Vehicle Router Multipath Routing for Lower-Cost Cloud Connectivity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle data communication systems incur high costs due to the use of cellular networks for online services, with limited options for reducing these expenses and ensuring session continuity and increased data throughput.
Innovation Solution
A router with multiple communication interfaces and a digital routing policy that prioritizes network paths based on cost, availability, and operational parameters to establish a multipath data connection, utilizing both cellular and local area networks to optimize data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cellular network is used for online services, then data communication is enabled, but communication costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects between cellular and Wi-Fi networks based on real-time conditions including cost considerations. The router continuously monitors network availability, signal strength, and cost parameters to adaptively switch connection types, thereby reducing communication costs while maintaining reliable data transmission for online services.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of network selection from static (single network type) to dynamic multi-parameter decision-making. By introducing cost as a selection parameter alongside traditional parameters like signal strength and availability, the system can choose Wi-Fi over cellular when cost is a concern, thus reducing communication expenses while maintaining service reliability.
2Device complexity
If a single online interface is used, then device complexity is reduced, but data throughput is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the data transmission function across multiple independent network interfaces (cellular and Wi-Fi). Each interface operates independently and can be selected or combined based on requirements. This segmentation allows the system to achieve higher throughput by utilizing both interfaces simultaneously or switching between them without requiring complex integrated interface management.
Solution Approach 2:
The router is designed with multi-functionality to support both cellular and Wi-Fi networks simultaneously. Rather than requiring different configurations for different network types, the universal router design handles multiple network protocols and types through a single unified interface, maintaining low complexity while enabling high throughput through multipath communication capabilities.
3Reliability
If cellular network is used for B2C services, then service availability is ensured, but communication costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The router acts as an intermediary between the vehicle's online services and the external networks. It introduces intelligent network selection logic that mediates between the need for service availability and cost reduction. By routing B2C services through Wi-Fi when available and switching to cellular only when necessary, the intermediary router reduces B2C service costs while maintaining continuous service availability.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an apparatus (110) for data communication services (104, 106, 107, 109) of a vehicle (100). The apparatus (110) comprises a router (112). The router (112) comprises a plurality of communication interfaces (115, 117-1, 117-2, 119) for connecting the vehicle (100) with one or more automotive cloud services (120). The router (112) is configured to establish a data connection (102) with at least one of the automotive cloud services (120) in accordance with a digital routing policy (116). The digital routing policy (116) defines a priority for each of the communication interfaces (115, 117-1, 117-2, 119) to be used for the data connection (102).