Vehicle Platoon Wireless Data Bus with Out-of-Band V2V Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications in platoons face reliability and throughput issues due to high noise levels in standard wireless spectrum, particularly in autonomous vehicle applications where frequent, time-sensitive communications are critical for safety.
Innovation Solution
Establishing out-of-band and expanded V2V communication links using 60 GHz Wi-Fi, with beam steering and power adjustments, to maintain communication between platoon vehicles while allowing vehicles to join or leave the platoon, thereby reducing interference and maintaining the intra-platoon wireless data bus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If standard wireless spectrum is used for V2V communications in platoons, then communication coverage is maintained, but noise levels increase and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication spectrum by introducing a dedicated 60 GHz Wi-Fi channel specifically for intra-platoon communications, separating it from standard V2X wireless spectrum. This segmentation reduces noise and interference by isolating platoon communications from other V2X traffic, thereby improving reliability while maintaining coverage.
2Reliability
If vehicles communicate frequently in platoons to ensure safety, then safety monitoring is improved, but congestion on V2X frequencies increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts intra-platoon communication traffic from the general V2X frequency band by implementing a dedicated 60 GHz Wi-Fi communication channel. This extraction removes platoon-specific high-frequency safety communications from the congested V2X spectrum, reducing overall traffic congestion while maintaining enhanced safety monitoring capabilities within the platoon.
3Reliability
If beam steering is used to expand communication links during platoon changes, then communication continuity is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic beam steering that automatically adjusts communication links during platoon configuration changes. The system dynamically identifies and establishes new communication paths as vehicles join or leave the platoon, maintaining communication continuity through real-time adaptation without requiring manual intervention or overly complex predetermined configurations.
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
Enhances communication reliability and throughput within platoons by minimizing interference and maintaining a robust communication link, ensuring safe and efficient platoon operations.
Implementation Method 1
Establishing out-of-band and expanded V2V communication links using 60 GHz Wi-Fi
Implementation Method 2
with beam steering and power adjustments, to maintain communication between platoon vehicles
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments are disclosed that include systems and methods performed by a processor of a designated platoon vehicle, including establishing an out-of-band vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication link with a target vehicle in response to determining a change in the quantity of vehicles included in the platoon is approved, wherein the out-of-band V2V communication link extends laterally more than a first V2V communication link with an initially-adjacent platoon vehicle, expanding the first V2V communication link for maintaining communications with the initially-adjacent platoon vehicle while changing a relative positioning between the designated platoon vehicle and the initially-adjacent platoon vehicle, establishing a second V2V communication link with the target vehicle, and ending the out-of-band V2V communication link in response to the target vehicle taking the place of the initially-adjacent platoon vehicle immediately adjacent to and either in front of or behind the designated platoon vehicle.