Tele-Operation Link Control Using Predicted QoS and Speed Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
The control performance of tele-operated transportation vehicles is heavily reliant on communication link performance, particularly latency and data rate, which can lead to safety risks due to delayed reactions and inefficient operation, necessitating an improved method to manage operating modes based on predicted quality of service (pQoS).
Innovation Solution
A method that obtains information on the predicted quality of service (pQoS) for the communication link between a tele-operator and a transportation vehicle, selects an operating mode from a predefined group differing in speed limits, and adapts to ensure efficient and safe operation by determining allowable speed limits and monitoring current QoS to trigger safety stops if thresholds are breached.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If tele-operated driving is implemented with fixed high speed limits, then operational efficiency is improved, but safety risks increase due to communication latency and data rate limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of operating modes based on real-time communication quality assessment. The system transitions between different operating modes (e.g., autonomous, semi-autonomous, manual control) depending on latency and data rate conditions, allowing speed limits to be flexible rather than fixed. This resolves the contradiction by adapting operational efficiency to current communication reliability conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes key operational parameters (speed limits, control authority) based on communication link quality metrics such as latency and data rate. When communication quality degrades, the system automatically reduces speed limits or increases autonomous control levels, thereby maintaining safety while preserving operational efficiency when conditions permit.
2Reliability
If speed limits are reduced to ensure safety during tele-operated driving, then safety risks are mitigated, but operational efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts speed limits based on communication quality rather than imposing fixed restrictive limits. When communication latency is low and data rate is high, the system permits higher speed limits for improved efficiency. When communication quality degrades, speed limits are automatically reduced to maintain safety, thus resolving the contradiction through adaptive parameter adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors communication link quality (latency, data rate) and uses this feedback to adjust operating parameters including speed limits. This closed-loop control ensures that safety constraints are applied only when necessary based on actual communication conditions, preventing unnecessary efficiency losses while maintaining safety when required.
3Productivity
If communication link quality is monitored continuously to adjust operating modes, then operational efficiency is optimized, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments communication quality assessment into discrete thresholds and predefined operating modes. Rather than continuous complex optimization, the system divides the control space into distinct modes (e.g., mode 1: autonomous, mode 2: semi-autonomous, mode 3: manual) with specific trigger conditions. This segmentation simplifies the complexity while maintaining operational efficiency through clear decision boundaries.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses predefined parameter sets for different operating modes rather than continuous parameter optimization. Each mode has predetermined speed limits and control characteristics, simplifying the complexity of real-time optimization while still achieving efficiency gains through appropriate mode selection based on communication conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, a computer program, an apparatus, a transportation vehicle, and a network component for controlling a communication link used for tele-operating a transportation vehicle. The method includes obtaining information related to a predicted quality of service (pQoS) for the communication link between the transportation vehicle and a tele-operator of the transportation vehicle and selecting an operating mode for tele-operating the transportation vehicle from a group of operating modes based on the information related to the pQoS, the group of operating modes having two or more operating modes differing at least in a speed limit for the transportation vehicle.