DE102015212587A1 - Method and control device for operating a base station - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a base station (1), in which the base station (1) is provided with map data comprising vehicle-accessible routes in an environment of the base station (1). The passable by the vehicle routes are divided into sections (9, 11). Depending on the map data, a path (5, 7) is determined for each partial section, each path comprising a horizon route extending beyond the respective partial route (9, 11). For a respective or respective vehicle located on a respective leg (9, 11), the respective path (5, 7) associated with the respective leg (9, 11) is provided by the base station (1). Furthermore, a corresponding control device is specified.

Description

The invention relates to a method and a corresponding control device for operating a base station.

The basis of many driver assistance systems today is the recognition of the immediate surroundings of a vehicle. In order to further improve road safety and energy saving, future vehicle assistance systems will also collect and evaluate information about driving distances ahead. In order to provide driver assistance systems with information about the route ahead, an electronic horizon is determined.

The term electronic horizon here denotes a virtual sensor that provides information about the environment of the vehicle. The electronic horizon is usually provided cyclically. For this purpose, the route ahead is determined on which the vehicle is expected to move. This route is called the Most Probable Path (MPP). The most probable route calculation is currently based on static map attributes, such as a highest road class.

The object on which the invention is based is to provide a method and a control device for operating a base station, which enable a reliable and / or efficient use of driver assistance systems of a vehicle and to an efficient and / or safe and / or or comfortable operation of the vehicle.

The object is solved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous developments of the invention are characterized in the subclaims.

According to a first aspect, the invention is characterized by a method for operating a base station. The base station is provided with map data including vehicle-drivable routes in an environment of the base station. The passable by the vehicle routes are divided into sections.

Depending on the map data, a path is determined for each partial route, each of which includes a horizon route that extends beyond the respective partial route. For a respective vehicle located on a respective leg or respective vehicles located on the respective leg, the respective path associated with the respective leg is provided by the base station.

This has the advantage that a determination of the respective path can be made externally to the vehicle. This leads to a considerable simplification of the hardware of the vehicle. Further, by providing the respective path, the vehicle need not be provided with extensive map data. Rather, these can be stored, for example, in the base station. In particular, only locally relevant map data and / or only locally relevant paths can be provided to the vehicle. The respective path can also be called the electronic horizon.

In particular, the base station is a mobile radio transmitter, such as an LTE (Long Term Evolution) mobile network. In particular, the mobile radio network is a cellular mobile radio network with a multiplicity of mobile radio transmitters along a road network, so that a locally relevant path along the road network can be provided to the vehicle. In particular, a plurality of vehicles can communicate with the base station, so that the respective path can also be provided to a plurality of vehicles.

The base station is assigned, for example, a predetermined transmission / reception range. In particular, the map data provided to the base station includes routes in the predetermined transmission / reception range of the base station. In other words, the environment of the base station with the routes provided comprises a range of the predetermined transmission / reception range of the base station. For example, the environment of the base station with the provided links corresponds to the range of the predetermined transmission / reception range of the base station. Alternatively, for example, the provided links may extend at least partially beyond the range of the base station's given transmit / receive range. The transmission / reception range can also be referred to as the cell diameter of the base station. For example, the transmission / reception range is between 10 km and 30 km.

The map data may include, for example, data about distances drivable by the vehicle and / or a respective class of the route, such as highway, highway or city. The routes are in particular roads.

The sections in particular each one direction is assigned. For example, a link section may thus comprise two partial sections in the opposite direction. The legs In particular, a respective path can be assigned to a route section.

The respective path is, for example, an electronic horizon. In particular, the respective path includes a most probable path (so-called "Most Probable Path", MPP). Alternatively or additionally, the respective path may comprise further travel paths, for example all possible travel paths in the vicinity of the base station.

The respective horizon distances are in particular limited to a predetermined length. For example, the length of a respective horizon distance is between 2 km and 10 km.

The respective path is provided in particular by the base station. For example, the respective vehicle in this context, a mobile radio receiver is assigned, which allows a data exchange with the base station.

In particular, the respective path is determined by the base station. In this context, the base station is associated, in particular, with a control device which, for example, is designed as so-called "Mobile Edge Computing" (MEC) unit. This enables a fast and secure data transmission of the respective path to the respective vehicle.

In particular, in each case a common path is determined for vehicles on a common sub-route in the vicinity of the base station. This has the advantage that for a leg that is traveled by several vehicles, only a path that is provided to these vehicles has to be determined. In particular, the respective sub-route comprises one or more vectors of a road network along which vehicles can move. The one or more vectors may or may in particular be associated with a path.

In a further advantageous embodiment according to the first aspect, the base station is provided with vehicle data comprising a current position and / or a current direction of travel of the vehicle. The respective path is provided to the vehicle depending on the vehicle data.

In an advantageous manner, a path encompassing a specific horizon route in the vicinity of the base station is thus provided to the vehicle, for example, only when the vehicle travels over the respective section over which the horizon route extends. Thus, a data volume of paths to be transmitted can be kept low and / or a memory allocated to the vehicle for receiving the provided path can be kept small.

In a further advantageous embodiment according to the first aspect, the map data include navigability characteristics associated with the routes in the environment of the base station.

The navigability characteristics are, for example, representative of a traffic volume on a route in the vicinity of the base station and / or for a state of the road and / or for a default or an indication, which can be made for example by traffic signs, such as a speed limit.

Advantageously, this allows a precise prediction of the environment of the vehicle, so that a contribution to energy efficiency, safety and comfort in operating the vehicle is made.

In a further advantageous embodiment according to the first aspect, the base station is provided with update data that is representative of an at least partial update of the map data.

Advantageously, this contributes to a particularly accurate prediction of the environment of the vehicle. By providing the update data by the base station, a total data volume in update of the map data can be kept small. In particular, an update of stored in the vehicle map data can be dispensed with. For example, this also eliminates a visit to a workshop or an exchange of storage media installed in the vehicle.

By providing the respective path locally, only the respective base station needs to be provided with update data. In particular, the vehicle need not be provided with update data for regions not currently being driven by the vehicle. This allows a drastic reduction of a data volume to be transmitted.

In a further advantageous embodiment according to the first aspect, the respective path is stored in a memory associated with the base station. The respective path stored in the memory is provided to the respective vehicle in the vicinity of the base station at least until an update of the map data.

Advantageously, it is thus possible to dispense with calculating the same path several times. For example, in the memory deposited respective path depending on a current position of the vehicle and / or a current direction of travel of the vehicle are provided.

According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a control device for operating a base station, which is designed to carry out the method according to the first aspect. The control device may be, for example, a so-called "Mobile Edge Computing" (MEC) unit. In particular, the control device can be arranged in the base station and configured to carry out the method according to the first aspect by means of this base station.

Embodiments are explained in more detail below with reference to the schematic drawings. Show it:

1 a schematically illustrated road network in plan view and a base station,

2 schematically illustrated functional blocks of a control device for operating the base station, and

3 a flowchart for operating the base station.

Elements of the same construction or function are provided across the figures with the same reference numerals.

1 shows a schematic illustrated road network (dashed lines) in plan view, and a base station 1 for example, as a mobile tower of an LTE network with a control device 25 (see 2 ) is trained. The base station 1 is a send / receive range 3 assigned in the mobile subscriber such as appropriately equipped vehicles with the base station 1 to be able to communicate. At the transmission / reception range 3 For example, this is a given range, which is the actual possible range of the base station 1 may differ. The transmission / reception range 3 may also overlap with other (not shown) transmission / reception ranges of other base stations. The transmission / reception range 3 covers in particular part of the road network. The transmission / reception range 3 can also be used as cell diameter of the base station 1 be designated. The transmission / reception range 3 is for example between 10 km to 30 km.

1 also shows two paths 5 . 7 each comprising a horizon route, which extends over a respective, by a vehicle passable section 9 . 11 of the road network. The legs 9 . 11 and / or the horizon distances can be, for example, via the through the send / receive range 3 covered area of the base station 1 extend beyond. The legs 9 . 11 For example, a direction of travel is assigned. For example, the sections can 9 . 11 include one or more vectors along which vehicles can move.

At least one path 5 . 7 For example, it is a so-called electronic horizon. The electronic horizon provides vehicle functions with data from a static map or dynamic events over a corridor of approximately 2-10 kilometers to improve the functions in the areas of energy efficiency, safety and comfort, such as partially or highly automated driving or even at all to enable. The requirements for timeliness, accuracy and thus also data volumes increase with the increasingly complex functions. The corridor for which the data is calculated, for example, is determined in real time depending on a position and a direction of travel from the topology of the map and may also be referred to as Most Probable Path (MPP).

In a first embodiment deviating from the claimed invention, the electronic horizon can be realized as a static electronic horizon as a function in the vehicle. This map data such. B. slope values installed in the vehicle similar to a navigation map and provided during operation of the so-called ADASIS interface individual functions. An update of the data is possible either in the workshop or via storage media.

In a second embodiment deviating from the claimed invention, dynamic data such as traffic reports or a traffic flow via a mobile radio interface (so-called "over the air", OTA interface) can also be included by a backend in the electronic horizon (so-called connected electronic horizon). The communication can take place when the vehicle is directly connected to the backend, for example via a mobile radio connection, W-LAN, radio or the like.

In a third, deviating from the claimed invention embodiment, for example, an additional update of the static map from a backend done, with the goal also static parts such as traffic signs, geometry, etc. to keep up to date. For example, the update can be tile-based (tile refers to a small portion of a map, such as a 2 km x 2 km rectangle).

In a data transmission between backend and vehicle as described in the previous examples of execution, a relatively large amount of data must be transferred to the vehicle or be available in the vehicle. Often a large part of the transmitted data is then not needed in the vehicle, depending on the way the vehicle chooses, eg. B. because the driver chooses a different route or because the route is changed by a congestion information short-term. Under-data or out-of-date data may cause weaknesses in system performance.

In a fourth exemplary embodiment, for example in an expansion stage of the LTE network, there is the possibility of more complex applications in a so-called "Mobile Edge Computing" (MEC) unit of the base station 1 to operate. Here, for example, vehicle applications can be supported along major roads, especially highways. In this context, the base station 1 in particular a control device 25 (see 2 ), which is designed, for example, as an MEC. The base station 1 is able in the MEC electronic horizons for the vehicles in the cell range, so the transmission / reception range 3 the base station 1 to provide. The central electronic horizon information is thus divided according to need to different base stations of the mobile network, in particular depending on the individual cell sizes.

In particular, the electronic horizons made available are not calculated on a vehicle-specific basis, but instead per segment 9 . 11 provided for all vehicles thereon. This means that the calculation of the horizons takes place optimally in the MEC instead of individually in many vehicles, thus contributing to a simplification of the vehicle hardware. Simple functions in the vehicle do not have to be provided with the complete most probable path with attributes, but only short interesting parts, such as: B. end of jam as a short message from the base station 1 to the vehicle. For such types of messages, the message formats from the "Car to Car" (C2C) consortium are particularly suitable. From the point of view of the backend, the base station functions 1 as a "mega-vehicle" with the corresponding multiple amount of information. The main advantage is the more efficient and faster processing from the information provided from the electronic horizon, via the introduced decentralized base stations for data transmission between vehicle and backend. Another advantage is the faster and safer information between the vehicles within a cell in case of danger compared to a communication via a remote or central backend.

In 1 are three vectors of the leg 9 the path 5 assigned. Vehicles that are on the leg 9 move, get all the data from the path 5 , Vehicles on the vector of the leg 11 get data from the path 7 , For example, all possible vectors in the vicinity of the base station 1 determined and filled with static data from the map. During operation of the base station 1 For example, these static data are enriched with dynamic data, for example by so-called "Real Time Traffic Providers" and / or vehicles, for example by means of so-called "Car to Car" (C2C) communication.

2 shows schematically illustrated functional blocks of the control device 25 for operating the base station 1 , For example, the control device is 25 to a so-called "Mobile Edge Computing" (MEC) unit. The control device 25 includes in this embodiment a vehicle storage module 13 , a map module 15 , an update module 17 , a communication module 19 , a store 21 and a dynamic data module 23 , In other embodiments, the control device 25 For example, only parts of the above-mentioned modules and / or additional modules include.

In the vehicle storage module 13 In particular, vehicles are in the vicinity of the base station 1 deposited. For example, in this context, a determination of the respective vehicles in the environment takes place. The vehicle storage module 13 is exemplary a temporary memory in which the vehicles in the vicinity of the base station 1 are listed to provide them with electronic horizon data.

The map module 15 For example, a digital map includes the environment of the base station 1 that in terms of send / receive range 3 may also be referred to as an extended base station area. The digital map serves to generate the corresponding travel vectors for the area of the respective electronic horizons. This takes place, for example, during commissioning of the base station 1 , as well as with updates of the card (see update module 17 ).

The update module 17 includes in particular functions for updating the digital map. For example, the base station 1 Signaling connected to a backend.

The communication module 19 is used in particular for communication with vehicles in the transmission / reception range 3 , For example, the communication module comprises 19 In this context, functions for communication according to a given communication protocol such as Car to Car (C2C). In particular, this may be a communication via a mobile network provided by the base station, such as LTE.

In the store 21 For example, already determined paths 5 . 7 get saved. These can also be referred to as precomputed electronic horizons.

The dynamic data module 23 For example, it is used to update from the paths 5 . 7 assigned trafficability data. For example, this dynamic data can be received. The dynamic data include, for example, data from so-called "Real Time Traffic Providers" such as INRIX, Nokia HERE, etc. and are inserted into the electronic horizons.

For example, the communication module 19 needed to be able to locate vehicles and events from the respective paths 5 . 7 such as the one in memory 21 filed forwards reported electronic horizons, as well as events that are reported by vehicles exemplified by C2C to these to the vehicles with the corresponding in memory 21 to deposit deposited electronic horizons.

The digital map of the map module 15 as well as the dynamic data of the dynamic data module 23 For example, they may be referred to as map data. For example, the map data may be similar to a navigation map. In addition, the map data may include, for example, slope values.

The control device 25 For example, a data and program memory is stored in which a program is stored, which is described below with reference to the flowchart of 3 is explained in more detail.

The program is started in a step S1 in which, for example, variables are initialized. In particular, the base station 1 in the step S1, the map data is provided.

In a step S3, depending on the map data, the at least one path 5 . 7 in the vicinity of the base station 1 determined. For example, the respective path 5 . 7 then in the store 21 deposited. The program is then continued in a step S5.

In step S5, vehicles will be in the vicinity of the base station 1 localized. Further, the base station 1 a current position and a current direction of travel of the respective vehicles provided. In particular, the current position and the current direction of travel of the respective vehicles are determined. The program is then continued in a step S7.

In step S7, it is checked whether there is an update of the map data. In the case that in the card module 15 stored digital map is current and / or dynamic data of the dynamic data module 23 are already considered in the pre-led electronic horizons, no updating of the map data is necessary. The program is then continued in a step S9. Otherwise, the program is continued in a step S11.

In step S9, respective vehicles are given a respective path 5 . 7 through the base station 1 provided. The program is then terminated, for example. Alternatively, the program can then be continued, for example, in step S5, optionally after a predetermined waiting time.

In step S11, the map data is updated. For this example, dynamic data through the dynamic data module 23 provided and / or an update of the digital map by the update module 17 carried out. The program is then continued in step S3.

Claims (6)

Method for operating a base station ( 1 ), in which - the base station ( 1 ) Map data are provided which vehicle-accessible routes in a vicinity of the base station ( 1 ), - the sections of the vehicle accessible by the vehicle ( 9 . 11 ), depending on the map data for each leg a path ( 5 . 7 ), each of which comprises a horizon route extending over the respective sub-route ( 9 . 11 ), and - for a respective or respective vehicle located on a respective leg ( 9 . 11 ), the respective path ( 5 . 7 ) of the respective leg ( 9 . 11 ) is assigned by the base station ( 1 ) provided. Method according to claim 1, in which - the base station ( 1 ) Vehicle data comprising a current position and / or a current direction of travel of a respective vehicle are provided, the respective path ( 5 . 7 ) is provided to the respective vehicle depending on the vehicle data. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which - the map data comprise navigability characteristics corresponding to the routes in the vicinity of the base station ( 1 ) assigned. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which - the base station ( 1 ) Updating data representative of at least partial updating of the map data. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which - the respective path ( 5 . 7 ) in one of the base stations ( 1 ) associated memory ( 21 ), and - the vehicle in the vicinity of the base station ( 1 ) in the memory ( 21 ) stored respective path ( 5 . 7 ) is provided at least until an update of the map data. Control device ( 25 ) for operating a base station ( 1 ), which is designed to carry out the method according to one of claims 1 to 5.

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