Control method for automatic configuration or automatic switching of vehicle communication for data exchange between a vehicle and a remote station

Abstract

The present invention relates to a control method for automatic configuration or automatic switching of vehicle communication for data exchange between a vehicle (1) and a remote station (2) when a vehicle (1) is driving at various levels of autonomy. The control method according to the present invention is characterized in that data between the vehicle (1) and the remote station (2) is transmitted through at least one of the following network connection types: - a network connection (3) through a ground network (4); - a network connection (3) through a non-ground network (5); - a simultaneous network connection (3) through ground and non-ground networks (4, 5); and the selection of the network connection type is made according to the currently set and / or requested level of autonomy.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for controlling automatic configuration or automatic switching of vehicle communication for data exchange between a vehicle and a remote station, according to the preamble of claim 1. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of data transmission in mobile wireless networks, it is known that the quality and speed of data transmission are adjusted based on user requirements. For example, providers may promise users a certain transmission quality and / or transmission speed in a manner guaranteed by individual contract designs, which can be defined through the contents of Quality of Service (QoS) requirements. This Quality of Service refers to the quality of communication services from the perspective of each user and includes various quality requirements for data transmission.

[0003] In addition, it is generally known that a suitable network connection is selected according to service quality requirements.

[0004] Today, terrestrial networks, particularly mobile wireless networks and non-terrestrial networks, particularly satellite-based communications, are used for a wide range of wireless data transmission. International Patent Publication WO 98 / 10521 A2 discloses a mobile terminal that automatically switches between a satellite-based network and a terrestrial network. The switching may be performed according to a data protocol selected by the user or an automatically selected data protocol.

[0005] In particular, to ensure high data transmission speeds for certain users in mobile wireless networks, so-called network slicing has also been proposed. For this, refer to the version 1.0 "5G Service-Guaranteed Network Slicing White Paper" dated February 28, 2017 (China Mobile Communications Corporation, Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd., Deutsche Telekom AG, Volkswagen).

[0006] Therefore, network connections are provided to the network to ensure the highest data transmission quality and transmission speed for wireless data transmission. However, the allocation of such network connections and corresponding connection capacity is associated with relatively high costs. Furthermore, there are concerns regarding the overload of these high-speed network connections as "Internet of Things" technologies are gradually introduced, for example, in machine-to-machine (M2M) services or in the development of autonomous driving for vehicles. Particularly in the case of autonomous or partially autonomous vehicles, as addressed in this invention, a vast amount of data is transmitted between the vehicle and a remote station to control the vehicle, where the remote station may be one or more other vehicles, elements of traffic infrastructure, or terminals that can be manually operated. If all of this data is transmitted through an available network with the highest data quality and data transmission speed, this is associated with high costs and, consequently, high load on such networks.

[0007] U.S. Patent Publication US 2019 / 0258251 A1 discloses a system for improving the capabilities of autonomous vehicles of autonomy levels 3 through 5, which uses a supercomputer with extremely high learning capabilities on a platform communicating with the vehicle to improve the learning performance of individual vehicles. Data transmission takes place between the vehicle and a remote station, namely a cloud-based infrastructure including a supercomputer. Data from each of the autonomous vehicles of autonomy levels 3 through 5 is transmitted via mobile wireless communication or other terrestrial networks, e.g., LTE, WCDMA, UMTS, CDMA2000, HSPA+, GSM, where available, or a satellite network connected to the cloud-based infrastructure. The cloud-based infrastructure analyzes this data and then transmits updates to the autonomous vehicles.

[0008] U.S. Published Patent Application US 9 565 625 B1 discloses that a vehicle selects the network connection with the highest availability as it travels along its route. A network coverage map is generated that serves as the basis for the vehicle to determine which network is provided at which location and with what signal strength. Using this, the vehicle can explore one or more network connections in various areas along its route to optimize communication.

[0009] U.S. Patent Publication US 2017 / 0219364 A1 discloses a semi-autonomous or fully autonomous vehicle in which a navigation system considers, in addition to conventional parameters, the proportion of a section in which the vehicle can drive autonomously. Therefore, preferably, the vehicle can select a route in which the vehicle continues to drive autonomously.

[0010] International Patent Publication WO 2020 / 107991 A1 discloses a method, apparatus and system for an autonomous vehicle. means of solving the problem

[0011] The present invention aims to provide a control method for the automatic configuration or automatic switching of vehicle communication for data exchange between a vehicle and a remote station, which can reduce costs and, in particular, the network load of technology-intensive and cost-intensive networks.

[0012] The objective according to the present invention is achieved by a control method having the features of claim 1. Dependent claims describe preferred embodiments of the present invention and particularly embodiments suitable for the purpose.

[0013] According to the present invention, all data is no longer transmitted to the network connection with the highest availability, and available network connections are selected as intended based on the level of autonomy currently used or to be used for the vehicle's driving. Accordingly, unnecessary simultaneous network connections [multi-connectivity connections] in various networks, which would otherwise increase operating costs and network load, can be prevented. As a result, network resources are used more efficiently than before.

[0014] In detail, when a vehicle is driving at a different level of autonomy, according to the method for automatically configuring a new vehicle communication or automatically switching a conventional vehicle communication for data exchange between a vehicle and a remote station according to the present invention, data is transmitted between the vehicle and the remote station through at least one of the following network connection types, namely a network connection through a ground network, a network connection through a non-ground network, and a simultaneous network connection through ground and non-ground networks, and the selection of the network type is made according to the currently set and / or requested level of autonomy.

[0015] The definition of the levels of autonomy may be made in accordance with the version of SAE J3016 effective on the priority date of this application. In particular, five levels of autonomy are provided, where Level 0 provides no automation—that is, all aspects of dynamic driving operations are performed entirely by a human driver, even if a supporting warning system or intervention system is used—and Level 5 provides full automation, where all aspects of dynamic driving operations are consistently performed by an automated driving system in all driving conditions and environmental conditions that can be resolved by a human driver. In Level 1, the driver intervenes in a given driving situation by accelerating, decelerating, or steering using information about the driving environment, and all other dynamic driving operations are supported by a driver assistance system expected to be assumed by a human driver. In Level 2, the driver intervenes in a given driving situation by accelerating / decelerating as well as steering using information about the driving environment, and all other dynamic driving operations are supported by one or more driver assistance systems expected to be assumed by a human driver. In Level 3, conditional automation is provided for all aspects of dynamic driving operations, except that the human driver takes over vehicle control when an intervention request is made. Level 4 describes highly automated driving in all aspects of dynamic driving operations, even when a human driver does not intervene or take over driving control from the vehicle after receiving a request.

[0016] In particular, the selection of the fastest and / or highest quality network connection type may be selected at a relatively high and / or requested level of autonomy, for example, at level 3, 4, or 5 according to one embodiment, only at level 4 or 5 according to a further embodiment, or only at level 5 according to a further embodiment. Where available, particularly by the configuration of so-called simultaneous network connections, the simultaneous use of at least one terrestrial network and a non-terrestrial network is selected for this purpose.

[0017] According to the present invention, since network connections through a terrestrial network and network connections through a non-terrestrial network are mutually independent, the best and most efficient network connection can be selected. Therefore, sufficient network connections can be provided over a very wide geographical range.

[0018] When simultaneous network connectivity between a terrestrial network and a non-terrestrial network is used, the connection configuration may be implemented as a Carrier-Aggregation (CA) as described in the ETSI or 3GPP communication standards, particularly according to EN-DC (E-UTRA-NR Dual Connectivity), SUL (Supplement Uplink), or SDL (Supplement Downlink), or even as a version of the ETSI or 3GPP communication standard valid on the priority date of this application.

[0019] Particularly preferably, the selection of the network connection type is made based on software applications and / or hardware applications activated and / or requested in the vehicle, each having one of a plurality of Quality of Service (QoS) requirements. For example, the selection of the network connection type may be made based on an app activated in the vehicle user interface and / or an app activated on a smartphone connected to the vehicle user interface, or based on the settings of the app.

[0020] Quality of service requirements may vary depending, for example, latency, jitter, data error rate, packet loss rate, and / or data throughput. In particular, quality of service requirements may vary depending on various Rx levels, Tx levels, and / or various RxQual values.

[0021] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the selection of a network connection type is made based on the currently reached and / or preset signal transmission time.

[0022] Network connections having various signal transmission times and / or various data processing speeds can be particularly preferably selected within a terrestrial network and / or a non-terrestrial network, and the selection of such network connections within said network is made according to the set and / or requested level of autonomy and / or the software and / or hardware applications activated and / or requested in the vehicle. In this way, better optimization of network connection selection and highly efficient use of available networks can be achieved.

[0023] Data transmission over non-terrestrial networks is carried out particularly via satellite.

[0024] Data transmission over a terrestrial network is carried out, for example, through one or more mobile wireless networks having various mobile wireless standards.

[0025] Particularly preferably, individual satellites and / or groups of satellites in various Earth orbits may be selected for data transmission, and the selection of such satellites and / or groups of satellites is made according to the set and / or requested level of autonomy and / or the software and / or requested software and / or hardware applications enabled in the vehicle. For example, when the level of autonomy is relatively higher, satellites and / or groups of satellites relatively closer to Earth may be selected, and in particular, satellites or groups of satellites in orbits relatively closer to Earth may be selected.

[0026] Therefore, if the level of autonomy is relatively higher and the network connection is through a terrestrial network, and various levels of data transmission speeds are provided selectable from various mobile wireless standards, a mobile wireless standard with a relatively faster data transmission speed can be selected.

[0027] In the case of a terrestrial network, a WLAN-based network connection may preferably be selected in addition to or alternative to the mobile wireless network. Even in this case, if the level of autonomy is relatively higher, a connection having the faster data transmission speed described above may be selected.

[0028] In the case of non-ground networks, drone-based networks with appropriate network connectivity and appropriate network connectivity selection can also be used as described, either in addition to or as an alternative to satellite-based networks.

[0029] Quality of service requirements that can be used to select a network connection type within the scope of the present invention are known, for example, in versions of 3GPP TS 22.885 and TS 22.186 effective on the priority date of the present application, respectively. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0030] The present invention is described exemplarily below with reference to the embodiments and drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the automatic configuration of vehicle communication or the automatic switching from a ground network to a non-ground network according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the automatic configuration of vehicle communication or the automatic switching from a non-ground network to a ground network according to the present invention. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the transition from a ground network to a simultaneous network connection of ground and non-ground networks. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the transition from a non-ground network to a simultaneous network connection of ground and non-ground networks. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0031] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a vehicle (1) connected to a remote station (2) via a network connection (3) and exchanging data with the remote station (2) via the network connection (3). The vehicle (1) is autonomously controlled, for example, at a relatively low level of autonomy, and data exchange is performed for this purpose. The network connection (3) is formed via a ground network (4). The ground network (4) includes, for example, one or more selectable mobile wireless networks (7) having a corresponding transmitter mast.

[0032] Now, when the level of autonomy is increased, a qualitatively higher and / or faster available network connection (3) is used. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, this superior network connection (3) is formed by a non-ground network (5) that constitutes the network connection (3) via a satellite (6). Accordingly, the network connection (3) is switched to the non-ground network (5) according to the requirements or settings of a relatively higher level of autonomy.

[0033] In a situation schematically illustrated in FIG. 2, where a relatively higher level of autonomy is still set, for example, it is determined that the network connection (3) in the ground network (4) is superior to the network connection (3) set in the non-ground network (5). Therefore, the network connection (3) is switched to the ground network (4).

[0034] According to FIG. 3, a higher level of autonomy is now set, or the existing network connection (3) through the ground network (4) is not entirely sufficient for exchanging data, and using only the network connection (3) of the non-ground network (5) is also not sufficient. Therefore, a transition to simultaneous network connection (3) to the ground and non-ground networks (4, 5) is made.

[0035] The situation according to Fig. 4 is consistent with the situation of Fig. 3, but differs in that only the network connection (3) of the non-ground network (5) existed before the transition.

Claims

Claim 1 A method for controlling automatic configuration or automatic switching of vehicle communication for data exchange between the vehicle (1) and a remote station (2) when the vehicle (1) is driving at various levels of autonomy, wherein data between the vehicle (1) and the remote station (2) is transmitted through at least one of the following network connection types: - a network connection (3) through a ground network (4); - a network connection (3) through a non-ground network (5); - a simultaneous network connection (3) through ground and non-ground networks (4, 5); wherein the selection of the network connection type is made according to the currently set and / or requested level of autonomy, and wherein, in the selection of the network connection, as the level of autonomy increases, a higher quality and / or faster network connection type is selected. Claim 2 A method for controlling automatic configuration or automatic switching of vehicle communication according to claim 1, further characterized in that the selection of the network connection type is made according to a software application and / or a requested software application activated in the vehicle (1) and / or a hardware application having one or more service quality requirements. Claim 3 A method for controlling automatic configuration or automatic switching of vehicle communication, characterized in that, in paragraph 2, service quality requirements vary depending on latency, jitter, data error rate, packet loss rate and / or data throughput. Claim 4 A method for controlling automatic configuration or automatic switching of vehicle communication, characterized in that, in any one of claims 1 to 3, the selection of a network connection type is also made according to a currently reached and / or preset signal transmission speed. Claim 5 A method for controlling automatic configuration or automatic switching of vehicle communication, wherein, in any one of claims 1 to 3, a network connection (3) having various signal transmission times and / or data processing speeds within the ground network (4) and / or the non-ground network (5) may be selected, and the selection of one of such network connections (3) is made according to a set and / or requested level of autonomy and / or a software application and / or a hardware application activated in the vehicle (1). Claim 6 A method for controlling automatic configuration or automatic switching of vehicle communication, characterized in that, in any one of claims 1 to 3, data transmission through a non-ground network (5) is performed through a satellite (6). Claim 7 A method for controlling automatic configuration or automatic switching of vehicle communication, characterized in that, in claim 5, individual satellites (6) and / or satellite groups in various Earth orbits may be selected for data transmission, and the selection of such satellites (6) and / or satellite groups is made according to a set and / or requested level of autonomy and / or a software application and / or hardware application activated in the vehicle (1). Claim 8 A method for controlling automatic configuration or automatic switching of vehicle communication according to claim 7, characterized in that when the level of autonomy is relatively higher, a satellite (6) that is relatively closer to Earth and / or a group of satellites that are relatively closer to Earth are selected. Claim 9 A method for controlling automatic configuration or automatic switching of vehicle communication, characterized in that, in any one of claims 1 to 3, data transmission through a ground network (4) is performed through one or more mobile wireless networks (7) having various mobile wireless standards. Claim 10 A method for controlling automatic configuration or automatic switching of vehicle communication according to claim 5, characterized in that when the level of autonomy is relatively higher, a mobile wireless standard having a relatively higher data transmission speed is selected.

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