Platoon Manager Relay for Cellular Communication in Vehicle Groups
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles in autonomous platoons face communication challenges when a wireless device has no connection to the cellular network, limiting communication capabilities beyond Device-to-Device (D2D) communication.
Innovation Solution
A method and platoon manager that identify a vehicle platoon and find a relay vehicle with a cellular network connection, instructing it to act as a relay via a D2D link to enable communication for the wireless device without a cellular connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a wireless device in a vehicle has no connection to the cellular network, then the device can still participate in D2D communication within the platoon, but the device cannot communicate with external networks (calls, internet access)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a relay vehicle as an intermediary entity that bridges the gap between the wireless device without cellular connection and the external cellular network. The relay vehicle's wireless device establishes a D2D link with the non-connected device and routes its communications through the relay vehicle's active cellular connection, enabling the non-connected device to access external networks while maintaining platoon communication capabilities
2Adaptability or versatility
If all vehicles maintain cellular network connections, then all devices can communicate externally, but the system complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The relay vehicle performs multiple functions: it maintains its own cellular network connection for external communication, participates in D2D communication within the platoon, and additionally serves as a communication relay for other vehicles. This multi-functionality allows the system to provide network access to multiple devices without requiring each device to maintain its own cellular connection, reducing overall energy consumption
3Adaptability or versatility
If a relay vehicle is introduced to enable external communication, then devices without cellular connection can access the network, but the communication path becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The relay vehicle autonomously manages the relay communication process by receiving data from the non-connected device through D2D link, processing the communication through its own cellular connection, and managing the routing without requiring complex coordination infrastructure. The platoon manager facilitates relay vehicle selection but the actual relay operation is self-managed by the relay vehicle itself
Data Source
Figure 1~1A
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A method and a platoon manager (102) for enabling a first wireless device (106A) located in a first vehicle (106) to communicate over a cellular network (100) when the first wireless device (106A) has no connection to the cellular network (100). After identifying a vehicle platoon (104) to which the first vehicle (106) belongs, a relay vehicle (108) is found in the vehicle platoon (104) where a second wireless device (108A) is located that has a connection (110) to the cellular network (100). The second wireless device (108A) is then instructed to act as a relay to the cellular network (100) for the communication with the first wireless device (106A) by means of a wireless Device-to-Device, D2D, link (112) between the first and second wireless devices (106A, 108A).