Platoon Vehicle Communication Role Switching to Cut Line Contracts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional platoon traveling systems face challenges in reducing communication costs and maintaining connectivity, as they require multiple line contracts for external communication, leading to increased costs and limited platoon traveling range due to the need for simultaneous mobile communication network contracts among all vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A control apparatus that dynamically assigns and reassigns identification information data for external communication, allowing only a subset of vehicles to perform external communication simultaneously, thereby reducing the number of necessary line contracts and minimizing communication costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all vehicles in the platoon perform external communication simultaneously, then communication coverage is maintained, but communication cost increases due to multiple line contracts
Solution Approach 1:
The platoon is segmented into communication roles: head vehicle performs external communication while follower vehicles use inter-vehicle communication. This segmentation reduces the number of line contracts needed from N (total vehicles) to 1 (head vehicle only), directly addressing the cost issue while maintaining coverage through relay communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The head vehicle acts as an intermediary between the external communication network and follower vehicles. It receives external communication signals and relays them to followers via inter-vehicle communication, eliminating the need for each vehicle to have independent external communication capabilities.
2Loss of energy
If only the head vehicle performs external communication, then communication cost is reduced, but connectivity may be lost if the head vehicle cannot communicate
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts communication roles based on platoon configuration. When follower vehicles detect that the head vehicle cannot perform external communication, they automatically switch to performing external communication themselves, ensuring continuous connectivity without requiring all vehicles to have simultaneous communication capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication mode of each vehicle is changed from static to dynamic. Vehicles can switch between inter-vehicle communication mode and external communication mode based on real-time platoon conditions, allowing the system to adapt to various scenarios and maintain reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple vehicles are equipped with external communication capabilities, then communication flexibility is improved, but the number of line contracts and communication cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Follower vehicles are designed with multi-functionality: they can perform both inter-vehicle communication and external communication. This universality allows the system to maintain flexibility (any vehicle can communicate externally if needed) while reducing the number of active line contracts (only one vehicle communicates externally at a time).
Data Source
AI summary
A control apparatus that controls a plurality of vehicles performing platoon travelling is provided. Each of the vehicles is provided with an inter-vehicle communication apparatus that performs an inter-vehicle communication with an other vehicle included in a column of the platoon travelling. At least some of the vehicles is provided with an external communication apparatus that performs an external communication based on own identification information given by a telecommunication company. The control apparatus is configured to control respective vehicles such that the number of vehicles capable of simultaneously performing the external communication is less than the number of vehicles included in the column.