Modular Vehicle Antenna Assemblies for Distributed AV Coverage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Designing antennas specifically for each autonomous vehicle (AV) is time-consuming and costly, and placing antennas on the roof is inefficient, especially for small vehicles due to limited space.
Innovation Solution
An integrated modular antenna system that includes a plurality of antenna assemblies, allowing for flexible configuration and distribution around the vehicle, including combinations of cellular communication, V2X, and geolocation antennas, optimizing performance based on vehicle conditions and propagation conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If antennas are placed on the roof of autonomous vehicles, then communication coverage is improved, but vehicle design complexity and manufacturing cost increase due to custom antenna structures required for each vehicle model
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system is divided into multiple antenna assemblies that can be distributed across different locations on the vehicle (roof, hood, trunk, etc.). Each assembly contains multiple antennas of different types (cellular, V2X, geolocation), allowing the system to achieve comprehensive coverage without requiring custom-designed integrated structures for each vehicle model.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna assemblies are designed as universal, standardized units that can be applied across different vehicle models and makes. Each assembly serves multiple communication functions (cellular, V2X, geolocation) simultaneously, eliminating the need for vehicle-specific custom antenna designs while maintaining reliable communication coverage.
2Reliability
If the majority of antennas are placed on the roof, then communication performance is improved, but available installation space is reduced especially for small vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system is segmented into multiple distributed assemblies placed at various locations throughout the vehicle (roof, hood, trunk, bumper areas). This distribution spreads the communication functionality across available surfaces, reducing the concentration of antennas on the roof and freeing up installation space on small vehicles while maintaining overall communication performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna assemblies are distributed across multiple spatial dimensions and locations on the vehicle rather than concentrating them on a single surface. This three-dimensional distribution utilizes available space more efficiently, allowing small vehicles to accommodate the necessary antenna infrastructure without compromising interior or exterior space.
3Reliability
If custom antenna structures are designed for each vehicle model, then antenna performance is optimized, but development time and manufacturing cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Standardized antenna assemblies are designed as universal components that can be applied across multiple vehicle models and makes. These assemblies maintain optimized performance for their intended functions (cellular, V2X, geolocation) without requiring custom design for each vehicle, significantly reducing development time and manufacturing costs while preserving communication reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows for flexible configuration and arrangement of standardized antenna assemblies based on specific vehicle requirements and propagation conditions. This dynamic adaptability enables optimized performance for different vehicle types without requiring custom-designed antenna structures, balancing performance optimization with manufacturing efficiency.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple antenna types are integrated into assemblies, then system adaptability to different communication needs is improved, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different antenna types (cellular, V2X, geolocation) are segmented into separate but standardized components within each assembly. This modular segmentation allows for systematic integration of multiple antenna types while maintaining manageable assembly complexity through standardized interfaces and configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
Each antenna assembly is designed as a universal multi-functional unit containing multiple antenna types. The standardized design of these multi-functional assemblies reduces the complexity that would otherwise arise from integrating different antenna types, as the same assembly structure can accommodate various antenna configurations based on communication requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are systems, vehicles, and/or autonomous vehicles, which can include integrated modular antenna systems. Some systems include a plurality of antenna assemblies having a first antenna and a second antenna. In some systems, the first antenna is a different antenna type than the second antenna, and the first antenna and second antenna are spaced apart.