is not suitable to select the beam 1055a called A as the first search target due to the obstacle 30, the communication control device 200 can determine the second search order as the order of the beam 1055b called B, the beam 1055c called C, the beam 1055f called F, and the beam 1055a called A.

[0140] Previously, it has been described with reference to Figure 8 that even when the change angle of the forward direction H of the vehicle 20 is equal to or less than a preset angle, when a base station change is required, a process of selecting a new antenna module is performed. In this case, the second search order between a plurality of beams can be determined based on the pointing directions of the plurality of beams that can be generated by each antenna module and the position of the second base station 10b. In addition, when evaluating an antenna module, the communication control device 200 can select the best beam by evaluating the beams generated by one antenna module according to the second search order. For example, a beam having a pointing direction most similar to the direction where the second base station 10b is located can be selected from a plurality of beams as the first search target, and the search directions of the remaining beams can be determined as the CW or CCW direction. As another example, a beam closest to the old beam used for communication with the first base station 10a in the CW or CCW direction can be selected as the first search target, and the search directions of the remaining beams can be determined as the CW or CCW direction.

[0141] Figure 3 The array antenna 256 of the antenna module 250 shown in can operate while being divided into element groups, and each element group represents a group of a specific number of elements. Radio wave signals respectively output from the elements included in each element group can form a beam. That is, in the case where each of the array antennas 256 in the array antenna 256 operates when divided into element groups, when evaluating the antenna module 250, the communication control device 200 needs to evaluate the beams respectively generated by the element groups of each array antenna 256.

[0142] When each of the array antennas 256 of the plurality of antenna modules 250 mounted on the vehicle 20 operates while being divided into a plurality of element groups, the communication control device 200 may determine a search order among the plurality of element groups. Hereinafter, the search order among the plurality of element groups is referred to as a third search order.

[0143] When evaluating the plurality of antenna modules 250 according to the first search order, the communication control device 200 may evaluate the element groups of the array antenna 256 of one antenna module according to the third search order.

[0144] For example, when the first search order is determined to be the order of antenna module A and antenna module B, the communication control device 200 may compare the quality index of the beam generated by the old antenna module with the quality indices of the beams generated by the element groups of antenna module A respectively according to the third search order. The communication control device 200 may select, as the best element group, the element group corresponding to the beam that is earliest recognized as having a quality index higher than the beam generated by the old antenna module from the beams generated by the element groups of antenna module A respectively, and may communicate with the base station 10 through the beam of the selected element group. When the quality index of the beam generated by the element group of antenna module A is lower than the quality index of the beam generated by the old antenna module, the communication control device 200 evaluates antenna module B according to the first search order.

[0145] When the array antenna 256 of one antenna module 250 operates while being divided into a plurality of element groups, refer to Figure 11 a method for determining the third search order among the element groups is described.

[0146] Figure 11 is a diagram showing a method for determining the third search order among the element groups according to an embodiment.

[0147] Refer to Figure 11 . The array antenna 1100 may operate while being divided into four element groups 1150a, 1150b, 1150c, and 1150d arranged at different positions from each other. Assume that the element group 1150a called A among the four element groups 1150a, 1150b, 1150c, and 1150d is an old element group for communicating with the base station 10.

[0148] The communication control device 200 determines the third search order among the four element groups 1150a, 1150b, 1150c, and 1150d by considering the forward direction of the vehicle 20 and the positions of the element groups 1150a, 1150b, 1150c, and 1150d on the array antenna 1100.

[0149] For example, as Figure 11As shown, when the forward direction of the vehicle 20 changes from H1 to H2, i.e., in the CW direction, the communication control device 200 may determine the search direction of the element groups 1150a, 1150b, 1150c, and 1150d as the CCW direction. Conversely, when the forward direction of the vehicle 20 changes in the CCW direction, the communication control device 200 may determine the search direction of the element groups 1150a, 1150b, 1150c, and 1150d as the CW direction.

[0150] When the search direction is determined as the CCW direction, the communication control device 200 may select the element group 1150b called B as the first search object, which is the closest to the element group 1150a called A in the CCW direction. Additionally, in the order of the element group 1150b called B, the element group 1150c called C, the element group 1150d called D, and the element group 1150a called A, the communication control device 200 may compare the quality index of the beam of the old antenna module with the quality index of the beam of each of the element groups 1150a, 1150b, 1150c, and 1150d. When evaluating the element groups 1150a, 1150b, 1150c, and 1150d according to the third search order, the communication control device 200 may select the element group having the beam whose quality index is earliest recognized as higher than that of the old antenna module as the best element group.

[0151] Although Figure 11 An example where the base station 10 is located on the left side of the vehicle 20 is shown, but even when the base station 10 is located on the right side of the vehicle 20, the communication control device 200 may select the best element group in the same manner. Specifically, when the forward direction of the vehicle 20 changes in the CW direction, the communication control device 200 may determine the search direction of the element groups 1150a, 1150b, 1150c, and 1150d as the CCW direction, and when the vehicle 20 changes in the CCW direction, the communication control device 200 may determine the search direction of the element groups 1150a, 1150b, 1150c, and 1150d as the CW direction.

[0152] Figure 12 is a diagram showing a method for determining the third search order between element groups according to an embodiment.

[0153] In an embodiment, when determining the third search order between the element groups 1250a, 1250b, 1250c, and 1250d, the communication control device 200 may consider the position of the base station 10 and / or the position of the obstacle 30 around the vehicle 20.

[0154] Assume that when the vehicle 20 moves in the forward direction H1, the vehicle 20 communicates with the base station 10 through the element group 1250d called D. When the forward direction of the vehicle 20 changes from H1 to H2, the communication control device 200 determines the first search order among multiple antenna modules for selecting a new antenna module, and determines the third search order among the element groups 1250a, 1250b, 1250c, and 1250d.

[0155] Since the method for determining the first search order among multiple antenna modules has been described above, its repeated description is omitted here.

[0156] When the forward direction of the vehicle 20 changes from H1 to H2, that is, in the CW direction, the communication control device 200 can determine the search direction of the element groups 1250a, 1250b, 1250c, and 1250d as the CCW direction, and can select the element group 1250b called A as the first search object, which is the closest to the element group 1250d called D in the CCW direction. However, as Figure 12 shown, when the obstacle 30 is located between the base station 10 and the element group 1250a called A, it may not be necessary to evaluate the element group 1250a called A. In other words, although the probability of being selected as the best element group is extremely low, when the element group 1250a called A is evaluated, there may be unnecessary power consumption. Therefore, the communication control device 200 according to the embodiment can determine the first search object by considering the position of the base station 10 and the position of the obstacle 30 around the vehicle 20. Referring to Figure 12 , when the forward direction of the vehicle 20 changes from H1 to H2, the base station 10 is located on the left side of the vehicle 20, and the communication control device 200 can identify that the obstacle 30 around the vehicle 20 is located on the left side of the vehicle 20. When it is identified that there is an obstacle 30 between the base station 10 and the element group 1250a called A, which is located in the CCW direction with respect to the element group 1250d called D, the communication control device 200 can select the element group 1250b called B as the first search object, which is located in the CCW direction with respect to the element group 1250a called A. In addition, while performing the evaluation in the order of the element group 1250b called B, the element group 1250c called C, the element group 1250d called D, and the element group 1210a called A according to the search direction as the CCW direction, the communication control device 200 can select the best element group.

[0157] In the embodiment, the communication control device 200 can determine the third search order among the remaining element groups except for some of the multiple element groups 1250a, 1250b, 1250c, and 1250d, and can evaluate the remaining element groups according to the third search order.

[0158] AsFigure 12 As shown, when the base station 10 is located on the left side of the vehicle 20 and the element group 1250d called D is the farthest from the base station 10, in addition to the element group 1210d called D, the communication control device 200 can determine the third search order based on the element group 1250a called A, the element group 1250b called B, and the element group 1250c called C. When the forward direction of the vehicle 20 changes in the CW direction, the communication control device 200 can determine the third search order as the order of the element group 1250a called A, the element group 1250b called B, and the element group 1250c called C. When it is not suitable to select the element group 1250a called A as the first search target due to the obstacle 30, the communication control device 200 can determine the third search order as the order of the element group 1250b called B, the element group 1250c called C, and the element group 1250a called A.

[0159] Previously, although the process of selecting a new antenna module has been described with reference to Figure 8 the case where it is necessary to change the base station even when the change angle of the forward direction H of the vehicle 20 is equal to or less than a preset angle, when the array antennas of each antenna module operate while being divided into multiple element groups, the third search order between the element groups can be determined according to the positions of the multiple element groups in the array antenna and the position of the second base station 10b. In addition, when evaluating an antenna module, the communication control device 200 can select the best element group by evaluating the element groups of the array antenna of a module according to the third search order. For example, the element group closest to the second base station 10b can be selected from the multiple element groups as the first search target, and the search direction can be determined as the CW or CCW direction. As another example, the element group closest to the old element group for communicating with the first base station 10a in the CW or CCW direction can be selected as the first search target, and the search directions of the remaining element groups can be determined as the CW or CCW direction.

[0160] Figure 13 is a flowchart showing a method for maintaining a communication link according to an embodiment.

[0161] In operation S1310, the communication control device 200 monitors the forward direction of the vehicle 20. The communication control device 200 can monitor the forward direction of the vehicle 20 based on at least one of the angle of the steering wheel, the navigation system, the GPS, or the gyro sensor.

[0162] In operation S1320, the communication control device 200 determines whether the forward direction of the vehicle 20 has changed by a preset angle or more.

[0163] In operation S1330, when the forward direction of the vehicle 20 changes by a preset angle or more, the communication control device 200 determines the search order among the multiple antenna modules 250 by considering the installation positions of the multiple antenna modules 250 mounted on the vehicle 20 and the changed forward direction of the vehicle 20.

[0164] In operation S1340, the communication control device 200 evaluates the multiple antenna modules 250 according to the search order. The communication control device 200 can evaluate the multiple antenna modules 250 by comparing the quality index of the beam generated by the old antenna module with the quality indexes of the beams generated by the multiple antenna modules 250 respectively.

[0165] In operation S1350, the communication control device 200 selects a new antenna module based on the result of evaluating the multiple antenna modules 250.

[0166] The communication control device 200 can select the antenna module 250 that has the beam with the earliest recognized quality index higher than that of the old antenna module as the new antenna module.

[0167] In operation S1360, the communication control device 200 communicates with the base station 10 by using the new antenna module.

[0168] In an embodiment, when each of the multiple antenna modules 250 can generate multiple beams, the communication control device 200 determines the search order among the multiple beams by considering the pointing directions of the multiple beams and the forward direction of the vehicle 20. In addition, when evaluating one antenna module 250, the communication control device 200 can compare the quality index of the beam of the old antenna module with the quality indexes of the multiple beams according to the search order among the multiple beams of one antenna module 250.

[0169] In an embodiment, when the array antennas 256 of each of the multiple antenna modules 250 operate while being divided into multiple element groups, the communication control device 200 determines the search order among the multiple element groups by considering the positions of the element groups in the array antenna 256 and the forward direction of the vehicle 20. In addition, when evaluating one antenna module 250, the communication control device 200 can compare the quality index of the beam of the old antenna module with the quality indexes of the beams generated by each element group according to the search order among the multiple element groups.

[0170] As described above, when determining the search order between antenna modules 250, between beams, and / or between element groups, the communication control device 200 may further consider the position of the base station 10 and / or the position of obstacles around the vehicle 20. Specifically, the communication control device 200 may select a first search target by considering the position of the base station 10 and / or the position of obstacles around the vehicle 20. Alternatively, by considering the position of the base station 10 and / or the position of obstacles around the vehicle 20, the communication control device 200 may exclude some of the multiple antenna modules (or multiple beams or multiple element groups) and determine the search order between the remaining antenna modules (or the remaining beams or the remaining element groups).

[0171] In operation S1320, when the forward direction of the vehicle 20 does not change by a preset angle or more, the communication control device 200 communicates with the base station 10 using the old antenna module.

[0172] Figure 14 It is a flowchart showing a method for maintaining a communication link according to an embodiment.

[0173] Figure 14 It may show the operation of the communication control device 200 when it is determined in operation S1320 that the forward direction of the vehicle 20 does not change by a preset angle or more.

[0174] In operation S1410, the communication control device 200 determines whether a base station change is required. When it is expected to communicate with a new base station instead of the old base station with which communication has already been performed to provide improved communication performance, the communication control device 200 may determine that a base station change is required. In an embodiment, the communication control device 200 may determine whether a base station change is required according to the handover conditions defined in the 5G mobile communication standard.

[0175] In operation S1420, when a base station change is required, the communication control device 200 determines the search order between the multiple antenna modules 250.

[0176] In an embodiment, when determining the search order between the multiple antenna modules 250, the communication control device 200 may consider the position of the new base station. Specifically, the communication control device 200 may exclude some of the antenna modules 250 by considering the position of the new base station, and may determine the search order between the remaining antenna modules 250.

[0177] In an embodiment, the communication control device 200 may determine the search order between the multiple antenna modules 250 in descending order of the distance between the new base station and the multiple antenna modules 250.

[0178] When each antenna module 250 can generate multiple beams, the communication control device 200 can determine the search order among the multiple beams by considering the location of the new base station. For example, a beam having a pointing direction most similar to the direction where the new base station is located can be selected from the multiple beams as the first search target, and the search directions of the remaining beams can be determined as the CW or CCW direction. As another example, a beam closest to the beam used for communicating with the old base station in the CW or CCW direction can be selected as the first search target, and the search directions of the remaining beams can be determined as the CW or CCW direction.

[0179] When the array antennas 256 of each antenna module 250 operate while being divided into multiple element groups, the communication control device 200 can determine the search order among the multiple element groups by considering the location of the new base station. For example, an element group closest to the new base station can be selected from the multiple element groups as the first search target, and the search directions of the remaining element groups can be determined as the CW or CCW direction. As another example, an element group closest to the element group used for communicating with the old base station in the CW or CCW direction can be selected as the first search target, and the search directions of the remaining element groups can be determined as the CW or CCW direction.

[0180] In operation S1430, the communication control device 200 evaluates the antenna modules 250 according to the search order among the antenna modules 250, and in operation S1440, the communication control device 200 selects a new antenna module according to the evaluation result. When evaluating an antenna module 250, the communication control device 200 can evaluate the multiple beams that can be generated by one antenna module 250 according to the search order among the multiple beams, or can evaluate the multiple element groups of one antenna module 250 according to the search order among the multiple beam groups.

[0181] In operation S1450, the communication control device 200 communicates with the new base station by using the new antenna module. When the best beam or the best element group of the new antenna module is selected in operation S1440, the communication control device 200 can communicate with the new base station via the best beam in the new antenna module or through the beam generated by the best element group of the new antenna module.

[0182] In the disclosed embodiments, at least one of the operations performed by the processor 230 can be performed by using artificial intelligence (AI) technology. The following refers to Figure 15 Describe at least one operation performed by using AI technology.

[0183] Figure 15 is a diagram showing the operations performed by using AI technology.

[0184] Specifically, at least one of i) determining a search order between antenna modules, ii) determining a search order between beams, iii) determining a search order between element groups, iv) selecting a new antenna module according to the search order, v) selecting an optimal beam according to the search order, or vi) selecting an optimal element group according to the search order, which is performed by the communication control device 200, can be performed by using AI technology for performing operations through a neural network. For example, i) based on the installation position of the antenna modules and the forward direction of the vehicle 20, the determination of the search order between the antenna modules can be performed based on AI.

[0185] AI technology refers to a technology that obtains an expected result by performing processing (such as analysis and / or classification) on input data based on operations through a neural network.

[0186] Such AI technology can be implemented by using algorithms. Herein, an algorithm or a set of algorithms for implementing AI technology is referred to as a neural network. Herein, the neural network can receive input data, perform the operations of the above-mentioned analysis and / or classification, and thus output result data. In order for the neural network to accurately output result data corresponding to the input data, the neural network needs to be trained. As used herein, the term "training" may refer to training the neural network to allow the neural network to find or learn on its own a method for analyzing a segment of the input data of the neural network, a method for classifying a segment of the input data, a method for extracting features required for generating result data from a segment of the input data, etc. Specifically, through the training process, the neural network can optimize the weight values in the neural network by performing training on training data (e.g., multiple different images from each other). In addition, by processing the input data through the neural network with optimized weight values, the expected result is output.

[0187] When there are multiple hidden layers as layers for performing operations inside the neural network, that is, when the depth of the neural network for performing operations increases, the neural network can be classified as a deep neural network. Examples of neural networks include, but are not limited to, convolutional neural network (CNN), deep neural network (DNN), recurrent neural network (RNN), restricted Boltzmann machine (RBM), deep belief network (DBN), bidirectional recurrent deep neural network, deep Q network, etc. In addition, the neural network can be subdivided. For example, CNN can be subdivided into deep convolutional neural network (DCNN), Capsnet (not shown), etc.

[0188] The term "AI model" may refer to a neural network including at least one layer, which is used to receive input data and output an expected result. In addition, the term "AI model" may refer to an algorithm or a set of algorithms for outputting an expected result by performing operations through a neural network, a processor for executing the algorithm (or set of algorithms), software for executing the algorithm (or set of algorithms), or hardware for executing the algorithm or (set of algorithms).

[0189] Based on the AI model, at least one of the following operations can be performed: i) determining a search order between antenna modules, ii) determining a search order between beams, iii) determining a search order between element groups, iv) selecting a new antenna module according to the search order, v) selecting an optimal beam according to the search order, or vi) selecting an optimal element group according to the above search order.

[0190] Reference Figure 15 , the neural network 1510 can be trained by receiving training data input thereto. In addition, when training the neural network 1510, it can receive the input data 1511 input through the input stage 1520, and the input stage 1520, the hidden layer 1530, and the output stage 1540 can perform operations for outputting the output data 1515 by analyzing the input data 1510 and the data transmitted from the previous layer. Although Figure 15 it is shown that the hidden layer 1530 includes one layer, this is only an example, and the hidden layer 1530 may include multiple layers.

[0191] In the disclosed embodiment, the neural network 1510 can be trained on a search order that allows minimizing the evaluation time of multiple antenna modules based on the installation position of the antenna modules and the angle of change of the forward direction of the vehicle 20. The trained neural network 1510 can receive the installation position of the antenna modules and the angle of change of the forward direction of the vehicle 20, and determine the search order between the multiple antenna modules.

[0192] In the disclosed embodiment, the neural network 1510 can be trained on a search order that allows minimizing the evaluation time of multiple beams based on the pointing direction of the beams and the angle of change of the forward direction of the vehicle 20. The trained neural network 1510 can receive the pointing direction of the beams and the angle of change of the forward direction of the vehicle 20, and determine the search order between the multiple beams.

[0193] In the disclosed embodiment, the neural network 1510 can be trained on a search order that allows minimizing the evaluation time of multiple element groups based on the position of the element groups in the array antenna and the angle of change of the forward direction of the vehicle 20. The trained neural network 1510 can receive the position of the element groups in the array antenna and the angle of change of the forward direction of the vehicle 20, and determine the search order between the multiple element groups.

[0194] In the disclosed embodiments, as described above, a neural network for performing at least one of i) determining a search order between antenna modules, ii) determining a search order between beams, iii) determining a search order between element groups, iv) selecting a new antenna module according to the search order, v) selecting an optimal beam according to the search order, or vi) selecting an optimal element group according to the search order can be implemented within a processor (e.g., Figure 2 230 therein).

[0195] Optionally, as described above, a neural network for performing at least one of i) determining a search order between antenna modules, ii) determining a search order between beams, iii) determining a search order between element groups, iv) selecting a new antenna module according to the search order, v) selecting an optimal beam according to the search order, or vi) selecting an optimal element group according to the search order can be implemented within an electronic device (not shown) or a processor (not shown) separate from the communication control device 200.

[0196] The operations of the above neural network can also be performed by a server (not shown) that can communicate with the communication control device 200 according to an embodiment via a wireless communication network. Refer to Figure 16 and Figure 17 for a description of the communication between the communication control device 200 and the server (not shown).

[0197] Figure 16 FIG. is a diagram showing a communication control device 1700 according to the disclosed embodiments, where the communication control device 1700 operates together with a server.

[0198] In the disclosed embodiments, the server 1610 may calculate the search order between multiple antenna modules, the search order between multiple beams, and / or the search order between multiple element groups, and then send them to the communication control device 1700 located in the vehicle 20. The server 1610 may send data to and receive data from the communication control device 1700 via a communication network and may process the data.

[0199] In an embodiment, an automotive electronic device may receive information about the search order between antenna modules, the search order between beams, and / or the search order between element groups, and may transmit the received information to the communication control device 1700. In this case, the communication control device 1700 may evaluate the antenna modules, beams, and / or element groups according to the information received from the automotive electronic device.

[0200] Refer to Figure 17, the server 1610 includes a communication unit 1630 for communicating with the communication control device 1700, and a processor 1650 for executing at least one instruction.

[0201] The processor 1650 of the server 1610 may receive information such as the installation positions of multiple antenna modules, the forward direction of the vehicle 20, the position of the base station 10, the positions of obstacles around the vehicle 20, etc., and / or determine the search order between antenna modules, the search order between beams, and / or the search order between element groups based on the received information. The communication unit 1630 may send information indicating the search order between antenna modules, the search order between beams, and / or the search order between element groups to the communication control device 1700.

[0202] In the disclosed embodiments, the server 1610 may determine the search order by performing operations via the neural network 1510 described with reference to Figure 15 Specifically, the server 1610 may train an AI model and store the trained AI model. In addition, the server 1610 may determine the search order between antenna modules, the search order between beams, and / or the search order between element groups by using the trained AI model.

[0203] Generally, compared with the server 1610, the communication control device 1700 may have limitations in aspects such as memory storage capacity, operation processing speed, the ability to collect training data sets, etc. Therefore, the server 1610 may perform operations that require storing a large amount of data and a large number of operations, and then may send the required data and / or AI model to the communication control device 1700 via a communication network. Then, even without a processor including a large-capacity memory and having a fast operation ability, the communication control device 1700 can quickly and easily perform the required operations by receiving and using the required data and / or AI model from the server 1610.

[0204] In the disclosed embodiments, the server 1610 may include the neural network 1510 described with reference to Figure 15 Specifically, the neural network 1510 in the server 1610 may perform operations for determining the above-mentioned search order.

[0205] With reference to Figure 17 , compared with the communication control device 200 described with reference to Figure 2 , the communication control device 1700 may further include a communication unit 1750.

[0206] The communication unit 1750 communicates with an external device (e.g., a server) via a wireless communication network 1601. Here, the external device (not shown) may perform at least one of the operations required by the communication control device 1700, or may include a server (e.g., 1610) that can send data and the like required by the communication control device 170.

[0207] The communication unit 1750 includes at least one communication module, such as a short-range communication module, a wired communication module, a mobile communication module, a broadcast reception module, etc. Here, the at least one communication module refers to a tuner for performing broadcast reception, or a communication module that can perform data transmission and reception through a network conforming to a communication specification (such as Bluetooth, Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) (Wi-Fi), Wireless Broadband (Wibro), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (Wimax), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Wireless CDMA (WCDMA), Internet, 3G, 4G, 5G, and / or a communication scheme using millimeter wave (mmWave)).

[0208] For example, when the communication unit 1750 communicates using mmWave, the communication unit 1750 can quickly send and receive a large amount of data. Specifically, the vehicle 20 can quickly receive a large amount of data by using mmWave, and can quickly provide data required for the safety of the vehicle 20 (e.g., data required for autonomous driving, data required for navigation services, etc.), content for user use (e.g., movies, music, etc.), etc., thereby improving the safety and / or user convenience of the vehicle 20.

[0209] The mobile communication module in the communication unit 1750 can communicate with another device located at a long distance (e.g., the server 1610) through a communication network conforming to a communication specification (such as 3G, 4G, and / or 5G communication specifications). Here, the communication module for communicating with another device located at a long distance can be referred to as a "remote communication module".

[0210] Reference Figure 17 , the server 1610 may include a communication unit 1630 and a processor 1650. In addition, the server 1610 may also include a database (DB) 1640.

[0211] The communication unit 1630 may include one or more components that allow communication with the communication control device 1700. The specific configuration of the communication unit 1630 may correspond identically to the configuration of the above-described communication unit 1750, so its detailed description is omitted.

[0212] For example, the communication unit 1630 may include at least one communication module for performing communication with another device located at a distance (e.g., the communication control device 1700) via a communication network conforming to a communication specification (such as the Internet, 3G, 4G, and / or 5G communication specifications).

[0213] The processor 1650 controls the overall operation of the server 1610. For example, the processor 1650 may perform a required operation by executing at least one of at least one instruction or program of the server 1610.

[0214] The DB 1640 may include a memory (not shown) and may store at least one of at least one instruction, program, or data required for the server 1610 to perform a specific operation in the memory. In addition, the DB 1640 may store data required for the server 1610 to perform an operation according to a neural network.

[0215] In the disclosed embodiments, the server 1610 may store the reference Figure 15 described neural network 1510. The neural network 1510 may be stored in at least one of the processor 1650 or the DB 1640. The neural network 1510 in the server 1610 may include a trained neural network.

[0216] In the disclosed embodiments, the server 1610 may determine the above search order by using the included neural network and may send the determined search order to the communication unit 1750 of the communication control device 1700 via the communication unit 1630.

[0217] In addition, the server 1610 may send the trained neural network to the communication unit 1750 of the communication control device 1700 via the communication unit 1630. Then, the communication control device 1700 may obtain and store the trained neural network and may obtain expected output data through the neural network.

[0218] The foregoing embodiments of the present disclosure may be written as a computer-executable program, and the written program may be stored in a medium.

[0219] The medium can persistently store computer-executable programs or can temporarily store computer-run programs for execution or download. In addition, the medium can include various recording or storage devices in the form of a single piece of hardware or a combination of multiple pieces of hardware, not limited to the medium directly connected to any computer system, and can be dispersed over a network. Examples of the medium can include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tapes, optical recording media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs, magneto-optical media such as floppy disks, and media configured to store program instructions therein by including ROM, RAM, flash memory, etc. In addition, other examples of the medium can include recording media or storage media managed by application stores that distribute applications, sites that provide or distribute various other software, servers, etc.

[0220] So far, although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail, it should be understood that the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made to the forms and details thereof by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A method for establishing a communication link performed by a communication control device, the method comprising: Monitoring the forward direction of a vehicle; When the forward direction of the vehicle changes by a preset angle or more, determining a search order among a plurality of antenna modules by considering the changed forward direction of the vehicle and the installation positions of the plurality of antenna modules mounted on the vehicle; Evaluating the plurality of antenna modules according to the search order; And Communicating with a base station via a newly selected antenna module based on the evaluation result instead of via an old antenna module used for communicating with the base station.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, Evaluating the plurality of antenna modules includes comparing a quality index of a beam generated by each of the plurality of antenna modules with a quality index of a beam generated by the old antenna module.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein When each of the plurality of antenna modules can generate a plurality of beams, The method further includes determining a search order among the plurality of beams by considering the changed forward direction of the vehicle and the pointing directions of the plurality of beams, and Evaluating the plurality of antenna modules includes comparing a quality index of each of the plurality of beams with a quality index of a beam generated by the old antenna module according to the search order among the plurality of beams.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein, When the array antenna of each of the plurality of antenna modules operates while being divided into element groups, The method further includes determining a search order among the element groups by considering the changed forward direction of the vehicle and the positions of the element groups in the array antenna, and Evaluating the plurality of antenna modules includes comparing a quality index of a beam generated by each element group with a quality index of a beam generated by the old antenna module according to the search order among the element groups.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein Determining the search order among the plurality of antenna modules includes, when the forward direction of the vehicle changes in the clockwise direction, determining the search direction of the plurality of antenna modules as the counterclockwise direction, and when the forward direction of the vehicle changes in the counterclockwise direction, determining the search direction of the plurality of antenna modules as the clockwise direction.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein Determining the search order among the plurality of antenna modules includes selecting an antenna module adjacent to the old antenna module from the plurality of antenna modules as the first search target.

7. The method according to claim 5, wherein Determining the search order among the plurality of antenna modules includes selecting a first search target from the plurality of antenna modules by considering the position of the base station and the positions of obstacles around the vehicle.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein Checking the forward direction of the vehicle from at least one of the rotation angle of the vehicle's steering wheel, a navigation system, a global positioning system (GPS), or a gyro sensor.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein Determining the search order among the plurality of antenna modules includes: Selecting some of the plurality of antenna modules by considering the position of the base station and the installation positions of the plurality of antenna modules mounted on the vehicle; and Determining the search order among the selected antenna modules.

10. The method according to claim 3, wherein Determining the search order among the plurality of beams includes: Selecting some of the plurality of beams by considering the position of the base station and the pointing directions of the plurality of beams; and Determining the search order among the selected beams.

11. A computer-readable recording medium having stored thereon a program for executing the method of claim 1 in combination with hardware.

12. A communication control device includes: A processor; And A memory storing at least one instruction, Wherein, the processor is configured to execute at least one instruction to: Monitor the forward direction of the vehicle; When the forward direction of the vehicle changes by a preset angle or more, determine the search order among multiple antenna modules by considering the changed forward direction of the vehicle and the installation positions of the multiple antenna modules mounted on the vehicle; Evaluate the multiple antenna modules according to the search order; and Communicate with the base station via a new antenna module selected based on the evaluation result instead of via an old antenna module used for communication with the base station.

13. The communication control device according to claim 12, wherein, The processor is further configured to execute at least one instruction to: Evaluate the multiple antenna modules and compare the quality index of the beam generated by each of the multiple antenna modules with the quality index of the beam generated by the old antenna module.

14. The communication control device according to claim 13, wherein, The processor is further configured to execute at least one instruction to: Select, as the new antenna module, the antenna module among the multiple antenna modules that has the earliest beam whose quality index is identified as higher than the beam generated by the old antenna module.

15. The communication control device according to claim 13, wherein, The processor is further configured to execute at least one instruction to: When each of the multiple antenna modules can generate multiple beams, determine the search order among the multiple beams by considering the changed forward direction of the vehicle and the pointing directions of the multiple beams; And To evaluate the multiple antenna modules, compare the quality index of each of the multiple beams with the quality index of the beam generated by the old antenna module according to the search order among the multiple beams.

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