Dr. Gérard Le Lann IMARA Team – INRIA, France

Title: Novel Communication and System Constructs for Integrated Safety and Efficiency in Intelligent Vehicular Networks

Abstract: 

We present the cohort and the group constructs which are aimed at reconciling safety and efficiency for intelligent vehicular networks (IVNs) on roads and highways. We show how platoons and vehicular ad hoc networks can be structured as cohorts and groups, taking advantage of omnidirectional and unidirectional communications. Fundamental implications of safety requirements are reviewed. A rationale for on-board systems based on diversified functional redundancy is developed, illustrated with the concept of neighbor-to-neighbor (N2N) periodic beaconing based on short range unidirectional communications meant to withstand telemetry failures. Worst-case analytical results are given for safe inter-vehicle spacing in cohorts despite inaccurate vehicle space-time coordinates and failing telemetry capabilities. The group construct is based on prefixing usage of sensing-based solutions with medium range V2V omnidirectional communications. Benefits resulting from prefixing vehicle maneuvers with vehicle role assignments are examined and illustrated with the on-ramp-merging safety-critical scenario. Augmenting IVNs with cohorts and groups has profound implications, opening up new horizons, which will be discussed.