IoT Platoon Communication Switching for PC5 Congestion and Blocking

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Solution Overview

Problem

In vehicle-to-everything communication systems, particularly in platooning scenarios, the PC5 communication mode is prone to deterioration and disconnection due to congestion and blocking, leading to potential safety risks as vehicles may not receive timely information about the driving status and intentions of preceding vehicles.

Innovation Solution

A method is introduced where a platform dynamically plans and updates the communication mode of fleet members based on geographic areas, network status, and map information, switching between PC5 and Uu modes to ensure reliable and efficient communication, using a 3GPP communications network architecture.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If PC5 communication mode is used for short-distance vehicle communication, then communication latency is reduced, but communication reliability deteriorates due to congestion and blocking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication latencyVSAvoidcommunication reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic communication mode switching between PC5 and Uu modes based on real-time network conditions, vehicle density, and geographic location. The system continuously monitors communication quality and automatically transitions between direct PC5 communication and network-forwarded Uu communication to maintain optimal reliability while minimizing latency impact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a base station and network infrastructure as intermediaries to forward communication between vehicles when PC5 direct communication is unreliable. This intermediary approach allows vehicles to maintain communication through the network infrastructure when direct peer-to-peer links are blocked or congested, thereby improving reliability without completely abandoning low-latency PC5 mode.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Speed

If PC5 communication mode is used for fleet communication, then communication speed is improved, but communication quality deteriorates in congested or blocked areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication speedVSAvoidcommunication quality
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts communication mode based on real-time conditions including network congestion levels, geographic blocking, and vehicle density. When PC5 quality deteriorates in congested areas, the system automatically switches to Uu mode through the network, ensuring continuous high-quality communication while minimizing the impact on overall communication speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes communication parameters by switching between different communication modes (PC5 direct mode and Uu network mode) based on environmental parameters such as network congestion, geographic blocking, and vehicle platoon configuration. This parameter change allows the system to adapt to varying conditions and maintain both speed and quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If communication mode is fixed for fleet members, then system complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different network conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidadaptability to network conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service communication mode selection where each vehicle in the platoon autonomously determines its own communication mode based on local conditions and received coordination information. This self-service approach distributes the decision-making complexity across multiple vehicles rather than requiring a centralized complex control system, thereby maintaining relatively simple individual device complexity while achieving high overall adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback mechanisms where vehicles monitor their communication quality and network conditions, then adjust their communication mode accordingly. Lead vehicles coordinate mode changes and propagate this information to following vehicles, creating a feedback loop that enables the entire platoon to adapt to changing network conditions while maintaining coordinated operation with manageable complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3800903B1Internet of things platoon communication method
Publication Date: 2023.07.26 HUAWEI CLOUD COMPUTING TECHNOLOGIES CO LTD
  • EP3800903B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3800903B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3800903B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This application provides an internet of things platoon communication method. In this method, an internet of things platform plans and manages a communication mode of a platoon in a traveling process. In the traveling process, the platoon selects, based on a communication mode plan sent by the platform, a communication mode corresponding to a current location of the platoon for communication. Because the platform can obtain global information such as a network and a map, the communication mode planned by the platform is more reasonable and accurate. This resolves a problem of one-by-one switchover and repeated switchover of fleet members at road sections such as a congested road section, a road section with poor network coverage, and a multi-block road section.