Method and apparatus for selecting a radio transmission channel in a radio system

Abstract

Method for selecting a radio transmission channel from a group of radio transmission channels, each corresponding to different transmission technologies and / or using different infrastructure components, for establishing a data connection between a mobile unit (7, 17) and a central unit (6), wherein - the central unit (6) is connectable to a first local unit (2a, 2b, 3a, 4a) located in a local area (A, B), via which a data transmission connection to the mobile unit (7, 17) can be established using a first radio transmission channel that corresponds to a first transmission technology of the different transmission technologies and / or uses a first infrastructure component, - the central unit (6) is connectable to a second local unit (2a, 2b, 3a, 4a) located in the local area (A, B), via which a connection to the mobile unit (7, 17) can be established using a second radio transmission channel, which corresponds to a second transmission technology of the different transmission technologies and / or uses a second infrastructure component, - wherein the mobile unit (7, 17) has at least two radio units (9, 10, 11) each configured for data transmission via one of the two radio transmission channels, - wherein the mobile unit (7, 17) is a first vehicle (7, 17) and the selection takes place in the mobile unit (7, 17), - wherein the selection of the radio transmission channel from the group of radio transmission channels is made by means of control data that are generated and / or stored outside the mobile unit (7, 17), and - wherein the criteria for the selection of the radio transmission channel are determined both locally in the mobile unit (7, 17) based on measured and / or scanned values ​​and cooperatively in such a way that data about radio transmission channels are also received and used by the central unit (6) and wherein data about currently and / or soon to be available networks are provided by a central data service as an availability map.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method and a device for selecting a radio transmission channel in a network radio connection. The invention particularly relates to the selection of a radio transmission channel from several radio channels, each of which has different transmission technologies.

[0002] Mobile devices such as mobile phones, smartphones, tablets, and laptops are often capable of wireless communication via radio channels using various transmission technologies and possess corresponding electronic components for each technology. One such transmission technology is mobile communication technology for data transmission within a mobile network based on relevant mobile communication standards such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), or Long Term Evolution (LTE). Another wireless transmission technology is used to operate a computer network, for example, a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) according to the IEEE 802.11x standard. Bluetooth technology, according to the IEEE 802.15.1 standard, is another wireless transmission technology for mobile devices.Different transmission technologies can differ, for example, in their transmission frequencies. Each transmission technology uses a corresponding, standardized transmission protocol to control its data transmission. Different versions of the standard may exist, such as GSM 2G / 3G or IEEE 802.11 a / b / n, which differ in details for their respective implementations.

[0003] When selecting the transmission channel or network in a mobile network, a decision is regularly made as to which stationary base station a mobile device, such as a mobile phone, communicates with for data transmission. A change of transmission channel may become necessary, for example, if the mobile device is located in an area where signals from two base stations can be received. This is particularly necessary, for instance, when the mobile device moves from the transmit / receive area (i.e., the cell of the first base station) to the transmit / receive area of ​​the second base station, such as while driving. The switching of communication between the mobile device from the transmission channel with the first base station to the transmission channel with the second base station, and / or between mobile networks or transmission channels, is also known as a horizontal handover process.

[0004] In so-called hybrid communication networks, a wireless data connection can be established via radio channels of different transmission technologies and / or via different connection infrastructure components.

[0005] In hybrid communication networks, it is sometimes advantageous or even necessary to selectively and / or simultaneously, completely or partially, and permanently or temporarily switch the wireless data connection between end devices, base stations, switching centers, and / or central data sources between radio channels of different transmission technologies. To automatically control such so-called vertical handover processes and to make the associated decisions effectively in hybrid communication networks, suitable decision criteria or algorithms are required.In hybrid communication networks, it is sometimes advantageous or even necessary to selectively and / or simultaneously, completely or partially, and permanently or temporarily switch the wireless data connection between end devices, base stations, switching centers, and / or central data sources between radio channels of different connection infrastructures using the same transmission technology, for example, between infrastructure components of different mobile network operators or between base stations of different mobile cell sites. To automatically control such horizontal handover processes and to make the associated decisions effectively in hybrid communication networks, suitable decision criteria or algorithms are also required.

[0006] The increasing availability of static or mobile network elements using various connection technologies, such as WLAN elements (e.g., according to IEEE 802.11x or ETSI ITS G5 standards) or mobile networks with multi-antenna radio (e.g., according to the 3GPP LTE standard), is creating more and more networking possibilities for connecting mobile devices to a central device (so-called backend).

[0007] US Patent 2009 / 0059861A1 describes various methods for controlling a handover process in a cell-based transmission system involving a switch between two transmission frequencies. In the first method, the signal strength at the mobile device is determined on each transmission frequency, and the connection is established using the frequency with the stronger signal. In the second method, the signal quality of each transmission frequency is determined at the mobile device, and the connection is established using the transmission frequency with the better signal quality.

[0008] US 2011 / 0267969 A1 also describes a handover process between mobile communication cells, in which a number of received signal parameters are taken into account to control the process, such as signal strength and signal-to-noise ratio.

[0009] US patent 2013 / 0023281 A1 describes a procedure for handover between Radio Access Bearer (RAB) resources in a mobile network, in which historical data from previous handover operations of a RAB resource are used to determine whether that resource is suitable for the current handover.

[0010] US Patent 2012 / 0064908 A1 describes a mobile communication network consisting of a core and a radio access network that communicates wirelessly with mobile terminals registered in the network. The radio access network includes a controller that manages the allocation of network resources to the mobile terminals. The controller measures the available radio conditions for the mobile terminals and, based on this, controls the transmission of data between the radio access network and the mobile terminals.

[0011] The purpose of the invention is to achieve high connection quality in a communication network that enables a wireless data connection via radio channels of various transmission technologies and / or different infrastructure components.

[0012] This problem is solved by the invention specified in the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0013] According to the invention, a radio transmission channel is selected from a group of radio transmission channels, each corresponding to different transmission technologies and / or utilizing different infrastructure components, to establish a data connection between a mobile unit and a central unit. The central unit is connectable to, and in particular connected to, a first local unit, which is located in a local area and via which a data transmission connection to the mobile unit can be established by means of a first radio transmission channel that corresponds to a first transmission technology from the different transmission technologies and / or utilizes a first infrastructure component.The central unit is connectable to, and in particular connected to, a second local unit located within the local area. This second local unit establishes a connection to the mobile unit via a second radio transmission channel, which corresponds to a second transmission technology from among the various transmission technologies and / or utilizes a second infrastructure component. The mobile unit has at least two radio units, each configured for data transmission over one of the two radio transmission channels. The selection of the radio transmission channel from the group of available channels is performed using control data generated and / or stored outside the mobile unit. This data can be transmitted to the mobile unit, in particular from an external data source, to control the selection process.After selection, the data connection between the mobile unit and the central unit can be established via the selected radio transmission channel.

[0014] The criteria for selecting the radio transmission channel are determined both locally in the mobile unit based on measured and / or scanned values, and cooperatively in such a way that data about radio transmission channels are also received and used by the central unit, and data about currently and / or soon-to-be-available networks are provided by a central data service as an availability map.

[0015] The mobile unit is a vehicle, and the selection takes place in the mobile unit.

[0016] The selection of the radio transmission channel occurs primarily within a communication network where the data connection is established. This selection can be made, in particular, when the mobile unit is located in, or moving towards, a local area where its at least two radio units can establish a connection to both the first and second local units. The selection can also occur during the transition from one local area to another, whereby the radio transmission channel in the mobile unit can be changed or switched depending on the selection. Based on this selection, a horizontal and / or vertical handover process for the radio transmission channel can take place.The radio units can be designed accordingly, for example by a transmitting and / or receiving unit that corresponds to a respective radio transmission technology and / or by an electronic and / or programming component that allows coupling with an infrastructure component of the communication network, for example a SIM mobile phone card.

[0017] The selection of the radio transmission channel from the group of available channels can be fully or partially automated. For example, it can be fully or partially controlled by a computer program executed by a processor located within the mobile unit. Alternatively, the selection can be controlled by other suitable electronic, and in particular digital, control components.

[0018] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the control data is generated, provided, and / or transmitted to the mobile unit by the central unit and / or at least one of the local units. The selection of the radio transmission channel can be performed, in particular, in the mobile unit. A control unit located in the mobile unit, a control unit located in the central unit, and / or a control unit located in one of the local units can work together to select the radio transmission channel.

[0019] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, data available in the mobile unit, the local unit, and / or the central unit relating to at least one previous radio connection, so-called historical data, for at least one of the radio transmission channels in the local area are used to select the radio transmission channel from the group of radio transmission channels. The control data then includes this historical data.

[0020] The historical data can be, in particular, empirically obtained and / or timestamped and / or stored data. The historical data can be collected, provided, and / or stored, in particular, in the mobile unit, in at least one of the local units, in the central unit, and / or in another data source, for example, in a backend server connectable to the communication network, and in particular, be available at each of these locations. The historical data can, in particular, be exchanged between one or more of these units. The mobile unit is movable and moves, in particular, within the local area.

[0021] The infrastructure component can be, for example, a mobile communication base station, a central unit of a network operator, or a control component of the respective communication network, in particular the mobile network of the network operator. The infrastructure component can also be a corresponding component for a radio transmission channel of another transmission technology, for example, an access point for a WLAN network.

[0022] The invention is based on the understanding that the selection process for a radio transmission channel in a local area can be controlled much more easily and precisely if so-called external control data, generated and / or stored outside the mobile unit, is available and used for at least one of the radio transmission channels in that area. The selection decision can then be made based on a broader information base, particularly when both external control data and internal data generated or available within the mobile unit, such as sensor data on the signal strength of the radio link channel, are used. This can lead to a number of advantages, especially when making selection decisions for vertical and / or horizontal handovers in hybrid networks: - High connection quality, especially when both internal and external data are available and used. Connection quality can manifest itself, for example, as reliability of the wireless connection, fast connection setup, and / or cost-effectiveness. - High reception strength, especially when external data on the reception strength of multiple radio transmission channels is used to control channel selection. - Fewer or no connection interruptions, relatively few vertical handover events, and therefore more robust communication. This is particularly important when the mobile unit is in motion, for example, a smartphone in a vehicle, and especially when it is in the form of a vehicle itself, such as when a SIM card is permanently integrated. - Short connection time (so-called air time) between the mobile unit and the local unit. This allows for more efficient use of the radio transmission channel, avoids unnecessary protocol overhead in their communication, and optimizes radio interface resources.

[0023] In particular, it can be provided that at least one of the units, preferably the mobile unit, is equipped with at least one sensor that records relevant measured values ​​of the respective radio transmission channel for the quality of the radio transmission and that these values ​​are also used to select the radio transmission channel. The sensor(s) can record, for example, the following measured variables: - Passively measurable network parameters such as performance characteristics, received strength, signal-to-noise ratio, channel load, interference behavior, etc. - actively measurable network parameters such as latency, packet error rate, or maximum or average data transfer rate.

[0024] The sensor can be integrated into the mobile modem, or the mobile modem itself can be the sensor.

[0025] In particular, the mobile unit can acquire and use additional local measurements, especially those that are not network-specific or specific to the radio transmission channel and / or are recorded by vehicle sensors, for example by means of position, direction, speed and acceleration sensors, gyroscope sensors, direction sensors, imaging sensors, weather sensors, especially precipitation sensors, etc.

[0026] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the historical data and / or the external control data are georeferenced, and the selection of the radio transmission channel is based on a position determination of the mobile unit and the georeferenced historical data. Advantageously, the position of the mobile unit can also be determined using a navigation system, and the respective selection process for the radio transmission channel for route segments can be pre-conditioned based on a route stored in the navigation system along which the mobile unit is moving and the georeferenced historical data. The historical data can also be time-referenced, and the selection can be based on a time determination and the time-referenced historical data.

[0027] Criteria for selecting the radio transmission channel or the associated data transmission network can be determined either locally within the mobile unit based on measured and / or scanned values, or collaboratively. In a collaborative determination, data about radio transmission channels can also be received and used from other data sources, such as the local units or a central data service, particularly the central processing unit. Historical and / or current data on the respective data transmission networks and / or technologies can be provided as an availability map, which covers multiple local areas, is time-referenced, and / or is generated by the mobile unit or an external data source from the network provider or other service providers.Furthermore, a network operator can provide a network utilization map, which depicts the current utilization of the respective network or radio transmission technology. Based on the availability map and / or the network utilization map, an experience map can be created, which includes additional data, empirical values, and / or assessments, and especially historical data. The corresponding historical data is based on a multitude of empirically and, in particular, metrologically determined data, for example, on network availability, the availability of the respective transmission technology, and / or the respective signal strength. Data from the availability map, the network utilization map, and / or the experience map can be used to select the radio transmission channel and / or a network infrastructure component.Position sensors can, for example, be geodata-referencing sensors based on the Global Positioning System (GPS).

[0028] The mobile unit can, in particular, be a vehicle. For the purposes of the present invention, a vehicle can be any type of vehicle, for example, a bicycle, a motor vehicle, an electric vehicle, a train, a ship, etc. The mobile unit can also be a mobile communication device such as a smartphone or another unit comprising at least one electronic communication module.

[0029] The aforementioned measurement parameters can be particularly advantageous when the mobile unit is a vehicle or is used in conjunction with a vehicle during travel. Local vehicle parameters can be recorded as measurement parameters and used to select the radio transmission channel.

[0030] The use of current measurements from vehicle sensors and / or corresponding current data from other sources for selecting the radio transmission channel enables improved preconditioning, particularly for vertical and / or horizontal handover decisions, under weather conditions such as snowfall or heavy rain, or in high traffic conditions. Such preconditioning can improve vertical and / or horizontal handover decisions, especially for moving mobile units during transitions between two mobile communication cells.

[0031] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a control system provided in the mobile unit, a control system provided in the central unit and / or a control system provided in one of the local units work together to select the radio transmission channel.

[0032] The historical data and / or the external control data can be stored, in whole or in part, in one of the controllers. They can be transferred from this controller to another controller during the selection process for the radio transmission channel.

[0033] The mobile unit may preferably include a first control component for controlling the radio link of the first radio technology and / or for using the first infrastructure component, and a second control component for controlling the radio link of the second radio technology and / or for using the second infrastructure component. The two control components can interact to select the radio transmission channel. Historical data is stored, in particular, in the mobile unit. This stored data is used, in particular, to select the radio transmission channel.

[0034] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the selection of the radio transmission channel is additionally dependent on at least one computer-controlled application running on a processor that is connected to the mobile unit for control purposes and, in particular, is integrated into the mobile unit. This embodiment is particularly advantageous, for example, when the mobile unit is a vehicle. Depending on the type of the at least one application, at least one of the radio transmission channels can then be preferred in the selection. This allows for optimization of the respective connection technology and / or infrastructure components with regard to the respective application and thus optimizes the quality of the respective service provided by the application.For example, it might be stipulated that a radio transmission channel capable of high data rates, such as a Wi-Fi channel, is preferred for an entertainment application, while a radio channel with the strongest possible signal, such as a GSM channel, is preferred for a safety-relevant application like an emergency call function. The degree of preference can be determined, for example, by a parameter in the corresponding decision algorithms for selecting the radio transmission channel. The respective applications can also be categorized according to priority for selection purposes. For instance, the emergency call function and functions of driver assistance systems that transmit traffic-related data, such as traffic jam end data or cross-traffic data, could be assigned high priority; internet and multimedia functions medium priority; and information services low priority.

[0035] Application-specific optimization of the radio transmission channel selection can be based on locally acquired and stored data within the mobile unit and / or on data provided by the central unit and / or transmitted to the mobile unit. This data can include historical data and / or other control data. Decision parameters or optimization goals for selecting the radio transmission channel can include, for example, the maximum data rate, minimum transmission time, minimum transmission costs, or maximum robustness of the respective data service.

[0036] The invention advantageously allows the utilization and scaling of various radio transmission channels to be optimized for a local area. This is particularly useful if historical data reveals that, at a specific time each day, such as during rush hour, a particular radio transmission channel is overloaded due to a large number of simultaneous users, while another radio transmission channel is only lightly utilized. In this situation, the less-utilized radio transmission channel can be specifically selected based on the historical data. This enables load balancing between the various radio transmission channels, such as a GSM mobile communication channel and a WLAN radio transmission channel, within the local area. As a result, the spectral efficiency of the radio transmission channels in this area can be increased.Current data on rush hours or other causes of traffic congestion or jams can also be provided in real time via the central unit and / or external data sources and used to select the radio communication channel. Crowdsourcing methods can also be used to provide this data, whereby data from a large number of vehicles that are or were recently in the same local area is transmitted via a central data source, such as a backend server, or even directly from vehicle to vehicle to the respective mobile unit, where the radio transmission channel is to be selected.

[0037] Control data and / or historical data can also be transmitted directly from a first vehicle, particularly one leaving the local area, to a second vehicle, particularly one entering the local area, for example wirelessly in the form of vehicle-to-vehicle (car-to-car) communication. This highly up-to-date data can then be used by the second vehicle to select the radio transmission channel.

[0038] When numerous data transmissions occur simultaneously over a radio transmission channel, it is advantageous to provide a central control system that takes into account the respective data-transmitting applications. This control system can be located wholly or partially in the mobile unit, the local unit, and / or the central unit. It is also advantageous if measured values ​​acquired locally by the mobile unit or the local unit can be made available to the other units via suitable interfaces, for example, via one or more of the radio transmission channels.

[0039] In cases where the mobile unit is a vehicle, the invention is particularly advantageous because it can be connected to a backend server via radio transmission channels and the central unit, and via this server, in turn, to a multitude of other vehicles. It can thus capture and store a large amount of historical data transmitted to it by the respective vehicles from their respective local areas, for example, via the local radio transmission channels. The transmitted data can, in particular, be georeferenced or be georeferenced during storage on the backend server.

[0040] Various algorithms can be implemented to select the radio transmission channel. These algorithms utilize historical data and, if applicable, other data or parameters, as well as their classification, weighting, and combination. For corresponding decisions within the selection process, for example, threshold-based rules, fuzzy logic-based algorithms, and / or algorithms based on the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method can be applied.

[0041] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, channel connection data, so-called external channel connection data, are generated for at least one data transmission process via one of the radio transmission channels in the local area and outside the mobile unit. The selection of the radio transmission channel from the group of radio transmission channels can then be carried out using the external channel connection data. The selection of the radio transmission channel can also be made, in particular, within the mobile unit.

[0042] A transmission technology according to the present invention can in particular provide a cellular network, at least one access point, and / or at least one ad hoc wireless network. The transmission technology can conform to a corresponding technology standard for data transmission, for example, one of the standards - Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), GSM2, GSM3 (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System, UMTS), GSM4 (Long Term Evolution, LTE, LTE-A), - Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) according to the IEEE 802.11x group of standards, - the European Telecommunications Standards Institute Intelligent Transport System ETSI ITS G5 standard, or - the Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) standard, and possibly a specific version thereof, as well as derived standards, or - a different data transmission standard.

[0043] In summary, the invention advantageously enables control-related coordination between control units of different radio transmission channels or communication technologies and / or infrastructure components. The inventive selection method for a radio transmission channel allows, in particular, active resource management and active connection management for the respective radio transmission channels, especially from the mobile unit. These can be application-specific and centrally controlled. Furthermore, a specific cost function advantageously enables optimized handling of the available degrees of freedom in a hybrid network, thereby improving the functional quality during its use.By selectively choosing the radio transmission channel, the energy efficiency of the mobile unit can also be improved, for example by setting a reduced transmission power for the radio transmission channel or by selecting a radio transmission channel with less complex signal processing.

[0044] The invention also makes it possible to save on connection fees for the data link between the mobile unit and the central unit if the external data contains a fee parameter that corresponds to the respective fee rates assigned to the local area and / or time of day for the respective radio transmission channels. The selection of the radio transmission channel can then also be made taking the fee parameter into account.

[0045] Further embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. The figures show: Fig. 1. Schematically, the passage of a motor vehicle through two local areas, Fig. 2. Data transfer for historical data, Fig. 3. A flowchart for selecting a radio transmission channel and Fig. 4. A structure diagram for selecting a radio transmission channel.

[0046] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a hybrid network infrastructure 1, which in this example comprises a GSM 3G mobile network 2, a WLAN network 3, and an ETSI ITS G5 mobile network 4. The network infrastructure 1 can also include other transmission technologies. A corresponding second network infrastructure may also be provided, which is wholly or partially independent of the first network infrastructure and is, for example, operated by a different network operator. The two network infrastructures may use wholly or partially the same components and / or have the same transmission technologies, for example, sharing a base station, but be configured differently in terms of control technology. The GSM 3G mobile network 2 covers two local areas A and B, with the GSM 3G network 2 operating across the entire area. Fig. 1. Two adjacent mobile communication cells 2c and 2d are symbolically indicated, and the indicated dividing line 12 separates the local areas A and B. Local areas can also be referred to as regions or zones, or represent such areas or zones, or be parts thereof. In principle, they can be divided or delimited arbitrarily within a map. Local areas can, but do not have to, border each other seamlessly. They can, for example, overlap. Boundaries of local areas can be defined, for example, by the boundaries of radio network cells within a mobile network.

[0047] Within local area A of the GSM 3G mobile network 2 of network infrastructure 1, two local units in the form of mobile base stations 2a and 2b are shown, each with at least one mobile antenna, as well as a mobile network controller 5 operated by the mobile network operator, through which, among other things, the corresponding mobile data is communicated. The mobile network controller 5 is in turn connected to a central unit 6, which can also exchange data with the two other networks 3 (WLAN) and 4 (ETSI ITS 5). This connection can be at least partially wired. Within the WLAN network 3, a local unit in the form of a WLAN base station 3a, which includes a WLAN antenna, and a WLAN network controller 13 are also provided in local area B.The ETSI ITS G5 mobile network 4 includes a local unit in the form of an ETSI ITS 5 base station 4a, which comprises at least one ETSI ITS 5 antenna and an ETSI ITS 5 network controller 14. The WLAN network 3 includes a WLAN radio cell 3a in local area B, within which wireless communication with a mobile unit based on WLAN transmission technology is possible. The ETSI ITS G5 mobile network 4 includes an ITS radio cell 4b in local area B, within which wireless communication with a mobile unit based on ETSI ITS G5 transmission technology is possible.

[0048] In Fig. Figure 1 schematically depicts a motor vehicle 7, whose dimensions are not to scale with respect to the size of the mobile communication cell 2c. In this example, the vehicle 7 comprises several components for radio-based data transmission. A communication controller 8 allows the selection of the radio transmission technology for wireless communication based on the three aforementioned radio transmission technologies. Data transmission then takes place via a GSM communication module 9, which supports GSM3 transmission technology, a WLAN communication module 10, which supports WLAN transmission technology, or a communication module 11, which supports ETSI ITS G5 transmission technology. The communication controller 8 selects which of the modules 9, 10, or 11—i.e., which radio transmission channel—is used to establish a data connection between the vehicle 7 and the central unit 6.The selection (vertical handover) is repeated in particular when the motor vehicle 7, by moving in the direction of C, has reached the specified local area B from the specified local area A.

[0049] In Fig. Figure 2 shows the vehicle 7 again in local area A, where, in addition to the radio transmission modules 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11, sensors 16a are also shown. These sensors are used to detect radio transmission parameters of the respective radio transmission channels, such as the signal strength. The measured values ​​of the radio transmission parameters can then be used for selection or vertical handover. Furthermore, the vehicle 7 is equipped with a central vehicle control unit 19a, which is connected to the communication control unit 8 for data exchange and control of the radio transmission. The vehicle control unit 19a receives measurement data from vehicle-internal sensors 18a, such as speed sensors, position sensors, acceleration sensors, etc. This data, acquired locally in the mobile unit or in the vehicle 7, can be used in the communication control unit 8 for selecting the radio transmission channel.The communication controller 8 can also store historical, georeferenced data acquired by the sensors in the vehicle 7 during previous journeys through local area A. This data can also be used to select the radio transmission channel in local area A. Furthermore, the controller 8 can retrieve historical data from a data storage device 15 of the central unit 6 via an existing radio connection, which is used to control the selection of the radio transmission channel. This historical data can also be georeferenced to local area A using position coordinates. The central unit 6 can also retrieve data from other sources 6a and provide it to the communication controller 8, or send it to the controller, which can then use it to select the radio transmission channel.For example, another data source 6a can be provided by a mobile network operator, through which the network operator provides current information about disruptions. Such current or historical data from network operators can be time-based and / or georeferenced.

[0050] In Fig. 2. In local area B, a vehicle 17 is located, which also has the components described above for vehicle 7. However, vehicle 17 is currently leaving local area B in its direction of travel D. The communication control unit 8a of the mobile unit or vehicle 17 transmits data about radio transmission channels, acquired while the vehicle 17 is in local area B, to the central unit, which stores this data as historical data. A timestamp can be assigned to the receipt of the data to ensure its currency when later forwarded to other vehicles. The acquired data can be measured values ​​from the radio sensors 16b and / or the vehicle sensors 18b, but can also include interference or other data.Error messages from the respective radio transmission modules 9a, 10a, 11a and / or the communication control 8a, or other previously recorded historical data or experience maps stored in the communication control 8a.

[0051] In Fig. Figure 3 shows a flowchart for selecting a radio transmission channel, also called channel selection. In the first phase (20), the decision is prepared. In the second phase (21), the decision is made based on information from step 20 and predefined rules, determining which transmission channel to select. In the third phase (22), the receiver is configured accordingly to enable data transmission via the selected channel. Phases 20, 21, and 22 of the channel selection process are repeated at regular intervals to ensure uninterrupted data transmission with the highest possible data rate, even when the mobile device is in motion. These phases can also be triggered by location information, with a new iteration occurring when predefined geographical areas are reached.Furthermore, a road map and current sensor data from a vehicle, such as its speed, steering angle, etc., can be used to predict when the mobile device or vehicle will be within a predefined area. Data from a route programmed into a navigation system, on which the vehicle is currently located, can also be used. Based on this information and other information described previously or subsequently, such as available radio transmission channels, decision criteria, and in particular preliminary decisions or even a final decision, can be proactively provided or made regarding the selection of a radio transmission channel in a local area that the mobile device or vehicle will only reach at a later time.This allows any handover process to be carried out quickly, efficiently and without disruption, in particular without interruption, upon arrival in the area.

[0052] Phase 20 is divided into four steps. In step 20a, criteria can be determined either locally at the receiver based on directly measured or scanned values, or collaboratively. In a collaborative determination, data on currently and / or soon-to-be-available networks can also be obtained from other data sources, such as an availability map provided by a central data service or an experience map compiled over time at the receiver, each based on a multitude of empirically determined data. In step 20b, a rule-based preselection of transmission channels takes place, which can also be performed locally, collaboratively, or a combination of both. Locally, for example, a transmission channel can be excluded based on a lower data transmission speed limit or a lower radio power limit.For example, a central data service can cooperatively advise against using a network service and therefore exclude a transmission channel using that network service. For instance, the network operator can provide information that a specific network or radio transmission channel is congested in the relevant local area. Based on this information, the radio transmission channel in question can be excluded from selection.

[0053] In step 20c, the predefined, decision-relevant key performance indicators (KPIs) are evaluated, and a quality score is derived for each transmission channel. Various performance metrics, such as data transmission rate, signal strength, spectral efficiency, receiver energy consumption, data transmission latency, signal-to-noise ratio, signal dropouts, local preference settings, etc., can be assessed locally for each channel using evaluation rules. Preamble data from transmission protocol data and / or the temporal integration of measured values ​​can also be used for this purpose. The performance indicators can also include additional information such as tariff information or preference information for the respective radio transmission channels. Both local and / or cooperative evaluations can also be performed in step 20c.In step 20d, the available radio transmission channels are evaluated, and a sequence can also be formed according to a predefined rule.

[0054] In the Fig. Figure 4 illustrates a process flow diagram for selecting a radio transmission channel from a group of different radio transmission channels in a mobile unit, which can be used for the process variants described above. For this purpose, the mobile unit, for example, in the Fig.In the communication control unit 8 shown in Figure 1, a processor 25 is provided which executes a corresponding computer program that performs the selection procedure. Various data are also loaded into the processor 25 to control the selection procedure. In particular, control parameters 31, so-called intelligent data planning parameters (IDP parameters), are loaded into the processor 25. These parameters determine, for example, which of several selection algorithms supported by the computer program are used for the selection procedure. Furthermore, corresponding network parameters 26, provided in particular by the central unit, the local units, and / or the mobile unit, are loaded into the processor 25 for each of the radio transmission channels available in the group. Additionally, sensor data 27, which are acquired in particular by the mobile unit, are loaded into the processor 25.This can include, for example, data from radio-specific sensors or data from vehicle-specific sensors. In addition, map data 28 can be loaded into the processor 25, for example, regarding the topology of the area where the mobile unit is currently located or which it will reach based on a route loaded into a navigation system, as well as corresponding sensor data about the current location, such as Global Positioning System (GPS) data or derived data like speed data. Furthermore, external data 29 can be loaded into the processor 25, provided by and retrieved from a data source external to the mobile unit, such as the central processing unit.

[0055] Both external and local data can be historical data, particularly data collected and stored from previous radio communications in the same local area where the mobile unit is currently located, using the same radio transmission channels. However, historical data can also be based on other constraints, such as a time period indicating that a particular radio transmission channel was heavily congested and therefore relatively unavailable during a specific timeframe. A corresponding dataset containing historical data for a multitude of local areas or regions can be provided as a historical map. Corresponding historical data stored in the mobile unit, specifically derived from measurements taken by the mobile unit's sensors, can also be loaded into the processor 25 as local historical data 30.

[0056] When the computer program executed in processor 25 has processed the respective loaded data, at least one data record or control value 32 is output, which is used in the mobile unit to select a radio transmission channel from the group of available radio transmission channels, in particular by switching the mobile unit to the respective communication module of the respective radio transmission channel.

[0057] The following categories of information can be used individually or in combination to select the radio transmission channel: - Traffic information - Network utilization - Availability map - Experience map and / or - Street map.

[0058] The information can be georeferenced, allowing for the creation of a complex, multi-layered information landscape or map landscape. This information can include current and / or historical data.

[0059] The described devices and system components are controlled in particular by computer programs and may also include other elements of computers and digital control devices that are known per se, such as a microprocessor, volatile and non-volatile memory, interfaces, etc.

[0060] The invention can therefore also be realized wholly or partially in the form of a computer program product that, when loaded and executed on a computer, wholly or partially effects a process according to the invention. It can, for example, be provided in the form of an electronically readable data carrier.

Claims

[1] Method for selecting a radio transmission channel from a group of radio transmission channels, each corresponding to different transmission technologies and / or utilizing different infrastructure components, for establishing a data connection between a mobile unit (7, 17) and a central unit (6), wherein - the central unit (6) is connectable to a first local unit (2a, 2b, 3a, 4a) located in a local area (A, B), via which a data transmission connection to the mobile unit (7, 17) can be established using a first radio transmission channel that corresponds to a first transmission technology of the different transmission technologies and / or uses a first infrastructure component, - the central unit (6) is connectable to a second local unit (2a, 2b, 3a, 4a) located in the local area (A, B), via which a connection to the mobile unit (7, 17) can be established using a second radio transmission channel, which corresponds to a second transmission technology of the different transmission technologies and / or uses a second infrastructure component, - wherein the mobile unit (7, 17) has at least two radio units (9, 10, 11) each configured for data transmission via one of the two radio transmission channels, - wherein the mobile unit (7, 17) is a first vehicle (7, 17) and the selection takes place in the mobile unit (7, 17), - wherein the selection of the radio transmission channel from the group of radio transmission channels is made by means of control data that are generated and / or stored outside the mobile unit (7, 17), and - wherein the criteria for the selection of the radio transmission channel are determined both locally in the mobile unit (7, 17) based on measured and / or scanned values ​​and cooperatively in such a way that data about radio transmission channels are also received and used by the central unit (6) and wherein data about currently and / or soon to be available networks are provided by a central data service as an availability map. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by , that data about currently and / or soon-to-be-available networks are determined on the receiver side by means of an experience map created over time, which is based on a large number of empirically determined data. [3] Method according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized by that a rule-based preselection of transmission channels takes place, whereby this is done locally, cooperatively or in a combination of local and cooperative methods. [4] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a transmission channel is excluded based on a lower speed limit for data transmission or a lower radio power limit. [5] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a central data service advises against the use of a network service and therefore a transmission channel using this network service is excluded. [6] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the first vehicle (7, 17) can be connected to a backend server via the radio transmission channels and the central unit (6) and can in turn be connected to a large number of other vehicles (7, 17) via this server. [7] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the control data is generated, provided and / or transmitted to the mobile unit (7, 17) by the central unit (6) and / or at least one of the local units (2a, 3a, 4a). [8] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a control component provided in the mobile unit (7, 17), a control component provided in the central unit (6) and / or a control component provided in one of the local units (2a, 2b, 3a, 4a) work together to select the radio transmission channel. [9] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a second vehicle (7,17) is provided as a data source for a cooperative determination of the criteria for the selection of the radio transmission channel. [10] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the first vehicle (7, 17) enters the local area and control data is transmitted directly from a second vehicle (7, 17) exiting the local area to the first vehicle (7, 17) and this data is used by the first vehicle (7, 17) to select the radio transmission channel. [11] Device for selecting a radio transmission channel from a group of radio transmission channels, each corresponding to different transmission technologies and / or utilizing different infrastructure components, and with which a data connection between a mobile unit (7, 17) and a central unit (6) can be established, comprising means for carrying out a method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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