V2V Message Relay via Cellular Network for Low Density Coverage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vehicle-to-vehicle communication systems face challenges in ensuring message transmission coverage, particularly in areas with low vehicle density, where messages may not reach all intended vehicles due to the lack of nearby communication-enabled devices, leading to potential safety issues in traffic scenarios.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that determine the geographical position of a vehicle and assess directions for message transmission, using a combination of vehicle-to-vehicle communication and cellular network protocols to report and relay messages when necessary, ensuring coverage in areas lacking nearby V2V devices, thereby utilizing the cellular network only when V2V communication is not possible.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If vehicle-to-vehicle communication is used for message transmission, then message transmission speed and local coverage are improved, but message delivery reliability deteriorates in areas with low vehicle density

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemessage transmission speedVSAvoidmessage delivery reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a cellular network as an intermediary communication channel to bridge gaps where V2V communication fails. When no V2V-enabled devices are detected in a direction, the system uses cellular network to relay messages, ensuring continuous coverage and reliability while maintaining the primary V2V communication path for normal operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Area of stationary object

If cellular network is used for message transmission, then message delivery coverage is improved, but network loading and transmission latency increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemessage delivery coverageVSAvoidcellular network loading
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by using cellular network only when necessary - specifically when V2V communication is unavailable in certain directions. The system evaluates directional coverage and selectively activates cellular network for specific message relaying tasks, avoiding unnecessary cellular network usage and minimizing network loading while ensuring complete coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Loss of time

If V2V communication is used, then transmission latency is reduced, but communication coverage deteriorates in low-density areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission latencyVSAvoidcommunication coverage
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the communication system into two distinct channels: V2V communication for direct, low-latency transmission in high-density areas, and cellular network for coverage extension in low-density areas. The system divides the communication task based on environmental conditions, using each channel's strengths appropriately to minimize latency while maximizing coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Measurement precision

If directional assessment of V2V device distribution is performed, then message routing accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedirectional positioning accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary assessment of V2V device distribution in different directions before initiating message transmission. By evaluating the directional coverage and identifying gaps in advance, the system can proactively route messages through appropriate channels, avoiding the need for complex real-time decision-making during transmission and simplifying the overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2901720B1Message transmission for vehicle-to-vehicle communication enabled devices
Publication Date: 2019.07.17 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP2901720B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~2
  • EP2901720B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~4
  • EP2901720B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A method of transmitting a message is disclosed, wherein the method is for a vehicle-to-vehicle communication enabled device adapted to operate in accordance with a vehicle-to-vehicle communication protocol and in accordance with a cellular communication protocol for communication with a wireless communication network. The method comprises determining (110) a geographical position of the vehicle-to-vehicle communication enabled device and determining (150), based on the determined geographical position, whether at least one direction extending from the determined geographical position lacks other vehicle-to-vehicle communication enabled devices for reception of the message. If at least one direction lacks other vehicle-to-vehicle communication enabled devices for reception of the message, the method comprises transmitting (170) a report to a network node of the wireless communication network, wherein the report indicates the message. Corresponding computer program product, arrangement and communication device are also disclosed. This method ensures that safety relevant messages are always delivered to all relevant V2V enabled devices, even if the device density is too low, in that it bridges the gap by using the cellular network as a backup.