Methods for reducing the decoding computational effort of a vehicle-to-X communication system and vehicle-to-X communication system

Abstract

Method for reducing the decoding computational effort of a vehicle-to-X communication system (201) in conjunction with another vehicle-internal system, wherein vehicle-to-X messages are received and sent by means of a communication unit (202) of the vehicle-to-X communication system, wherein the vehicle-to-X messages each comprise at least one payload portion and at least one header portion, wherein at least one of the user data components is transmitted in encoded form, characterized in that, upon receiving the messages, the information contained in the header data component is used as a basis for the transmission of the user data component. - a forwarding of at least one encoded user data component of a received vehicle-to-X message from the vehicle-to-X communication system to at least the other vehicle-internal system is carried out, or - a decoding of at least one encoded user data component is performed by the vehicle-to-X communication system.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for reducing the decoding computation effort of a vehicle-to-X communication system according to the preamble of claim 1, a vehicle-to-X communication system according to the preamble of claim 10 and its use.

[0002] Vehicle-to-X communication systems are already known in the prior art, which are designed to transmit both traffic-related data and various service data, such as entertainment applications. Vehicle-to-X communication is based both on the exchange of data between vehicles (vehicle-to-vehicle communication) and on the exchange of data between vehicles and infrastructure facilities (vehicle-to-infrastructure communication). In order not to overload the limited number of communication channels available for data transmission, the transmitted vehicle-to-X messages are often at least partially compressed. Compatibility of the data format of vehicle-to-X messages is also known in the prior art in order to enable mutual communication between different vehicle-to-X communication systems.Due to the high requirements for reliability and data security of information transmitted via vehicle-to-X communication, such information is often additionally provided with a complex security signature.

[0003] Vehicle-to-X communication based on IEEE 802.11p is currently being introduced to the market. Vehicle-to-X communication based on IEEE 802.11p, IEEE 1609, or ITS-G5 typically uses ASN.1 (Abstract Syntax Notation One) to encode transmitted data. ASN.1 is state of the art and standardized by ITU-T and ISO. Coding rules define how ASN.1 data values ​​are encoded at the bit level. In Europe, for example, the so-called "Packed Encoding Rules" (PER) are used to reduce the amount of data sent. In the USA, so-called "Basic Encoding Rules" (BER) and "Distinguished Encoding Rules" (DER) are used. Translating these encoding rules into data streams usable by software requires considerable computing resources, especially with PER.

[0004] To reduce the computational effort required to decode vehicle-to-X messages, WO 2013004750 A1 discloses a data selection method for a vehicle-to-X communication system, wherein the vehicle-to-X messages comprise a payload portion and a header data portion, the header data portion being transmitted uncoded and the payload data portion being coded, in particular, according to the ASN.1 standard. Based on the header data portion, a plurality of received vehicle-to-X messages are weighted into at least two categories, with decoding of the payload data portion being weight-dependent. Weighting the received vehicle-to-X messages provides the advantage that not all payload data portions of the received vehicle-to-X messages need to be decoded, regardless of their relevance for the system's own use.This, in turn, makes it possible to obtain all relevant information, and if necessary, further process or respond to it, with significantly reduced computing power of the coding unit and thus significantly lower manufacturing costs. The unencrypted header data portion and the directly readable and processable information it contains provide a straightforward, analyzable basis for reliably weighting vehicle-to-X messages.

[0005] Document EP 1 475 941 A1 discloses a scalable provision of a service for an entertainment and information processing device in a vehicle.

[0006] The document US 2006 / 0 291 803 A1 discloses a system for packet-based transport of image material, wherein protection against unauthorized access is implemented.

[0007] The document DE 10 2011 107 111 A1 discloses a method for reducing the decoding computational effort of a vehicle-to-X communication system, wherein received messages are divided into different relevance classes and further processed depending on the relevance class.

[0008] The document US 2011 / 0 080 302 A1 discloses measures to reduce the load on computing systems by selectively discarding data.

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide an alternative or supplementary means to reduce the decoding computational effort of a vehicle-to-X communication system for received vehicle-to-X messages.

[0010] This problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments can be found, for example, in the subclaims. The content of the claims is incorporated into the content of the description by express reference.

[0011] The invention describes a method for reducing the decoding computational effort of a vehicle-to-X communication system in cooperation with another vehicle-internal vehicle system, wherein vehicle-to-X messages are received and sent by means of a communication unit of the vehicle-to-X communication system, wherein the vehicle-to-X messages each comprise at least one payload data portion and at least one header data portion, wherein at least the respective at least one payload data portion is transmitted in coded form. The method is characterized in that upon receiving the messages, depending on at least one piece of information comprised by the header data portion - forwarding of at least the coded user data portion of a received vehicle-to-X message from the vehicle-to-X communication system to at least the further vehicle-internal system, or - a decoding of at least one coded user data portion is carried out by the vehicle-to-X communication system.

[0012] It should be understood that this also includes the forwarding of the entire received vehicle-to-X message.

[0013] The invention is based on the idea of ​​maintaining the coding of incoming vehicle-to-X messages during in-vehicle communication between different vehicle systems, particularly even if the data to be forwarded has already been reduced based on the information in the vehicle-to-X header. The headers of the vehicle-to-X messages are still uncoded or are comparatively simply encoded and may nevertheless contain relevant information, such as the position of a transmitter. Forwarding the received vehicle-to-X messages in accordance with the method according to the invention has the advantage that not all payload data components of the received vehicle-to-X messages have to be decoded by the vehicle-to-X communication system.This, in turn, makes it possible to obtain all relevant information and, if necessary, to further process or react to it, with a significantly reduced design of the computing power of the coding unit and thus reduced manufacturing costs. The header data portion transmitted in uncoded or comparatively simply coded form and the information contained therein, which is essentially directly readable and processable, provide a cost-effective, analyzable basis for assigning incoming vehicle-to-X messages to at least one further vehicle system different from the vehicle-to-X communication system, in particular a driver assistance system. Communication between the vehicle-to-X communication system and the further vehicle system is expediently carried out by electronic control units assigned to each of them, which are also designed, in particular, to control or regulate the underlying system.Due to the elimination of any decoding calculations, particularly large resource savings result for the vehicle-to-X communication system, especially in the case of uncoded transmission of at least one header data component.

[0014] According to a development of the invention, the payload portion of received vehicle-to-X messages is decoded by the additional vehicle system. Accordingly, according to the development, the decoding of the data is provided by means of the additional vehicle system. If, for example, a transceiver for vehicle-to-X communication is comprised or operated by an electronic control unit of the vehicle-to-X communication system, such as an intelligent antenna module, and an electronic control unit of the additional vehicle system is provided for processing received data, the proposed retention of decoding during in-vehicle communication means that the computing resources to be maintained by the first control unit can be comparatively small, and possibly even unused resources of the additional electronic control unit can be used for decoding.Furthermore, according to one embodiment, the additional vehicle system processes the decoded data of the payload portion. Depending on the results of the processing, the additional vehicle system can execute control or regulation measures.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the at least one additional vehicle system is configured to warn a driver and / or intervene in the vehicle control system and / or override a driver command. This results in the advantage that the payload data of the received vehicle-to-X messages can be used to avert dangerous situations and possibly even to prevent accidents without the driver's involvement or despite the driver's control input.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, the further vehicle system is designed as an airbag system and / or driver assistance system.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, the forwarding takes place depending on at least one piece of information included in the header data portion.

[0018] According to a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the at least one header data portion comprises at least one of the following information: - satellite-based position information of a transmitter, - Speed ​​information of the transmitter, - Transmitter alignment information, - Identity information of the sender, - timestamp, - Category information of the vehicle-to-X message and - Accuracy marking of at least one of the total information included.

[0019] This information provides a reliable basis for deciding whether a received vehicle-to-X message or the encoded payload portion should be forwarded, and if so, which other vehicle system(s) potentially require the information contained therein. For example, vehicle-to-X messages from senders that are sufficiently distant from the receiver, that are located behind the receiver, and that simultaneously have a different orientation, or vehicle-to-X messages whose timestamps have exceeded a certain time threshold and mark the vehicle-to-X message as no longer current, can be excluded as comparatively less relevant or irrelevant for forwarding and / or decoding.

[0020] Particularly preferred is that the coding be performed according to the ASN.1 standard. This standard has already been successfully tested by ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute) in the context of vehicle-to-X communication and is or will be used in vehicle-to-X communication systems.

[0021] According to a further development of the invention, the coded payload portion of incoming vehicle-to-X messages is decoded on a cyclical basis. Cyclical decoding is understood to mean, in particular, that a coded payload portion is only decoded at predefined time intervals and / or after a predefined number of incoming vehicle-to-X messages. Accordingly, for example, a coded payload portion of an incoming vehicle-to-X message is only decoded if the predefined time period has elapsed, for example, after the last decoding, or if a predefined number of vehicle-to-X messages have been received. The payload portions of the further vehicle-to-X messages received during the predefined time period or until the predefined number is reached are accordingly discarded.The cyclic decoding can be performed by the vehicle-to-X communication system or the other vehicle system, whereby in the case of decoding by the vehicle-to-X communication system, the encoded and / or decoded payload data portion can be forwarded. This is based on the idea that not all vehicle-to-X messages ultimately need to be used for further processing, since only truly essential messages should lead to a reaction from a vehicle system, and all other messages are usually discarded during the processing chain. This approach is based on the assumption that essential vehicle-to-X messages are sent considerably more frequently than less essential messages. This statistically determines the probable evaluation of an essential message within a specific period of time.

[0022] According to a further development, the vehicle-to-X communication system and / or the additional vehicle system carries out a model-based update, in particular, of information relating to a sender transmitting the received vehicle-to-X message, in particular to another road user. For example, the position of the object in question is updated in this manner. This information is expediently updated until relevant information is received from the sender, in particular via a subsequent vehicle-to-X message. The update is particularly effective if the coded payload portion of received vehicle-to-X messages is decoded on a cyclical basis, as described above.The advantage of updating essentially eliminates any additional computational effort, as this type of update often has to be performed anyway to include other data, such as driving dynamics data from the vehicle itself and / or data from other road users and / or infrastructure for plausibility checks. Another advantage is that the computational effort required for decoding is eliminated.

[0023] According to a further development of the invention, vehicle-to-X messages or the encoded payload data portions are not forwarded if the insignificance of the information in the payload data portion is determined based on a header data portion. Therefore, if it can already be determined based on the information in the header data portion that a vehicle-to-X message does not require further consideration, the message is expediently not forwarded or decode. For example, if ASN.1-encoded data does not suggest any increase in decision quality based on an examination of the information in the header data portion of a vehicle-to-X message, decoding of this ASN.1-encoded data is omitted according to this embodiment.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, a vehicle-to-X message or the coded payload data portion is not forwarded if the information contained in the received vehicle-to-X message is used to verify information obtained by environmental sensors and the verification can be carried out using the information in the header data portion. This procedure is particularly expedient if a measure is carried out based on the environmental sensor information. This can be the case, for example, if it can already be determined from the message type that a detected object is important for environmental processing and the verification of the environmental sensor information can be carried out using the position from the header data portion.

[0025] Preferably, encoding of the at least one payload data portion comprises data compression and / or data compatability, and decoding of the at least one payload data portion comprises data decompression and / or system-dependent data conversion. This keeps the data transfer volume as low as possible, which is an important advantage in view of the limited transmission bandwidth provided for vehicle-to-X communication with the large number of communication participants involved. On the other hand, compatability ensures that communication participants with different vehicle-to-X communication systems can also communicate with each other, regardless of the internally used, possibly manufacturer-dependent, data format.

[0026] It is expedient for the header data portion to have a data format that can be processed by essentially all known vehicle-to-X communication systems without prior decoding. This results in the advantage that the header data portion can be immediately and easily used by all receivers to weight received vehicle-to-X messages. A separate compatibility step to convert the header data portion into a suitable data format is therefore unnecessary. This avoids both unnecessary computational effort and the need to maintain additional computing capacity.

[0027] According to the further development, the decoding of the payload portion is preceded by a known data security check of a data security portion of the vehicle-to-X message, in particular a known data security check of a digital data security certificate included in the vehicle-to-X message. This makes it possible to further reduce the number of payload portions to be decoded, since a vehicle-to-X message whose data security check identifies the vehicle-to-X message as untrustworthy is logically not decoded after the data security check. However, this procedure does not result in any loss of information, since the information content of the payload portion was not identified as untrustworthy and therefore would not be processed further after its decoding for security reasons anyway.

[0028] The invention further relates to a vehicle-to-X communication system, comprising a communication unit for receiving and sending vehicle-to-X messages, a generation unit for generating vehicle-to-X messages to be sent in at least one header data portion and at least one payload data portion, and a coding unit for coding at least the at least one payload data portion of the vehicle-to-X messages to be sent, wherein the vehicle-to-X communication system further comprises a forwarding unit. The forwarding unit and the coding unit are designed, upon receiving the messages, to - to forward at least one coded user data portion of the received vehicle-to-X messages to at least the other vehicle-internal system, or - to decode at least one coded portion of the user data by the vehicle-to-X communication system.

[0029] The vehicle-to-X communication system is configured to implement an embodiment of the method according to the invention in cooperation with another vehicle-internal system. The interaction of the vehicle-to-X communication system with another vehicle system thus results in the advantages already described for the method according to the invention. According to a further development, the coding unit is further configured to decode at least one coded payload data portion of received vehicle-to-X messages.

[0030] The forwarding unit is designed in accordance with further developments to carry out the forwarding depending on at least one piece of information contained in the header data portion.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the coding unit is configured to decode the coded payload data portion on a cyclic basis. As already described for one embodiment of the method according to the invention, according to a further development, alternatively or additionally, a further vehicle system that receives at least the coded payload data portions can be configured to decode the coded payload data portion on a cyclic basis.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the vehicle-to-X communication system comprises an update unit configured to update information relating to a transmitter transmitting the received vehicle-to-X message. As already described for one embodiment of the method according to the invention, according to a further development, a further vehicle system receiving at least the coded payload data components can alternatively or additionally comprise an update unit configured to update information relating to a transmitter transmitting the received vehicle-to-X message.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the forwarding unit is designed not to forward at least the coded payload data portions through the vehicle-to-X communication system if the insignificance of the information of the payload data portion for the at least one further vehicle system is determined on the basis of the header data portion.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the forwarding unit is designed not to forward at least the coded payload data portion if the information included in the received vehicle-to-X message is used to verify information obtained by means of environmental sensors of the vehicle and the verification can be carried out using the information of the header data portion.

[0035] In accordance with the further development, the system is characterized by the fact that it additionally includes a data security unit for creating a data security portion of vehicle-to-X messages to be sent and for checking the data security portion of received vehicle-to-X messages. This allows vehicle-to-X messages to be checked for their reliability. Given that the vehicle-to-X messages may be used by suitable driver assistance systems as a basis for autonomous vehicle control interventions, the data security unit thus enables an increase in vehicle safety in traffic.

[0036] Furthermore, it is advantageous for the communication unit and / or the generation unit and / or the forwarding unit and / or the coding unit and / or the data security unit and / or the updating unit to comprise a common chipset, in particular a common electronic arithmetic unit. This provides the advantage that each of the aforementioned devices does not need to be provided with its own arithmetic unit, which further simplifies the manufacturing process and further reduces production costs. The shared access of different devices to the same arithmetic unit also results in effective and fast data linking between the devices.

[0037] It is preferably provided that the communication unit is designed for communication by means of at least one of the following connection types: - WLAN connection, especially according to IEEE 802.11, - ISM connection (Industrial, Scientific, Medical Band), - Bluetooth, - ZigBee, - UWB, - WiMax, - Infrared connection and - Mobile phone connection.

[0038] These connection types offer different advantages depending on the type, wavelength, and data protocol used. For example, some of the connection types mentioned enable a comparatively high data transfer rate and a comparatively fast connection setup, while others are largely well-suited for data transmission around line-of-sight obstructions. Combining and using several of these connection types simultaneously or in parallel offers further advantages, as they can also compensate for the disadvantages of individual connection types.

[0039] In a further development of the specified communication system, the specified system comprises at least one data memory, e.g., a semiconductor memory, and at least one processor. The parts relating to the specified method are stored in the data memory in the form of a computer program, and the processor is provided to execute the method when the computer program is loaded from the data memory into the processor.

[0040] According to a further aspect of the invention, a computer program comprises program code means for performing all steps of one of the specified methods when the computer program is executed on a computer or one of the specified systems.

[0041] According to a further aspect of the invention, a computer program product contains a program code which is stored on a computer-readable data carrier and which, when executed on a data processing device, carries out one of the specified methods.

[0042] The invention further relates to the use of the vehicle-to-X communication system in a vehicle.

[0043] Some particularly advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims. Further preferred embodiments will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the figures.

[0044] It shows Fig. 1 a flow chart showing the individual steps of a possible embodiment of the method according to the invention and Fig. 2 schematically shows a possible structure of the vehicle-to-X communication system according to the invention.

[0045] Fig. 1 shows the sequence of the method according to the invention as a flowchart. In step 10, a vehicle-to-X message is received by means of a communication unit of a vehicle-to-X communication system. In the following step 20, the header data portion of the vehicle-to-X message is read and evaluated. Depending on the evaluation of the header data portion, the vehicle-to-X communication system forwards at least the coded payload data portion of the received vehicle-to-X message to at least one further vehicle system in step 30. By way of example, the further vehicle system is designed as a driver assistance system. After at least the coded payload data portion has been received by the at least one further vehicle system, the coded payload data portion is decoded by the further vehicle system in step 40. In step 50, the decoded data of the payload data portion is processed by the further vehicle system.For example, the data in the payload portion can be used to verify data from vehicle sensors used to detect the vehicle's surroundings. Depending on the results of processing the data in the payload portion, measures to respond to a traffic situation are initiated in step 60, if necessary. For example, a warning signal is issued to a driver of the vehicle and / or an intervention in the vehicle control system is performed to influence the vehicle dynamics.

[0046] In Fig.2 shows vehicle-to-X communication system 201, which is designed to implement the method according to the invention. Vehicle-to-X communication system 201 comprises communication unit 202, coding unit 203, generation unit 206, forwarding unit 204, and data security unit 205, which are connected to electronic computing unit 207 via data lines 408. Communication unit 202 has WLAN connection means 209 according to IEEE 802.11 and / or mobile radio connection means 210 for receiving and sending vehicle-to-X messages. Generation unit 206 generates vehicle-to-X messages to be sent in a header data portion, a payload data portion, and a data security portion. In this exemplary embodiment, received vehicle-to-X messages are first checked by data security unit 205 for their data security and reliability.Vehicle-to-X messages from malicious senders with deliberately false information content are thus detected and discarded. The remaining vehicle-to-X messages are then forwarded to forwarding unit 204. Forwarding unit 204 processes the uncoded or comparatively simply coded header data portions of the received vehicle-to-X messages forwarded by data security unit 205 and forwards the vehicle-to-X messages to another vehicle system based on the information in the header data portions or transmits them to coding unit 203. Coding unit 203 encodes the payload data portions of vehicle-to-X messages to be sent according to the ASN.1 standard and decodes the payload data portions of received vehicle-to-X messages, provided decoding is provided in accordance with the evaluation regarding the forwarding of the vehicle-to-X messages.Vehicle-to-X messages can also be marked as irrelevant, i.e., "irrelevant" to the vehicle, by forwarding unit 204 based on the information in the header data portions. These messages are neither decoded by coding unit 203 nor forwarded to and processed by the other vehicle system. The coded payload data portions or the vehicle-to-X messages are made available to the corresponding other vehicle systems by forwarding unit 204 via data line 211. Since all devices belonging to vehicle-to-X communication system 201 jointly access electronic computing unit 207, a fast and effective data exchange between the devices is ensured. Likewise, the computing capacity provided by electronic computing unit 207 can be made available to the various devices flexibly and as needed.Since, due to the forwarding in coded form, only a portion of vehicle-to-X messages relating in particular to the vehicle-to-X communication system 201 as such needs to be decoded by the coding unit 203, the computing capacity of the electronic computing unit 207 can be designed to be correspondingly reduced, which reduces the manufacturing costs of the overall system.

[0047] If it becomes apparent during the proceedings that a feature or group of features is no longer absolutely necessary, the applicant will now endeavor to formulate at least one independent claim that no longer includes the feature or group of features. This may, for example, be a subcombination of a claim existing on the filing date or a subcombination of a claim existing on the filing date that is limited by additional features. Such newly formulated claims or combinations of features are to be understood as being covered by the disclosure of this application.

[0048] It should also be noted that configurations, features, and variants of the invention described in the various embodiments and / or shown in the figures can be combined with one another as desired. Individual or multiple features are interchangeable. Resulting feature combinations are to be understood as being covered by the disclosure of this application.

[0049] References in dependent claims are not to be understood as a waiver of independent, objective protection for the features of the referenced subclaims. These features can also be combined with other features as desired.

[0050] Features that are disclosed only in the description, or features that are disclosed in the description or in a claim only in conjunction with other features, can, in principle, be of independent, essential significance to the invention. They can therefore also be included individually in claims to distinguish them from the prior art.

[0051] In general, it should be noted that vehicle-to-X communication is understood to mean, in particular, direct communication between vehicles and / or between vehicles and infrastructure facilities. For example, it can therefore be vehicle-to-vehicle communication or vehicle-to-infrastructure communication. If reference is made in this application to communication between vehicles, this can generally take place, for example, within the framework of vehicle-to-vehicle communication, which typically takes place without mediation by a mobile network or a similar external infrastructure and which must therefore be distinguished from other solutions that are based on a mobile network, for example. For example, vehicle-to-X communication can take place using the IEEE 802.11p or IEEE 1609.4 standards. Vehicle-to-X communication can also be referred to as C2X communication or V2X communication.The sub-areas can be referred to as C2C (car-to-car) or C2I (car-to-infrastructure). However, the invention does not explicitly exclude vehicle-to-X communication with mediation, for example, via a mobile network.

Claims

[1] Method for reducing the decoding computation effort of a vehicle-to-X communication system (201) in cooperation with another vehicle-internal vehicle system, wherein vehicle-to-X messages are received and sent by means of a communication unit (202) of the vehicle-to-X communication system, wherein the vehicle-to-X messages each comprise at least one payload data portion and at least one header data portion, wherein at least one of the respective payload data components is transmitted in coded form, characterized by that when receiving the messages, depending on the information contained in the header data - forwarding of at least one coded user data portion of a received vehicle-to-X message from the vehicle-to-X communication system to at least the other vehicle-internal system, or - a decoding of at least one coded user data portion is carried out by the vehicle-to-X communication system. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by that the coded user data portion is decoded by the other vehicle system. [3] Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the at least one further vehicle system is designed to warn a driver and / or to intervene in the vehicle control and / or to override a driver command. [4] Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the additional vehicle system is designed as an airbag system and / or driver assistance system. [5] Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the forwarding by the vehicle-to-X communication system is carried out depending on at least one piece of information contained in the header data portion. [6] Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the coded payload data portion is decode on a cyclic basis. [7] Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the vehicle-to-X communication system and / or the further vehicle system updates information concerning a transmitter sending the received vehicle-to-X message. [8] Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat at least the coded user data portions are not forwarded by the vehicle-to-X communication system if the insignificance of the information in the user data portion for at least one other vehicle system is determined on the basis of the header data portion. [9] Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by that at least the coded user data portion is not forwarded if the information contained in the received vehicle-to-X message is used to verify information obtained by means of environmental sensors and the verification can be carried out using the information in the header data portion. [10] Vehicle-to-X communication system (201), which is designed in cooperation with another vehicle-internal vehicle system for carrying out a method according to at least one of claims 1 to 9, comprising a communication unit (202) for receiving and sending vehicle-to-X messages, a generation unit (206) for generating vehicle-to-X messages to be sent in at least one header data portion and at least one payload data portion, a coding unit (203) for coding at least the at least one payload data portion of the vehicle-to-X messages to be sent, characterized by a forwarding unit (204), wherein the forwarding unit (204) and the coding unit (203) are designed, upon receiving the messages, to determine the coding unit in dependence on information contained in the header data portion - to forward at least one coded user data portion of the received vehicle-to-X messages to at least the other vehicle-internal system, or - to decode at least one coded portion of the user data by the vehicle-to-X communication system. [11] Vehicle-to-X communication system according to claim 10, characterized by that the forwarding unit is designed to carry out the forwarding depending on at least one piece of information included in the header data portion. [12] Vehicle-to-X communication system according to at least one of claims 10 or 11, characterized by that the coding unit is designed to decode the encoded user data portion on a cyclic basis. [13] Vehicle-to-X communication system according to at least one of claims 10 to 12, characterized bythat the vehicle-to-X communication system comprises an updating unit which is designed to carry out an update of information relating to a transmitter transmitting the received vehicle-to-X message. [14] Vehicle-to-X communication system according to at least one of claims 10 to 13, characterized by that the forwarding unit is designed not to forward at least the coded user data portions through the vehicle-to-X communication system if the insignificance of the information of the user data portion for the at least one further vehicle system is determined on the basis of the header data portion. [15] Vehicle-to-X communication system according to at least one of claims 10 to 14, characterized bythat the forwarding unit is designed not to forward at least the coded user data portion if the information contained in the received vehicle-to-X message is used to verify information obtained by means of environmental sensors and the verification can be carried out using the information in the header data portion. [16] Use of the vehicle-to-X communication system according to at least one of claims 10 to 15.

Images