Front Wing Antenna Layout for Low-Latency Truck Platooning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) for platooning, which rely on on-board sensors like cameras and radars, suffer from latency issues that limit the minimization of vehicle following distance, thereby reducing the benefits of fuel economy, road use efficiency, and traffic safety in short-distance truck platooning applications.
Innovation Solution
A wireless vehicle-to-vehicle communication system with a wing assembly housing digital communication antennas at optimized heights and positions to minimize interference and maximize signal diversity, mounted on the vehicle's front side to enhance communication quality and reduce air resistance, allowing for closer vehicle following and improved platooning control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If on-board sensor systems (cameras and radars) are used for platooning, then vehicle following control can be achieved, but latency times of 200-500 ms occur which limit minimization of vehicle following distance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces V2V communication as an intermediary system that directly transmits control signals between vehicles, bypassing the need for sensor-based detection and processing. This mediator approach reduces latency by establishing a direct communication channel for platoon control commands, eliminating the 200-500ms delay inherent in sensor systems.
2Loss of energy
If V2V communication antennas are mounted close to the vehicle body, then air resistance is reduced, but transmission and reception interference increases due to proximity to electronic interference sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions antennas on the front side of the vehicle body, utilizing the third dimension (depth/distance from body) to achieve optimal placement. This spatial arrangement in another dimension allows antennas to be sufficiently distant from interference sources while maintaining aerodynamic efficiency, resolving the conflict between proximity to body and interference avoidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates locally optimized antenna mounting zones on the front side of the vehicle body where electromagnetic interference is minimized. By selecting specific locations with favorable electromagnetic characteristics, the system achieves both low interference and acceptable aerodynamic performance in those local regions.
3Device complexity
If multiple antennas are placed at the same height and position, then device complexity is reduced, but signal diversity and coverage quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric antenna placement where antennas are positioned at different heights and/or horizontal positions on the front side of the vehicle. This asymmetric arrangement creates spatial diversity in signal reception, improving coverage quality and reliability while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
It is aimed to provide a wireless vehicle to vehicle communication system arranged for mounting on a vehicle's front side location, equipped to provide inter vehicle communication. The system comprises a wing assembly arranged for mounting on the vehicles front side location. The wing assembly houses one or more digital communications antennas and has a side portion that houses a first antenna at a first height and/or horizontal position, and a second antenna at a second height and/or horizontal position, different from the first height and/or first horizontal position and sufficiently away from the other metallic and/or electronic components, for the purpose of optimizing reception and/or transmission quality, by e.g. providing good coverage and diversity, and avoiding interference with each other.