System and method for wireless data transmission from mobile user equipment within low power operation

Abstract

Systems and methods for wireless data transmission from mobile user equipment within low power operation are provided. A telematics system for a mobile UE includes a telematics controller configured to communicate via a plurality of communication channels. The telematics controller determines, for each of the plurality of communication channels, parameters related to data throughput and energy consumption to enable uplink communication between the telematics controller and the second device when the mobile UE is in a low power mode of operation. Parameters related to data throughput and energy consumption for implementing uplink communications are compared to thresholds. One of the plurality of communication channels is selected based on parameters related to data throughput and energy consumption for implementing uplink communication. The telematics controller communicates with the second device via the one of the plurality of communication channels when the mobile UE is in the low power mode of operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The concepts described herein relate to wireless communications from a mobile user equipment (UE) to a second device, wherein multiple communication paths are available for concurrent transmission of data packets. Background Art

[0002] The energy cost associated with powering devices to process and transmit data has become a significant part of network operating expenses. In low power operating states of mobile UEs, in discontinuous reception (DRX) mode, such as when the mobile UE is a motor vehicle in a ignition-off state, the energy cost becomes even more critical.

[0003] DRX (Discontinuous Reception) is an energy saving feature used in devices employed in communication networks (e.g., LTE (Long Term Evolution) networks) to reduce power consumption in mobile UEs by periodically shutting down the mobile UE when there is no data to transmit or receive. With DRX, a mobile UE can inform the network that it will sleep for a period of time, during which the network will buffer any incoming data until the mobile UE wakes up. This reduces the need for the mobile UE to constantly monitor the network, which can result in significant power savings.

[0004] In LTE, there are several types of DRX modes, including DRX idle mode and DRX connected mode. In DRX idle mode, the mobile UE wakes up periodically to check for paging messages from the network, while in DRX connected mode, the mobile UE enters a sleep mode while waiting for data to be transmitted from the network.

[0005] DRX mode can extend the battery life of mobile UEs, especially in applications where data traffic is intermittent, such as voice calls or messaging applications. However, it may also introduce delays in data transmission because the network buffers data until the mobile UE wakes up, which may not be suitable for applications that require real-time data transmission, such as video streaming or online gaming. Summary of the invention

[0006] Wireless communications with mobile communications devices are needed to deliver high quality content in the form of data packets or the like, including wireless communications with mobile communications devices that may be employed, for example, on motor vehicles or other ground-based user equipment (mobile UE) with a variety of wireless communications technologies. This includes delivering content in a manner that understands and optimizes energy consumption under power-off conditions, such as key-off conditions when the mobile communications device is deployed on a motor vehicle.

[0007] To extend battery life, mobile UEs can utilize a radio resource control protocol (RRC) that is configured with a discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle. DRX configuration in an LTE environment involves setting parameters that determine when and for how long a mobile UE enters sleep mode. These parameters may be configured by the network operator and may vary depending on the specific network deployment and characteristics of the mobile UE.

[0008] The concepts described herein provide a system and associated method for optimizing wireless communications in a mobile UE, such as a ground vehicle, that employs a multipath telematics control platform (TCP) or MPTCP. These concepts include systems and associated methods for optimizing wireless communications from a mobile UE that employs MPTCP during a low power operating mode (e.g., a key-off mode).

[0009] One aspect of the present disclosure may include a telematics system for a mobile UE, the telematics system including a telematics controller, wherein the telematics controller is configured to communicate via multiple communication channels. The telematics controller includes an instruction set that is executable to determine parameters related to data throughput and energy consumption for each of the multiple communication channels to enable uplink communication between the telematics controller and a second device when the mobile UE is in a low power operating mode. The parameters related to data throughput and energy consumption for enabling uplink communication between the telematics controller and the second device are compared with a threshold, and one of the multiple communication channels is selected, wherein for the one of the multiple communication channels, the parameters related to data throughput and energy consumption for enabling uplink communication between the telematics controller and the second device are greater than the threshold. When the mobile UE is in a low power operating mode, the telematics controller communicates with the second device via the one of the multiple communication channels.

[0010] Another aspect of the present disclosure may include that a parameter related to data throughput and energy consumption is a guaranteed bit rate (GBR) for uplink communications of a corresponding one of the plurality of communication channels.

[0011] Another aspect of the present disclosure may include that parameters related to data throughput and energy consumption are Reference Signal Reserved Power (RSRP), Reference Signal Reserved Quality (RSRQ), and Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR).

[0012] Another aspect of the present disclosure may include performing a priority scan routine to determine parameters related to data throughput and energy consumption for each of a plurality of communication channels to enable uplink communications between a telematics controller and a second device when the mobile UE is in a low power operating mode.

[0013] Another aspect of the present disclosure may include an instruction set executable to select a second communication channel among a plurality of communication channels, wherein for the second communication channel among the plurality of communication channels, parameters associated with data throughput and energy consumption for implementing uplink communication between a telematics controller and a second device are greater than a threshold.

[0014] Another aspect of the present disclosure may include a set of instructions executable to communicate between a telematics controller and a second device via the one of the plurality of communication channels and a second of the plurality of communication channels when the mobile UE is in a low power operating mode.

[0015] Another aspect of the present disclosure may include the plurality of communication channels being at least one of 3G, 4G, 4G LTE, 5G, 6G, DSRC, and WiFi.

[0016] Another aspect of the present disclosure may include a set of instructions executable to perform uplink communication from a telematics controller to a second device via the one of a plurality of communication channels when the mobile UE is in a low power operating mode.

[0017] Another aspect of the present disclosure may include that the low power mode is a discontinuous reception (DRX) idle mode.

[0018] Another aspect of the present disclosure may include an instruction set executable to deselect a second communication channel among multiple communication channels, wherein, for the second communication channel among the multiple communication channels, parameters related to data throughput and energy consumption for implementing uplink communication between the telematics controller and the second device are less than a threshold; and when the mobile UE is in a low power operation mode, disabling communication between the telematics controller and the second device via the second communication channel among the multiple communication channels.

[0019] Another aspect of the present disclosure may include the telematics controller employing a radio resource control (RRC) protocol to manage communications between the telematics controller and a second device when the mobile UE is in a low power operating mode.

[0020] Another aspect of the present disclosure may include the telematics controller proportionally allocating communications via the plurality of available channels based on the target communication rate and a plurality of communication rates associated with the plurality of available communication channels.

[0021] The present disclosure provides the following solutions:

[0022] 1. A telematics system for a mobile user equipment (UE), comprising:

[0023] a telematics controller, wherein the telematics controller is configured to communicate wirelessly via a plurality of communication channels;

[0024] The telematics controller includes an instruction set executable to:

[0025] determining, for each of a plurality of communication channels, parameters related to data throughput and energy consumption to enable uplink communication between the telematics controller and the second device when the mobile UE is in a low power operating mode;

[0026] for each of the plurality of communication channels, comparing a parameter related to data throughput and energy consumption to enable uplink communications between the telematics controller and the second device to a minimum threshold;

[0027] selecting one of the plurality of communication channels, wherein, for the one of the plurality of communication channels, parameters related to data throughput and energy consumption to enable uplink communication between the telematics controller and the second device are greater than a minimum threshold; and

[0028] When the mobile UE is in the low power operating mode, communication is performed between the telematics controller and the second device via the one of the plurality of communication channels.

[0029] 2. The telematics system according to claim 1, wherein the parameters related to data throughput and energy consumption include a guaranteed bit rate (GBR) for uplink communication of a corresponding one of the plurality of communication channels.

[0030] 3. A telematics system according to Scheme 1, wherein the parameters related to data throughput and energy consumption include one of a reference signal reserved power (RSRP), a reference signal reserved quality (RSRQ), or a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of uplink communication of a corresponding one of a plurality of communication channels.

[0031] 4. The telematics system of Option 1, comprising executing a priority scan routine to determine parameters related to data throughput and energy consumption for each of a plurality of communication channels to enable uplink communication between the telematics controller and a second device when the mobile UE is in a low power operating mode.

[0032] 5. The telematics system according to Option 1 further includes an instruction set executable to select a second communication channel among multiple communication channels, wherein for the second communication channel among the multiple communication channels, parameters related to data throughput and energy consumption for implementing uplink communication between the telematics controller and the second device are greater than a minimum threshold.

[0033] 6. The telematics system according to Option 5 further includes an instruction set executable to communicate between the telematics controller and the second device via the one of the multiple communication channels and the second of the multiple communication channels when the mobile UE is in a low power operation mode.

[0034] 7. The telematics system according to Scheme 6 further includes a telematics controller configured to proportionally allocate communications via the one of the multiple communication channels and the second of the multiple communication channels based on a target communication rate, a first communication rate associated with the one of the multiple communication channels, and a second communication rate associated with the second of the multiple communication channels.

[0035] 8. A telematics system according to Option 1, wherein the plurality of communication channels include at least one of 3G, 4G, 4G LTE, 5G, 6G, DSRC, and WiFi.

[0036] 9. A telematics system according to Option 1, wherein an instruction set is executable to communicate between a telematics controller and a second device via one of a plurality of communication channels when the mobile UE is in a low power operation mode, comprising: an instruction set is executable to perform uplink communication from the telematics controller to the second device via one of a plurality of communication channels when the mobile UE is in a low power operation mode.

[0037] 10. The telematics system according to solution 1, wherein the low power mode includes an ignition off mode and a discontinuous reception idle (DRX idle) mode.

[0038] 11. The telematics system of claim 1, further comprising a set of instructions executable to deselect a second communication channel among the plurality of communication channels, wherein for the second communication channel among the plurality of communication channels, a parameter related to data throughput and energy consumption for implementing uplink communication between the telematics controller and the second device is less than a minimum threshold; and

[0039] When the mobile UE is in the low power operating mode, communications between the telematics controller and the second device via a second communication channel of the plurality of communication channels are disabled.

[0040] 12. The telematics system according to Option 1 further includes, when the mobile UE is in a low power operation mode, the telematics controller using a radio resource control (RRC) protocol to manage communications between the telematics controller and the second device.

[0041] 13. A telematics system for a mobile user equipment (UE), comprising:

[0042] a telematics controller, wherein the telematics controller is configured to communicate wirelessly via a plurality of communication channels;

[0043] The telematics controller includes an instruction set executable to:

[0044] determining, for each of a plurality of communication channels, parameters associated with data throughput and energy consumption to enable uplink communication between the telematics controller and the second device;

[0045] for each of the plurality of communication channels, comparing a parameter related to data throughput and energy consumption to enable uplink communications between the telematics controller and the second device to a minimum threshold;

[0046] selecting one of the plurality of communication channels, wherein, for the one of the plurality of communication channels, parameters related to data throughput and energy consumption to enable uplink communication between the telematics controller and the second device are greater than a minimum threshold; and

[0047] Communication is performed between the telematics controller and the second device via the one of the plurality of communication channels.

[0048] 14. The telematics system of claim 13, wherein the parameters related to data throughput and energy consumption include a guaranteed bit rate (GBR) for uplink communication of a corresponding one of the plurality of communication channels.

[0049] 15. A telematics system according to Option 13, wherein the parameters related to data throughput and energy consumption include one of a reference signal reserved power (RSRP), a reference signal reserved quality (RSRQ), or a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of an uplink communication of a corresponding one of a plurality of communication channels.

[0050] 16. The telematics system of claim 13, comprising executing a priority scan routine to determine parameters related to data throughput and energy consumption for each of a plurality of communication channels to enable uplink communications between the telematics controller and a second device.

[0051] 17. The telematics system according to Option 13 further includes an instruction set executable to select a second communication channel among multiple communication channels, wherein for the second communication channel among the multiple communication channels, parameters related to data throughput and energy consumption for implementing uplink communication between the telematics controller and the second device are greater than a minimum threshold.

[0052] 18. The telematics system of claim 17, further comprising a set of instructions executable to communicate between the telematics controller and a second device via the one of the plurality of communication channels and a second of the plurality of communication channels.

[0053] 19. The telematics system according to Scheme 18 also includes a telematics controller configured to proportionally allocate communications via the one of the multiple communication channels and the second of the multiple communication channels based on a target communication rate, a first communication rate associated with the one of the multiple communication channels, and a second communication rate associated with the second of the multiple communication channels.

[0054] 20. A method of controlling a telematics system for a mobile user equipment (UE), the method comprising:

[0055] determining, for each of a plurality of communication channels, parameters related to data throughput and energy consumption to enable uplink communication between the telematics controller and the second device when the mobile UE is in a low power operating mode;

[0056] for each of the plurality of communication channels, comparing a parameter related to data throughput and energy consumption to enable uplink communications between the telematics controller and the second device to a minimum threshold;

[0057] selecting one of the plurality of communication channels, wherein, for the one of the plurality of communication channels, parameters related to data throughput and energy consumption to enable uplink communication between the telematics controller and the second device are greater than a minimum threshold; and

[0058] When the mobile UE is in the low power operating mode, communication is performed between the telematics controller and the second device via the one of the plurality of communication channels.

[0059] The above summary is not intended to represent every possible embodiment or every aspect of the present disclosure. Instead, the foregoing summary is intended to illustrate some of the novel aspects and features disclosed herein. The above features and advantages of the present disclosure and other features and advantages will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of representative embodiments and modes of practicing the present disclosure when combined with the accompanying drawings and claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0060] One or more embodiments will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0061] Figure 1 A wireless telematics system according to the present disclosure is depicted including a first device having a telematics controller in communication with a first antenna array and a second device having a second controller in communication with a second antenna array.

[0062] Figure 2 A first algorithm that may be executed in a first device to evaluate the availability of a multi-channel communication link according to the present disclosure is schematically illustrated.

[0063] The present disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, and some representative embodiments have been shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings, and these representative embodiments will be described in detail herein. The novel aspects of the present disclosure are not limited to the forms shown in the accompanying drawings. On the contrary, the present disclosure is intended to cover modifications, equivalents, combinations or substitutes that fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0064] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit application and use. In addition, the drawings are in simplified form and are not to exact scale. For convenience and clarity purposes, directional terms, such as top, bottom, left, right, up, above, above, below, below, rear and front, may be used with respect to the drawings. These and similar directional terms should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0065] Furthermore, the present disclosure as shown and described herein may be practiced in the absence of elements not specifically disclosed herein.

[0066] The use of ordinal numbers such as first, second, and third does not necessarily imply a sequential ordering sense, but rather can distinguish multiple instances of an action or structure.

[0067] As used herein, the term "system" may refer to one or a combination of mechanical and electrical actuators, sensors, controllers, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), combinatorial logic circuits, software, firmware, and / or other components arranged to provide the described functionality.

[0068] The term "signal" refers to a physically discernible indicator of information, such as a data packet, and may be a suitable waveform (e.g., electrical, optical, magnetic, mechanical, or electromagnetic) capable of traveling through a medium, such as DC, AC, sine wave, triangle wave, square wave, vibration, etc.

[0069] Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to designate the same or equivalent components throughout the various views, Figure 1 A wireless communication environment is depicted in a pictorial manner including an embodiment of a user equipment (UE) 100 having a telematics system 10. In one embodiment, and as shown, the UE 100 is a ground vehicle, and the telematics system 10 is configured with a multipath telematics control platform (TCP) or MPTCP configured to communicate via one or more communication channels 11.

[0070] The MPTCP of the telematics system 10 enables and facilitates the aggregation of multiple wireless or radio communication technologies for improved network communication performance, which allows robust switching and provides uninterrupted Internet connectivity in an optimal manner. As non-limiting examples, the multiple wireless or radio communication technologies include one or more of satellite communication, cellular communication (3G, 4G, 4G LTE, 5G, etc.), WiFi communication, DSRC, etc.

[0071] The telematics system 10 is a communication system capable of off-vehicle communication, which is used to communicate with a communication network system with wireless and / or wired capabilities. Off-vehicle communication includes short-range vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication and / or vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication. This can include communication with infrastructure monitors (such as traffic cameras), as well as communication with nearby pedestrians, etc. Alternatively or additionally, the telematics system 10 may be capable of short-range wireless communication with a handheld device, such as a mobile phone, a satellite phone, or another telephone device, referred to as dedicated short-range communication (DSRC). In one embodiment, the handheld device is loaded with a software application that includes a wireless protocol for communicating with the telematics system 10, and the handheld device performs off-vehicle communication for communicating with an off-vehicle controller via a communication network 90, which can be in the form of a satellite 92, a cellular tower antenna 91, WiFi 93, and / or another communication mode, all of which are configured to enable communication with a remotely located second device, controller, or system 95. In one embodiment, the remotely located second device or second system 95 is cloud-based. The telematics system 10 may also include a global positioning system (GPS) sensor that may be employed by the navigation system 16 .

[0072] In one embodiment, UE 100 is a ground vehicle that includes a powertrain 12 , a telematics system 10 , and a navigation system 16 , and may also include an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) 18 that provides a level of autonomous vehicle control.

[0073] The telematics system 10 includes a telematics controller 15 capable of wireless communication via a plurality of communication channels 11 through an antenna array 20, wherein the telematics system 10 is arranged to wirelessly communicate with other devices. In one embodiment, the telematics system 10 is fixed to a UE 100 for the purposes of the present disclosure, and the UE 100 may include but is not limited to a mobile platform in the form of a commercial vehicle, an industrial vehicle, an agricultural vehicle, a bus, an airplane, a boat, a train, an all-terrain vehicle, a personal mobile device, a robot, etc.

[0074] Wireless communication between devices involves transmitting signals in the form of a data packet or a stream of data packets. Data can be split into multiple data packets for transmission, and the data packets are reassembled when they reach the destination. Packets have a header and a payload. The header holds overhead information about the packet, the service, and other transmission-related data. For example, data delivery over the Internet requires breaking the data into IP packets, which are defined in IP (Internet Protocol), and IP packets include: the source IP address, which is the IP address of the machine sending the data; the destination IP address, which is the machine or device to which the data is sent; the sequence number of the packet, which is a number that places the packets in order so that they can be reassembled in a way that restores the original data exactly to its state before transmission; the type of service; flags; and the payload, which represents the bulk of the packet (anything above this is considered overhead) and is the actual data being transported. Depending on the protocol used for data transmission, data packets can also be called datagrams, segments, blocks, cells, or frames.

[0075] The antenna array 20 is composed of a plurality of antennas configured to perform wireless communications, and in one embodiment, includes a cellular antenna 21, a WiFi (wireless fidelity) antenna 22, a LiFi (light fidelity) antenna 23, a radio frequency antenna 24, and / or a second antenna 25. The second antenna 25 can be configured as a second cellular antenna, a second WiFi antenna 22, a second LiFi antenna, or a second radio frequency antenna. The plurality of antennas can provide one or more communication links between the telematics system 10 and another device (e.g., a second system 95). The term "LiFi" is derived from the phrase "light fidelity" and is a two-way wireless system that transmits data via LED or infrared light. The term "WiFi" is derived from the phrase "wireless fidelity" and is a wireless network protocol family based on the IEEE 802.11 family of standards, which is used for local area networking of electronic devices such as mobile phones, computers, etc. The cellular antenna 21 may be capable of supporting one or more of the following communication protocols: 3G, 4G, 4G LTE, 5G, 6G, etc.

[0076] In some embodiments, one or more of the multiple antennas of the antenna array 20 described herein may not be present. In other words, some embodiments of the antenna array 20 of the telematics system 10 may include a subset of the cellular antenna 21, the WiFi antenna 22, the LiFi antenna 23, the RF antenna 24, and the other antennas 25.

[0077] The telematics controller 15 includes a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium 30 having stored therein a plurality of instructions that, when executed, cause the telematics controller 15 to perform specific operations. Exemplary instructions include reference Figure 2 Routine 200 is described.

[0078] The telematics controller 15 may be configured to include a read-only memory (ROM) and a random access memory (RAM), processor executable instructions, and one or more processors that execute the processor executable instructions, including a non-transitory computer readable storage medium 30. In embodiments where the telematics controller 15 includes two or more processors, the processors may operate in parallel or in a distributed manner. The telematics controller 15 may also execute an operating system for the telematics system 10.

[0079] The term "controller" and related terms such as microcontroller, control, control unit, processor, etc. refer to one or more combinations of application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), electronic circuits, central processing units (e.g., microprocessors), and associated non-transitory memory components in the form of memory and storage devices (read-only, programmable read-only, random access, hard drives, etc.). The non-transitory memory components are capable of storing machine-readable instructions in the form of one or more software or firmware programs or routines, combinational logic circuits, input / output circuits and devices, signal conditioning, buffer circuits, and other components that can be accessed and executed by one or more processors to provide the described functions. The input / output circuits and devices include analog / digital converters and related devices that monitor inputs from sensors, monitoring these inputs at a preset sampling frequency or in response to a triggering event. Software, firmware, programs, instructions, control routines, code, algorithms, and similar terms mean sets of instructions executable by a controller, including calibration and lookup tables. Each controller executes a control routine to provide the desired functionality. Routines can be executed at regular intervals, such as once every 100 microseconds during ongoing operation. Alternatively, the routine may be executed in response to the occurrence of a triggering event.

[0080] The concepts described herein relate to wireless communications between an embodiment of a mobile UE 100 having an embodiment of a telematics system 10 having multiple transmission paths and a second system or device, wherein the wireless communications achieve at least a minimum throughput while minimizing energy consumption. This advantageously includes achieving a minimum throughput while minimizing energy consumption when the mobile UE 100 is in a key-off mode (where the telematics system 10 operates in a DRX idle mode).

[0081] The minimum throughput can be quantified as a guaranteed bit rate (GBR).

[0082] refer to Figure 2 The concepts described, continued reference includes Figure 1 The UE 100 of the telematics system 10 , controller 15 , and antenna array 20 is provided with various aspects and details related to executing instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium 30 of the telematics controller 15 to implement communications.

[0083] Figure 2 The routine 200 is schematically shown in algorithmic form and is stored in reference Figure 1 An embodiment of the computer readable storage medium 30 of the telematics controller 15 is described.

[0084] The telematics controller 15 is configured to communicate via a plurality of communication channels 11, as shown in FIG. Figure 1 As described.

[0085] Reference again Figure 2 , details related to routine 200 are described, and these details include determining parameters related to data throughput and energy consumption for each of a plurality of communication channels 11 to enable uplink communication between a telematics controller and a second device when the mobile UE 100 is in a low power operating mode (e.g., a key-off mode).

[0086] The routine 200 is illustrated as a collection of blocks in a logical flow diagram and represents a sequence of operations that may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination thereof. The routine 200 may reside in the storage medium 30 of the telematics controller 15 of the telematics system 10 and may be executable in the telematics controller 15. In the context of software, a block represents a computer instruction that, when executed by one or more processors, performs the recited operations. For ease and clarity of description, the method is described with reference to the UE 100, which is a reference to the UE 100. Figure 1 Table 1 is provided as a key part, where the numbered blocks and corresponding functions are explained as follows.

[0087] Table 1

[0088]

[0089] The execution of routine 200 may proceed as follows. These steps may be performed in any suitable order and are not limited to reference Figure 2 As used herein, the term "1" indicates an affirmative answer, or "yes," and the term "0" indicates a negative answer, or "no."

[0090] The routine 200 may be initiated periodically when the mobile UE 100 is in a low power operating mode (eg, in a key-off mode), or in response to an internally generated prompt or an externally generated prompt (step 210).

[0091] In response, the routine 200 scans the plurality of communication channels 11 (step 220) to determine parameters related to data throughput and energy consumption for each of the plurality of communication channels to enable uplink communication between the telematics controller and the second device when the mobile UE is in a low power operating mode. This may include performing a priority scanning routine to determine parameters related to data throughput and energy consumption for each of the plurality of communication channels to enable uplink communication between the telematics controller and the second device when the mobile UE is in a low power operating mode.

[0092] Based on this, the routine determines parameters related to data throughput and energy consumption of the plurality of channels 11 (step 230). As a non-limiting example, the parameters related to data throughput of the plurality of channels 11 determined during step 230 include: signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), reference signal received power (RSRP), received signal strength indicator (RSSI), and reference signal received quality (RSRQ). As a non-limiting example, the parameters related to energy consumption of each of the plurality of channels 11 determined during step 230 include total energy consumed (E). The total energy consumed (E) (in Joules) is determined based on: the amount of data to be transmitted (bits) (D), the expected transmission rate (R) of the corresponding channel, the transmission time, and the energy per bit (E bi ).

[0093] The total energy consumed (E) and the associated SNR, RSRP, RSSI, and RSRQ of each of the plurality of channels 11 are compared to corresponding minimum thresholds (step 240).

[0094] Based on a comparison of the total energy consumed (E) and the associated SNR, RSRP, RSSI, and RSRQ of a corresponding one of the plurality of channels 11 relative to corresponding thresholds, individual channels of the plurality of channels 11 may be accepted (step 250)(1), wherein the particular channel is added to a radio resource control (RRC) list (step 260). One or more channels of the plurality of channels 11 may be accepted.

[0095] Based on a comparison of the total energy consumed (E) and the associated SNR, RSRP, RSSI, and RSRQ of a corresponding one of the plurality of channels 11 relative to corresponding thresholds, individual channels of the plurality of channels 11 may be rejected (step 250)(0), wherein the particular channel is eliminated from a radio resource control (RRC) list (step 255). One or more channels of the plurality of channels 11 may be rejected.

[0096] An RRC list including one or more of the plurality of channels 11 accepted at step 250 is compiled and transmitted to the second system 95 and used by the RRC to enable communication therewith (step 270).

[0097] RRC or Radio Resource Control is a network layer protocol that can be used between the UE 100 and the second system 95 to manage the exchange of signals. The functions of the RRC protocol include connection establishment and release functions, broadcasting of system information, radio bearer establishment, reconfiguration and release, RRC connection mobility procedures, paging notification and release, and outer loop power control. RRC configures the UE 100 according to the network state and allows the implementation of radio resource management policies. The operation of RRC can be guided by a state machine, which defines certain specific states that the UE may exist in. Different states in the state machine have different numbers of radio resources associated with them, and these are the resources that can be used when the UE exists in a given specific state. Since different numbers of resources are available in different states, the quality of service experienced by the user and the energy consumption of the UE are affected by the state machine.

[0098] By communicating the accepted channel of the plurality of channels 11 to the RRC, the UE 100 is able to control the energy consumed and the quality of data transmission during DRX idle data transmission. This enables and facilitates carrier aggregation of multiple wireless or radio communication technologies for improved network communication performance, as non-limiting examples, the multiple wireless or radio communication technologies include one or more of satellite communication, cellular communication (3G, 4G, 4G LTE, 5G, etc.), WiFi communication, DSRC, etc. This allows robust switching between channels and provides uninterrupted Internet connectivity.

[0099] The telematics controller 15 executes instructions stored in the non-transitory computer readable storage medium 30 to perform operations including: determining a target communication rate for transmitting a plurality of data packets between the telematics controller 15 and the second controller 95; identifying a plurality of available wireless communication links between the telematics controller 15 and the second controller 95; and determining a plurality of communication rates associated with the plurality of available wireless communication links. The wireless communication links are defined by a plurality of antennas of the antenna array 20.

[0100] Based on the target communication rate and the multiple communication rates and energy costs associated with the multiple available wireless communication links, a proportional allocation of the multiple available wireless communication links is determined, especially when the mobile UE is in an idle mode. Multiple concurrent wireless transmissions of the multiple data packets are performed via the multiple available wireless communication links, and based on the proportional allocation of the multiple available wireless communication links, the target communication rate optimized for energy consumption is achieved.

[0101] The target communication rate for transmitting data packets between the telematics controller 15 and the second controller 95 is described and defined as the minimum guaranteed bit rate (GBR) for transmitting data packets in a manner acceptable to the customer. In one embodiment, the minimum GBR is based on the 5QI (5G QoS Identifier) ​​standard for cellular, or is a minimum best effort bit rate for a quasi-QOS defined as best effort. In one embodiment, the target communication rate is a guaranteed minimum GBR, a best effort GBR, or some other measurable target communication rate.

[0102] Proportional allocation is defined as allocating or dividing the communication of multiple data packets in a manner that ensures that each of the multiple available wireless communication links carries a proportional portion of the total communication load (ie, the target communication rate) to transmit the data packets.

[0103] The concepts described herein employ parameters related to communication rate and energy consumption to command and control uplink communications from a mobile UE, including during periods when the mobile UE is idle (eg, in a key-off mode).

[0104] Although the best mode for carrying out the present disclosure has been described in detail, those skilled in the art will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments within the scope of the appended claims. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description and / or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and non-limiting.

Claims

1. A telematics system for a mobile user equipment (UE), comprising: a telematics controller, wherein the telematics controller is configured to communicate wirelessly via a plurality of communication channels; The telematics controller includes an instruction set executable to: determining, for each of a plurality of communication channels, parameters related to data throughput and energy consumption to enable uplink communication between the telematics controller and the second device when the mobile UE is in a low power operating mode; for each of the plurality of communication channels, comparing a parameter related to data throughput and energy consumption to enable uplink communications between the telematics controller and the second device to a minimum threshold; selecting one of the plurality of communication channels, wherein, for the one of the plurality of communication channels, parameters associated with data throughput and energy consumption to enable uplink communication between the telematics controller and the second device are greater than a minimum threshold; as well as When the mobile UE is in the low power operating mode, communication is performed between the telematics controller and the second device via the one of the plurality of communication channels. 2 . The telematics system of claim 1 , wherein the parameters related to data throughput and energy consumption include a guaranteed bit rate (GBR) of uplink communication of a corresponding one of the plurality of communication channels.

3. The telematics system of claim 1 , wherein the parameters related to data throughput and energy consumption include one of a reference signal reserved power (RSRP), a reference signal reserved quality (RSRQ), or a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of uplink communication of a corresponding one of a plurality of communication channels.

4. The telematics system of claim 1 , comprising executing a priority scan routine to determine parameters related to data throughput and energy consumption for each of a plurality of communication channels to enable uplink communications between the telematics controller and the second device when the mobile UE is in a low power operating mode.

5. The telematics system of claim 1 , further comprising an instruction set executable to select a second communication channel among a plurality of communication channels, wherein for the second communication channel among the plurality of communication channels, parameters associated with data throughput and energy consumption for implementing uplink communication between the telematics controller and the second device are greater than a minimum threshold.

6. The telematics system of claim 5, further comprising a set of instructions executable to communicate between the telematics controller and the second device via the one of the plurality of communication channels and a second of the plurality of communication channels when the mobile UE is in a low power operating mode.

7. The telematics system according to claim 6 further includes a telematics controller configured to proportionally allocate communications via the one of the multiple communication channels and the second of the multiple communication channels based on a target communication rate, a first communication rate associated with the one of the multiple communication channels, and a second communication rate associated with the second of the multiple communication channels.

8. The telematics system of claim 1 , wherein the set of instructions executable to communicate between the telematics controller and the second device via the one of the plurality of communication channels when the mobile UE is in a low power operating mode comprises: The set of instructions is executable to perform uplink communication from the telematics controller to the second device via the one of the plurality of communication channels when the mobile UE is in a low power operating mode.

9. The telematics system of claim 1 , further comprising a set of instructions executable to deselect a second communication channel of the plurality of communication channels, wherein for the second communication channel of the plurality of communication channels, a parameter associated with data throughput and energy consumption to enable uplink communications between the telematics controller and the second device is less than a minimum threshold; and When the mobile UE is in the low power operating mode, communications between the telematics controller and the second device via a second communication channel of the plurality of communication channels are disabled.

10. A method of controlling a telematics system for a mobile user equipment (UE), the method comprising: determining, for each of a plurality of communication channels, parameters related to data throughput and energy consumption to enable uplink communication between the telematics controller and the second device when the mobile UE is in a low power operating mode; for each of the plurality of communication channels, comparing a parameter related to data throughput and energy consumption to enable uplink communications between the telematics controller and the second device to a minimum threshold; selecting one of the plurality of communication channels, wherein, for the one of the plurality of communication channels, parameters associated with data throughput and energy consumption to enable uplink communication between the telematics controller and the second device are greater than a minimum threshold; as well as When the mobile UE is in the low power operating mode, communication is performed between the telematics controller and the second device via the one of the plurality of communication channels.

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