Vehicle Data Transmission via Parked Repeater Nodes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current data transmission methods for highly automated driving systems are inefficient in distributing map data from a central point to vehicles, particularly in terms of bandwidth usage and transmission quality, especially when vehicles lack direct access to good transmission channels.

Innovation Solution

A method where vehicles determine optimal transmission locations and times based on driving routes and transmission quality, allowing data to be relayed through parked vehicles that act as repeaters, thereby reducing bandwidth requirements and utilizing multiple transmission channels, including cellular and radio links, to ensure efficient data transfer to a central server.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If data is transmitted directly from each vehicle to the central server, then data transmission is simple, but bandwidth consumption is high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission structureVSAvoidbandwidth consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple vehicles transmit their map data to a single parked vehicle (repeater) which then relays the combined data to the central server. This merging approach consolidates multiple transmission channels into one, significantly reducing total bandwidth consumption while maintaining data collection from multiple sources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

A parked vehicle acts as an intermediary repeater between moving vehicles and the central server. The repeater receives data from multiple vehicles, stores it temporarily, and forwards it to the server, thereby reducing direct bandwidth requirements from each vehicle to the server while enabling indirect data transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If data is transmitted at any location, then transmission timing is simple, but transmission quality is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission timingVSAvoidtransmission quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-determines optimal transmission locations along each vehicle's route where transmission quality is expected to be good. Before the vehicle reaches these locations, the system identifies them based on route information and transmission quality data, allowing the vehicle to transmit at predetermined optimal points rather than arbitrarily.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses transmission quality information feedback to determine when and where transmissions should occur. By analyzing transmission quality at different locations along the route, the system selects locations with good quality for actual data transmission, ensuring reliable communication while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Loss of information

If vehicles transmit data continuously, then data freshness is high, but energy consumption is high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata freshnessVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous transmission, the system implements periodic transmission at predetermined optimal locations along the vehicle's route. Vehicles transmit data at these scheduled intervals when transmission quality is good, reducing energy consumption while maintaining adequate data freshness for map updates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP3326163B1Data transmission method, and transmitter and receiver with data processing device
Publication Date: 2021.09.08 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3326163B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3326163B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3326163B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for transmitting data from a vehicle to an external receiving unit. Information is provided which contains a transmission quality for at least one transmission channel dependent on multiple locations. Using a route of the vehicle and the information, a transmission location is ascertained, and the data is transmitted when the vehicle reaches the transmission location. In a method for transmitting data from an external transmitting unit to a receiving unit of a vehicle, the transmitting unit provides first information on a route or a position of the vehicle. The first information is used to ascertain a point in time at which the vehicle is located at a specified location. Second information contains a transmission quality for at least one transmission channel dependent on multiple specified locations. Using the route or the position of the vehicle and the second information, a transmission time is ascertained. The data is transmitted to the vehicle upon the occurrence of the transmission time. A data processing device and a central location are designed to carry out the method.