Vehicle Optical Communication Using Light Patterns Against EMI
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional passenger vehicle communication systems are susceptible to environmental noise and electromagnetic interference, making them unsuitable for safety-critical operations such as braking, decelerating, and accelerating, especially in autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle applications.
Innovation Solution
A directional free-space optical communication system is employed, where passenger vehicles use light sources and photosensitive elements to transmit and receive data as sequences of patterns, enabling secure, private, and interference-immune communication between vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional wireless communication technologies (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular) are used for passenger vehicle communication, then ease of operation and device compatibility are improved, but reliability and immunity to environmental noise and electromagnetic interference deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional electromagnetic radio frequency communication systems with an optical communication system using visible light. This substitution fundamentally changes the communication medium from radio waves to light waves, thereby eliminating susceptibility to electromagnetic interference and environmental noise that plagues conventional wireless systems, while achieving superior reliability for safety-critical vehicle communications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of communication frequency from radio frequency to optical frequency (visible light). This parameter change enables the system to operate in a spectrum that is not subject to electromagnetic interference and environmental noise, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and communication reliability
2Ease of operation
If conventional high-frequency radio bands are used for communication, then ease of operation is improved, but susceptibility to environmental noise and electromagnetic interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes optical communication for radio frequency communication, replacing the electromagnetic field medium with light propagation through atmospheric medium. This substitution eliminates the harmful effects of electromagnetic interference and environmental noise that affect radio band communications, while maintaining ease of operation through standardized optical communication protocols
3Reliability
If optical communication system is used, then reliability and immunity to interference are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs existing automotive lighting infrastructure (headlights, taillights, brake lights) to serve dual purposes: both illumination/safety signaling and data communication. This multi-functionality approach reduces device complexity by utilizing already-present components rather than adding dedicated communication hardware, thereby achieving reliable optical communication without proportionally increasing system complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution provides reliable, high-data-rate communication with increased security and immunity to environmental interference, ensuring safe and efficient operation of autonomous or semi-autonomous passenger vehicles by maintaining communication despite conditions like fog, rain, or pollution.
Implementation Method 1
passenger vehicles use light sources and photosensitive elements to transmit and receive data as sequences of patterns
Implementation Method 2
passenger vehicles use light sources and photosensitive elements to transmit and receive data as sequences of patterns
Data Source
AI summary
A passenger vehicle optical communication system includes a source vehicle including a light source and an endpoint vehicle including a camera. The source vehicle transmits a series of patterns using the light source to communicate, as one example, state information to the endpoint vehicle.