Communication Device Platooning for Shared Signal Measurement

Solution Overview

Problem

The continuous transmission of channel information from multiple communication devices in vehicle platooning leads to excess power usage and bandwidth issues in the network.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that determines a platoon recommendation by obtaining mobility information for communication devices, aligning them into groups, and designating a head device to report reference signal measurements on behalf of the platoon, reducing unnecessary measurements and transmissions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If continuous transmission of channel information is performed by multiple communication devices, then measurement precision and network monitoring capability are improved, but energy consumption and bandwidth usage increase excessively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel information measurementVSAvoidpower usage in communication devices

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple communication devices are grouped into a platoon where they share a common reference signal measurement configuration. The head communication device performs measurements on behalf of the entire platoon, merging the measurement functions to eliminate redundant operations and reduce overall energy consumption while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The head communication device serves multiple functions: it acts as a representative for the platoon, performs reference signal measurements, and reports channel information for all platoon members. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of measurement operations needed in the network.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If continuous transmission of channel information is performed by multiple communication devices, then measurement precision and network monitoring capability are improved, but bandwidth consumption increases excessively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel information measurementVSAvoidbandwidth usage in network

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple communication devices are grouped into a platoon where they share a common reference signal measurement configuration. The head communication device performs measurements on behalf of the entire platoon, merging the measurement functions to eliminate redundant operations and reduce overall energy consumption while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The head communication device serves multiple functions: it acts as a representative for the platoon, performs reference signal measurements, and reports channel information for all platoon members. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of measurement operations needed in the network.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If individual communication devices perform independent reference signal measurements, then measurement precision is maintained, but device complexity and coordination overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereference signal measurementVSAvoidplatoon configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The head communication device acts as an intermediary between the network and the platoon members. It receives measurement configurations from the network, performs measurements on behalf of all platoon members, and reports results back to the network. This intermediary role simplifies the overall system architecture by reducing the number of direct network-device interactions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20260057784A1Platooning of Communication Devices

Publication Date: 2026.02.26 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

A method, in a first network function, for providing one or more platoon recommendations for platooning of a plurality of communication devices the method comprising: obtaining mobility information for the plurality of communication devices; determining, based on the mobility information, a platoon recommendation comprising a subset of the plurality of communication devices to be grouped into a platoon and a head communication device of the subset of communication devices to be responsible for reporting reference signal measurements on behalf of the platoon; and transmitting the platoon recommendation to a second network function.