Optical Platoon Communication via Token Relay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current RF-based vehicle-to-vehicle communication systems in platoons face security and reliability issues due to interference from external purposeful or purposeless signals, and existing optical communication solutions are limited to successive or neighboring vehicles, not enabling secure and reliable communication between any vehicles in a platoon.
Innovation Solution
A communication system using optical radiation (visible, infrared, or ultraviolet signals) with a token-based method, where each vehicle is equipped with forward and backward emitters/receivers, and a controller determines vehicle positions and identities within the platoon, allowing secure multi-hop communication between any vehicles through a token-based data transmission process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If RF-based communication systems are used for vehicle-to-vehicle communication in platoons, then communication coverage and range are improved, but security and reliability deteriorate due to interference from external signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces RF electromagnetic wave-based communication with optical communication using visible light, infrared, or ultraviolet signals. This substitution fundamentally changes the communication medium from radio waves to optical radiation, enabling line-of-sight transmission that is inherently more secure and resistant to external interference while maintaining platoon communication capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the frequency parameter of the communication signal from RF bands (up to 300 GHz) to optical bands (380-790 THz). This parameter change enables the use of visible light communication which provides directional beam patterns and short transmission ranges, thereby improving security and reliability against external signal interference
2Reliability
If VLC is used for communication between successive vehicles, then security and reliability are improved, but communication capability between non-successive vehicles deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the platoon communication into multiple hops, where each vehicle acts as a relay node. Non-successive vehicles communicate by passing signals through intermediate successive vehicles, breaking down the complex multi-vehicle communication problem into a series of simple point-to-point optical links that maintain security and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate vehicles as mediators in the communication path. When a vehicle needs to communicate with a non-successive vehicle, the message is transmitted through one or more intermediate vehicles that relay the optical signals, enabling versatile communication while maintaining the security benefits of line-of-sight transmission
3Reliability
If optical communication signals are used, then security against external interference is improved, but communication between non-successive or non-linear vehicles deteriorates due to line-of-sight requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments long-distance communication into multiple short-line-of-sight hops. Instead of requiring a direct line-of-sight path between all vehicles, the communication path is divided into sequential segments where each segment maintains line-of-sight requirements, enabling flexible platoon configurations while preserving security
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends communication from direct two-vehicle links to multi-dimensional platoon networks by adding the temporal dimension of multi-hop relay transmission. This allows optical signals to traverse complex platoon geometries through multiple relays, maintaining line-of-sight constraints at each hop while achieving versatile inter-vehicle communication
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution provides a robust, secure, and reliable communication system that enables each vehicle in a platoon to communicate with any other vehicle, overcoming external interference and ensuring efficient data transmission through line-of-sight optical signals.
Implementation Method 1
A communication system using optical radiation (visible, infrared, or ultraviolet signals) with a token-based method, where each vehicle is equipped with forward and backward emitters/receivers
Implementation Method 2
data transmitted from front and rear headlights of vehicles can be received by other vehicles via photodetectors
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A system and method are provided for communication between vehicles within a platoon of vehicles. In one embodiment, each vehicle is equipped with forward and backward directed optical emitters and receivers in operable communication with a controller. In an initialization phase, each vehicle determines its position within the 5 platoon and the identification of all vehicles of the platoon. In a data transmission phase, each vehicle takes part in a token-based data transmission.