Adaptive Beam Sweep for Vehicle Wireless Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle-based WiGig wireless connectivity systems face inefficiencies due to changing conditions when the vehicle is in motion, as beams outside the vehicle become superfluous, leading to unnecessary energy transmission and reduced connectivity.
Innovation Solution
An adaptive beam sweep method that determines a limited sector sweep based on vehicle motion state information, such as speed and gear status, to prioritize beams transmitting within the passenger cabin, reducing unnecessary energy expenditure and improving connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a full 360 degree sector sweep is performed by the multi-beam module, then comprehensive coverage and connectivity are ensured, but energy consumption increases and transmission efficiency decreases when the vehicle is in motion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the beam sweep pattern adaptive based on vehicle motion state. When the vehicle is stationary, a full 360-degree sector sweep is performed to ensure comprehensive coverage. When the vehicle is in motion, the system dynamically switches to a limited sector sweep that focuses only on relevant directions (typically forward and side directions within the vehicle's path), thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining necessary connectivity during movement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If beams are transmitted in all directions covering 360 degrees, then all potential connection points are covered, but unnecessary energy is transmitted to beams outside the vehicle when in motion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the transmission behavior in different spatial regions based on vehicle motion state. When the vehicle is moving, instead of uniformly transmitting in all 360 degrees, the system concentrates transmission energy locally in directions that are relevant to the vehicle's motion (forward, side, and rearward directions within the vehicle's path). This localized transmission approach reduces unnecessary energy loss to beams outside the vehicle while maintaining adaptability to cover all potential connection points within the relevant zone.
3Use of energy by moving object
If a limited sector sweep covering less than 360 degrees is performed, then energy efficiency improves, but connectivity coverage is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction through dynamic adaptation of the beam sweep pattern based on vehicle motion state. The system performs a limited sector sweep (covering less than 360 degrees) specifically when the vehicle is in motion, which improves energy efficiency. When the vehicle is stationary, the system switches to a full 360-degree sector sweep to ensure comprehensive connectivity coverage. This dynamic switching strategy ensures that the limited sector sweep is applied only when necessary (during motion), thereby maintaining energy efficiency without sacrificing connectivity coverage when the vehicle is stationary.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-beam module and method of performing an adaptive beam sweep in a multi-beam module of a vehicle includes obtaining information about the vehicle. The information relates to a motion state of the vehicle. The method also includes determining whether a sector sweep by the multi-beam module should be a limited sector sweep that covers less than a 360 degree span collectively based on applying a rule to the information about the vehicle, and performing the limited sector sweep with beams that cover less than the 360 degree span collectively based on determining that the sector sweep should be the limited sector sweep.