DSRC Platooning Control via Braking Performance Validation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle platooning systems rely on cellular connections and lack standardization in vehicle-to-vehicle communication, making it difficult for vehicles to safely join or change positions within a platoon without a lead vehicle's control, and they do not effectively manage following distances based on individual braking performance.
Innovation Solution
A method using DSRC signals for wireless vehicle-to-vehicle communication to identify and validate platooning partners based on braking performance, allowing each vehicle to independently control its following distance through an adaptive cruise control system, eliminating the need for cellular connections and enabling safe engagement and disengagement of platooning without relying on a lead vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cellular connections are used for vehicle-to-vehicle communication in platooning, then platoon formation and control is enabled, but system complexity and dependency on external networks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces DSRC ( Dedicated Short Range Communication) as an intermediary communication technology that enables direct vehicle-to-vehicle communication without requiring cellular networks. This mediator allows platooning vehicles to exchange position, speed, and braking performance data through a dedicated wireless communication channel, reducing dependency on external cellular infrastructure while maintaining reliable communication for platoon formation and control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the communication function from the cellular network dependency and implements it through onboard DSRC transceivers. By taking out the communication capability from external network reliance and embedding it directly in the vehicles through DSRC devices, the system achieves platooning functionality with reduced system complexity and no external network dependency
2Ease of operation
If a lead vehicle controls the platoon formation, then platoon coordination is achieved, but the system requires standardized equipment across all vehicles and cloud access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling each vehicle to independently evaluate its own braking performance through onboard sensors and systems, then autonomously determine its suitability as a platooning partner by comparing its brake-performance-value with received values from other vehicles. This self-evaluation mechanism eliminates the need for centralized cloud access to assess vehicle compatibility, allowing vehicles to independently join or leave platoons based on their own capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from requiring standardized equipment across all vehicles to using variable brake-performance-values that reflect each vehicle's actual braking capabilities. By transmitting and comparing these performance parameters through DSRC communication, the system adapts to different vehicle types and equipment levels, allowing vehicles with diverse configurations to participate in platooning as long as they meet the minimum performance thresholds
3Device complexity
If following distance is controlled without considering individual braking performance, then platoon operation is simplified, but safety is compromised during maximum braking scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring each vehicle's actual braking performance through onboard sensors and comparing it with the brake-performance-value transmitted to other platoon members. This real-time feedback loop allows vehicles to dynamically adjust their following distances based on their actual braking capabilities, ensuring that vehicles with superior braking performance can maintain shorter distances while those with limited braking capacity maintain larger safety margins, thereby preventing collisions during maximum braking scenarios
4Adaptability or versatility
If DSRC communication is used for vehicle-to-vehicle communication, then cellular network dependency is eliminated, but the system must independently manage partner validation and following distance control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the platooning control function into independent modular components: DSRC communication for data exchange, brake-performance-value transmission for partner validation, and adaptive cruise control for following distance management. This segmentation allows each component to operate independently with clearly defined interfaces, reducing the overall system complexity despite the elimination of cellular network dependency. Each vehicle independently manages its own segment of the platoon control function
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling an own vehicle to participate in platoon with at least one other vehicle, wherein the own vehicle and the at least one other vehicle each having communication devices configured to wirelessly transmit DSRC-signals over a vehicle-to-vehicle communication link between each other. The method includes checking initiation conditions to determine if the own vehicle is ready for platooning, identifying at least one other vehicle in signal-transmittal-range to determine if the at least one other vehicle is ready for platooning and the at least one other vehicle is a valid platooning partner, and requesting to an adaptive cruise control system to hold a following-distance between the own vehicle and the at least one other vehicle to form a platoon if the at least other vehicle is ready for platooning and is a valid platooning partner and if the own vehicle is assigned as a following vehicle.