Visible Light Vehicle Priority Signaling for Low-Latency Decisions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication technologies for autonomous vehicles, such as radio frequency communication, rely on cellular networks and intermediaries, leading to inefficiencies and safety issues due to latency and potential system failures, especially in scenarios requiring real-time data exchange between vehicles and infrastructure.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of visible light communication (VLC) using optical random number generators to determine priority among vehicles, allowing direct communication without intermediaries, where random numbers are generated and exchanged via light pulses to facilitate decision-making in scenarios like intersections or parking spots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If radio frequency communication is used for vehicle-to-vehicle communication, then communication coverage is extended through cellular towers, but communication latency increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the intermediary cellular tower from the communication path between autonomous vehicles. By enabling direct vehicle-to-vehicle communication through optical channels, the system eliminates the need for external network infrastructure, thereby reducing communication latency and improving reliability without depending on centralized relay points that can fail or introduce delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes radio frequency electromagnetic communication with optical communication using visible light. This replacement enables direct line-of-sight communication between vehicles equipped with optical transmitters and receivers, achieving faster data exchange rates and lower latency compared to radio frequency systems that require cellular tower intermediaries.
2Productivity
If optical communication is used for direct vehicle-to-vehicle communication, then communication speed and reliability improve, but infrastructure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality to existing vehicle components by enabling them to serve dual purposes. For example, standard LED headlights and taillights are configured to also function as optical communication transmitters, encoding data signals within the visible light output. Similarly, existing optical sensors used for driver assistance systems are utilized for receiving communication signals, thereby achieving high-speed direct communication without adding dedicated specialized hardware for each function.
3Loss of time
If random number generation is used for priority determination, then decision-making speed improves at intersections, but communication data requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs partial action by using only the essential minimum data required for priority determination. Instead of exchanging comprehensive vehicle state information, the system generates and communicates only random priority numbers when vehicles approach intersections. This selective data exchange achieves rapid priority assignment while minimizing communication data volume, as the random numbers serve as sufficient proxies for complex priority calculations.
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 method enables faster, reliable, and efficient communication, reducing latency and enhancing safety by allowing direct and immediate data exchange between vehicles and infrastructure, thereby improving decision-making in real-time scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
the communication technology currently used in vehicles involves radio frequency communication... Data transfer rates using optical communication image sensors exceed the rate used by currently available dedicated short-range communication (DSRC)
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for decision making for autonomous vehicles. The method includes determining if a decision scenario is present; generating a first random number; communicating the first random number to a receiver via visible light communication; receiving a second random number and determining a priority order based on the generated random numbers. The priority is communicated to all relevant units to determine the order in which the vehicles should proceed. An optical random generator may be used to generate the random number associated with each vehicle.