Method for communicating at least one mobile radio device with a mobile radio network base station

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for communication between at least one mobile radio device and a mobile radio network base station according to the type defined in more detail in the preamble of claim 1, as well as to a vehicle having at least one mobile radio device.

[0002] The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) is a global collaboration between standardization bodies for mobile communications standardization. The 3GPP creates technical specifications that describe all aspects of mobile communications technology so precisely that mobile devices from a wide range of manufacturers function flawlessly in all mobile networks worldwide. The mobile communications standards defined by this project include GSM, UMTS, and LTE. These standards are also referred to as 2G, 3G, and 4G. With advancing developments, the transmission of comparatively large amounts of data will also become possible, for example, with the recently introduced 5G mobile communications standard. With advancing research and the introduction of future technologies such as 6G, 7G, and subsequent mobile communications standards, a further increase in the data rate transmitted via mobile communications is expected.

[0003] Data transmission requires a sufficient radio signal strength. As the distance between a mobile device and a base station increases, the signal weakens increasingly until it is too weak to transmit high data streams. Obstacles such as high-rise buildings, bridges, hills, or trees, as well as sources of interference such as electromagnetic radiation such as transformers, are located in the area between the mobile device and the base station.

[0004] To ensure successful communication between a mobile device and a base station in the presence of a relatively weak mobile signal, 3GPP has introduced coverage enhancement. Coverage enhancement makes it possible to securely and reliably exchange relatively low data rates over relatively large geographical areas even in the presence of a relatively weak mobile signal. Data is transmitted using a relatively low transmission power, thus consuming little power. To implement coverage enhancement, a corresponding base station and a respective mobile device must be equipped with special transmission and reception hardware. Coverage enhancement can be implemented, for example, using LTE-M, LTE-MTC or LTE-Cut-M, or even using newer standards such as LPWAN or NB-IoT.

[0005] The increased range achieved through coverage enhancement is based on the repeated transmission of the same data. The weaker the cellular signal between the mobile device and the base station, the more retransmissions are necessary to ensure successful data transmission between the two communication participants. Retransmitting the same data consumes available bandwidth, which is one reason for the comparatively low data rate that can be transmitted. Coverage enhancement is therefore only suitable for applications where relatively little data or a low data rate must be reliably transmitted even in poor reception conditions.

[0006] Such use cases can be found in the automotive industry. With increasing digitalization, vehicles are also becoming increasingly networked, capable of exchanging data with other vehicles via a vehicle-to-vehicle interface, exchanging data with infrastructure such as a toll station via a vehicle-to-infrastructure interface, or transmitting information via mobile communications via a vehicle-to-network interface. If such a communication-capable vehicle enters a dead zone on a route, it may not be possible to transmit information using a conventional mobile communications standard such as LTE or 5G because the reception quality is too poor. However, coverage enhancement can ensure successful communication between the mobile device and the mobile network base station over longer distances.

[0007] However, due to the reduced data rate, only selected information can be transmitted. Due to their relevance, the following information is considered for communication using coverage enhancement: vehicle status updates, an unlock or lock command to open or close vehicle doors, and / or vehicle diagnostic data.

[0008] WO 2018 / 213166 A1 discloses a method for monitoring radio signal quality when using coverage enhancement. Using the method described in the document, a coverage enhancement level is modified such that the data rate required to implement coverage enhancement is optimally adapted to the currently available received signal strength. If a mobile device moves away from a mobile network base station, a high coverage enhancement level is selected, which is associated with a high repetition rate of the mobile signal to be transmitted. If, however, the mobile device approaches the mobile network base station, a comparatively low coverage enhancement level is selected, which is associated with a lower data repetition rate. This allows network communication resources to be saved and thus used optimally.

[0009] Furthermore, WO 2017 / 082801 A1 discloses methods for adaptively configuring neighboring cells to enable user devices to operate with improved coverage. The degree of a coverage improvement mode used in the user device is determined, and the number of repetitions of a signal to be exchanged between the user device and a target network node communicating with the user device is set in the target network node based on this degree.

[0010] Furthermore, US 2018 / 0103426 A1 discloses the enhanced signal coverage and battery life of a user device. A user device such as a smartphone determines the signal strength of a wireless signal and the charge level of its electrical energy storage and compares the values with the respective threshold values. If the currently measured values exhibit a certain relationship to the respective threshold values, either coverage enhancement or a battery-saving mode can be activated.

[0011] Furthermore, Stefan Runeson et al.: "Coverage Enhancement for Vehicles," ARXIV.ORG, Cornell University Library, 201 Olin Library, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, January 8, 2021 (2021-01-08), discloses the use of coverage enhancement by a telecommunications unit in a vehicle. Coverage enhancement is activated depending on the reception signal strength of the underlying cellular network, i.e., when the vehicle is outside a region with normal network coverage.

[0012] The present invention is based on the object of specifying an improved method for communication between at least one mobile radio device and a mobile radio network base station, with the aid of which communication between the mobile radio device and the mobile radio network base station can be maintained in the event that thermal damage to the mobile radio device is imminent in a normal operating mode and / or an energy reserve required to operate the mobile radio device is running low.

[0013] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a method for communication between at least one mobile radio device and a mobile radio network base station having the features of claim 1, as well as a vehicle having at least one mobile radio device having the features of claim 8. Advantageous embodiments and further developments emerge from the dependent claims.

[0014] In a method for communication between at least one mobile device and a mobile network base station of the type mentioned above, the mobile device activates a coverage improvement mode depending on an amount of electrical energy available for operating the mobile device and / or a critical temperature of the mobile device, a component of the mobile device, and / or an ambient temperature around the mobile device. In this mode, the mobile device exchanges information with the mobile network base station using coverage improvement, wherein the coverage improvement provides for the repeated transmission of the same information with a comparatively low transmission power. Operating the mobile device in coverage improvement mode requires less energy than communicating via a conventional mobile radio standard such as 2G to 5G or future mobile radio standards such as 6G or the like.

[0015] If the amount of electrical energy available to operate the mobile device falls below a specified critical value, the mobile device switches to coverage improvement mode and terminates communication with the mobile network base station using a common mobile radio standard. This reduces the mobile device's energy consumption. Because the mobile device consumes less power, it also empties the energy storage device that stores the electrical energy more slowly and can therefore be used for a longer period of time. The energy storage device can be integrated into the mobile device and / or connected to the mobile device in the form of an external energy storage device.

[0016] If the energy consumption of the mobile device is reduced by activating coverage enhancement-based communication, the heat dissipated by electronic components also decreases. This reduces the risk of thermal damage to the mobile device.

[0017] In order to detect impending overheating of the mobile device or components thereof in a timely manner, the relevant components and / or the ambient temperature around the mobile device are monitored. Multiple temperatures can be taken into account simultaneously. The waste heat that leads to the critical temperature being reached can be emitted by the mobile device and its individual components, as well as by other devices located near the mobile device, such as a processing unit, a battery module, a thermal unit, or the like. If activating the coverage improvement mode alone is not sufficient to prevent the mobile device from overheating, the operation of the other device can also be reduced, restricted, or terminated. This can further reduce the heat output to the mobile device.

[0018] In general, it is also conceivable that the coverage improvement mode is activated when the critical temperature is exceeded.

[0019] An advantageous development of the method provides that the electrical energy used to operate the mobile device is drawn from a vehicle battery. The mobile device can be integrated into a vehicle containing the vehicle battery or transported with it. The vehicle can be a hybrid vehicle, a plug-in hybrid vehicle, or a purely battery-electric vehicle. The vehicle battery can also be a traction battery.

[0020] If the mobile device is a smartphone, for example, it can be charged via the vehicle's battery. This allows the smartphone to operate for longer if the battery is depleted. Electrical energy can be transferred to the smartphone via a cable or contactlessly, for example, using induction.

[0021] Preferably, the coverage improvement mode is activated when the vehicle battery falls below a critical charge level. This allows communication between the mobile device and the mobile network base station to be maintained for a longer period of time due to the mobile device's reduced power consumption. The critical charge level can be any value, for example, 50%, 30%, 10%, or the like. This ensures that the vehicle battery of a purely battery-electric vehicle maintains sufficient energy reserves to allow the vehicle to reach a charging station for recharging.

[0022] A further advantageous embodiment of the method further provides that the coverage improvement mode is activated when the critical temperature is exceeded. This prevents damage to the mobile device or individual components of the mobile device due to overheating. The critical temperature is preferably 100°C. The mobile device can have mechanisms for heat dissipation such as passive and / or active heat sinks. If these mechanisms can no longer prevent the critical temperature from being exceeded, overheating of the mobile device or individual components of the mobile device can be achieved by operating the mobile device in coverage improvement mode. Damage to the mobile device or individual components, such as capacitors, can occur at temperatures as low as 100°C. By operating in coverage improvement mode, the mobile device orThe mobile device's components emit less heat. This eliminates the need for active cooling, resulting in even greater energy savings.

[0023] If the coverage improvement mode is activated when the temperature falls below the critical temperature, the critical temperature can also be a comparatively cold temperature, for example -50°C.

[0024] A further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention further provides that, before the vehicle battery is exhausted, a mobile electric charging station or a towing service is called to a current or future location of a vehicle containing the vehicle battery. This can, on the one hand, improve the comfort of a person driving the vehicle, as the person driving the vehicle does not have to intervene manually to ensure a power supply to the vehicle. This happens fully automatically. The mobile device can therefore independently inform an appropriate mobile electric charging station or a towing service. For this purpose, the mobile device can access vehicle status data and / or other information if necessary. The mobile device can also read out the current and / or future location of the vehicle, for example, from a navigation system in the vehicle and transmit it via mobile communication.The information about the vehicle's future location can also be enhanced with the vehicle's battery charge level. This makes it possible to determine at which location the vehicle's battery charge level is likely to fall below the critical level.

[0025] Preferably, the mobile electric charging station or towing service is then called to the future location of the vehicle in such a way that the vehicle and the mobile electric charging station or towing service arrive at the future location at the same time, or the electric charging station or towing service is already on site when the vehicle arrives. This allows for particularly rapid charging of the vehicle battery or other repairs to a faulty vehicle function by the towing service, or even the towing of the vehicle.

[0026] In general, the mobile electric charging station or towing service can also be called before switching to coverage improvement mode.

[0027] To determine the current vehicle position, the vehicle can, for example, be equipped with a navigation device or communicate with a navigation device on a mobile device such as a smartphone, and determine the vehicle position, for example, using a global satellite navigation system such as GPS. The vehicle's future location can be determined using a route programmed into the navigation device. Behavior patterns can also be analyzed, which allows the determination of particularly frequently traveled routes. This makes it possible to estimate when and where the vehicle is likely to be, especially when the vehicle's battery reaches its critical charge level.

[0028] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the method, a terrestrial unit, a satellite unit and / or a drone unit is used as the mobile network base station. The terrestrial unit can be, for example, a radio station. The drone unit can be, for example, at least one drone such as a quadcopter or other UAV. The drone can also be designed as a balloon. With the help of satellites and drones, mobile network coverage can be ensured in areas that are difficult to access or have no infrastructure. In general, the areas covered by a mobile network base station can overlap at least partially. The mobile network base station can establish communication with a mobile device based on electromagnetic waves.Any mobile communications technology, such as 2G to 5G, or future mobile communications standards such as 6G or similar, can be used. Any radio technology, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, broadcasting, or similar, can also be used for communication between the mobile device and the mobile network base station. If the mobile device activates coverage enhancement mode, it terminates communication with the mobile network base station based on one of the common radio technologies listed. In coverage enhancement mode, communication between the mobile device and the mobile network base station therefore takes place exclusively using coverage enhancement.

[0029] If the vehicle battery is recharged or the critical battery charge level is lowered, for example, because the vehicle's destination has been changed, the coverage enhancement mode can be deactivated again and the mobile device can communicate with a mobile network base station again via a standard communication channel. It should be understood that this can also occur if the temperature falls below the critical temperature. Thus, the coverage enhancement mode can be terminated when the mobile device, a component of the mobile device, and / or the ambient temperature around the mobile device has cooled down sufficiently.

[0030] In a vehicle with at least one mobile radio device, the mobile radio device is configured according to the invention to carry out a method as described above. The vehicle can be any vehicle, such as a car, truck, van, bus, or the like. The mobile radio device or multiple mobile radio devices can be permanently integrated into the vehicle or transported with the vehicle, for example in the form of a mobile terminal. The mobile terminal can be a smartphone, for example. With the aid of such a vehicle and such a method, the transmission of critical vehicle data, such as vehicle status data, to a vehicle manufacturer for vehicle monitoring can be ensured even in critical situations.This allows existing mobile communication to be maintained even if the vehicle battery is running low and / or the mobile device is becoming damaged due to overheating. The mobile device is preferably designed as a vehicle telecommunications unit. A vehicle telecommunications unit is typically installed by a vehicle manufacturer during vehicle production. This allows the vehicle manufacturer to integrate the mobile device particularly deeply into the vehicle. This facilitates the reading of vehicle-relevant information such as sensor data and the transmission of the sensor data via mobile radio and / or the reception of status updates or software updates "over the air." The method according to the invention is thus particularly easy to implement in a vehicle.

[0031] Preferably, the mobile device is configured to: to activate or exit the coverage enhancement mode while driving, while stationary, with the vehicle doors locked, and / or from a standby mode; and / or to wake up a vehicle subsystem in a standby mode.

[0032] This enables the implementation of a method according to the invention in a wide variety of driving situations. In particular, it ensures energy-efficient wake-up of a vehicle subsystem. This is particularly advantageous when the vehicle battery is almost depleted.

[0033] Further advantageous embodiments of the method according to the invention also emerge from the exemplary embodiment which is described in more detail below with reference to the single figure.

[0034] The single figure shows a flow diagram of a method according to the invention.

[0035] In a first method step 101, the charge level of a vehicle battery as well as the temperature of a mobile device, a component of the mobile device, and / or the ambient temperature around the mobile device are monitored. The environment around the mobile device can be monitored up to a specified distance. In particular, temperature sensors are placed at critical locations, such as in a flow path from which the mobile device receives air for cooling, and / or in the area of temperature-sensitive components such as capacitors.

[0036] In a subsequent method step 102, a check is performed to determine whether the vehicle battery charge level falls below a critical value and / or whether the temperature of the mobile device, the mobile device component, or an ambient temperature around the mobile device falls below or exceeds a critical value. If this is the case, a coverage enhancement mode is activated in method step 103, in which the mobile device communicates with a mobile network base station exclusively via coverage enhancement. As a result, the mobile device consumes less power and, due to the lower power consumption, heats up or cools down less.

[0037] If, however, the vehicle battery charge level is sufficient or the critical temperature has not yet been reached, a check is carried out in method step 104 to determine whether the coverage improvement mode is active. If this is not the case, monitoring of the battery charge level and temperatures continues. If, however, the coverage improvement mode is active, it can now be terminated while ensuring component protection and safe operation of the mobile device and the vehicle. This occurs in method step 105.

Claims

1. Method for communication between at least one mobile radio device and a mobile radio network base station, wherein at least a subset of information exchanged between the mobile radio device and the mobile radio network base station is communicated using coverage improvement, wherein the mobile device activates a coverage improvement mode depending on an amount of electrical energy available for operating the mobile radio device and / or a critical temperature of the mobile radio device, a component of the mobile radio device and / or an ambient temperature around the mobile radio device, in which mode the mobile radio device exchanges information with the mobile radio network base station using coverage improvement, wherein the coverage improvement provides for the repeated transmission of the same information with a comparatively low transmission power.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrical energy used to operate the mobile radio device is obtained from a vehicle battery.

3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the coverage improvement mode is activated when the vehicle battery falls below a critical charge level.

4. Method according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the coverage improvement mode is activated when the critical temperature is exceeded.

5. Method according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the critical temperature is 100°C.

6. Method according to any of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that before the vehicle battery is exhausted, a mobile electric charging station or a towing service is called to a current or future location of a vehicle comprising the vehicle battery.

7. Method according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a terrestrial unit, a satellite unit and / or a drone unit is used as the mobile radio network base station.

8. Vehicle comprising at least one mobile radio device, wherein the mobile radio device is configured to carry out a method according to any of claims 1 to 7.

9. Vehicle according to claim 8, characterized in that the mobile radio device is designed as a vehicle telecommunications unit.

10. Vehicle according to either claim 8 or claim 9, characterized in that the mobile radio device is configured to: - activate or deactivate the coverage improvement mode while driving, while stationary, when the vehicle doors are locked and / or from a standby mode; and / or - wake up a vehicle subsystem that is in standby mode.