Method, vehicle and warning device for transmitting spike signals

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for data transmission in a communication system (100) comprising at least one first vehicle (1) with a first communication device (10) and an environment detection device (20), wherein the first communication device (10) of the first vehicle (1) and at least one further communication device (10) of the communication system (100) are configured for transmitting spike signals (101). At least one potentially dangerous traffic situation is detected by means of the environment detection device (20). A criticality level and a minimum reaction time are assigned to each detected potentially dangerous traffic situation.Based on the degree of criticality and the minimum reaction time, a coding strategy for the transmission of spike signals (101) with the first communication device (10) is selected and activated at least during the minimum reaction time such that a spike signal (101) set up to avert the detected potentially dangerous traffic situation can be transmitted within the reaction time with minimal expenditure of transmission bandwidth and / or transmission energy.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for data transmission in a communication system comprising at least one vehicle. Furthermore, the invention relates to a vehicle and a warning device with a communication device configured for carrying out such a method.

[0002] Known vehicle communication systems for collision avoidance transmit data between vehicles and / or between vehicles and central servers. The transmitted data describes the traffic situation in the vicinity of the respective vehicle. Known vehicle communication systems are limited by latency in the transmission and / or processing of such data. This restricts reaction time, particularly in high-speed scenarios or during sudden traffic events.

[0003] Due to such limitations, for example, driver assistance systems cannot react quickly enough to abrupt changes in the driving behavior of other vehicles or to unexpected obstacles.

[0004] Furthermore, especially in vehicle-to-vehicle (car-to-car, C2C) communication involving a large number of vehicles, data overload can occur, making efficient filtering and prioritization of data difficult. This can lead to delays and potentially errors in decision-making, for example, by driver assistance systems.

[0005] Furthermore, data transmission between vehicles requires a high degree of interference immunity and reliability to minimize the risk of misinterpretations and inappropriate responses. Known vehicle communication systems can only guarantee this interference immunity to a limited extent and also require considerable energy consumption. This negatively impacts their long-term usability and sustainability.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need for an improved system and an improved procedure for transferring data between vehicles.

[0007] Document US 2005 / 0105634 A1 relates to a method for transmitting data in the form of successive pulses. The method includes at least one symbol decoding step in which at least one pulse modulation value corresponding to a power value of a pulse train is calculated and compared to a predetermined threshold. The method makes it possible to limit the processing time and power required to demodulate a power-modulated ultra-wideband signal by enabling a receiver to recover the information transmitted by such a signal without requiring that receiver to precisely time the pulse train.

[0008] Document DE 11 2018 003 231 T5 discloses a neuromorphic processing device, hereinafter also referred to as a neuromorphic processor, which mimics the functioning of the human brain.

[0009] Document US 2011 / 0250836 A1 concerns a system and method for increasing transmission parallelism between communicating vehicles using radio-based ultra-wideband (UWB) communication.

[0010] Document KR 10 2012 0 121 153 A describes a terminal for a vehicle and a communication method used by the terminal. The terminal is used between infrastructure, such as a roadside base station of a vehicle, and an urban traffic information system (UTIS).

[0011] According to a first aspect of the invention, the objective is to provide an improved method for data transmission in a communication system, which comprises at least a first vehicle with a first communication device and at least one further communication device, which may be arranged in a stationary or mobile manner. This objective is achieved according to the invention by a method with the features of claim 1.

[0012] According to a second aspect, the invention is based on the objective of providing a vehicle with a communication device that is configured to carry out such a method. This objective is achieved according to the invention with a vehicle having the features of claim 7.

[0013] According to a third aspect, the invention is based on the objective of providing a warning device with a communication device that is configured to carry out a method according to the first aspect. This objective is achieved according to the invention with a warning device having the features of claim 10.

[0014] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0015] The invention is based on the understanding that communication with neuromorphic processors via sequences of ultrashort pulses (also known as bursts, pulse trains, or spike signals) enables particularly low delays (latencies). It also exhibits exceptionally high energy efficiency and economical use of transmission bandwidth. Neuromorphic processors are particularly well-suited for the efficient processing of spike signals.

[0016] For example, temporal coding and rate coding are suitable coding strategies for communication with a neuromorphic processor.

[0017] In temporal coding, the precise temporal sequence of the individual spikes (that is, their time intervals) of a pulse train encodes the transmitted information. This coding strategy enables particularly low-latency communication, which, by requiring only a small number of transmitted spikes, provides highly efficient transmission in terms of bandwidth and energy. This makes it possible to transmit information that describes even complex traffic situations.

[0018] In rate coding, the frequency (that is, the number of spikes transmitted per unit of time) of a pulse train encodes the transmitted information. This coding strategy enables particularly high robustness against interference (noise, interference). This allows for a particularly reliable transmission of traffic scenarios.

[0019] According to a first aspect of the invention, a method for data transmission in a communication system comprising at least a first vehicle with a first communication device and an environment sensing device includes the first communication device of the first vehicle and at least one further communication device of the communication system for transmitting spike signals. For example, these communication devices can include a neuromorphic processor configured to receive and / or send spike signals. The at least one further communication device can be a mobile device assigned to another vehicle or another road user, but it can also be stationary, for example at an accident hotspot, in the manner of a traffic control device or a warning beacon.

[0020] According to the invention, at least one potentially dangerous traffic situation is detected by means of the vehicle's environmental sensing device. A criticality level and a minimum reaction time are assigned to each detected potentially dangerous traffic situation. A criticality level describes how severe the impact of the detected traffic situation is expected to be, in terms of statistical probability. A minimum reaction time indicates the time until the earliest possible occurrence of the detected traffic situation.

[0021] Based on the degree of criticality and the minimum reaction time, a coding strategy for the transmission of spike signals with the first communication device of the first vehicle is selected and activated at least during the minimum reaction time (i.e., at least until the earliest possible time of occurrence of the detected potentially dangerous traffic situation) such that a signal set up to avert the detected potentially dangerous traffic situation can be transmitted within the reaction time with minimal expenditure of transmission bandwidth and / or transmission energy.

[0022] The proposed method enables particularly efficient use of energy and transmission bandwidth while simultaneously allowing for a very rapid response to potentially dangerous traffic situations. Specifically, when no potentially dangerous traffic situation is detected (typically for the vast majority of a vehicle's operating time), virtually no energy is required to operate the first communication device and virtually no transmission bandwidth is needed, as spikes are either not transmitted at all or only at comparatively very long intervals during these phases.

[0023] Immediately before a potentially dangerous event (rear-end collision, impact with another road user, or similar), a coding strategy is selected based on the available reaction time for signal transmission and the criticality of the detected hazardous traffic situation. In conflicting situations (for example, multiple detected potentially dangerous traffic situations), priority is given to the signal transmission best suited to averting the greatest danger and / or the one that requires a particularly short reaction time. Since such traffic situations typically occur only during a very small portion of the vehicle's operating time, restrictions regarding energy consumption and / or transmission bandwidth can be largely disregarded.

[0024] In one embodiment of the method, a coding strategy comprising temporal coding is selected and activated when a potentially dangerous traffic situation with high criticality and / or a minimal reaction time is detected, which is below a predetermined reaction time threshold. Otherwise, rate coding is selected and activated as the coding strategy.

[0025] The use of temporal coding enables a particularly high information density in the transmitted spike signal. This allows, especially in conjunction with a neuromorphic processor, a particularly fast reaction and / or the transmission of information to describe even complex traffic situations within a predetermined signal transmission time.

[0026] In a further development of this embodiment, a coding strategy comprising temporal coding and additionally rate coding is selected and activated when a potentially dangerous traffic situation with high criticality and / or a minimal reaction time below a predetermined reaction time threshold is detected. Otherwise, rate coding is selected and activated as the coding strategy.

[0027] By using a hybrid form of temporal and rate coding, a high information density and high noise immunity are possible in the transmitted spike signal. This enables, especially in conjunction with a neuromorphic processor, a fast and reliable response in potentially dangerous traffic situations.

[0028] In one embodiment of the method, a predetermined communication channel is selected and activated for the transmission of spike signals between the first communication device and at least one further communication device. A predetermined communication channel can, for example, be selected as a frequency band on which a special driver assistance system for vehicle safety operates exclusively. This ensures particularly high speed and reliability in the transmission of spike signals and thus also in the response to a potentially dangerous traffic situation.

[0029] In one embodiment of the method, a potentially dangerous traffic situation is detected using optical sensors and / or radar sensors and / or LiDAR sensors and / or ultrasonic sensors. This enables particularly reliable, comprehensive, and early detection of dangerous traffic situations, even under poor visibility conditions. This improves both the safety of vehicle operation and the efficiency of the data transmission method by increasing the minimum reaction time through early detection, thereby reducing the requirements for transmission bandwidth and energy consumption for data transmission via spike signals.

[0030] In one embodiment of the method, a potentially dangerous traffic situation is detected based on a signal received by the vehicle's first communication device. For example, information about a hazard that is not detectable by the vehicle's environmental sensors can be detected by another vehicle, another road user, or a stationary communication device (such as a warning beacon or traffic control device) and transmitted to the first vehicle via a signal.

[0031] This warning signal, transmitted to the first vehicle, is preferably designed as a spike signal to enable particularly energy- and bandwidth-efficient operation of the first communication device. However, this signal can also be transmitted via another encoding method, for example, a known near-field communication method.

[0032] For example, such warning beacons can be used near construction sites, at large events, or in other areas with particularly complex traffic situations. By triggering the selection and activation of a highly responsive coding strategy, these warning beacons can improve traffic safety in the vicinity of the beacon.

[0033] Such warning devices can also be mobile and use environmental sensors to detect dangerous traffic situations and then emit warning spike signals. For example, such warning devices can be designed to be attached to clothing or objects worn by children (bags, school bags, or similar items) and detect when the wearer is approaching a busy road.

[0034] According to a second aspect of the invention, a vehicle comprises a communication device and an environment sensing device designed to detect potentially dangerous traffic situations. For example, the environment sensing device uses radar and / or LiDAR and / or ultrasonic sensors to detect objects in the vehicle's surroundings, assigns them a distance and a relative speed to the vehicle, and thus detects, for example, impending collisions.

[0035] Furthermore, the environmental sensing device includes an evaluation unit designed to assign a criticality level and a minimum reaction time to each detected potentially hazardous traffic situation. A criticality level can be determined, for example, by comparing the parameters of objects in the vehicle's surroundings, as provided by the sensors, with reference situations. Statistical methods, inference techniques, or artificial intelligence methods can be used for such a comparison. Here and in the following, "criticality level" refers to the severity of a potential impact of the detected potentially hazardous traffic situation. Such a criticality level can be determined as a metric parameter (with interval-scaled numerical values) or as a categorical characteristic (with values ​​according to a nominal or ordinal scale).

[0036] The evaluation unit of the environmental sensing device is also designed to determine a minimum reaction time to a detected potentially dangerous traffic situation. A minimum reaction time can be determined, for example, based on the trajectory of the vehicle (assigned to the evaluation unit) recorded by vehicle sensors and an estimated trajectory of an object in the vehicle's vicinity. This minimum reaction time is the time remaining in the worst-case scenario (e.g., taking estimation errors into account) until a collision between the vehicle and the object.

[0037] The vehicle's communication unit is configured to carry out a method according to the first aspect of the invention. When the evaluation unit detects a potentially dangerous traffic situation and assigns it a certain criticality (for example, above a limit value for a metric criticality parameter) and / or a minimum reaction time below a permissible predetermined value, it is operated according to a coding strategy for the transmission of spike signals that enables a reaction to avert the potential danger.

[0038] The advantages of a vehicle according to the second aspect of the invention correspond to the advantages of the method according to the first aspect of the invention. In particular, such a vehicle enables a particularly rapid response to potentially dangerous traffic situations and thus improves road safety. Furthermore, such a vehicle has particularly low energy consumption. This is especially advantageous for electrically powered vehicles, where reduced energy consumption simultaneously increases the driving range.

[0039] In one embodiment, the communication device comprises at least one neuromorphic processor. Such a communication device exhibits particularly low energy consumption in a standby mode, which can be assumed when the environmental sensing device does not detect a potentially dangerous traffic situation.

[0040] In a further development of this embodiment, the neuromorphic processor is directly connected to the vehicle's actuators and / or sensors, for example, to a driver assistance system for emergency braking and / or steering intervention. This further reduces the delay between the detection of a potentially dangerous traffic situation and the vehicle's reaction to avert it, thereby further improving road safety.

[0041] According to a third aspect of the invention, a warning device is provided for warning at least one vehicle about a potentially dangerous traffic situation and comprises a communication device which is set up to carry out a method according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0042] Such warning devices can be installed as stationary warning systems in the form of warning beacons that emit spike signals and are advantageously positioned in locations where there is a high probability of dangerous traffic situations. For example, such warning beacons can be placed near pedestrian crossings, at construction sites, at accident hotspots, or in close proximity to major events.

[0043] Such warning devices can alternatively be designed as mobile warning systems that monitor their surroundings and only emit spike signals when a potentially dangerous situation is detected based on this monitoring. For example, active warning devices can be wearable and integrated into clothing or school bags. They enable particularly specific warnings of dangerous traffic situations.

[0044] The further advantages of warning devices according to the third aspect of the invention correspond to the advantages of a data transmission method according to the first aspect of the invention and the advantages of a vehicle according to the second aspect of the invention.

[0045] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing.

[0046] This shows: Fig. 1 schematically a spike signal transmitted between two vehicles.

[0047] Fig. Figure 1 shows a first vehicle 1 and a further vehicle 2 in a purely schematic way. Both vehicles 1, 2 are each equipped with a communication device 10 and an environment detection device 20.

[0048] The in Fig. The environment sensing device 20, shown only schematically, can, for example, comprise radar, LiDAR, and ultrasonic sensors with which objects in the vehicle's surroundings are detected with respect to distance and relative speed. The environment sensing device 20 can also comprise several vehicle surround cameras, not shown in detail here, with which the traffic situation in the vehicle's surroundings is observed. In particular, such vehicle surround cameras can be configured for three-dimensional detection of the vehicle's surroundings, for example, as time-of-flight cameras. Environment sensing devices 20 for the detailed observation of a vehicle's surroundings are already known from the prior art.

[0049] Each of the communication devices 10 comprises a neuromorphic processor 11 coupled to a transmitter 12 and a receiver 13. Transmitter 12 and receiver 13 are configured to transmit spike signals 101, which are generated by the respective neuromorphic processor 11 and transmitted to the transmitter 12, or received by the receiver 13 and transmitted to the respective neuromorphic processor 11.

[0050] The communication devices 10 of both vehicles 1,2 form a communication system 100, which additionally includes further devices in Fig.1. Communication system 100 may include communication devices not shown in detail, each assigned to further vehicles and / or warning devices. A specific communication channel, for example a specific frequency band, may be assigned for data transmission in a communication system 100. This allows interference originating from other transmitting devices (not assigned to the communication system 100) or affecting other receiving devices (not assigned to the communication system 100) to be avoided or reduced.

[0051] The spike signal 101 transmits information describing a potentially dangerous traffic situation detected by the sending vehicle 1, 2 and / or an impending reaction to it (for example, a braking or steering maneuver). A spike signal 101 comprises at least one, typically a sequence of several ultrashort pulses, also referred to as spikes. Such spikes have a duration of typically up to 10 nanoseconds, preferably one nanosecond or less.

[0052] In a spike signal 101, spikes are arranged according to a selected coding strategy. In a coding strategy known as temporal coding, the precise temporal sequence of the individual spikes (that is, their time intervals) within a pulse train encodes the transmitted information. This coding strategy enables particularly low-latency communication, which, by requiring only a small number of transmitted spikes, provides highly efficient transmission in terms of bandwidth and energy. This makes it possible to transmit information that describes even complex traffic situations.

[0053] In a coding strategy known as rate coding, the frequency (that is, the number of spikes transmitted per unit of time) of a pulse train encodes the transmitted information. This coding strategy enables particularly high robustness against interference (noise, interference). This allows for a particularly reliable transmission of traffic scenarios.

[0054] The criticality level of a potentially dangerous traffic situation and the minimum reaction time available to avert it can be determined based on the parameters detected by the environmental sensing device 20 of the respective vehicle 1, 2. Alternatively or additionally, the criticality level and / or minimum reaction time can also be determined by the other vehicle 1, 2 and transmitted with the spike signal 101.

[0055] Based on the degree of criticality and the minimum reaction time, a coding strategy for the transmission of spike signals 101 with the respective communication device 10 is selected and activated at least until the earliest possible time of occurrence, such that a spike signal 101 set up to avert the detected potentially dangerous traffic situation can be transmitted within the reaction time with minimal expenditure of transmission bandwidth and / or transmission energy.

[0056] For example, if a traffic situation classified as highly critical requires the most immediate possible reaction from vehicle 1, 2, temporal coding is selected as the coding strategy and activated for a certain period of time, which includes at least the minimum reaction time and typically extends slightly beyond it. This allows for a particularly rapid reaction in the immediate vicinity of a potential accident (for example, immediately before a collision between vehicles 1, 2), while at other times (when no dangerous traffic situation is imminent) the communication device 10 can be operated with low energy and bandwidth requirements. Reference symbol list 1 first vehicle 2 more vehicles 10 Communication device 11 neuromorphic processor 12 channels 13 recipients 20 Environmental sensing device 100 communication systems 101 Spike signal

Claims

[1] Method for data transmission in a communication system (100) comprising a first vehicle (1) with a first communication device (10) and an environment detection device (20), and at least one further communication device (10), wherein the first communication device (10) and the at least one further communication device (10) are configured for transmitting spike signals (101), characterized by , that - at least one potentially dangerous traffic situation is detected by means of the environment detection device (20), - a criticality level and a minimum reaction time are assigned to each detected potentially dangerous traffic situation, - based on the degree of criticality and the minimum reaction time, a coding strategy for the transmission of spike signals (101) with the first communication device (10) is selected and activated at least during the minimum reaction time such that a spike signal (101) set up to avert the detected potentially dangerous traffic situation can be transmitted within the reaction time with minimal expenditure of transmission bandwidth and / or transmission energy. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by , that a comprehensive coding strategy is selected and activated when a potentially dangerous traffic situation with high criticality and / or with a minimum reaction time is detected that is below a predetermined reaction time threshold, and otherwise rate coding is selected and activated as the coding strategy. [3] Method according to claim 2, characterized by , that a coding strategy comprising temporal coding and rate coding is selected and activated when a potentially dangerous traffic situation with high criticality and / or with a minimum reaction time is detected that is below a predetermined reaction time threshold, and otherwise rate coding is selected and activated as the coding strategy. [4] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that for the transmission of spike signals (101) between the first communication device (10) and the at least one further communication device (10) a predetermined communication channel is selected and activated. [5] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that a potentially dangerous traffic situation is detected using optical sensors and / or RADAR sensors and / or LiDAR sensors and / or ultrasonic sensors. [6] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a potentially dangerous traffic situation is detected based on a signal received from the first communication device (10). [7] Vehicle (1, 2) comprising a communication device (10) and an environment sensing device (20), characterized by , that the environment detection device (20) is configured to detect a potentially dangerous traffic situation and to assign a criticality level and a minimum reaction time to a detected potentially dangerous traffic situation, and that the communication device (10) is configured to carry out a method according to one of the preceding claims. [8] Vehicle (1, 2) according to claim 7, characterized bythat the communication device (10) includes at least one neuromorphic processor (11). [9] Vehicle (1, 2) according to claim 8, characterized by , that the neuromorphic processor (11) is directly connected to the actuators and / or sensors of the vehicle (1, 2). [10] Warning device comprising a communication device (10), characterized by , that the warning device is configured to warn at least one vehicle (1, 2) according to one of claims 7 to 9 about a potentially dangerous traffic situation, and that the communication device (10) is configured to carry out a method according to one of claims 1 to 6.

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