Vehicle Mesh Software Updates Beyond Local OTA Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle software update methods using over-the-air (OTA) technology are limited by local network resources, restricting software updates to only those within close proximity and limiting the number of vehicles that can participate in updating software simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle network system that enables software updates by forming a wireless network with multiple other vehicles, allowing updates to be distributed across a larger area without distance restrictions, and prioritizing vehicles based on data transmission speed, remaining driving time, and autonomous driving status.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If software updates are performed using one-to-one communication between OTA server and vehicle, then update reliability is improved, but network resource consumption increases and update scope is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple vehicles are merged into a mesh network where they collectively perform software updates through peer-to-peer data sharing. Instead of each vehicle independently downloading from the server, vehicles share update data within the network, combining their communication resources to reduce overall network consumption while maintaining update reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Updated vehicles act as intermediaries that relay software update data to other vehicles in the network. This intermediary approach reduces direct communication requirements between the OTA server and each vehicle, thereby reducing network resource consumption while ensuring reliable update delivery through multiple transmission paths.
2Quantity of substance
If software updates are performed using local network with short-distance communication, then network resource consumption is reduced, but update scope is limited by distance restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from single-hop short-distance communication to multi-hop communication that extends the network coverage dimension. Vehicles can receive updates from vehicles that are not in direct range by relaying through intermediate vehicles, effectively removing distance restrictions while maintaining efficient local network resource usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The mesh network structure provides universal connectivity where any vehicle in the network can potentially share updates with any other vehicle through multiple paths. This multi-functional network topology allows the system to adapt to various update scenarios whether vehicles are nearby or farther away, eliminating distance-based limitations.
3Productivity
If software updates are performed simultaneously in a local network, then update efficiency is improved, but network congestion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic update distribution where data is transmitted in stages rather than all at once. Updated vehicles share data with neighboring vehicles in periodic waves, which distributes network traffic over time and reduces peak congestion while maintaining overall update efficiency through parallel progression across the network.
Solution Approach 2:
Software update data is segmented into multiple packages that are distributed sequentially through the network. This segmentation allows vehicles to receive and forward smaller data units in manageable batches, reducing instantaneous network load and congestion while maintaining efficient update propagation through the mesh network.
4Adaptability or versatility
If vehicles with various processor types are included in the wireless network, then network adaptability is improved, but update compatibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by matching update data to specific processor types within the network. Each vehicle receives updates appropriate to its processor architecture, while the mesh network structure maintains overall adaptability by accommodating multiple processor types. This targeted approach ensures update compatibility for each vehicle while preserving network-wide adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle and a network system are capable of downloading and updating the latest software from a plurality of other vehicles that are not subject to distance restrictions during an update time in a parking or autonomous driving situation. The vehicle includes a controller and a communicator, which is configured to perform communication with a server and a plurality of other vehicles in a network. Based on a software update request of the vehicle, the controller is configured to perform a software update of the vehicle through the other vehicle in response to a determination that the number of the other vehicle having a processor corresponding to a processor included in the vehicle among the plurality of other vehicles and the other vehicle for which the software update included in a wireless network formed by the vehicle is completed is greater than a predetermined reference value.