Dual-SIM Vehicle OBU Switching for Reliable Distress Calls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing on-board units (OBUs) in vehicles may lose communication with rescue centers due to antenna dislodgment or lack of signal coverage, especially in accidents, leading to failed emergency calls.
Innovation Solution
The OBU is equipped with dual SIMs, a modem, RF switch module, and multiple antennas, allowing it to switch between networks and antenna types to maintain communication, ensuring wider network coverage and improved call success rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single SIM card is used for communication, then the device complexity is reduced, but the network coverage and call success rate deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The communication system is segmented into multiple independent SIM card modules (first SIM and second SIM), each capable of independent communication. This segmentation allows the system to diversify communication paths and improve call success rate by switching between different network operators when one fails.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of SIM card configuration from single to dual, enabling flexible switching between different network operators. This parameter change directly improves network coverage and call reliability by providing alternative communication channels.
2Reliability
If an external antenna is used for signal reception, then the signal reception capability is improved, but the antenna may be easily dislodged by accidents, affecting communication reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a built-in antenna as a backup communication path before external antenna failure occurs. When the external antenna is dislodged or damaged during an accident, the built-in antenna immediately takes over to maintain communication reliability, providing beforehand cushioning against potential failures.
Solution Approach 2:
The built-in antenna acts as an intermediary backup solution between the external antenna and the communication system. When the external antenna fails, the built-in antenna mediates the communication connection, ensuring continuous operation without direct human intervention.
3Reliability
If multiple SIM cards and antennas are integrated into the OBU, then the network coverage and call success rate are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple SIM cards and antennas are merged into a single integrated OBU device with unified control logic. The main processor coordinates multiple communication components (first SIM, second SIM, external antenna, built-in antenna) as a cohesive system, managing signal routing and switching automatically without requiring separate control mechanisms for each component.
Solution Approach 2:
The OBU is designed with multi-functionality to perform both normal communication and emergency call functions using the same hardware resources. The system can dynamically allocate the first SIM, second SIM, external antenna, and built-in antenna for different communication scenarios, making the device universally applicable for various communication needs.
Data Source
AI summary
A fail-safe on-board unit, a movable device, and a control method for a vehicle which will automatically and reliably broadcast a distress signal to a rescue center in the event of accident includes in the on-board unit a first subscriber identity module (SIM), a second SIM, a main processor, a modem, a radio frequency (RF) switch module, and an antenna module with several antennas. The main processor selects the first SIM and/or the second SIM to make a call to generate a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the modem, the modem converts the baseband signal into an RF signal, and outputs the RF signal to the RF switch module to transmit outward via one or more antennas of the antenna module. The on-board unit has a wider network coverage to ensure higher success rate of emergency calls.