Adaptive Cruise Control Using DDS Middleware for Real-Time Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional adaptive cruise control (ACC) systems are constrained by hierarchical structures, affecting system responsiveness and adaptability, and lack an integrated, messaging-oriented real-time middleware to effectively integrate subsystems and controllers.
Innovation Solution
A distributed data services (DDS) databus is used to facilitate near-field communication between vehicle sensors, controllers, and actuators, employing a publish/subscribe model to eliminate hierarchical structures and ensure real-time data exchange and synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If hierarchical controller structures are used in ACC systems, then system structure is simplified and easier to implement, but system responsiveness and adaptability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the ACC system into multiple independent functional modules (sensor module, communication module, control module, actuator module) that can operate autonomously and publish/subscribe to data topics. This modular segmentation enables each module to adapt independently to changing conditions while maintaining overall system functionality, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new architectural dimension by implementing a publish-subscribe messaging layer over DDS middleware that sits above the traditional hierarchical controller structure. This additional dimensional layer enables flexible, event-driven communication between modules without requiring changes to the underlying hierarchical control logic, thus improving adaptability while preserving structural simplicity.
2Ease of manufacture
If hierarchical controller structures are used in ACC systems, then system implementation is straightforward, but system responsiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces DDS middleware as an intermediary layer between the hierarchical controllers and the various system modules. This mediator handles all communication and data exchange through standardized publish-subscribe topics, enabling fast, event-driven responses to changing conditions while maintaining the simplicity of the existing hierarchical controller architecture. The intermediary absorbs the complexity of real-time communication without requiring controllers to be redesigned.
3Device complexity
If traditional ACC systems without integrated middleware are used, then system complexity is reduced, but real-time data exchange and synchronization between subsystems deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal DDS-based publish-subscribe messaging system that serves multiple functions simultaneously: data exchange between modules, synchronization of sensor data, transmission of control commands, and coordination between controllers. This single universal communication infrastructure replaces multiple dedicated communication channels, improving data exchange reliability while avoiding the complexity of implementing separate communication systems for each function.
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic cruise control (ACC) system for vehicles and a method for communication therein are provided. The ACC system includes vehicle sensors configured to measure vehicle parameters and generate sensor data; vehicle controllers configured to receive a subset of the sensor data and actuate a vehicle automatic cruise control component; a distributed data services (DDS) bus connected to each of the plurality of vehicle sensors and each vehicle controller; and a publisher/subscriber DDS middleware connected to the DDS bus configured to bi-directionally communicate between each of the plurality of vehicle sensors and each of the plurality of vehicle controllers. The vehicle sensors are configured as a publisher of respective sensor data. The vehicle controllers are configured as a subscriber to a subset of the sensor data and as a publisher of topics generated by the respective vehicle controller. QOS policies govern the behavior of the topics.