Ad Hoc Vehicle Network Eliminating Wired Backbone Latency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication systems between trains and trackside infrastructure face challenges such as difficult handover at high speeds, error-prone connections due to signal strength-based roaming decisions, and the hidden node problem in ad hoc networks, leading to unreliable and inflexible communication.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an ad hoc communication network with mesh-connected nodes using multiple radio channels for bidirectional and unidirectional communication, eliminating the need for logical connections and wired backbones, and allowing all nodes to receive data, thereby adapting to changing circumstances and avoiding interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If infrastructure networks with logical connections and wired backbones are used, then communication structure is stable and organized, but roaming latency increases and handover at high speeds becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidroaming latency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the wired network backbone and logical connection requirements from the system. By transitioning to a pure wireless mesh network where nodes communicate directly without requiring wired infrastructure or formal logical connections, the system eliminates roaming latency while maintaining communication reliability through redundant wireless paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of establishing formal logical connections before communication (traditional approach), the patent inverts the approach by allowing immediate communication upon wireless contact. Nodes can exchange data as soon as they are within radio range, without requiring pre-established logical connections or handshaking protocols, thereby eliminating roaming latency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If signal strength-based roaming decisions are used, then connection establishment is simplified, but connection reliability deteriorates due to defective access points

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection establishmentVSAvoidconnection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where nodes continuously monitor communication quality and node status. Before establishing or maintaining a communication path, nodes exchange status information and can detect defective nodes. This feedback loop allows the network to avoid defective access points while maintaining simple connection establishment through direct wireless communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If ad hoc communication networks without logical connections are used, then flexibility and adaptability improve, but signal interference and hidden node problems increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork flexibilityVSAvoidsignal interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces intermediary nodes that act as mediators in the wireless mesh network. These nodes relay communications between other nodes and can detect hidden node problems or signal interference. The intermediaries coordinate transmissions and manage channel access, reducing harmful interference while maintaining the flexibility of ad hoc networking without formal logical connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Stability of the object's composition

If wired network backbones are used, then communication infrastructure is stable, but system complexity and installation requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfrastructure stabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical wired infrastructure with a wireless electromagnetic field-based system. By substituting physical cable connections with wireless radio communications, the system eliminates the complexity of wired backbones, installation requirements, and physical infrastructure while maintaining stable communication through the wireless mesh network topology.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3558789B1Ad-hoc communikation network

Publication Date: 2023.03.29 SIEMENS MOBILITY GMBH

Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to an ad hoc communication network comprising at least one vehicle-side radio device (8) connected to the vehicle (2), a plurality of track-side radio devices (4a…c) installed on a track (1) of the vehicle (2), and a monitoring and control unit (3), which is connected to at least one track-side radio device (4a…c) for communication. The track-side radio devices (4a…c) communicate, without logical connection with other track-side radio devices (4a…c) located within the radio range and with the vehicle-side radio device (8) and forward received data to other track-side radio devices (4a…c) located within the radio range. At least two other track-side radio devices (4a…c) are located in each direction along the track (1) within the radio range of each track-side radio device (4a…c). The track-side radio devices (4a…c) transfer received data to the closest and to the second closest track-side radio device (4a…c) in at least one direction along the track (1).