Hierarchical AV Control Using RSUs to Cut Onboard Complexity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autonomous vehicles require expensive and complicated on-board systems, hindering widespread commercial implementation.
Innovation Solution
A comprehensive system comprising a hierarchy of traffic control centers and units, Road Side Units, and vehicle subsystems that send detailed and time-sensitive control instructions for vehicle following, lane changing, and route guidance, utilizing a hierarchical structure for optimized traffic management and communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If autonomous vehicles use expensive and complicated on-board systems, then vehicle control and navigation capabilities are improved, but system cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces Road Side Units (RSUs) as intermediary devices that perform sensing, detection, and control functions externally. These RSUs act as mediators between the central control system and vehicles, providing autonomous driving capabilities without requiring complex on-board systems in each vehicle. The RSUs handle tasks like obstacle detection, traffic condition monitoring, and control signal generation, thereby reducing the complexity burden on individual vehicle systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent shifts the control architecture from a vehicle-centric dimension to an infrastructure-centric dimension. Instead of each vehicle having its own complex sensing and control systems, the control functionality is moved to the road infrastructure through RSUs and central control servers. This dimensional shift allows centralized processing and coordination, reducing the need for redundant complex systems in each vehicle while improving overall system reliability.
2Manufacturing precision
If autonomous vehicles use expensive and complicated on-board systems, then navigation and control precision are improved, but implementation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex sensing, detection, and control processing functions from individual vehicles and places them in Road Side Units and central control systems. This extraction allows vehicles to have simpler, more manufacturable systems while still achieving high-precision control through externally provided guidance and control instructions from the infrastructure.
3Productivity
If a hierarchical traffic control system is implemented, then traffic management efficiency is improved, but system architecture complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the traffic control system into hierarchical segments: central control servers for macro-level coordination, Road Side Units for local area control, and vehicle subsystems for execution. This segmentation allows each level to handle specific tasks independently, improving overall traffic control efficiency through distributed decision-making while managing complexity through clear functional boundaries between levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple control functions (sensing, detection, decision-making, and control signal generation) into integrated Road Side Units that operate at specific locations along the roadway. This merging of functions at the infrastructure level simplifies the overall architecture by reducing the need for separate systems in each vehicle while maintaining efficient traffic management through centralized coordination.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides systems and methods for an autonomous vehicle and center control system (AVCCS), which is a component of a Connected Automated Vehicle Highway (CAVH) system. The AVCCS is configured to realize drone/tele driving or digital twins by providing automated vehicles (AVs) or connected automated vehicles (CAVs) with vehicle-specific control instructions comprising instructions for vehicle longitudinal and lateral position, speed, and steering and control. Specifically, through the system, AVs or CAVs can be effectively and efficiently controlled by the AVCCS. In addition, the AVCCS is configured to provide vehicle-specific control instructions to AVs or CAVs and control them through a hierarchy of traffic control centers/units (TCCs/TCUs) or the combination of TCCs/TCUs and the onboard units (OBUs) with a vehicle control module, wherein said TCCs/TCUs are configured to fulfill vehicle maneuver tasks, monitor safety maintenance tasks, and take over if the system fails.