Multidimensional Infrastructure Scaling for Cloud OTA Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automotive over-the-air (OTA) systems face challenges in cost-effectively managing software updates due to limitations in cellular network scalability and access capacity, leading to increased costs for OEMs, especially during peak hours and in specific geographical locations.
Innovation Solution
A cloud-based OTA system that utilizes multidimensional infrastructure scaling by obtaining requirements and infrastructure scaling data from mobile network operators to determine cost-optimal infrastructure options, procuring and allocating necessary resources, and scheduling updates to minimize costs and network congestion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cellular network infrastructure is used for OTA updates, then connectivity is provided, but costs increase significantly during peak hours and in specific geographical locations
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts infrastructure scaling based on real-time network conditions, geographical location, and temporal patterns. It selects optimal infrastructure options from multiple dimensions (cloud resources, network channels, timing) to minimize costs while maintaining reliable update delivery, adapting to changing conditions rather than using static infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes multiple parameters simultaneously including infrastructure type, geographical location, time of day, and network channel selection to optimize the balance between update reliability and communication cost. This multi-parameter optimization allows cost reduction during peak hours by selecting alternative parameters
2Productivity
If infrastructure scaling is increased to support more vehicles, then update capacity increases, but cloud infrastructure costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic infrastructure scaling that adjusts cloud resource allocation based on actual update requirements and network conditions. Instead of maintaining fixed over-capacity infrastructure, it scales resources up or down in response to demand patterns, reducing unnecessary cloud infrastructure costs while maintaining sufficient update capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The system moves from single-dimension scaling (only increasing cloud resources) to multidimensional scaling that considers infrastructure type, geographical distribution, temporal scheduling, and network channel selection. This dimensional expansion allows achieving higher update capacity through smarter resource allocation rather than brute-force infrastructure expansion
3Speed
If updates are delivered during peak hours, then update speed increases, but network congestion occurs and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic temporal scheduling to distribute update deliveries across different time periods, avoiding simultaneous peak-hour traffic. By selecting optimal time windows and spreading updates over multiple periods, it maintains acceptable download speeds while avoiding network congestion and associated costs
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces temporal and spatial intermediaries (time scheduling, geographical distribution) between the update source and vehicles, acting as a buffer that decouples immediate demand from network capacity constraints. This intermediary layer allows flexible routing of updates to avoid direct conflicts with peak network traffic
Data Source
AI summary
Flexible, multidimensional infrastructure scaling for cloud-based over-the-air (OTA) systems is disclosed. The method comprises: obtaining requirements for OTA updates; obtaining infrastructure scaling data indicative of at least one of information technology (IT) infrastructure or communications resources provided by at least one mobile network operator (MNO); determining, using the infrastructure scaling data, a plurality of infrastructure scaling options that satisfies the requirements; determining a cost associated with each of the infrastructure scaling options; determining a cost-optimal infrastructure option from the plurality of infrastructure scaling options that satisfies the requirements for OTA updates and has the lowest associated cost; procuring and allocating a number or type of infrastructure components according to the cost-optimal infrastructure option; communicating an update time and update channel for delivering the OTA updates to the mobility clients; and initiating delivery of the OTA updates to the mobility clients using the procured and allocated infrastructure components.