Method and apparatus for adaptive resource management for communication of one user equipment to another user equipment

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for adaptive resource management of communications from one user equipment to another user equipment. At least one user device (4) uses a sensor (5) to detect a traffic object (2) in a geographic area. A traffic data analysis is then performed on the detected traffic object (2) to obtain analyzed traffic data. Further, communication resource requirements are identified based on the analyzed traffic data, and the identified communication resource requirements are prioritized. Finally, communication resources are allocated according to the prioritized communication resource requirements. The invention further relates to a corresponding user equipment (4) and a corresponding mobile network node (7).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for adaptive resource management of a communication from one user equipment to another user equipment. The present invention further relates to a corresponding user equipment and a corresponding network node. Background Art

[0002] Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communication aims to enable true cooperative autonomous driving while reducing the number of traffic accidents, improving road traffic efficiency and reducing the environmental footprint.

[0003] However, as more and more vehicles use V2X communications, spectrum demands for intelligent transportation systems will increase significantly, and channel congestion is expected to occur. This can be particularly problematic when V2X communications do not work in critical situations or do not operate at the required speed and / or reliability. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for adaptive resource management of communications from one user equipment to another user equipment, which solves the above-mentioned problem.A further object of the present invention is to provide a corresponding user equipment and a corresponding mobile network node.

[0005] The objects of the invention are solved by the subject-matter of the independent claims, wherein further embodiments are incorporated in the dependent claims.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for adaptively managing resources for communication from one user equipment to another user equipment is provided.

[0007] In this context, communication from one user device to another user device is to be understood in the broadest sense. In particular, communication from one user device to another user device may include, for example, device-to-device communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, proximity services, user device-to-network relay, user device-to-user device relay, and WiFi communication.

[0008] According to the method, at least one user device uses sensors to detect traffic objects in a geographic area. In this context, the geographic area can be a predefined geographic area or an adaptive geographic area. An example of a predefined geographic area is an intersection or a highway overpass. As another example, the predefined geographic area can be the coverage area of ​​a network node. An example of an adaptive geographic area is an area where a high density of traffic objects is observed, such as an area corresponding to a traffic jam.

[0009] Traffic data analysis is then performed on the detected objects to obtain analyzed traffic data. Performing the traffic data analysis may include classifying the detected traffic objects. The classification may specifically be based on the type of traffic object. Performing the traffic data analysis may further include tracking the identified traffic objects. That is, following the movement of the identified traffic objects to generate a trajectory for each of the identified traffic objects. Performing the traffic data analysis may also include predicting the future trajectory of the traffic objects. This prediction is based on the trajectory obtained from the tracked traffic objects. This prediction may be further based on other observables (such as turn indicators). Performing the traffic data analysis may further include predicting accidents and / or critical situations. Such accidents and / or critical situations may include local congestion, traffic jams, and / or traffic accidents. Accordingly, the analyzed traffic data may include: the classified traffic objects, the tracked traffic objects, the predicted future trajectory of the traffic objects, the predicted accidents, and / or the predicted critical situations.

[0010] Communication resource requirements are identified based on the analyzed traffic data. That is, the amount of communication that must occur from one user device to another user device is identified, particularly in areas associated with accidents and / or critical situations.

[0011] The identified communication needs from one user equipment to another user equipment are then prioritized.

[0012] Finally, communication resources are allocated based on the prioritized communication resource requirements. The communication resources may be resources used for communication from one user device to another. Communication resources may be a designated set of communication resources reserved for a specific purpose, particularly for communication during critical incidents and / or safety-related events. Communication resources may be any radio resource in the time, frequency, spatial, or code domains. For example, a communication resource may correspond to a radio resource block or subchannel dedicated to communication from one user device to another.

[0013] The steps of the method may be performed using a computing device (particularly a computing device utilizing intelligent algorithms) and / or using artificial intelligence (such as deep neural networks).

[0014] By allocating communication resources based on prioritized communication resource needs, communication resources are ensured to be available at the highest priority times and locations (i.e., times and locations where they are most needed). As a result, communication resources are prioritized for emergency communications. This significantly reduces the risk that communication from one user device to another will not work, or will not work at the required speed and / or reliability, in critical situations.

[0015] According to an embodiment, the communication resources include communication links, in particular downlink, uplink, and sidelink resources, within a mobile network, in particular but not limited to a 5G and / or 6G network, and / or a WiFi network. Although this appears to be the most relevant use case for the method so far, as mentioned above, it should be understood that the method is not dependent on mobile networks or WiFi networks, but is generally applicable to a wide variety of networks.

[0016] According to an embodiment, at least one user device is embedded in an intelligent infrastructure unit, a roadside unit, a drone, an aerial platform, an unmanned aerial vehicle, a robot, and / or a vehicle. An example of an intelligent infrastructure unit and / or roadside unit is a smart traffic light equipped with the necessary sensors and communication units. When using such a smart traffic light, the geographic area may be the intersection to which the smart traffic light is assigned. Other intelligent infrastructure units and / or roadside units embedded with user devices may include tunnels, streetlights, electronically controlled road signs, road signs, construction site monitoring units, or industrial facilities.

[0017] According to an embodiment, the sensor includes a camera, a lidar, a radar, an acoustic sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, and / or a radio sensor. The radio sensor may use radio technology for sensing, detection, ranging, and / or positioning, and may utilize, for example, ultra-wideband signals. In particular, measurements taken by different sensors may be combined to detect traffic objects.

[0018] According to an embodiment, traffic objects include vehicles such as cars, trucks, buses, robots and motorcycles, vulnerable road users such as bicycles, scooters, wheelchairs, strollers and pedestrians, and / or road obstacles such as construction zones, or other objects that may have an impact on traffic and the safety of traffic participants.

[0019] According to an embodiment, the method steps can be divided between at least one user device and a mobile network node. At the dividing point, at least one user device sends intermediate data to the mobile network node. Depending on the dividing point, the intermediate data is data indicating detected traffic objects, analyzed traffic data and / or data indicating identified or prioritized communication resource requirements. The step of performing traffic data analysis can also be divided between at least one user device and a mobile network node. In this case, the intermediate data is data indicating classified traffic objects, tracked traffic objects, predicted future trajectories of traffic objects, predicted accidents and / or predicted critical situations. The intermediate data may further include geographic reference or location data indicating the location of traffic objects and / or user devices. The last step of allocating communication resources is performed by the mobile network node. Mobile network nodes include ground network nodes and non-ground network nodes.

[0020] As an example, the steps of detecting traffic objects and performing traffic data analysis are performed by at least one user device. The at least one user device then transmits intermediate data, in this case, the analyzed traffic data, to a mobile network node. The mobile network node then performs the steps of identifying communication resource requirements, prioritizing the identified communication resource requirements, and allocating communication resources.

[0021] As another example, the steps of detecting traffic objects, performing traffic data analysis, identifying communication resource requirements, and prioritizing the identified communication resource requirements are performed by at least one user device. The at least one user device then transmits intermediate data, in this case data indicating the prioritized communication resource requirements, to a mobile network node. The mobile network node then performs the step of allocating communication resources.

[0022] According to an embodiment, at least one user device transmits user device capability data to a mobile network node. This is typically performed before traffic object detection begins. The user device capability data specifically includes information about the user device's sensors (e.g., type, performance characteristics), the user device's computing capabilities (e.g., processing power, artificial intelligence / machine learning software version used), and / or the user device's communication capabilities (e.g., supported radio communication technologies). Based on the user device capability data, the mobile network then configures the at least one user device to obtain intermediate data and report this intermediate data to the mobile network node. This reporting can occur continuously, based on a configured pattern or on an event-based basis. This configuration can also include configuring a demarcation point between the user device and the mobile network node. For example, if the user device has both numerous sensors and high computing power, it may be advantageous for the user device to perform many method steps. Alternatively, if the user device has only a few sensors and low computing power, it may be advantageous for the mobile network node to perform many method steps. In the latter case, the mobile network node may collect intermediate data from more than one user device and then process the combined intermediate data.

[0023] According to an embodiment, the step of allocating communication resources is performed by at least one dedicated user equipment among the at least one user equipment. In this case, the allocated communication resources are device-to-device communication resources. The dedicated user equipment may in particular be an intelligent infrastructure unit and / or a roadside unit. In this case, the mobile network node does not perform any method steps. This situation is particularly relevant in the absence of a network (i.e., when the user equipment is out of network coverage) or for special operating modes (e.g., when at least one user equipment acts as a repeater).

[0024] According to an embodiment, the step of identifying communication resource needs includes identifying local traffic hotspots and / or creating an incident heat map. Identifying local traffic hotspots can be performed, for example, using a clustering algorithm. In an incident heat map, local traffic hotspots are indicated by higher "temperatures." As a further example, a geographic map including multiple layers (such as object type locations, predicted event and / or incident locations, and predicted event criticality) can be generated and used to prioritize identified communication resource needs and / or allocate communication resources.

[0025] According to an embodiment, the step of prioritizing the identified communication resource needs is performed based on the criticality values ​​assigned to the potential accidents. As an example, a predicted serious traffic accident will have a high criticality value, a predicted minor traffic accident will have a medium criticality value, and a predicted traffic jam will have a low criticality value.

[0026] Alternatively or additionally, the step of prioritizing the identified communication resource needs is performed based on predetermined service priorities, for example, for safety functions and comfort functions. As an example, vehicle-to-vehicle communications related to emergency braking may have a high service priority, while vehicle-to-relay user device communications for streaming music may have a low service priority.

[0027] According to an embodiment, the step of allocating communication resources comprises sending a system information broadcast, a dedicated radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration message, an emergency paging and / or an SSB signal.That is, there are several suitable ways to allocate communication resources.

[0028] According to another aspect of the present invention, a user device is provided. The user device is configured to transmit user device capability data to a mobile network node. The user device is further configured to receive configuration instructions from the mobile network node and apply the configuration instructions. The configuration instructions instruct the user device to obtain intermediate data and report the intermediate data to the mobile network node. The intermediate data is data indicating detected traffic objects, analyzed traffic data, and / or data indicating identified or prioritized communication resource requirements. The intermediate data may further include geographic reference or location data. The user device is further configured to use sensors to detect traffic objects in a geographic area. Optionally, the user device is configured to perform traffic data analysis on the detected traffic objects to obtain analyzed traffic data. Traffic data analysis may include classifying traffic objects; tracking traffic objects; and / or predicting future trajectories, accidents, and / or critical conditions of traffic objects. The user device may be further configured to identify user device-to-user device communication resource requirements based on the analyzed traffic data; prioritize the identified communication resource requirements; and / or transmit the intermediate data to the mobile network node. Whether these steps are performed depends on which steps the mobile network node will perform. The intermediate data corresponds to the steps that the user equipment has performed. A more detailed description of this division of steps can be found in the above description. Moreover, the advantages and further embodiments correspond to the advantages and embodiments given in the above description.

[0029] Depending on the embodiment, the user device is embedded in an intelligent infrastructure unit, roadside unit, drone, aerial platform, unmanned aerial vehicle, robot, or vehicle. An example of an intelligent infrastructure unit and / or roadside unit is a smart traffic light equipped with the necessary sensors and communication units. When using such a smart traffic light, the geographic area may be the intersection to which the smart traffic light is assigned. Other intelligent infrastructure units and / or roadside units embedded with user devices may include tunnels, streetlights, electronically controlled road signs, road signs, construction site monitoring units, or industrial facilities. The user device may also be any other mobile device with integrated sensing capabilities (i.e., equipped with the necessary sensors).

[0030] According to an embodiment, the user equipment is further configured to allocate communication resources based on prioritized communication resource needs. In this case, the communication resources are device-to-device communication resources. The allocation can be transmitted from the user equipment to other user equipment using device-to-device communication. The allocation of communication resources by the user equipment is particularly useful in the absence of a network, for example, when the user equipment is out of network coverage. The allocation of communication resources by the user equipment can also be used for specific operating modes, such as when the user equipment acts as a repeater.

[0031] According to another aspect of the present invention, a mobile network node is provided. The mobile network node is configured to receive user device capability data from at least one user device and, based on the user device capability data, configure the at least one user device to obtain and report intermediate data. The intermediate data is data indicating detected traffic objects, analyzed traffic data, and / or data indicating identified or prioritized communication resource requirements. The intermediate data may further include geographic reference or location data. The mobile network node is further configured to receive the intermediate data from the at least one user device. Based on which data the intermediate data includes, i.e., which steps the at least one user device has performed, the mobile network node is further configured to perform further traffic data analysis on the intermediate data received from the at least one user device to obtain analyzed traffic data; identify communication resource requirements based on the analyzed traffic data; and / or prioritize the identified communication resource requirements. Performing the further traffic data analysis may include classifying traffic objects; tracking traffic objects; predicting future trajectories of traffic objects; predicting accidents; and / or predicting critical situations. Finally, the mobile network node is configured to allocate communication resources based on the prioritized communication resource requirements.

[0032] According to an embodiment, the mobile network node is a terrestrial network node or a non-terrestrial network node.

[0033] Further advantages and embodiments correspond to those given in the above description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent and be further elucidated with reference to the embodiments described by way of example in the following description and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0035] Figure 1 A schematic top view of an intersection with an embodiment of a user equipment and a mobile network node is shown;

[0036] Figure 2 A flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a method for adaptive resource management of communications from one user equipment to another user equipment; and

[0037] Figure 3 A flow chart illustrating another embodiment of a method for adaptive resource management of communications from one user equipment to another user equipment is shown.

[0038] In the figures, elements corresponding to elements already described may have the same reference numerals.Examples, embodiments or optional features, whether or not indicated as non-limiting, should not be construed as limiting the invention as claimed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Figure 1 A schematic top view of an intersection 1 and traffic objects 2 is shown. The intersection 1 is merely an example of a geographical area with traffic conditions. The traffic objects 2 shown here are cars 2.1 and pedestrians 2.2. However, the present invention is not limited to these traffic objects 2 and may encompass other traffic objects 2, such as other vehicles (e.g., trucks, buses, and motorcycles), other vulnerable road users (e.g., bicycles, scooters, wheelchairs, and strollers), and / or road obstacles.

[0040] Figure 1 A traffic light is further shown as an example of an intelligent infrastructure unit 3. In addition to the traffic light, the intelligent infrastructure unit 3 also includes a user device 4 having a sensor 5 (here shown as a camera) and a computing and communication unit 6. Other sensors 5 may be lidars, radars, acoustic sensors, ultrasonic sensors, and / or radio sensors. The computing and communication unit 6 may also be divided into two separate units, one for computing and one for communication.

[0041] In alternative embodiments, the user device 4 may be embedded in an intelligent infrastructure unit, a roadside unit, a drone, an aerial platform, an unmanned aerial vehicle, and / or a vehicle.

[0042] The user equipment 4 communicates with a mobile network node 7. In alternative embodiments, the mobile network node 7 may be omitted, for example if the user equipment 4 is out of network coverage.

[0043] The user equipment 4 and the mobile network node 7 are configured to perform Figure 2 The method shown.

[0044] Figure 2 A flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a method for adaptively managing resources for communications from one user device to another user device is provided. In this context, the "one user device" and the "other user device" may be user devices embedded in traffic objects, specifically, in vehicles (such as cars, trucks, buses, and motorcycles), intelligent infrastructure units, roadside units, drones, aerial platforms, and / or unmanned aerial vehicles.

[0045] According to the method, a user device 4 uses a sensor 5 to detect 10 a traffic object 2 near an intersection. The user device 4 then performs traffic data analysis 11 on the detected traffic object 2 to obtain analyzed traffic data. Performing traffic data analysis 11 may include classifying the traffic object 2, tracking the traffic object 2, predicting the future trajectory of the traffic object 2, predicting accidents, and / or predicting critical situations. The user device 4 then identifies 12 communication resource requirements based on the analyzed traffic data. Furthermore, the user device 4 prioritizes 13 the identified communication resource requirements.

[0046] The user equipment 4 then sends 14 intermediate data, in this case comprising data indicating the prioritized communication resource requirements, to the mobile network node 7. The mobile network node 7 receives the intermediate data and allocates 16 communication resources according to the prioritized communication resource requirements.

[0047] This ensures that communication resources are provided at the highest priority times and locations (i.e., times and locations where they are most needed). Therefore, communication resources are prioritized for communications in critical situations. This significantly reduces the risk that communication from one user device to another will not work in a critical situation, or will not work at the required speed and / or reliability.

[0048] Figure 3 A flow chart showing another embodiment of a method for adaptive resource management of communication from one user device to another user device. Although when the user device 4 is powerful in terms of sensors 5 and computing power (such as the user device 4 of the intelligent infrastructure unit 3), Figure 2 The embodiment shown is particularly useful, however, when the user device 4 is not very powerful in terms of sensors 5 and / or computing power. Figure 3 The embodiment shown is particularly useful.

[0049] According to the method, two user devices 4 detect 10 a traffic object 2 near an intersection using sensors 5. The two user devices 4 then send 14 intermediate data to the mobile network node 7, which in this case includes data indicating the detected traffic object 2.

[0050] The mobile network node 7 receives 15 the intermediate data, combines the data indicating the detected traffic object 2, and performs traffic data analysis 11 on the detected traffic object 2 to obtain analyzed traffic data. As described above, performing traffic data analysis 11 may include classifying the traffic object 2, tracking the traffic object 2, predicting the future trajectory of the traffic object 2, predicting an accident, and / or predicting a critical situation. The mobile network node 7 then identifies 12 communication resource requirements based on the analyzed traffic data and prioritizes 13 the identified communication resource requirements. Finally, the mobile network node 7 allocates 16 communication resources based on the prioritized communication resource requirements.

[0051] Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not mean that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

[0052] List of Reference Numerals

[0053] 1 Crossroads

[0054] 2 Traffic objects

[0055] 2.1 Automobile

[0056] 2.2 Pedestrians

[0057] 3 Intelligent Infrastructure Unit

[0058] 4 User equipment

[0059] 5 sensors

[0060] 6 Computing and Communication Units

[0061] 7 mobile network nodes

[0062] 10 detection

[0063] 11Perform traffic data analysis

[0064] 12 Identification

[0065] 13. Prioritize

[0066] 14Send

[0067] 15 Receive

[0068] 16 allocation

Claims

1. A method for adaptively managing resources for communication from one user equipment to another user equipment, the method comprising the following steps: Detecting a traffic object (2) in a geographical area by at least one user device (4) using a sensor (5); performing traffic data analysis on the detected traffic object (2) to obtain analyzed traffic data; identifying communication resource requirements based on the analyzed traffic data; Prioritize identified communication resource needs; as well as Communication resources are allocated according to the prioritized communication resource needs.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein Communication resources include communication links within a mobile network, in particular a 5G and / or 6G network, and / or a WiFi network.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The at least one user device (4) is embedded in an intelligent infrastructure unit (3), a roadside unit, a drone, an aerial platform, an unmanned aerial vehicle, a robot and / or a vehicle.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The sensors (5) include cameras, lidars, radars, acoustic sensors, ultrasonic sensors and / or radio sensors.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein Traffic objects (2) include vehicles such as cars (2.1), trucks, buses, robots and motorcycles, vulnerable road users such as bicycles, scooters, wheelchairs, strollers and pedestrians (2.2), and / or road obstacles.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein The at least one user equipment (4) sends intermediate data to a mobile network node (7), and communication resources are allocated by the mobile network node (7), wherein the intermediate data are in particular data indicating the detected traffic object (2), the analyzed traffic data and / or data indicating the identified or prioritized communication resource requirements, and the intermediate data further include geo-reference or position data.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein: The at least one user equipment (4) sends user equipment capability data to the mobile network node (7), and the mobile network node (7) configures the at least one user equipment (4) based on the user equipment capability data to obtain the intermediate data and report the intermediate data to the mobile network node (7), the reporting being in particular performed continuously based on a configured pattern or based on events.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein The step of allocating communication resources is performed by at least one dedicated user equipment (4) of the at least one user equipment (4), in particular an intelligent infrastructure unit (3) and / or a roadside unit.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein This step of identifying communication resource needs may include identifying local traffic hotspots and / or creating incident heat maps.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein Prioritization of the identified communication resource needs is performed based on a criticality value assigned to the potential accident and / or predetermined service priorities, eg for safety functions and comfort functions.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein This step of allocating communication resources includes sending system information broadcasts, dedicated radio resource control reconfiguration messages, emergency paging and / or SSB signals.

12. A user equipment (4), the user equipment being configured to: Sending user equipment capability data to a mobile network node (7); receiving configuration instructions from the mobile network node (7) and applying the configuration instructions to obtain intermediate data, and reporting the intermediate data to the mobile network node (7), wherein: The intermediate data is data indicative of detected traffic objects (2), analyzed traffic data and / or data indicative of identified or prioritized communication resource requirements, and the intermediate data further includes geo-referenced or positional data; detecting traffic objects (2) in a geographical area using a sensor (5); and optionally, performing traffic data analysis on the detected traffic object (2) to obtain analyzed traffic data; identifying communication resource requirements based on the analyzed traffic data; Prioritize identified communication resource needs; and / or The intermediate data is sent to the mobile network node (7).

13. The user equipment (4) according to claim 12, wherein The user equipment (4) is embedded in an intelligent infrastructure unit (3), a roadside unit, a drone, an aerial platform, an unmanned aerial vehicle, a robot or a vehicle.

14. The user equipment (4) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein: The user equipment (4) is further configured to allocate communication resources according to the prioritized communication resource requirements.

15. A mobile network node (7), the mobile network node being configured to: Receiving user equipment capability data from at least one user equipment (4); The at least one user device (4) is configured to obtain and report intermediate data based on the user device capability data, wherein: The intermediate data is data indicative of detected traffic objects (2), analyzed traffic data and / or data indicative of identified or prioritized communication resource requirements, and the intermediate data further includes geo-referenced or positional data; Receiving the intermediate data from the at least one user device (4); performing further traffic data analysis on the intermediate data received from the at least one user device (4) to obtain analyzed traffic data; identifying communication resource requirements based on the analyzed traffic data; and / or prioritizing identified communication resource needs; and Communication resources are allocated according to the prioritized communication resource needs.

Images