Vehicle emergency call by means of interference signal, communication device for vehicle and base station for mobile communication network

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for making an emergency call for a vehicle, in which a base station of a mobile communication network provides a wireless communication connection by means of a first mobile communication standard, and the communication device of the vehicle sends a request signal for establishing a wireless communication connection with the base station by means of a second mobile communication standard, which is different from the first mobile communication standard, to a communication device for a vehicle and to a base station for a mobile communication network.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for making an emergency call from a vehicle, wherein a base station of a mobile communication network provides a wireless communication connection using a first mobile communication standard, and a communication device of the vehicle transmits a request signal for establishing a wireless communication connection with the base station using a second mobile communication standard different from the first mobile communication standard. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a communication device for a vehicle and a base station for a mobile communication network. Background Art

[0002] The method described above is based on the situation where the second mobile communication standard supported by the vehicle's communication device is not provided by the base station. In other words, due to the different, i.e., incompatible, mobile communication standards, the base station cannot understand the radio signals sent by the communication device, and the communication device cannot understand the radio signals sent by the base station.

[0003] This is possible if the mobile operators stop supporting the second mobile standard before the vehicle reaches end of life. Typically, the service life of a vehicle is longer than the support period for a mobile standard (approximately 10 years).

[0004] At present, mobile communication networks still support the following mobile communication standards: Global System for Mobile Communications GSM (second generation, 2G), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System UMTS (third generation, 3G), Long Term Evolution Technology LTE (fourth generation, 4G) and New Radio NR (fifth generation, 5G).

[0005] According to current plans, GSM will no longer be offered from 2025, and LTE will no longer be offered from 2030, meaning that regular support will cease. UMTS support will end at the end of 2021. There are currently no plans to discontinue NR.

[0006] From 2025, the legally required automatic emergency call function, eCall, is expected to no longer function properly in vehicles whose communication equipment supports neither LTE nor NR.

[0007] DE 10 2021 131 135 A1 provides a vehicle communication device for installation in a vehicle, which receives an emergency call made by the vehicle using an outdated mobile communication standard, converts the received emergency call into a current mobile communication standard and sends the converted emergency call using the current mobile communication standard.

[0008] US 2016 / 0192251 A1 discloses a method in which, if the first mobile communication unit does not support making emergency calls, a mobile terminal device arranged in the first mobile communication unit makes an emergency call via an adjacent second mobile communication unit.

[0009] US 2012 / 0071 184 A1 describes a base station for a mobile communication network, which provides a first virtual base station for communicating by means of a first mobile communication standard and a second virtual base station for communicating by means of a second mobile communication standard different from the first mobile communication standard.

[0010] DE 698 33 1 10 T2 discloses a method in which a first of two different mobile communication networks automatically registers a mobile terminal device registered in the first mobile communication network with a second of the two different mobile communication networks if the mobile terminal device requests a service provided only by the second mobile communication network. Summary of the Invention

[0011] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for making a vehicle emergency call, which ensures that the emergency call works properly even when the latest mobile communication standard still supported by the vehicle's communication equipment is deactivated.

[0012] The present invention relates to a method for making an emergency call from a vehicle, wherein a base station of a mobile communication network provides a wireless communication connection using a first mobile communication standard, and a communication device of the vehicle transmits a request signal for establishing a wireless communication connection with the base station using a second mobile communication standard that differs from the first mobile communication standard. The first mobile communication standard and the second mobile communication standard are incompatible with each other, i.e., the base station cannot understand the request signal from the communication device. If the base station provides wireless communication connections using multiple first mobile communication standards, each of these first mobile communication standards is incompatible with the second mobile communication standard.

[0013] The emergency call to be made can include a voice connection and / or a data connection to the control center. The vehicle can send accident data to the control center via the data connection. The vehicle occupants can speak to a contact at the control center via the voice connection.

[0014] According to the present invention, if a communication device does not receive a provisioning signal from a base station, it transmits an interference signal on the frequency of a first mobile communication standard. The base station detects the reduced signal-to-interference-and-noise ratio (SINR) caused by the interference signal. Upon detecting the reduced SINR, the base station provides a wireless communication connection using a second mobile communication standard for a predetermined period of time. The communication device identifies the provided wireless communication connection and makes an emergency call via the identified wireless communication connection. Due to the lack of a provisioning signal, the communication device transmits an interference signal on the frequency of the first mobile communication standard. The base station identifies the interference signal as interference that significantly reduces the Signal to Interference and Noise Ratio (SINR). Upon detecting the interference signal, the base station is instructed to support the second mobile communication standard for a predetermined period of time.

[0015] In this way, a wireless communication connection is established using the second mobile communication standard, thereby enabling the communication device to make an emergency call. The interference signal sent by the communication device serves as a trigger signal for the base station.

[0016] Preferably, an emergency call controller of the vehicle controls the communication device. The emergency call controller is functionally connected to the communication device, for example, via the vehicle's bus system. If the emergency call controller initiates an emergency call, particularly due to a vehicle accident, the emergency call controller causes the communication device to establish a wireless communication connection with a base station in the mobile communication network, via which the emergency call is placed.

[0017] Ideally, the base station provides the wireless communication connection as a single radio access network (SRAN) wireless communication connection using the second mobile communication standard. A single radio access network (also known as a SingleRAN) is a network entity that can provide multiple different mobile communication standards. The base station may include SRAN components.

[0018] Advantageously, the communication device transmits a request signal with a characteristic pattern as the interference signal. The base station can recognize the characteristic pattern and distinguish it from detected non-specific general interference. The characteristic pattern can have a predetermined time and / or amplitude variation and modulate the request signal.

[0019] The characteristic pattern may indicate the second mobile communication standard. The pattern includes a specific code associated with the second mobile communication standard. If the base station recognizes the association, the base station can easily provide the wireless communication connection requested by the communication device using the associated mobile communication standard.

[0020] Identifying the offered wireless communication connection comprises, for example, sending a further request signal and receiving an offer signal during a predetermined time period.In other words, identifying comprises successfully establishing the requested wireless communication connection.

[0021] The second mobile communication standard may in particular be a discontinued predecessor of the first mobile communication standard. Mobile communication operators do not support mobile communication standards indefinitely. In practice, older mobile communication standards are no longer supported in regular operations after a period of advance notice.

[0022] Preferably, the base station provides wireless communication connections using the first mobile communication standard on frequencies of the second mobile communication standard. Mobile communication operators can use frequencies of older mobile communication standards that are no longer supported for newer mobile communication standards. This practice is known as spectrum refarming.

[0023] Another subject matter of the present invention is a communication device for a vehicle. The communication device is an electronic controller (ECU) that provides wireless connectivity for the vehicle. The communication device includes a mobile communication modem for wirelessly connecting to a base station of a mobile communication network. Typically, the communication device includes software that can be easily updated.

[0024] According to the present invention, a communication device is designed to execute a method according to an embodiment of the present invention together with a base station of a mobile communication network. The communication device ensures emergency call functionality in a vehicle even if the base station of the mobile communication network no longer provides the latest mobile communication standard supported by the vehicle. Existing communication devices can be upgraded to a communication device according to the present invention using software.

[0025] Another subject matter of the present invention is a base station for a mobile communication network. The base station comprises an antenna and a computer connected to the antenna, the computer typically comprising software. The software can be updated in a simple manner.

[0026] According to the present invention, the base station is designed to execute the method according to an embodiment of the present invention together with the communication device of the vehicle. The base station ensures that the emergency call function is maintained when the latest mobile communication standard supported by the vehicle is no longer supported by the mobile communication network.

[0027] A significant advantage of the method according to the invention is that the legally mandated emergency call functionality of older vehicles is ensured throughout the vehicle's service life. Another advantage is that the method according to the invention can be implemented with a simple software update of the vehicle's communication device and the base stations of the mobile communication network, while maintaining existing technical solutions. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The present invention is schematically illustrated in the drawings by way of embodiments and will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0029] Figure 1 A vehicle and a base station according to one specific embodiment of the present invention are each shown in a functional diagram. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Figure 1 A vehicle 1 and a base station 20 are shown in a functional diagram, each according to an embodiment of the invention. The vehicle 1 comprises a communication device 10 and preferably an emergency call controller 11. The base station 20 belongs to a mobile communication network 2.

[0031] The communication device 10 is designed to carry out, together with a base station 20 of the mobile communication network 2, the method according to an embodiment of the invention described below for making an emergency call 6 from the vehicle 1. The base station 20 is designed to carry out, together with the communication device 10 of the vehicle 1, the method according to the invention as follows.

[0032] A base station 20 of the mobile communication network 2 provides a wireless communication connection 3 by means of a first mobile communication standard. An emergency call controller 11 of the vehicle 1 controls the communication device 10 .

[0033] Communication device 10 of vehicle 1 transmits a request signal 100 to establish wireless communication connection 3 with base station 20 using a second mobile communication standard that is different from the first mobile communication standard. The second mobile communication standard is, for example, a decommissioned predecessor of the first mobile communication standard. Base station 20 can provide wireless communication connection 3 using the first mobile communication standard at frequencies of the second mobile communication standard.

[0034] If the communication device 10 does not receive the offer signal 200 from the base station 20, the communication device 10 transmits an interference signal 4 on the frequency of the first mobile communication standard. The communication device 10 may transmit a request signal 100 with a characteristic pattern as the interference signal 4. Advantageously, the characteristic pattern describes the second mobile communication standard.

[0035] The base station 20 detects the signal-to-interference-and-noise ratio (SINR) that is reduced due to the transmitted interference signal 4 at the frequency.

[0036] Upon detecting a reduced signal to interference and noise ratio, the base station 20 provides the wireless communication connection 3 over a predetermined period of time by means of the second mobile communication standard. The base station 20 preferably provides the wireless communication connection 3 as a single radio access network wireless communication connection by means of the second mobile communication standard.

[0037] The communication device 10 identifies the provided wireless communication connection 3 and makes an emergency call 6 to the control center 5 via the identified wireless communication connection 3. Identifying the provided wireless communication connection 3 may comprise sending a further request signal 100 and receiving an offer signal 200 during a predetermined time period.

[0038] List of reference numerals:

[0039] 1 vehicle

[0040] 10Communication equipment

[0041] 100 request signal

[0042] 11 Emergency call controller

[0043] 2Mobile communication network

[0044] 20 base stations

[0045] 200 provides signal

[0046] 3 Wireless communication connection

[0047] 4Interference Signal

[0048] 5. Control Center

[0049] 6 Emergency Call

Claims

1. A method for making an emergency call (6) of a vehicle (1), wherein: - a base station (20) of the mobile communication network (2) provides a wireless communication connection (3) by means of a first mobile communication standard; - a communication device (10) of the vehicle (1) sends a request signal (100) for establishing a wireless communication connection (3) with the base station (2) by means of a second mobile communication standard different from the first mobile communication standard; - if the communication device (10) does not receive the provision signal (200) from the base station (20), the communication device (10) transmits an interference signal (4) at a frequency of the first mobile communication standard; - the base station (20) detects, on the frequency, a signal-to-interference-and-noise ratio that is reduced due to the emitted interference signal (4); - in the event of a reduced signal-to-interference-and-noise ratio being detected, the base station (20) provides a wireless communication connection (3) by means of a second mobile communication standard for a predetermined period of time; - The communication device (10) identifies the provided wireless communication connection (3) and makes an emergency call (6) to the control center (5) via the identified wireless communication connection (3).

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that An emergency call controller (11) of the vehicle (1) controls the communication device (10).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The base station (20) provides the wireless communication connection (3) as a single radio access network wireless communication connection by means of a second mobile communication standard.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The communication device (10) transmits a request signal (100) with a characteristic pattern as an interference signal (4).

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The characteristic mode describes the second mobile communication standard.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that Identifying the offered wireless communication connection (3) comprises sending a further request signal (100) and receiving an offer signal (200) during a predetermined time period.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The second mobile communication standard is a discontinued predecessor standard of the first mobile communication standard.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that The base station (20) provides a wireless communication connection (3) by means of a first mobile communication standard at a frequency of a second mobile communication standard.

9. A communication device (10) for a vehicle (1), the communication device being designed to carry out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8 together with a base station (20) of a mobile communication network (2).

10. A base station (20) for a mobile communication network (2), the base station being designed to carry out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8 together with a communication device (10) of a vehicle (1).

Images