Relay Terminal Link Quality Detection for IoV Communication Reliability

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Solution Overview

Problem

In the Internet of Vehicles (IoV), V2V communication is frequently disrupted or limited due to dynamic and unpredictable factors like large trucks and fixed obstacles, leading to unreliable message transmission, which current solutions like increasing transmit power or deploying RSUs cannot adequately address, especially when blockages occur outside RSU coverage areas.

Innovation Solution

A relay transmission method where a relay terminal receives broadcast messages from multiple vehicles, determines link quality based on vehicle and obstacle information, and forwards messages when the link quality falls below a threshold, using relay capability indication messages to enable or disable relay functions dynamically, thereby improving communication reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of stationary object

If transmit power is increased in special locations or RSUs are deployed in fixed locations, then V2V communication transmission distance is increased, but network construction cost increases and the solution is rigid and cannot address dynamic blocking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication transmission distanceVSAvoidnetwork construction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the relay function movable and adjustable rather than fixed. Vehicle terminals can dynamically enable or disable relay functions based on real-time communication conditions, allowing the network to adapt to changing blocking situations without requiring fixed RSU deployments or permanent infrastructure changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements self-service by enabling vehicle terminals to autonomously determine when relay functions are needed based on their own communication conditions. Each vehicle terminal can independently assess link quality and dynamically activate relay capabilities without requiring centralized control or additional network infrastructure, reducing overall system cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If a relatively large quantity of RSUs need to be deployed to improve reliability of V2V communication, then communication reliability is improved, but network construction cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveV2V communication reliabilityVSAvoidnetwork construction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by enabling vehicle terminals to perform multiple functions - they can act as both regular communication nodes and relay nodes depending on conditions. This multi-functionality allows existing vehicles to provide relay services without requiring dedicated RSU infrastructure, improving reliability while avoiding additional construction costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses copying by allowing vehicle terminals to replicate relay functionality that would traditionally require dedicated RSU infrastructure. Instead of deploying physical RSUs, the system creates virtual copies of relay functions through software-enabled vehicle terminals, achieving the same reliability improvement at lower cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If relay functions are dynamically enabled or disabled based on link quality, then communication reliability is improved, but device operation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemessage transmission reliabilityVSAvoidrelay function control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring link quality between vehicle terminals and using this information to automatically control relay function activation. The system creates a closed-loop control mechanism where communication conditions feed back to the relay function controller, which adjusts relay enablement accordingly, improving reliability while keeping operation simple through automated decision-making.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3531647B1Relay transmission method and associated apparatus and system
Publication Date: 2023.04.12 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3531647B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3531647B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3531647B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B

AI summary

Embodiments of this application disclose a relay transmission method and system, and a related device. The method includes: determining, by a relay terminal, a vehicle existing between a vehicle terminal i and a vehicle terminal j based on vehicle location information in received broadcast messages sent by N vehicle terminals; and when it is obtained through calculation that link quality of a communication link Rij used when the vehicle terminal i and the vehicle terminal j communicate with each other is lower than a preset threshold, forwarding, to the vehicle terminal j, a to-be-forwarded broadcast message sent by the vehicle terminal i, and forwarding, to the vehicle terminal i, a to-be-forwarded broadcast message sent by the vehicle terminal j. A relay forwarding function of the relay terminal avoids communication interruption or communication distance limitation caused by blocking due to dynamic and unpredictable factors such as a large vehicle within the Internet of vehicles, thereby improving reliability of message transmission within the Internet of vehicles.