Connected-Vehicle Interface Module Without Traffic Signal Controller
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high power consumption and need for a traffic signal controller limit the cost-effective installation of Road Side Units (RSUs) with vehicle warning systems, especially in locations without access to AC power, making it difficult to use RSUs for applications like midblock crosswalks or flood warnings.
Innovation Solution
A connected-vehicle interface module that includes a wireless data radio, microcontroller, and ethernet transceiver for communicating activation signals from vehicle warning systems to Road Side Units, allowing for wireless communication and reducing the need for a traffic signal controller, enabling RSU installation with solar and battery power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traffic signal controller is installed to support RSU at locations without AC power, then RSU can be deployed at more locations, but the system complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the traffic signal controller from the RSU system, allowing the RSU to operate independently without requiring a dedicated traffic signal controller. The RSU receives activation signals directly from vehicle warning system controllers through wireless communication, eliminating the need for complex controller infrastructure at remote locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the RSU universally compatible with multiple types of vehicle warning systems by implementing a standardized wireless communication interface. The RSU can receive activation signals from different warning system controllers and communicate with various connected vehicles, eliminating the need for location-specific controller configurations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a traffic signal controller is installed to support RSU at remote locations, then RSU can communicate with vehicles, but the power requirements become incompatible with solar and battery power sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the traffic signal controller from the power consumption equation, allowing the RSU to be powered directly by solar and battery sources. The wireless communication architecture eliminates the need for high-power dedicated controllers that would require AC power infrastructure.
3Reliability
If AC power line is installed to support high power requirements of RSU and traffic signal controller, then continuous power is available, but the installation cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the RSU from the AC power dependency by eliminating the traffic signal controller requirement. The system now operates on lower power consumption that can be sustained by solar panels and batteries, eliminating the need for expensive AC power line installation at remote locations.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple devices (RSU, traffic signal controller, activation device, warning lights) are installed on the same pole, then all functions are provided, but the power requirements become too high for battery and solar power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the traffic signal controller and activation device from the pole-mounted configuration, leaving only the RSU and warning lights. The RSU receives wireless activation signals and communicates with vehicles independently, significantly reducing the power requirements to levels compatible with solar and battery power sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the system into independent functional components: the vehicle warning system controller remains at the original location, while the RSU is deployed separately on the pole. This segmentation allows the pole-mounted RSU to operate with lower power requirements using renewable energy sources.
Data Source
AI summary
A connected-vehicle interface module is provided that includes a connected-vehicle controller, a wireless data connected-vehicle radio for receiving an activation signal indicating a road condition, and a connected-vehicle interface controller. The connected-vehicle interface controller including a microcontroller and a plurality of universal asynchronous receiver transmitters for receiving, transmitting, and processing data received by at least one of the connected-vehicle controller and the connected-vehicle radio, and communicated to the microcontroller via one or more wired connections; a memory device for storing program data, a transceiver and one or more communication ports, coupled to the microcontroller, for connection and communication with a connected vehicle road side unit, wherein the activation signal is communicated to the connected vehicle road side unit via the one or more communication ports, and at least one operator interface in communication with at least one of the connected-vehicle radio, the connected-vehicle interface controller, and the connected-vehicle controller.