Distributed Platooning Control Authority to Prevent Leader Overload
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing platooning systems face inefficiencies and reliability issues due to excessive control processing overload on leader vehicles, which can lead to malfunctions affecting the entire platoon.
Innovation Solution
A platooning control apparatus that determines and distributes control authority among vehicles based on performance and drive setting information, allowing efficient and reliable platooning by granting control authority to vehicles with optimal performance and sharing it when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the leader vehicle performs all platooning control processing, then the platoon can be controlled centrally, but the leader vehicle experiences overload and malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The platooning control system is segmented into multiple control nodes distributed across different vehicles. Instead of one leader vehicle handling all control processing, the control authority is divided and assigned to multiple vehicles based on their controller performance, sensor capabilities, and communication status. This segmentation reduces the processing load on any single vehicle while maintaining centralized coordination through V2V communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The control architecture transitions from a single-dimension hierarchical structure (one leader controlling all) to a multi-dimensional distributed structure where multiple vehicles can assume control roles simultaneously. This is achieved by evaluating vehicles across multiple dimensions including controller performance metrics, sensor detection ranges, communication reliability, and energy levels, allowing dynamic assignment of control authority based on comprehensive vehicle state assessment.
2Productivity
If control authority is distributed among multiple vehicles, then control processing load is reduced, but determining optimal control distribution becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback mechanisms where vehicles periodically report their controller performance metrics, sensor status, energy levels, and communication reliability to the platoon. Based on this feedback, the control authority is dynamically reassigned to vehicles that currently have the best performance characteristics. This feedback loop enables automatic optimization of control distribution without requiring complex manual configuration or centralized decision-making algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
Each vehicle autonomously evaluates its own controller performance, sensor functionality, and readiness to assume control authority. Vehicles self-report their capability metrics through V2V communication, and the control system automatically assigns leadership roles based on aggregated vehicle self-assessments. This self-service approach reduces the computational complexity of control distribution by leveraging individual vehicle self-knowledge rather than requiring comprehensive system-wide analysis.
3Measurement precision
If the leader vehicle has high controller performance, then control precision is improved, but other vehicles may be underutilized
Solution Approach 1:
The control authority assignment is made dynamic rather than static. Vehicles can transition between leadership and follower roles based on real-time assessment of controller performance, sensor availability, energy levels, and communication status. This dynamic role assignment ensures that the vehicle with the best current performance characteristics always leads, while simultaneously providing opportunities for other vehicles to demonstrate their capabilities and assume leadership when conditions change, thus maximizing overall system adaptability and vehicle utilization.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed are a platooning control apparatus and control method, the apparatus including a communication unit obtaining performance information and sensing information of a controller for platooning and a control unit granting at least vehicle among plurality of vehicles platooning control authority based on the performance information and in response to determination that a vehicle in which the control unit is provided is the vehicle to be granted platooning control authority, generating a driving route on the sensing information and controlling the platooning based on the driving route.