Telecommunications system

Abstract

A telecommunications system is provided. A telecommunications method includes obtaining communication traffic metadata from one or more communication applications in a vehicle. The method additionally includes identifying an achievable communication data rate for the first communication option along the projected vehicle route. Further, the method comprises, if all of the following are true, using a first communication option for communicating with the communication application: the first communication option will support baseline traffic of the communication application; a data rate time slot during which the communication data rate will be less than the communication data rate required by the communication application will be less than the maximum latency time; data communication insufficiency during which the communication data rate will be less than the desired communication data rate will be resumed by using the first communication option at or before the maximum latency time.

Description

Telecommunications system

[0001] introduction Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure pertains to the field of telecommunications systems. Background Technology

[0003] In telecommunications systems, user equipment such as mobile phones or vehicle telecommunications control units can have a variety of communication options. It is beneficial to select a system that offers the best data communication performance. Summary of the Invention

[0004] A telecommunications method includes acquiring communication service metadata from one or more communication applications in a vehicle via one or more controllers. The method additionally includes identifying an achievable communication data rate for a first communication option along a planned route of travel of the vehicle. Furthermore, the method includes using the first communication option to communicate with the one or more communication applications if all of the following are true: the first communication option will support baseline communication services of the one or more communication applications; all or substantially all data rate time intervals during which the achievable communication data rate will be less than the communication data rate required by the one or more communication applications will be less than a maximum delay time; and all or substantially all data communication deficiencies during which the achievable communication data rate will be less than the required communication data rate will be recovered by using the first communication option at or before the maximum delay time.

[0005] In the telecommunications method, the first communication option may include cellular communication. Cellular communication may include fifth-generation (“5G”) cellular telecommunications.

[0006] The telecommunications method may include performing gap testing, wherein, for multiple locations along the expected travel route, when the achievable communication data rate is less than the required communication data rate, it is confirmed that any accumulated data communication insufficiency will be recovered within the maximum delay time.

[0007] At least one communication application may be self-describing. At least a portion of the metadata may be obtained from a non-self-describing communication application. The method may include sampling data traffic with at least one communication application to infer the communication profile, baseline traffic, and permissible latency of at least one communication application. At least a portion of the metadata may be obtained by sampling Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol (“TCP / IP”) layer communication traffic with at least one communication application.

[0008] The second telecommunications method includes obtaining communication service metadata from one or more communication applications in a vehicle via one or more controllers. The method further includes identifying a first achievable communication data rate for a first cellular communication option along a planned route of travel of the vehicle. Additionally, the method includes identifying a second achievable communication data rate for a second cellular communication option along the planned route of travel of the vehicle. Furthermore, the method includes confirming that the first cellular communication option can support baseline communication services for one or more communication applications along the planned route of travel. Further still, the method includes confirming that the second cellular communication option can support baseline communication services along the planned route of travel. Additionally, the method includes confirming that, when using the first cellular communication option, all or substantially all data rate time intervals during which the first achievable communication data rate will be less than the communication data rate required by one or more communication applications will be less than the maximum delay time along the planned route of travel. Still further, the method includes confirming that, when using the second communication option, all or substantially all data rate time intervals during which the second achievable communication data rate will be less than the required communication data rate will be less than the maximum delay time along the planned route of travel. Additionally, the method involves confirming that, when using the first cellular communication option, all or substantially all of the first data communication deficits will be recovered by using the first communication option at or before the maximum delay time, during which the first achievable communication data rate will be less than the required communication data rate. Furthermore, the method involves confirming that, when using the second cellular communication option, all or substantially all of the second data communication deficits will be recovered by using the second communication option at or before the maximum delay time, during which the second achievable communication data rate will be less than the required communication data rate. Furthermore, the method includes using the first cellular communication option to allow the communication application to communicate along the expected travel route if, by using the first cellular communication option, all or substantially all of the first data communication deficits will be recovered faster than by using the second cellular communication option to recover the second data communication deficits.

[0009] At least one communication application may be self-describing. Furthermore, at least one communication application may communicate using variable bit rate services and may provide information characterizing the variable bit rate services.

[0010] Additionally, at least a portion of the metadata can be obtained from non-self-describing communication applications. Furthermore, at least a portion of the metadata can be obtained by sampling TCP / IP layer communication traffic with at least one communication application.

[0011] A vehicle includes a telecommunications controller programmed with and operable to perform the following instructions: acquiring communication service metadata from one or more communication applications in the vehicle; identifying an achievable communication data rate for a first communication option along the vehicle's expected travel route; and using the first communication option to communicate with the one or more communication applications if all of the following are true: the first communication option will support the baseline communication services of the one or more communication applications; all or substantially all data rate time gaps during which the achievable communication data rate will be less than the communication data rate required by the one or more communication applications will be less than a maximum delay time; and all or substantially all data communication shortfalls during which the achievable communication data rate will be less than the required communication data rate will be recovered by using the first communication option at or before the maximum delay time.

[0012] This application also includes the following technical solutions:

[0013] Option 1. A telecommunications method comprising: via one or more controllers:

[0014] Obtain communication service metadata from one or more communication applications in the vehicle;

[0015] The achievable communication data rate of the first wireless communication option, identifying the expected travel route of the vehicle; and

[0016] If all of the following are true, the first wireless communication option is used to communicate with one or more communication applications:

[0017] The first communication option will support the baseline communication services of one or more communication applications; during which time intervals for all or substantially all data rates that are less than the communication data rates required by one or more communication applications will be less than the maximum delay time; and

[0018] The system will recover all or substantially all of the insufficient data communication during which the achievable data rate is less than the required data rate by using the first communication option at or before the maximum delay time.

[0019] Option 2. The method according to Option 1, wherein the first wireless communication option includes cellular telecommunications.

[0020] Option 3. The method according to Option 2, wherein the first wireless communication option includes fifth-generation (“5G”) cellular telecommunications.

[0021] Option 4. The method according to Option 1 further includes performing a gap test, wherein for multiple locations along the vehicle’s expected travel route, when the achievable communication data rate is less than the required communication data rate, it is confirmed that any accumulated data communication insufficiency will be recovered within the maximum delay time.

[0022] Option 5. The method according to Option 1, wherein at least one communication application is self-describing.

[0023] Option 6. According to the method of Option 1, at least a portion of the communication service metadata is obtained from a non-self-describing communication application.

[0024] Option 7. The method according to Option 1 further includes sampling data services with at least one communication application to infer the communication profile, baseline services, and permissible latency of at least one communication application.

[0025] Option 8. The method according to Option 1, wherein at least a portion of the communication service metadata is obtained by sampling the TCP / IP layer communication service with at least one communication application.

[0026] Option 9. A telecommunications method comprising: via one or more controllers:

[0027] Obtain communication service metadata from one or more communication applications in the vehicle;

[0028] The first achievable communication data rate for the first cellular communication option is identified along the vehicle's expected travel route;

[0029] A second achievable communication data rate for a second cellular communication option that identifies the vehicle's expected travel route;

[0030] Confirm that the first cellular communication option can support baseline communication services for one or more communication applications along the expected driving route;

[0031] Confirm that the second cellular communication option can support baseline communication services;

[0032] It is confirmed that, when using the first cellular communication option, during its period all or substantially all data rate time intervals that are less than the first achievable communication data rate will be less than the communication data rate required by one or more communication applications will be less than the maximum delay time;

[0033] It is confirmed that when using the second cellular communication option, during which all or substantially all data rate time intervals during which the second achievable communication data rate will be less than the required communication data rate will be less than the maximum delay time;

[0034] It is confirmed that when using the first cellular communication option, all or substantially all of the first data communication deficits during which the first achievable communication data rate will be less than the required communication data rate will be recovered by using the first communication option at or before the maximum delay time.

[0035] It is confirmed that, when using the second cellular communication option, all or substantially all of the second data communication shortfalls during which the second achievable communication data rate will be less than the required communication data rate will be recovered by using the second communication option at or before the maximum delay time; and

[0036] If all or substantially all of the first data communication deficits will be recovered faster by using the first cellular communication option than by using the second cellular communication option, then the first cellular communication option is used for communication applications to communicate.

[0037] Option 10. The method according to Option 9, wherein the first cellular communication option includes 5G cellular telecommunications, and the second cellular communication option includes 4G LTE cellular telecommunications.

[0038] Option 11. The method according to Option 9, wherein the first cellular communication option and the second cellular communication option each include 5G cellular telecommunications.

[0039] Option 12. The method according to Option 9, wherein at least one communication application is self-describing.

[0040] Option 13. According to the method of Option 12, at least one communication application communicates using a variable bit rate service, and at least one communication application provides information characterizing the variable bit rate service.

[0041] Option 14. According to the method of Option 9, at least a portion of the communication service metadata is obtained from a non-self-describing communication application.

[0042] Option 15. The method according to Option 9, wherein at least a portion of the communication service metadata is obtained by sampling the transmission control protocol / internet protocol (“TCP / IP”) layer communication services with at least one communication application.

[0043] Option 16. A vehicle including a telecommunications controller, the telecommunications controller being programmed with and operable to execute the following instructions:

[0044] Obtain communication service metadata from one or more communication applications in the vehicle;

[0045] The achievable communication data rate of the first wireless communication option, identifying the expected travel route of the vehicle; and

[0046] If all of the following are true, the first wireless communication option is used to communicate with one or more communication applications:

[0047] The first communication option will support the baseline communication services of one or more communication applications; during which time intervals for all or substantially all data rates that are less than the communication data rates required by one or more communication applications will be less than the maximum delay time; and

[0048] The first wireless communication option will be used at or before the maximum delay time to recover all or substantially all of the insufficient data communication during which the achievable data rate is less than the required data rate.

[0049] Option 17. The vehicle according to Option 16, wherein the first wireless communication option includes cellular telecommunications.

[0050] Option 18. The vehicle according to Option 17, wherein the first wireless communication option includes 5G cellular telecommunications.

[0051] Option 19. The vehicle according to Option 16, wherein at least one communication application is self-describing.

[0052] Option 20. The vehicle according to Option 16, wherein at least a portion of the communication service metadata is obtained by sampling the TCP / IP layer communication service with at least one communication application.

[0053] The foregoing description does not represent every embodiment or aspect of this disclosure. The foregoing features and advantages, as well as other possible features and advantages, will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments and preferred modes for carrying out this disclosure when understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and appended claims. Furthermore, this disclosure explicitly includes combinations and sub-combinations of the elements and features presented above and below. Attached Figure Description

[0054] Figure 1 illustrates a telecommunications system.

[0055] Figure 2 is a graph showing the achievable data communication rates relative to the location of the user equipment.

[0056] Figure 3 is an overview of the methods used to select communication options.

[0057] Figure 4 includes several curves illustrating data services in a telecommunications system.

[0058] Figure 5 illustrates a "gap test" used to determine whether data communication options can compensate for insufficient data communication.

[0059] Figure 5A further illustrates the gap test.

[0060] Figure 6 illustrates the baseline and fluctuating data services of user equipment in a telecommunications system.

[0061] Figure 7 illustrates the application data services and achievable data rates in a telecommunications system.

[0062] Figure 8 illustrates the application of data services and achievable data rates when data communication capacity is lagging or insufficient. Detailed Implementation

[0063] Referring first to Figure 1, a telecommunications system 100 is illustrated. The telecommunications system 100 may include various communication technologies. These technologies may include fifth-generation (“5G”) cellular technology, which may also be referred to as new radio (“NR”) technology. They may also include fourth-generation Long Term Evolution (“4G LTE”) cellular technology.

[0064] Telecommunication system 100 may include one or more 5G base stations 102. Base station 102 may be included in a cellular communication tower, which also includes appropriate antennas to facilitate cellular communication. Base station 102 may manage or assist in managing 5G communication with user equipment communicating via telecommunications system 100.

[0065] The telecommunications system 100 may also include one or more 4G LTE base stations 104. The 4G LTE base stations 104 may be included in a cellular communication tower, which also contains appropriate antennas to facilitate cellular communication. The 4G LTE base stations 104 can manage or assist in managing 4G LTE communication with user equipment communicating via the telecommunications system 100.

[0066] Some base stations (such as base station 102 or base station 104) can be in cellular networks using multiple technologies. For example, 5G base station 102 can also be a base station managing 4G LTE communications. Similarly, 4G base station 104 can also be a base station managing 5G communications.

[0067] Figure 1 also illustrates a vehicle 106. Vehicle 106 can be any type of vehicle, such as (but not limited to) a car, truck, van, SUV, motorcycle, boat, or aircraft. A telecommunications control unit (“TCU”) 108 may be installed in vehicle 106, through which vehicle 106 can communicate via cellular telecommunications. TCU 108 can be collectively referred to as user equipment. Other types of user equipment that can communicate via cellular telecommunications include cellular mobile phones (e.g., cellular phones, cellular smartphones) and other types of cellular-enabled devices (e.g., smartwatches, laptops, tablets, etc.).

[0068] Given the nature of cellular networks, they may have multiple base stations. For example, a 5G cellular network typically has multiple 5G base stations. Similarly, a 4G LTE cellular network typically has multiple 4G LTE base stations. When connected to a cellular network, a user equipment may have the following options: communicating via a network with multiple alternative technologies (e.g., 5G or 4G LTE), and communicating via alternative base stations within the network (e.g., one of multiple base stations in a 5G network or one of multiple base stations in a 4G LTE network).

[0069] Alternative communication technologies within 5G may also include: 5G sub-6 GHz (“5G sub-6”), which can operate at frequencies below 6 GHz; and 5G millimeter wave (“5G mmWave”), which can operate at higher frequencies (such as greater than 30 GHz).

[0070] As referenced in this disclosure, "wireless communication option," "cellular communication option," or simply "communication option" may include the option to communicate via one of several different communication technologies, such as 4G LTE or 5G (and within 5G sub-6 or 5G mmWave)). The communication option may also include the option to communicate via one of several base stations operating within the communication technology.

[0071] TCU 108 can access bandwidth heatmap 110 to understand the maximum data rate available / achievable on the planned travel route 112 or vehicle movement mode of vehicle 106. This heatmap can be populated via “crowdsourced” data from many other vehicles already traveling on or near the planned travel route 112 of vehicle 106, and whose cellular communications have identified the maximum available / achievable data rate in geographic locations along that route. The inventors have recognized that the available / achievable data rate can be highly dependent on the geographic location of vehicle 106. Furthermore, in some geographic locations, a first communication technology can provide a higher achievable communication data rate than another communication technology, while in other geographic locations, another communication technology can provide a higher achievable communication data rate than the first communication technology.

[0072] TCU 108 can then query application service metadata from one or more cellular applications communicating via TCU 108 in box 114. This can be referred to as a “white-box” approach, or the cellular application can be referred to as “self-describing,” where substantial data characterizing the communications of one or more cellular applications can be available.

[0073] TCU 108 may also, or alternatively in box 116, sample communication traffic from one or more cellular applications communicating via TCU 108. This may be for non-"self-describing" cellular applications. A communication option decision process 118 can then be performed. The result may be that TCU 108 connects to a 5G network or a 4G LTE network. Alternatively, TCU 108 may connect to a specific base station among several potential base stations in a 5G network or a 4G LTE network.

[0074] Also refer to Figure 2. Here, graph 200 is shown, illustrating the achievable / available data rate of the telecommunications network along the planned travel route 112 of vehicle 106. The x-axis of graph 200 is the position along the planned travel route 112 of vehicle 106. The y-axis of graph 200 is the achievable / available data rate. Curve 202 then illustrates the achievable / available data rate along the planned travel route 112 of vehicle 106. Curve 202 provides a "look-forward" opportunity to adjust the operation of TCU 108 to accommodate and utilize the available data rate along the planned travel route 112.

[0075] Now refer to Figure 3. Here, a high-level overview of the principles of the communication option decision process 118 is illustrated. The communication option decision process 118 can be performed for multiple communication options, such as 4G LTE and 5G (and within 5G sub-6 or 5G mmWave).

[0076] In Figure 3, application service metadata 302 can be collected from self-describing communication application 304 and non-self-describing communication application 306.

[0077] Metadata from the self-describing communication application 304 may include whether the application uses a constant bit rate (“CBR”) service. If the application uses a variable bit rate (“VBR”) service, the metadata from the self-describing communication application 304 may include the distribution of the application's bit rate. CBR or VBR may be profile-specific. The metadata may also include the minimum acceptable bandwidth required for the application's functionality. The metadata may also include the maximum permissible latency beyond which the application times out the network connection and attempts to re-establish the connection. This metadata can provide intelligence about the nature of the data communications that the self-describing communication application 304 is participating in and will participate in.

[0078] Metadata from non-self-describing communication application 306 can be collected (box 308) by sampling "Layer 3 services". Layer 3 services may include Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol ("TCP / IP") layer data. The metadata for this application service available from non-describing communication application 306 may not be as detailed as the metadata available from self-describing communication application 304. In box 310, application service metadata identification is performed; this metadata primarily includes the amount of data service.

[0079] In box 320, the available / achievable data rate is retrieved; as discussed, this can be via a data rate “heatmap” and the planned travel route 112 of vehicle 106. When a communication option for TCU 108 is selected, it is then determined whether the proposed communication option can carry a “baseline” data service. A “baseline” data service can be considered the minimum data service for which the telecommunications system is considered to function adequately. An example of a baseline data service could be voice data in a video conferencing system, to distinguish it from video data. Another example of a baseline data service could be location data reported anonymously by a vehicle. In this case, the baseline data service could be text data, while other vehicle data reporting might require significantly higher bandwidth, such as crowdsourced vehicle camera data. In the case of cloud gaming, yet another example of a baseline data service could be the minimum video resolution supported by the cloud gaming platform and the bandwidth required from the user device to user control in the cloud. Therefore, in box 322, it is determined whether a sufficient data rate for the average baseline application data service is guaranteed. If a given communication option does not guarantee such a data rate, then the communication option can be considered unfavorable and can be avoided (box 324).

[0080] If a given communication option guarantees baseline application data service, then in box 326, it can be considered whether the data rate gaps that may occur when using this communication option will be less than the allowable delay time l. max If not, then the telecommunications option can be considered unfavorable and can be avoided (box 328). If yes, then in box 330, it can be determined whether it is possible to use the "gap test" in l max Internal recovery can address any data rate discrepancies that might arise from using this communication option. If not, the communication option can be considered unfavorable and can be avoided (box 332). If yes, the communication option can be considered a good choice (box 334).

[0081] Referring now to Figure 4. Among the curves illustrated, there is curve 202—the achievable / available data rate (also see Figure 2). The data being transmitted may include a baseline service 402, which may have an average value 404. The data service may also include a service 406 with an acceptable delay, which may have an average value 408. (Of course, both the baseline service and the service with the acceptable delay are transmitted via the telecommunications system. For clarity, both are shown separately in Figure 4 and other diagrams in this disclosure). Particular attention is now paid to the locations marked “a” and “b” in Figure 4. For the travel distance from point “a” to point “b”, the achievable data rate curve 202 is below the level of the service with the acceptable delay 406. Therefore, the achievable data rate is insufficient to meet the data rate requirements during this duration. However, the communication options that generate the achievable data rate curve 202 may still be sufficient.

[0082] First, a communication option can be considered a reasonable candidate as long as it will deliver at least the system's baseline service 402. If the communication option will not deliver at least that minimum amount of service, then the communication option can be considered unfavorable. This query can be an example of the query shown in box 322 (Figure 3).

[0083] Next, the communication options can be sufficient as long as they consistently or substantially consistently prevent excessive data latency. This can be achieved by adjusting the time between a and b (“time(a,b)”) – the time interval during which the data rate curve 202 is lower than curve 408 – with the maximum permissible latency l. max The comparison is used for evaluation. If time (a, b) is greater than l max Therefore, the communication options under discussion can be considered unfavorable. This inquiry could be an example of the one shown in box 326 (Figure 3).

[0084] Referring also to Figure 5, it is now possible to consider whether the "gap test" will demonstrate that all or substantially all data rate insufficiencies that occur when the achievable data rate curve 202 falls below the level of the allowable latency service 406 can be recovered in a timely manner. Here, for each position x between a and b, the following test can be performed:

[0085]

[0086] in

[0087] Δ(x) is the difference between the surplus region 504 and the deficit region 502, and

[0088] B(t) is the achievable data rate curve 202.

[0089] In this "gap test," double integration is employed because the integration occurs both with respect to the travel distance of vehicle 106 and with respect to time. If the "gap test" shows that Δx > 0 for every position x between a and b, it can be concluded that the accumulated data communication deficit between a and b can be recovered in time after b when the achievable data rate curve 202 rises above the allowable delay service curve 406. In this case, the communication option in question can be considered a good candidate for use in a telecommunications system. This gap test can be an example of the inquiry shown in box 330 (Figure 3).

[0090] This "gap test" can be performed on each "x" between points "a" and "b". If for each "x", any insufficient data throughput is resolved by x+l. max If compensation is required, then the communication options that produce this result (5G or 4G LTE, or which base station within 5G or 4G LTE will be used) are feasible communication options to select for the upcoming movement of vehicle 106 from point “a” to “b”.

[0091] Referring now to Figure 5A, the aforementioned "gap test" can be performed relative to each available communication option. This demonstrates that multiple communication options may be feasible; that is, multiple communication options can acceptablely compensate for temporary insufficiencies in data throughput. In this case, the communication option that fills one or more anticipated insufficiencies in the shortest time can be selected as the communication option to be adopted; this may result in lower latency, even if other communication options may produce acceptable latency. The time during which a particular communication option constitutes the latency can be referred to as τ. In Figure 5A, the data rate insufficiency shown by region 502 may actually have been compensated by time x+τ, although it has been compensated by x+l max Compensating for this delay would be "acceptable". A communication option with a smaller τ value can be selected to provide even lower latency.

[0092] For non-self-describing applications, passive sampling of communication services can be used to characterize the nature of the service. The table below illustrates an example of the output of such sampling:

[0093] Local IP address, local port, service direction, payload size, timestamp: 192.168.0.38029 (outgoing): 801712847486; 192.168.0.39000 (incoming): 10241712847486 surface

[0094] "Payload size" can refer to the size of the sampled data packet, and "timestamp" can refer to the system time stamp when the data packet was sampled.

[0095] Now referring to Figure 6, an example of the sampled data service is shown. The service may include a baseline service 602 and fluctuations 604 on top of the baseline service 602.

[0096] Now refer to Figure 7. This graph reflects data throughput on the y-axis and time on the x-axis. The figure illustrates a curve reflecting the achievable data rate 702. This is similar to the achievable data rate curve 202 in Figure 4 and can be derived similarly. The achievable data rate 702 can be derived from the planned driving route of vehicle 106 and a heatmap showing the achievable data rate as a function of the vehicle 106's position. The achievable data rate curve provides a "look-through" of the achievable data rate of TCU 108 in the upcoming future and thus provides the ability to plan operational profiles for applications in advance to take advantage of improvements in achievable data rates.

[0097] At time t1, the applied data service 704 and the achievable data rate 702 are comparable, as shown in Figure 7. Furthermore, the applied data service 704 remains relatively stable over time. Therefore, the dashed line 705 can reflect the possible baseline of the relatively low data rate profile applied in the telecommunications system.

[0098] Applications can operate in different modes. The data usage characteristics of each mode can be considered a profile. For example, streaming video applications like YouTube can stream video in 4K, 480p, and other resolutions. In terms of network speed, each mode requires significantly different support. In video conferencing, users might only turn on their microphone, or turn on both the microphone and camera, or even share their screen. Each enabled feature means the application consumes network resources differently. This also applies to how much data the user is willing to receive. For example, in vehicles, video conferencing often disables screen sharing in infotainment systems to avoid driver distraction. In gaming, some games organize their content into playable and optimal segments. Playable means downloading or "loading" basic content via a cellular connection, allowing the user to continue playing even with some content missing. In this case, continuous downloads might occur in the background at slower speeds. This can be considered a different profile compared to downloading at full speed for the best gaming experience or when all content is downloaded.

[0099] It can then be observed that as the achievable data rate 702 increases around time t2, the application service 704 also increases and then stabilizes. The level at which the application service 704 stabilizes after t2 can be the baseline for a higher data rate profile. Identifying multiple profiles and their assumed baselines can be useful when selecting telecommunications options for the TCU 108 of carrier 106. Therefore, a higher profile data communication baseline 706 can be adopted; this will allow for better utilization of the available data rate.

[0100] Now refer to Figure 8. This graph again reflects data throughput on the y-axis and time on the x-axis. The figure shows a curve representing the achievable data rate 802, which can be viewed similarly to the curve reflecting the achievable data rate 702 (Figure 7). Application service 804 is also illustrated in Figure 8. Before time t1—during which profile 806 is in place—application service 804 is contained within the achievable data rate 802. However, it can be recognized that from t1 onwards, the achievable data rate 802 may decrease. Naturally, given the limitation of the achievable data rate 802, application service 804 will then also decrease. However, it can also be recognized that when the achievable data rate 802 begins to increase at time t2, application service 804 can increase accordingly and “catch up” during time interval 810 relative to the potential data transmission shortfall between time t1 and time t2. Application service 804 can then typically resume its pre-t1 state at t3, remaining at profile 806' (which may be identical to profile 806). Given a sequence of events, it can be assumed that the time from t1 to t2 (i.e., time interval 808) can be considered the permissible delay for data communication occurring in a telecommunications system. Without further information, it is unclear at this point whether time interval 808 represents the maximum permissible delay. max Further observation could identify other permissible delays longer than the 808 time interval.

[0101] Referring again to Figure 8, if application service 804 recovers after a drop during interval 808, it can be assumed that dashed line 812 may be the baseline of the data service for the particular profile in question, and dashed line 812 can be used accordingly. Further observation may indicate the existence of a baseline lower than dashed line 812.

[0102] Then, understand the telecommunications system profile, the assumed data rate baseline, and the assumed maximum allowable latency. max You can select a communication option that will at least provide: guaranteed baseline data service and latency always less than 1. max .

[0103] It is clear that, for non-self-describing applications, sampling can be used to obtain at least a portion of the application service metadata transmitted by the user equipment 108 in carrier 106. It is also clear from this disclosure that at least a portion of the application service metadata can also be obtained from self-describing applications.

[0104] It should be understood that in this disclosure, terms such as "maximum permissible delay," "acceptable delay," "permitted delay," and other similar terms may be used to refer to data communication delays beyond which the telecommunications system is not considered to be behaving acceptablely. The amount of such delay can be predetermined, for example, provided by metadata from self-describing communication applications. The amount of such delay can also be learned, for example, by sampling TCP / IP services in the case of non-self-describing communication applications, an example of which has been disclosed herein in conjunction with Figure 8.

[0105] This disclosure allows for numerous different embodiments. Representative examples of this disclosure are shown in the accompanying drawings and are described herein as non-limiting examples of the disclosed principles. For this purpose, elements and limitations described in the abstract, introduction, summary, and detailed description sections but not expressly set forth in the claims should not be incorporated, individually or collectively, by implication, inference, or otherwise.

[0106] For the purposes of this specification, unless specifically stated otherwise: the use of the singular includes the plural, and vice versa; the terms “and” and “or” shall be both conjunctions and antonymous conjunctions; “any” and “all” shall both mean “any and all”; and the words “contains,” “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like shall mean “including but not limited to.” Furthermore, approximate words such as “approximately,” “almost,” “substantially,” “generally,” “approximately,” etc., may be used herein in the meanings of “being, near, or almost being,” or “within 0-5% of,” or “within acceptable manufacturing tolerances,” or logical combinations thereof.

Claims

1. A telecommunications method comprising, via one or more controllers: acquiring communication service metadata from one or more communication applications in a vehicle; identifying an achievable communication data rate for a first wireless communication option along a planned route of travel of the vehicle; and using the first wireless communication option for communication with the one or more communication applications if all of the following are true: the first communication option will support baseline communication services of the one or more communication applications; During this period, the data rate that can be achieved will be less than the data rate required by one or more communication applications. All or substantially all of the data rate time intervals will be less than the maximum delay time. And will recover all or substantially all of the insufficient data communication during which the achievable communication data rate will be less than the required communication data rate by using the first communication option at or before the maximum delay time.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first wireless communication option includes cellular telecommunications.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first wireless communication option includes fifth-generation ("5G") cellular telecommunications.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising performing a gap test, wherein for multiple locations along the vehicle’s expected travel route, when the achievable communication data rate is less than the required communication data rate, it is confirmed that any accumulated data communication insufficiency will be recovered within the maximum delay time.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one communication application is self-describing.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the communication service metadata is obtained from a non-self-describing communication application.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprises sampling data services with at least one communication application to infer the communication profile, baseline services, and permissible latency of at least one communication application.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the communication service metadata is obtained by sampling the TCP / IP layer communication services with at least one communication application.

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