Platoon Vehicle Spacing Based on Predicted Link Quality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current platooning systems lack an effective method to determine the minimum inter-vehicular distance that considers the predicted quality of service (pQoS) of communication links between vehicles, which is critical for safe and efficient urban platooning, especially in high-density scenarios where communication quality can vary.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that determine the minimum inter-vehicular distance (IVD) by using a functional relationship based on predicted quality of service (pQoS), vehicle speed, and maximum decelerations, incorporating packet inter-reception time to adapt the IVD dynamically, allowing vehicles to react to emergency braking situations effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the minimum inter-vehicular distance is reduced to improve fuel efficiency and productivity in platooning, then energy consumption decreases and productivity increases, but safety and reliability deteriorate due to communication quality variations and delayed emergency braking responses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adaptation of the minimum inter-vehicular distance based on predicted Quality of Service (pQoS) parameters. The system continuously monitors communication link quality between vehicles and adjusts the IVD accordingly - reducing distance when communication is reliable to improve fuel efficiency, and increasing distance when communication quality degrades to maintain safety. This dynamic parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between energy efficiency and safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary prediction of communication quality using pQoS parameters before critical situations arise. By forecasting packet inter-reception time and communication reliability in advance, the system can proactively adjust inter-vehicular distances to prevent safety issues while maximizing fuel efficiency during normal operating conditions.
2Productivity
If the inter-vehicular distance is reduced to increase productivity and decrease energy consumption, then output per time increases and energy use decreases, but the system becomes more sensitive to communication delays and quality variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously monitors actual communication performance and packet inter-reception time, compares it with predicted values, and adjusts the inter-vehicular distance accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures that productivity gains from reduced distances are maintained only when communication reliability thresholds are met, automatically increasing distance when feedback indicates degradation in communication quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the IVD parameter dynamically based on pQoS parameter variations. By establishing a functional relationship between communication quality parameters (packet inter-reception time, signal strength) and the mechanical parameter (inter-vehicular distance), the system optimizes platooning efficiency while maintaining safety margins through continuous parameter adaptation.
3Ease of operation
If a fixed minimum inter-vehicular distance is used to simplify control, then device complexity decreases and ease of operation increases, but the system cannot adapt to varying communication quality and loses fuel efficiency opportunities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the platooning system automatically determines and adjusts the minimum inter-vehicular distance based on predicted Quality of Service parameters without requiring manual intervention. The system autonomously processes communication quality data, applies the functional relationship to calculate optimal distances, and executes control adjustments, maintaining ease of operation while capturing fuel efficiency benefits through adaptive control.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments provide a vehicle, a traffic control entity, a method, a computer program, and an apparatus for determining a minimum inter-vehicular distance for a platoon. The method (10) for determining a minimum inter-vehicular distance for a platoon of vehicles comprises obtaining (12) information related to a predicted quality of service, pQoS, of communication links between the vehicles of the platoon; a speed of the vehicles of the platoon; and one or more maximum decelerations of the vehicles of the platoon. The method (10) further comprises using (14) a functional relationship between the pQoS, the speed, the one or more maximum decelerations, and an inter-vehicular distance to determine the minimum inter-vehicular distance.