Integration of Radar-based Communication in Heterogeneous Vehicular Networks for Cooperatively Interacting Cars (RADCOM-HETNET)

• Applicants: Professor Dr.-Ing. Falko Dressler; Professor Dr.-Ing. Norman Franchi; Professor Dr.-Ing. Robert Weigel
• Subject Area: Communication Technology and Networks, High-Frequency Technology and Photonic Systems, Signal Processing and Machine Learning for Information Technology
• Term: since 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 390837865

• Final Report Year: 2022

Final Report Abstract

Cooperatively interacting vehicles require mutual coordination and communication between traffic participants, e.g., for realizing cooperative awareness and cooperative trajectory and maneuver planning. As a basis, the IEEE 802.11p communication protocol has been standardized. A fundamental problem, however, is the shared use of the radio channel (or even multiple radio channels) for a multitude of applications. It has been shown in the literature that the use of shared radio channels for safety-relevant and real-time applications is a problematic issue. We address this problem using platooning and intersection management as sample applications in our proposal. In consequence, new methods are required for realizing time-critical cooperative interaction between vehicles relying on the real-time exchange of sensor information across several vehicles using a secure channel. Furthermore, this communication channel needs to be realized in a technologically attractive way. In the scope of the first completed project phase of the research project RADCOM-HETNET we addressed this challenge by using automotive radar sensors as available in todays vehicles for simultaneous ranging and communication (RADCOM). We particularly focused on the realization of a reliable channel that supports real-time communication. We intensively investigated this channel for 77 GHz. In addition to stochastic models (simulated with the simulation tool NYUSIM), we also compared and combined highly accurate channel simulations based on 3D ray-tracing channel simulations using WinProp, Altair. Next to classical traffic scenarios (overtaking, urban traffic), we investigated, inter alia, weather effects and possible interference and imported the obtained channel information into realistic simulations of future communication and radar applications, implemented in Matlab and Simulink. As the underlying waveform, we used the properties of novel spreadspectrum radar systems operating in the 77-81 GHz automotive radar frequency bands. These radar systems are very attractive for automotive applications from a technological viewpoint and offer the potential for simultaneous data transmission. In the framework of an interdisciplinary and integrative approach, we examined the communication-theoretic and technological realization of such a RADCOM system, its integration into a heterogeneous vehicular network (HETNET), as well as the cooperative interaction of vehicles based on the RADCOM-HETNET approach for the application scenarios platooning and intersection management. Our novel heterogeneous approach allows to exploit synergies between the complementary communication technologies and hence to efficiently address the challenges of interference mitigation, network monitoring, user synchronization, and vehicle coordination. In the proposed research project, we started by realizing a holistic, modular, and integrative simulation environment in Simulink, allowing to continuously evaluate the influence of each module, even down to the influence of the automotive radar antennas and electromagnetic propagation, onto the overall system and the addressed applications platooning and intersection management during the project duration. Based on this simulation environment, we then investigated and researched the sub-modules necessary for enabling RADCOM, for its integration into a heterogeneous intervehicle communication network, and for implementing novel cooperative vehicular interaction based on RADCOM-HETNETs.

Publications

• “Deeply Integrating Visible Light and Radio Communication for Ultra-High Reliable Platooning,” in 15th IE- EE/IFIP Conference on Wireless On demand Network Systems and Services (WONS 2019), Wengen, Switzerland: IEEE, Jan. 2019, S. 36–43
  M. Schettler, A. Memedi und F. Dressler
  
• “The Chosen One: Combating VLC Interference in Platooning using Matrix Headlights,” in 11th IEEE Vehicular Networking Conference (VNC 2019), Los Angeles, CA: IEEE, Dez. 2019, S. 56–59, ISBN: 978-1-7281-4571-6
  M. Schettler, A. Memedi und F. Dressler
  
• “Using Full Duplex Relaying to Reduce Physical Layer Latency in Platooning,” in 11th IEEE Vehicular Networking Conference (VNC 2019), Los Angeles, CA: IEEE, Dez. 2019, S. 236–239, ISBN: 978-1-7281-4571-6
  M. S. Amjad, T. Hardes, M. Schettler, C. Sommer und F. Dressler
  
• “Channel Characterization at 77 GHz for Vehicular Communication,” in 12th IEEE Vehicular Networking Conference (VNC 2020), Virtual Conference: IEEE, Dez. 2020
  M. Lübke, H. Hamoud, J. Fuchs, A. Dubey, R. Weigel und F. Lurz
  
• “Combining Radar and Communication at 77 GHz Using a CDMA Technique,” in IEEE MTT-S International Conference on Microwaves for Intelligent Mobility (ICMIM 2020), Linz, Austria: IEEE, Juli 2020
  M. Lübke, J. Fuchs, V. Shatov, A. Dubey, R. Weigel und F. Lurz
  
• “How to Train your ITS? Integrating Machine Learning with Vehicular Network Simulation,” in 12th IEEE Vehicular Networking Conference (VNC 2020), Virtual Conference: IEEE, Dez. 2020
  M. Schettler, D. S. Buse, A. Zubow und F. Dressler
  
• “Inband Full-Duplex Relaying for RADCOM-based Cooperative Driving,” in 12th IEEE Vehicular Networking Conference (VNC 2020), Virtual Conference: IEEE, Dez. 2020
  M. S. Amjad, M. Schettler, S. Dimce und F. Dressler
  
• “Comparing mmWave Channel Simulators in Vehicular Environments,” in 93rd IEEE Vehicular Technology Conference (VTC 2021-Spring), Virtual Conference: IEEE, Apr. 2021, ISBN: 978-1-7281-8964-2
  M. Lübke, S. Dimce, M. Schettler, F. Lurz, R. Weigel und F. Dressler
  
• “mmWave on the Road: Investigating the Weather Impact on 60 GHz V2X Communication Channels,” in 16th IEEE/IFIP Conference on Wireless On demand Network Systems and Services (WONS 2021), Virtual Conference: IEEE, März 2021
  S. Dimce, M. S. Amjad und F. Dressler
  
• “Validation and Analysis of the Propagation Channel at 60 GHz for Vehicular Communication,” in 94th IEEE Vehicular Technology Conference (VTC 2021-Fall), Virtual Conference: IEEE, Sep. 2021
  M. Lübke, J. Fuchs, A. Dubey, H. Hamoud, F. Dressler, R. Weigel und F. Lurz