On Board Unit Power Management via Tracking Mode
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Solution Overview
Problem
On-board units (OBUs) in vehicles consume excessive power while waiting for commands to send tracking frames, reducing battery life, especially when not within the transaction zone for data exchange with roadside units (RSUs).
Innovation Solution
Implementing a tracking mode in OBUs, where the communication unit is shut down and a timer is activated, allowing the unit to restart within a specified time limit, reducing active time and power consumption by transitioning between tracking and active modes only when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the OBU remains active to send tracking frames for localization, then localization accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases and battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The OBU switches between active mode (sending tracking frames periodically) and sleep mode (consuming minimal power). The periodic activation allows the system to maintain localization capability while significantly reducing average power consumption compared to continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The OBU dynamically transitions between different operational states (active, sleep, tracking modes) based on location requirements and power status. This dynamic state management allows the system to adapt power consumption to actual localization needs.
2Reliability
If the OBU stays active within the communication zone, then communication readiness is improved, but battery life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The OBU performs preliminary actions by entering sleep mode with minimal functionality active, while maintaining the capability to quickly wake up and become fully operational when needed. This allows the system to prepare for communication events without maintaining continuous high-power operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The OBU activates communication functions periodically when within the communication zone rather than continuously. The system monitors for wake-up commands and activates communication capabilities only when required, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining readiness.
3Loss of time
If the OBU continuously monitors for wake-up commands, then response time is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The OBU dynamically adjusts its monitoring state based on whether it is within the communication zone. When inside the zone, the system increases monitoring activity to ensure quick response. When outside, it reduces monitoring to save power, accepting longer response times for events occurring far from the current location.
Data Source
AI summary
Described are an on board unit (OBU) and a method to control an OBU within a communication zone of a road side unit (RSU), said OBU can be set into an active mode and a sleep mode. Said OBU is set into sleep mode upon receiving a release command from said RSU, and the OBU electronics are shut down so no or a minimum of power is consumed, and is set into active mode when entering said communication zone. A communication unit of said OBU is thereby powered such that the OBU can communicate with said RSU. Said OBU can be set into a tracking mode by said RSU, whereby in said tracking mode at least said communication unit is shut down and a timer is activated in said OBU, such that said OBU can restart said communication unit within a specified time limit from when it is shut down.