Emergency call from a vehicle by means of an interfering signal, communication device for a vehicle, and base station for a mobile radio network

Abstract

The invention relates to: a method for making an emergency call from a vehicle, in which method a base station of a mobile radio network provides a radio connection by means of a first mobile radio standard, and a communication device of a vehicle transmits a request signal in order to establish a radio connection to the base station by means of a second mobile radio standard which is different from the first mobile radio standard; a communication device for a vehicle; and a base station for a mobile radio network.

Description

[0001] Emergency call of a vehicle using an interfering signal, communication device for a vehicle and base station for a mobile network

[0002] DESCRIPTION:

[0003] The invention relates to a method for making an emergency call from a vehicle, in which a base station of a mobile radio network provides a radio connection using a first mobile radio standard, and a communication device of a vehicle sends a request signal to establish a radio connection to the base station using a second mobile radio standard that differs from the first mobile radio standard. Furthermore, the invention relates to a communication device for a vehicle and a base station for a mobile radio network.

[0004] The method mentioned above assumes a situation in which the second mobile radio standard supported by the vehicle's communication device is not provided by the base station. In other words, the base station does not understand the radio signals transmitted by the communication device, nor does the communication device understand the radio signals transmitted by the base station due to different, i.e., incompatible, mobile radio standards.

[0005] The scenario depicted could occur if a mobile operator discontinues support of the second mobile communications standard before the vehicle is decommissioned. Typically, a vehicle's useful life is longer than the support period for a mobile communications standard, which is approximately 10 years. Currently, mobile networks still support the Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) (Second Generation, 2G), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) (Third Generation, 3G), Long-Term Evolution (LTE) (Fourth Generation, 4G), and New Radio (NR) (Fifth Generation, 5G) mobile communications standards.

[0006] According to current plans, GSM will no longer be provided, i.e., regularly supported, from 2025 and LTE from 2030. UMTS provisioning already ended at the end of 2021. No end to NR provisioning is yet planned.

[0007] As of 2025, the legally required automatic emergency call, eCall, will probably no longer work in vehicles whose communication devices do not support LTE or NR.

[0008] DE 10 2021 131 135 A1 provides a communication device for a vehicle for mounting in the vehicle, which receives an emergency call made by the vehicle using an outdated mobile radio standard, converts the received emergency call into a current mobile radio standard and sends the converted emergency call using the current mobile radio standard.

[0009] US 2016 / 0192251 A1 discloses a method in which a mobile terminal arranged in a first mobile radio cell makes an emergency call via a neighboring second mobile radio cell if the first mobile radio cell does not support the emergency call.

[0010] US 2012 / 0071 184 A1 describes a base station for a mobile radio network, which provides a first virtual base station for communicating using a first mobile radio standard and a second virtual base station for communicating using a second mobile radio standard that differs from the first mobile radio standard. DE 698 33 1 10 T2 discloses a method in which a first mobile radio network of two different mobile radio networks automatically registers a mobile terminal registered with the first mobile radio network with a second mobile radio network of the two different mobile radio networks when the mobile terminal requests a service provided exclusively by the second mobile radio network.

[0011] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a method for making an emergency call from a vehicle which ensures functionality of the emergency call beyond switching off a most recent mobile radio standard still supported by a communication device of the vehicle.

[0012] The invention relates to a method for making an emergency call from a vehicle, in which a base station of a mobile radio network provides a radio connection using a first mobile radio standard, and a communication device of a vehicle sends a request signal to establish a radio connection to the base station using a second mobile radio standard that is different from the first mobile radio standard. The first mobile radio standard and the second mobile radio standard are not compatible with one another, i.e., the base station does not understand the request signal from the communication device. If the base station provides radio connections using multiple first mobile radio standards, no first mobile radio standard is compatible with the second mobile radio standard.

[0013] The emergency call to be made can involve a voice connection and / or a data connection to a control center. The vehicle can transmit accident data to the control center via the data connection. A vehicle occupant can use the voice connection to call a contact at the control center.

[0014] According to the invention, the communication device transmits an interfering signal on a frequency of the first mobile radio standard. If the communication device does not receive a provisioning signal from the base station, the base station detects a reduced signal-to-interference-to-noise ratio on the frequency due to the transmitted interfering signal. As a result of the detected reduced signal-to-interference-to-noise ratio, the base station provides a radio connection using the second mobile radio standard for a predetermined period of time. The communication device detects the provided radio connection and makes an emergency call via the detected radio connection. Due to the lack of a provisioning signal, the communication device transmits an interfering signal on the frequency of the first mobile radio standard.The base station detects the interfering signal as interference that significantly reduces the signal-to-interference-to-noise ratio (SINR). Detecting the interfering signal causes the base station to support the second mobile radio standard for the predetermined period.

[0015] In this way, the radio connection is established using the second mobile radio standard, allowing the communication device to make the emergency call. The interfering signal sent by the communication device serves as a trigger signal for the base station.

[0016] Preferably, an emergency call control unit of the vehicle controls the communication device. The emergency call control unit is functionally connected to the communication device, for example, via a bus system of the vehicle. If the emergency call control unit initiates an emergency call, particularly as a result of an accident involving the vehicle, the emergency call control unit instructs the communication device to establish the radio connection with the base station of the mobile network, via which the emergency call is made.

[0017] Ideally, the base station provides the radio connection using the second mobile radio standard as a Single Radio Access Network (SRAN) radio connection. The Single Radio Access Network, also referred to as Single RAN, is a network entity that can provide a plurality of different mobile radio standards. The base station may include an SRAN component. The communication device advantageously transmits the request signal with an imposed pattern as the interfering signal. The base station can detect the imposed pattern and distinguish it from detected non-specific ordinary interference. The imposed pattern may have a predetermined time and / or amplitude characteristic and modulate the request signal.

[0018] The imprinted pattern can indicate the second mobile radio standard. The pattern includes a specific code associated with the second mobile radio standard. If the base station knows the association, it readily provides the radio connection requested by the communication device using the associated mobile radio standard.

[0019] Detecting the provided radio connection includes, for example, sending another request signal and receiving the provision signal during the predetermined period of time. In other words, detecting the requested radio connection involves successfully establishing it.

[0020] The second mobile communications standard may, in particular, be a deactivated predecessor of the first mobile communications standard. Mobile operators do not support mobile communications standards indefinitely. In practice, older mobile communications standards are no longer supported in regular operation after a certain period of notice.

[0021] The base station preferably provides the radio connection using the first mobile radio standard on a frequency of the second mobile radio standard. Mobile operators can use frequencies of a no longer supported older mobile radio standard for a newer mobile radio standard. This practice is known as refarming.

[0022] Another subject of the invention is a communication device for a vehicle. The communication device is an electronic control unit (ECU) that provides wireless connections for the vehicle. The communication device includes a cellular modem for wirelessly connecting to a base station of a cellular network. Typically, the communication device includes software that can be easily updated.

[0023] According to the invention, the communication device is designed to execute a method according to one embodiment of the invention together with a base station of a mobile radio network. The communication device ensures emergency call functionality of the vehicle if its most recently supported mobile radio standard is no longer provided by the base station of the mobile radio network. An existing communication device can be converted into the communication device according to the invention by means of a software update.

[0024] Another subject of the invention is a base station for a mobile radio network. The base station comprises an antenna and a computer connected to the antenna, which typically includes software. The software can be easily updated.

[0025] According to the invention, the base station is designed to execute a method according to one embodiment of the invention together with a communication device of a vehicle. The base station ensures emergency call functionality for a vehicle whose most recent supported mobile communications standard is no longer supported by the mobile communications network.

[0026] A key advantage of the method according to the invention is that the legally required emergency call functionality of an older vehicle is ensured throughout the vehicle's service life. A further advantage is that the method according to the invention can be implemented while maintaining common practice by means of simple software updates to vehicle communication devices and mobile network base stations. The invention is schematically illustrated in the drawings using an embodiment and will be further described with reference to the drawings. It shows:

[0027] Figure 1 shows a functional diagram of a vehicle and a base station, each according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0028] Figure 1 shows a functional diagram of a vehicle 1 and a base station 20, each according to an embodiment of the invention. The vehicle 1 comprises a communication device 10 and preferably an emergency call control unit 11. The base station 20 belongs to a mobile radio network 2.

[0029] The communication device 10 is configured, together with the base station 20 of the mobile radio network 2, to execute a method described below according to an embodiment of the invention for making an emergency call 6 from the vehicle 1. The base station 20 is configured, together with the communication device 10 of the vehicle 1, to execute the method according to the invention as follows.

[0030] The base station 20 of the mobile network 2 provides a radio connection 3 using a first mobile radio standard. The emergency call control unit 11 of the vehicle 1 controls the communication device 10.

[0031] The communication device 10 of the vehicle 1 sends a request signal 100 to establish a radio connection 3 to the base station 20 using a second mobile radio standard that differs from the first mobile radio standard. The second mobile radio standard is, for example, a deactivated predecessor of the first mobile radio standard. The base station 20 can provide the radio connection 3 using the first mobile radio standard on a frequency of the second mobile radio standard.

[0032] The communication device 10 transmits an interfering signal 4 on a frequency of the first mobile radio standard if the communication device 10 does not receive a provisioning signal 200 from the base station 20. The communication device 10 can transmit the request signal 100 with an imposed pattern as the interfering signal 4. Conveniently, the imposed pattern indicates the second mobile radio standard.

[0033] The base station 20 detects a reduced signal-to-interference-to-noise ratio on the frequency due to the transmitted interfering signal 4.

[0034] As a result of the detected reduced signal-to-interference-to-noise ratio, base station 20 provides a radio connection 3 using the second mobile radio standard for a predetermined period of time. Base station 20 preferably provides radio connection 3 using the second mobile radio standard as a Single Radio Access Network radio connection.

[0035] The communication device 10 detects the provided radio connection 3 and sends an emergency call 6 to a control center 5 via the detected radio connection 3. Detecting the provided radio connection 3 can include sending a further request signal 100 and receiving the provision signal 200 during the predetermined time period.

[0036] LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS:

[0037] 1 vehicle

[0038] 10 Communication device 100 Request signal

[0039] 11 Emergency call control unit

[0040] 2 mobile network

[0041] 20 base stations

[0042] 200 Provisioning signal 3 radio connection

[0043] 4 interfering signal

[0044] 5 Control Center

[0045] 6 Emergency call

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS:

1. A method for making an emergency call (6) from a vehicle (1), in which a base station (20) of a mobile radio network (2) provides a radio connection (3) using a first mobile radio standard; a communication device (10) of a vehicle (1) sends a request signal (100) for establishing a radio connection (3) to the base station (20) using a second mobile radio standard different from the first mobile radio standard; the communication device (10) sends an interfering signal (4) on a frequency of the first mobile radio standard if the communication device (10) does not receive a provisioning signal (200) from the base station (20); the base station (20) detects a signal-to-interference-to-noise ratio on the frequency that is reduced due to the transmitted interfering signal (4);the base station (20) provides a radio connection (3) using the second mobile radio standard for a predetermined period of time as a result of the detected reduced signal-to-interference-to-noise ratio; the communication device (10) detects the provided radio connection (3) and sends an emergency call (6) to a control center (5) via the detected radio connection (3); 2. Method according to claim 1, wherein an emergency call control device (11) of the vehicle (1) controls the communication device (10).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the base station (20) provides the radio connection (3) by means of the second mobile radio standard as a Single Radio Access Network radio connection.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the communication device (10) transmits the request signal (100) with an impressed pattern as the interfering signal (4).

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the embossed pattern indicates the second mobile radio standard.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein detecting the provided radio connection (3) comprises sending a further request signal (100) and receiving the provision signal (200) during the predetermined time period.

7. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second mobile radio standard is a deactivated predecessor of the first mobile radio standard.

8. Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the base station (20) provides the radio connection (3) by means of the first mobile radio standard on a frequency of the second mobile radio standard.

9. Communication device (10) for a vehicle (1) which is designed to carry out a method according to one of claims 1 to 8 together with a base station (20) of a mobile radio network (2).

10. Base station (20) for a mobile radio network (2), which is designed to carry out a method according to one of claims 1 to 8 together with a communication device (10) of a vehicle (1).

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