Vehicle Telematics Connection Strategy Using BCCH Lists
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle telematics units face challenges in establishing efficient wireless connections with call centers due to varying wireless communication protocols and high data roaming costs, necessitating judicious selection among available protocols to minimize roaming costs and ensure reliable communication.
Innovation Solution
A method for a vehicle telematics unit to establish a wireless telephone connection with a call center using a GSM cellular system, involving cell reselection and attempts to attach to a base station, with iterative processes for primary, secondary, and tertiary connection attempts using broadcast control channel allocation lists to ensure successful communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the telematics unit attempts to establish a connection using the currently attached base station, then the connection process is simple and quick, but the connection may fail if the base station is not suitable or if roaming costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The connection process is segmented into multiple distinct attempts: primary connection attempt using the currently attached base station, secondary connection attempt using a different base station from the BCCH allocation list, and tertiary connection attempt using another base station. This segmentation allows the system to systematically explore alternative base stations only when necessary, balancing simplicity with reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by first attempting to attach to the currently attached base station before exploring alternative base stations. The BCCH allocation list is retrieved in advance during the primary attempt, and base station information is prepared beforehand, enabling efficient fallback to alternative base stations if the primary attempt fails.
2Reliability
If the telematics unit uses multiple wireless communication protocols, then communication reliability is improved, but the cost of use varies and becomes more complex to manage
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts its behavior based on the outcome of connection attempts. It starts with a simple primary attachment process and only introduces complexity by attempting alternative base stations or protocols when the primary attempt fails. This dynamic approach allows the system to use multiple protocols for reliability while maintaining simplicity during successful connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (base station selection, protocol usage) based on the connection status. When the primary base station fails to provide successful connection, the system changes parameters by selecting different base stations from the BCCH allocation list, thereby adapting to varying network conditions without requiring manual protocol selection.
3Ease of operation
If the telematics unit implements a simple attachment process, then the operation is easy and fast, but roaming costs can be significant
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the outcome of the primary connection attempt is evaluated, and based on this feedback, the system decides whether to proceed with secondary or tertiary attempts. This feedback-driven approach ensures that additional attachment processes are only initiated when necessary to avoid costly roaming, while maintaining simplicity for successful home network connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial action by attempting connections using only the necessary number of base stations. If the primary base station succeeds, no additional attempts are made. If the primary fails, secondary attempts are made using base stations from the BCCH allocation list. This partial/excessive action strategy minimizes roaming costs while ensuring connection reliability when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for making vehicle originated calls to a telematics service provider or other call center. The method includes identifying a call type associated with a desired wireless communication of speech or data to the call center, and then carrying out one of a number of different call connection processes depending on the call type. For voice channel cellular connections, an in-band modem cellular connection is preferably established in most instances using a connection retry strategy that includes primary, secondary, and possibly tertiary connection attempts. The system and method can be carried out in connection with various cellular system technologies, but is especially suited for use with GSM systems.