V2X Communication Mode Switching for Vehicle Platooning

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Solution Overview

Problem

In V2X technologies, poor signal quality during direct communication between leading and following vehicles in platooning scenarios can disrupt service continuity, threatening traveling safety due to signal congestion, interference, and incomplete coverage.

Innovation Solution

A communication mode selection method that switches from direct D2D communication to a network-assisted mode when signal quality falls below a preset threshold, ensuring stable signal quality by using a Uu interface for forwarding, thereby maintaining service continuity and ensuring traveling safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If direct D2D communication is used between leading and following vehicles, then communication delay is reduced and real-time control is improved, but signal quality deteriorates due to congestion, interference, and incomplete coverage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication response speedVSAvoidsignal quality
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a network device as an intermediary communication path. When the direct PC5 interface signal quality falls below a threshold, the system switches to using the Uu interface through the network device (base station) as a mediator to forward messages between vehicles, ensuring reliable communication without real-time human intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically switches between two communication modes (direct PC5 interface and network-assisted Uu interface) based on real-time signal quality conditions. The communication path is not fixed but adapts automatically to environmental changes, maintaining optimal performance under varying conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If direct communication mode is used for V2X service transmission, then communication efficiency is improved, but service continuity is affected due to poor signal quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidservice continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the communication mode parameter based on signal quality thresholds. When the PC5 interface signal quality parameter falls below a preset threshold, the system switches to the Uu interface mode, ensuring service continuity is maintained despite changes in communication conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If direct D2D communication is used, then device complexity is reduced, but travelling safety is threatened due to signal quality issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication system complexityVSAvoidtravelling safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The network device serves as a safety intermediary that takes over communication when direct vehicle-to-vehicle signal quality is insufficient. This additional intermediary layer, while increasing system complexity, ensures travelling safety is not compromised by poor signal conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system prepares alternative communication paths in advance (network-assisted mode) to cushion against potential signal quality deterioration. This preemptive preparation ensures that when direct communication fails, safety-critical messages can still be transmitted reliably

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentEP3726866B1Method and apparatus for selecting communication mode, and vehicle
Publication Date: 2022.10.19 HUAWEI CLOUD COMPUTING TECHNOLOGIES CO LTD
  • EP3726866B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3726866B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3726866B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A communication mode selection method, an apparatus, and a vehicle. The method includes: transmitting, in a first communication mode, a V2X service between a leading vehicle and a following vehicle that are in a vehicle platoon; obtaining, by the leading vehicle, signal quality of the first communication mode; when the signal quality of the first communication mode meets a first preset condition, sending, by the leading vehicle, a configuration instruction to the following vehicle, where the configuration instruction is used to instruct the following vehicle to enable a second communication mode to communicate with the leading vehicle, where the second communication mode is a communication mode in which a network device performs forwarding. In a solution provided in the embodiments of this application, when the signal quality of the first communication mode meets the first preset condition, the configuration instruction is sent to the following vehicle, so that the following vehicle is triggered to enable the second communication mode for communication. Compared with the first communication mode, the second communication mode has more stable signal quality, so that it is ensured that service continuity between the leading vehicle and the following vehicle is not affected, and travelling safety of the vehicle is prevented from being threatened.