Communication Path Redundancy via Virtual Handover Strategies

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Solution Overview

Problem

Autonomous vehicles require constant and reliable connectivity for safe operation, especially in scenarios where primary communication paths may fail, and existing technologies lack effective methods to ensure communication path redundancy, particularly in mobile solutions.

Innovation Solution

A method that defines route parameters, transmits requests to remote devices for determining communication paths with redundancy, and receives route handover strategies to ensure seamless handovers between transmission-reception points, thereby maintaining communication path redundancy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a full copy of the primary operating module is installed for redundancy, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication path redundancyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses virtual copies of communication paths rather than physical hardware copies. The network virtualization layer creates virtual communication channels that can be rapidly instantiated and switched between, providing redundancy without duplicating entire hardware systems. This allows multiple virtual communication paths to share underlying physical infrastructure while maintaining independent failure modes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a universal communication infrastructure that can serve multiple functions simultaneously. The same physical network infrastructure supports both primary and redundant communication paths, and can dynamically allocate resources between different communication demands. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for dedicated separate systems for each communication path.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If communication path redundancy is implemented for autonomous vehicles, then safety is improved, but loss of time in path switching increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidhandover time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-establishes multiple virtual communication paths and pre-configures handover parameters before failures occur. The network continuously monitors path quality and pre-identifies alternative paths, so when a failure occurs, the switch to redundant paths can happen rapidly without extensive real-time analysis. Handover decisions are prepared in advance based on predicted vehicle trajectories and network conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic path selection and handover triggering based on real-time network conditions and vehicle requirements. Rather than fixed handover thresholds, the system continuously adapts handover parameters based on current communication quality, vehicle speed, and criticality of data being transmitted. This dynamic approach optimizes the balance between maintaining primary path usage and switching to redundant paths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If multiple communication paths are maintained simultaneously, then reliability is improved, but use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication path redundancyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent maintains full primary communication paths only when needed, while using lighter-weight monitoring and on-demand activation for redundant paths. Rather than fully activating all redundant communication channels continuously, the system uses partial monitoring approaches that consume minimal energy while still detecting path failures rapidly. Redundant paths are fully activated only when primary paths fail or when predicted to be needed soon.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4518435A1Method for ensuring communication path redundancy along a route
Publication Date: 2025.03.05 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP4518435A1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4518435A1 patent drawingFigure 1B~2B
  • EP4518435A1 patent drawingFigure 1A

AI summary

The present disclosure concerns a method for ensuring communication path redundancy along a route, the method comprising: defining (201) parameters of the route; transmitting (202) a request to a remote device (302) for determining the route providing the communication path redundancy along the route, the request comprising the parameters; receiving (203) from the remote device (302), for each identified communication path including a first communication path and one or more redundant communication paths, a route handover strategy; wherein the route handover strategy indicates a set of waypoints along the route at which a handover is to be performed from a first transmission-reception point, TRP, to a second TRP. A corresponding remote device is also provided.