Point-to-Multipoint Downlink for ITS Resource Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

In intelligent transport systems (ITS), the existing mobile communication systems require significant radio resources for point-to-point communication, leading to resource depletion and increased costs due to the need for dedicated radio resources for each vehicle, especially in heavy traffic conditions.

Innovation Solution

A radio communication system utilizing point-to-multipoint communication for downlink information and point-to-point communication for uplink information, where the ITS server provides first downlink information through broadcasting or multicasting and second downlink information, such as a decryption key, to mobile terminals, allowing efficient resource allocation and reducing the need for individual resource allocation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If point-to-point communication is used for downlink information transmission in ITS, then communication connection can be established between road side unit and vehicle, but radio resources are depleted when the number of mobile terminals increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication connectionVSAvoidradio resources
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple downlink communication channels into a single point-to-multipoint broadcast channel. The base station transmits first downlink information (traffic information) to multiple mobile terminals simultaneously using broadcast communication, eliminating the need for separate point-to-point connections for each terminal. This reduces radio resource consumption while maintaining reliable information delivery to all vehicles in the coverage area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The broadcast channel serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides traffic information to all mobile terminals in the area, enables efficient resource allocation, and supports both information provision and resource management functions. This multi-functional approach replaces the need for dedicated point-to-point channels for each terminal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If point-to-point communication is used for each vehicle, then individual communication needs are met, but the amount of radio resources required increases significantly in heavy traffic conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindividual communicationVSAvoidradio resources
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines individual communication needs into a group communication approach. All mobile terminals receive the same first downlink information through a single broadcast channel, eliminating the need for multiple individual channels. This merging approach maintains adaptability to individual needs while dramatically reducing the total quantity of radio resources required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments downlink information into two types: first downlink information (traffic information) transmitted via broadcast to all terminals, and second downlink information (decryption keys) transmitted via point-to-point to specific terminals that need them. This segmentation allows efficient resource allocation by applying different transmission methods to different information types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Loss of information

If many radio resources are allocated for downlink data transmission, then information provision to vehicles is improved, but radio resources are depleted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation provisionVSAvoidradio resources
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the transmission of traffic information to multiple vehicles into a single broadcast operation. The base station transmits first downlink information containing traffic information to all mobile terminals in the coverage area simultaneously, ensuring complete information provision without multiplying radio resource allocation by the number of terminals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the transmission parameter from individual dedicated channels to a shared broadcast channel. This parameter change allows the same radio resources to serve multiple terminals simultaneously, improving information provision efficiency while preventing resource depletion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Quantity of substance

If point-to-multipoint communication is used for downlink, then radio resources are reduced, but uplink communication still requires point-to-point connection establishment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradio resourcesVSAvoidcommunication establishment
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments communication into downlink and uplink portions with different transmission methods. Downlink uses point-to-multipoint broadcast for efficient information distribution, while uplink uses point-to-point for targeted data transmission. This segmentation optimizes resource usage for each direction while managing complexity through clear separation of functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies point-to-point communication only partially - specifically for uplink transmission from mobile terminals to base station and for transmitting decryption keys. The majority of downlink traffic information is transmitted via broadcast, reducing overall complexity while maintaining necessary point-to-point capabilities where required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP2779705B1Wireless communication system, information provision device, moving body terminal, and method which provides information to moving body terminal
Publication Date: 2018.12.05 SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP2779705B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2779705B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2779705B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Downlink is achieved by point-to-multipoint communication. There is provided a radio communication system 1 that provides information to a mobile terminal 3 via a radio communication device 2 that performs radio communication with the mobile terminal 3. The mobile terminal 3 is capable of receiving first downlink information that has been transmitted by point-to-multipoint radio communication receivable by a plurality of the mobile terminals 3, and capable of receiving second downlink information that has been transmitted by point-to-point communication. The mobile terminal 3 is capable of transmitting uplink information by point-to-point radio communication. The first downlink information and the second downlink information are formed such that information to be used in the mobile terminal 3 is obtained when the mobile terminal 3 performs information processing by using both the first downlink information and the second downlink information.