Cooperative System Communication Scheduling

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Solution Overview

Problem

In co-operative systems, vehicles often transmit data at the same time, leading to delays and the broadcast of aged information, which can result in errors and decreased relevance due to simultaneous access to the wireless communication channel.

Innovation Solution

The method involves synchronizing communication units to acquire raw data at individual times, processing, and broadcasting information packages immediately, with optional individual acquisition and broadcasting delays calculated based on processing speed and channel availability to minimize data age and collision risk.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple vehicles transmit data simultaneously on the wireless communication channel, then the communication channel utilization is improved, but transmission collisions occur and data freshness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication channel utilizationVSAvoidtransmission collision risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the simultaneous transmission process into sequential time slots for each vehicle. Instead of allowing all vehicles to transmit at once, the master control unit assigns different time slots to different vehicles based on their distances to the infrastructure, creating a structured transmission schedule that prevents collisions while maintaining high channel utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic transmission cycles where vehicles transmit data at regular intervals assigned to them. The master control unit orchestrates periodic updates of transmission schedules, and each vehicle periodically transmits its data package at its assigned time slot, ensuring systematic channel usage without collisions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If vehicles wait for channel access before transmitting, then transmission collision is avoided, but transmission delay increases and data freshness decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission collision avoidanceVSAvoidtransmission delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The master control unit performs preliminary actions by calculating and assigning optimal transmission time slots to each vehicle before the actual transmission occurs. Based on pre-known parameters such as vehicle distances and channel conditions, the system proactively schedules transmissions to minimize delays while preventing collisions, rather than reacting to channel availability in real-time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The transmission time slots are dynamically assigned and adjustable based on changing conditions. The master control unit can modify time slot allocations in response to varying vehicle distances, channel conditions, and data urgency, optimizing the balance between collision avoidance and transmission delay in real-time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Loss of information

If data is processed and broadcast immediately after acquisition, then data freshness is improved, but transmission collision risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata freshnessVSAvoidtransmission collision risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a counterbalancing mechanism where the master control unit assigns staggered time slots that offset the simultaneous transmission tendency. While vehicles process and prepare data immediately for freshness, the transmission is weighted against immediate broadcasting by scheduling it in collision-free time slots, balancing data freshness with transmission reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

4Productivity

If transmission time slots are assigned based on vehicle distance, then transmission efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission efficiencyVSAvoidscheduling system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses parameter changes by assigning time slots based on measurable vehicle parameters such as distance from infrastructure. The master control unit calculates transmission times using these parameters, creating an efficient scheduling system that leverages existing vehicle data without requiring complex algorithms, thus improving transmission efficiency while keeping system complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2778802B1A method for communication within a co-operative system
Publication Date: 2019.07.31 KAPSCH TRAFFICCOM AB
  • EP2778802B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2778802B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2c
  • EP2778802B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3c

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for communication within a co-operative system (CS). Said co-operative system (CS) comprises a plurality of communication units (A, B, C), which are adapted to execute a group of tasks repeatedly in a repetition cycle: • acquire raw data from at least one raw data collector, • process said raw data into an information package, and • broadcast of said information package. Said repetition cycle lasts a predetermined time period from a start (Sn) of a repetition cycle, and said at least one raw data collector collects data from a global navigation satellite system (GNSS). Said raw data from the GNSS comprises a global timing signal, to which said communication units (A, B, C) synchronise. A timing of said execution of tasks is dependent of said global timing signal. An individual acquisition time (ATA, ATB, ATC) for acquiring raw data from the raw data collectors is set for each of the plurality of communication units (A, B, C).