Telematics Verification System Using Shielded Antenna Covers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for testing vehicle telematics systems require costly and unrealistic environments, such as shielded rooms or anechoic chambers, which are not practical for providing a realistic testing scenario.

Innovation Solution

A telematics verification system that includes an electromagnetically shielded compartment to cover vehicle antennas, allowing for the testing of vehicle telematics systems in realistic environments while the vehicle is operational, using downlink and uplink antennas within the compartment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a shielded room or anechoic chamber is used for testing telematics systems, then radio interference is blocked and a controlled environment is provided, but the cost increases significantly and the testing environment becomes isolated from realistic vehicle electronics

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradio interferenceVSAvoidcost
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of shielding the entire vehicle in a costly shielded room, the invention segments the shielding approach by using individual electromagnetic shielding covers for specific antenna locations on the vehicle. This allows controlled radio interference blocking only where needed for telematics testing, while the rest of the vehicle remains open for realistic testing conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies electromagnetic shielding locally at specific antenna positions rather than globally throughout the entire vehicle. The shielding covers are positioned only at locations where radio interference needs to be blocked for telematics communication testing, allowing other vehicle systems to operate in their normal electromagnetic environment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the telematics system is removed from the vehicle for testing, then radio interference is reduced, but the system is isolated from other vehicle electronics and cannot be tested in a realistic environment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradio interferenceVSAvoidrealistic testing environment
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the vehicle's electromagnetic environment by placing shielding covers only at specific antenna locations rather than isolating the entire vehicle. This allows the telematics system to be tested with controlled radio interference at antenna positions while the rest of the vehicle electronics operate in their normal realistic environment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The shielding covers are applied locally at antenna positions where radio interference control is needed for telematics testing, while the remainder of the vehicle maintains its normal electromagnetic characteristics and realistic operating conditions for other vehicle systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If a shielded environment is used for telematics testing, then communication link testing is enabled, but the testing setup becomes complex and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication link testingVSAvoidtesting system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the shielding function into separate, movable covers that can be independently positioned at specific antenna locations. This modular approach simplifies the testing system compared to a complete shielded room, as the shielding elements can be easily installed and removed only when needed for communication link testing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses flexible electromagnetic shielding covers that can be draped over specific antenna positions. These thin-film or flexible shell covers provide the necessary electromagnetic shielding for communication link testing while being much simpler and more adaptable than rigid shielded room structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

Enables efficient and cost-effective testing of vehicle telematics systems in real-world scenarios, allowing for the evaluation of both downlink and uplink communications without the need for expensive shielded environments.

Implementation Method 1

an electromagnetically shielded compartment adapted to be arranged to cover antennas of the telematics unit of the vehicle for testing the vehicle telematics system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic shielding: Faraday Cage

Implementation Method 2

Downlink antennas of the telematics verification system are arrangeable inside the electromagnetically shielded compartment and may thereby wirelessly transmit a downlink signal inside the electromagnetically shielded compartment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

an uplink antenna adapted to be arranged inside the electromagnetically shielded compartment. The uplink antenna is adapted to wirelessly receive uplink signals transmitted by the antennas of the vehicle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation reception: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4117204B1Telematics verification system utilizing a wireless cable shielding cover
Publication Date: 2025.03.12 VOLVO CAR CORP
  • EP4117204B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4117204B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4117204B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A telematics verification system for the testing of a vehicle telematics system, including: a conductive ground plate adapted to be disposed under a vehicle when testing the vehicle telematics system using the telematics verification system; a conductive cover adapted to be disposed over and about an exterior surface of the vehicle and an antenna of the vehicle when testing the vehicle telematics system using the telematics verification system; a downlink antenna adapted to be arranged inside the conductive cover, wherein the downlink antenna is configured to wirelessly transmit a downlink signal inside the conductive cover, wherein the downlink signal is wirelessly receivable by the antenna of the vehicle; and an uplink antenna adapted to be arranged inside the conductive cover, wherein the uplink antenna is configured to wirelessly receive an uplink signal inside the conductive cover, wherein the uplink signal is wirelessly receivable from the antenna of the vehicle.