Abstract: Vehicles can be operated according to an artificial intelligence model contained in an on-board processor. The AI model can analyze sensor data, such as visible or infrared images of traffic, and determine when a collision is possible, whether it has become imminent, and whether the collision is avoidable or unavoidable using sequences of accelerations, braking, and steering. The AI model can also select the most appropriate sequence of actions from a large plurality of calculated sequences to avoid the collision if avoidable, and to minimize the harm if unavoidable. The AI model can also cause a processor to actuate linkages connected to the throttle (or electric power control), brakes (or regenerative braking), and steering to implement the selected sequence of actions. Thus the collision can be avoided or mitigated by an ADAS system or a fully autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: Transmission of uplink messages by user devices in 5G and 6G involves substantial delays and numerous complex steps. For lower latency and simpler operation, procedures are disclosed by which a user device can transmit an uplink message in an unscheduled but monitored channel, allocated for at-will transmissions. The user device can transmit a header including, for example, the identity code of the user device, the size of a subsequent data message, and the destination address, followed by the data message. To reduce unnecessary delays, the user device can calculate when the data message is expected to be ready to transmit, and can start transmitting the header at an earlier time, calculated to be finished when the data message will be ready. The data message is then transmitted with zero delay. When low latency is required, the disclosed procedures can reduce delays substantially. Many additional aspects are disclosed.

Abstract: Prior art includes complex clock synchronization in 5G and 6G based on precision time measurements and multiple message exchanges. Disclosed is a simpler synchronization procedure suitable for reduced-capability receivers as well as high-performance users. The base station can transmit a brief signal on a specific subcarrier, surrounded fore and aft by silent periods, and the receiver can measure the signals in the silent periods to detect intrusion of the signal into one or the other silent periods, thereby indicating a timing offset. Alternatively, the base station can transmit a brief signal spanning an interface between subsequent symbol-times, and the receiver can measure the energy received in the two symbol-times, thereby detecting an offset. In either case, and other versions disclosed, the receiver can calculate the size and direction of the clock offset by amplitude measurements, and apply a correction without further communications between the user device and the base station.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for autonomous vehicles and vehicles with automatic driver-assistance systems (ADAS) to automatically detect an imminent collision, determine whether the collision is avoidable or unavoidable, and plot a course minimizing the hazard using an artificial intelligence (AI) model. For example, a collision is avoidable if the vehicle can avoid it by steering, braking, and/or accelerating in a particular sequence. The AI model finds the best sequence for collision avoidance, and if that is not possible, it finds the best sequence for minimizing the harm. The harm is based on an estimated number of fatalities, injuries, and property damage predicted to be caused in the collision. The AI-based situation analysis and sequence selection are directly applicable to human-driven vehicles with an emergency-intervention ADAS system, as well as fully autonomous vehicles. With fast electronic reflexes and multi-sensor situation awareness, the AI model can save lives on the highway.

Abstract: Timing is crucial for next-generation networks at 5G and 6G high frequencies. Disclosed are very brief timing signals, and low-complexity procedures for processing them, to obtain a precision time-base lock between a base station and its user devices. In contrast to conventional modulation, the disclosed timing signals feature a change in modulation centrally positioned in a timing resource element. Since the time boundaries of the resource element at the receiver are determined by the receiver's clock, while the actual time of the timing signal is determined by the base station's clock, a displacement of the received timing signal from the midpoint of the resource element indicates a clock offset between the user device and the base station. In addition, by measuring the interval between successive timing signals, the user device can correct its clock rate, and thereby bring the subcarrier frequencies into agreement with the base station.

Abstract: Disclosed is a “connectivity matrix” that wireless entities (vehicles, fixed assets, etc.) can display indicating the 5G/6G wireless address of the entity. Other wireless devices can then image the connectivity matrix, determine the wireless address, and then communicate in sidelink, on frequencies allocated for ad-hoc networking. Alternatively, the two entities can communicate through a local base station, on managed channels, using the displayed wireless address. The matrix can provide additional information, such as the frequency, bandwidth, and modulation scheme favored by the entity. Alternatively, the matrix can provide a key code maintained by a central authority, so that a second wireless entity can read the code and request the associated wireless address (and frequency, bandwidth, etc.) from the central authority. By either method, the two wireless entities can then communicate explicitly thereafter.

Abstract: To assist a user device of a 5G or 6G network in finding its downlink messages, the base station can attach a leading and trailing demarcation to the message. The user device can recognize the demarcations, extract the data between them, and thereby receive the message without computation-intensive searching. Advantageously, the user device can request that the base station not transmit DCI (downlink control information) messages to the user device, since the user device can readily find its messages according to the demarcations. In various embodiments, the demarcations can indicate the address or identity of the intended recipient, the length of the message, the type of the message, and other information to assist the user device. In addition, for even easier detection of the demarcations, the base station can insert a gap of no transmission before and/or after each demarcation. Such demarcations may enable low-cost reduced-capability user devices.

Abstract: For more efficient use of the limited bandwidth in 5G and 6G communications, and to enable longer battery life in remote user devices, the user device can request that unnecessary downlink control messages be withheld. Instead, a custom search-space can be assigned to the user device, such that all downlink data messages will begin in one of the resource elements of the custom search-space, thereby greatly simplifying the user device's task of detecting its incoming messages in a stream of unrelated transmissions. In addition, the user device can request that the user device's identification code, and optionally the length of the data message, be prepended to the data message, for further assistance to low-cost reduced-capability user devices that do not require low latency.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for autonomous vehicles and vehicles with automatic driver-assistance systems (ADAS) to automatically detect an imminent collision, determine whether the collision is avoidable or unavoidable, and plot a course minimizing the hazard using an artificial intelligence (AI) model. For example, a collision is avoidable if the vehicle can avoid it by steering, braking, and/or accelerating in a particular sequence. The AI model finds the best sequence for collision avoidance, and if that is not possible, it finds the best sequence for minimizing the harm. The harm is based on an estimated number of fatalities, injuries, and property damage predicted to be caused in the collision. The AI-based situation analysis and sequence selection are directly applicable to human-driven vehicles with an emergency-intervention ADAS system, as well as fully autonomous vehicles. With fast electronic reflexes and multi-sensor situation awareness, the AI model can save lives on the highway.

Abstract: Noise and interference in 5G/6G messages can be corrected by including a predetermined reference signal in the guard space of each resource element of the message. Even highly variable noise and interference, fluctuating in time and in frequency, can be negated when the demodulation reference signals are positioned within each resource element of the message. In addition, if the guard-space reference signal varies excessively between resource elements, the associated message element can be flagged as likely faulted. Since the guard space is already included in the transmission, no additional resources or transmission power are required. Methods are also disclosed for retaining the signal processing features of prior-art guard space signals such as a cyclic prefix, at low to no cost.

Abstract: A network architecture is disclosed for intrinsic cybersecurity of low-cost, low-complexity IoT devices such as single-task sensors and actuators. The IoT devices are configured in a star topology sub-network, in which a number of IoT “end devices” communicate exclusively with a single “hub device” that manages the sub-network. The hub device is also connected to a larger network such as a 5G or 6G network. Each end device makes a measurement or operates an actuator on instructions from the hub device, and transmits data results back to the hub device, which then transmits the results (or a summary thereof) up to the base station of the larger network. Thus the larger network is relieved of responsibility for routine managing of the end devices, since the hub device does that. Also the larger network is protected from cyberattacks by configuring each end device to boot and execute from ROM, and other features described herein.

Abstract: Corrupted messages in 5G and 6G are usually discarded, leading to a retransmission with its added costs, delays, and background generation. Therefore, disclosed herein are methods for a wireless receiver to determine which message elements are faulted, and in many cases to correct them, based on parameters of the waveform signal in each message element. Multiple parameters may be combined for better sensitivity to the fault condition. For example, the indicator parameters may be the modulation deviation of each message element, its amplitude or phase noise level, characteristic interference patterns between symbol-times, a polarization anomaly, a frequency offset, or combinations of these. After localizing the likely faulted message elements, the receiver may be able to recover the message by correcting the waveform signal or the demodulation value, thereby saving time and energy at near zero cost.

Abstract: Message faults are caused by network crowding and signal fading at high frequencies of 5G and 6G. Current error-detection and correction algorithms are computationally demanding, especially for new low-cost reduced-capability IoT devices. Disclosed are methods for (a) determining whether a message is faulted using a compact error-detection code, (b) localizing the most likely faulted message element(s) according to the waveform signal, and (c) determining the likely corrected version by back-calculating from the error-detection code. Other versions include testing various modulation substitutions for the most suspicious message elements, having the worst signal quality. The waveform parameters may include a deviation from an average amplitude, phase, frequency, or polarization, as well as an amount of amplitude variation and phase variation within the message element. Identification of the most likely faulted message elements may enable recovery of the message without a costly retransmission.

Abstract: 5G and especially 6G are susceptible to phase faults due to rapid phase fluctuations, usually in the local oscillator of the user device. Low-cost IoT applications that 6G is intended to serve may be impractical unless phase noise mitigation can be applied on each uplink and downlink message. Accordingly, a single-branch phase-tracking reference is disclosed occupying just a single resource element, in which one quadrature branch is transmitted with a predetermined maximum modulation amplitude, and the other branch has zero amplitude. The receiver can then quantify the phase noise (or the phase rotation angle) according to a ratio of the as-received branch amplitudes, and mitigate a concurrent message by de-rotating each message element by the same phase angle, thereby restoring high reliability at high frequencies at negligible cost.

Abstract: A method for modulating and demodulating 5G and 6G messages is disclosed, in which the message elements are configured with a large phase margin between adjacent modulation states, and are demodulated in a way that preserves the large phase margins. Phase noise, a major problem at high frequencies, scrambles adjacent modulation states, causing message faults. The disclosed modulation schemes and demodulation methods accommodate such phase noise without faulting, by providing a wide acceptance range for phase. Hence substantial phase noise can be accommodated without changing the demodulated state, thereby avoiding a message fault. The rate of message faults due to phase demodulation errors may be substantially decreased, and message faults at higher frequencies may be reduced, according to some embodiments. Strategies for minimizing amplitude faults are also disclosed.

Abstract: Message faulting is an increasing problem in 5G and future 6G due to network crowding, receiver motion, signal fading at higher frequencies, and greater phase-noise sensitivity. Disclosed herein are methods for analyzing waveform features of the received signal using artificial intelligence, and identifying the likely faulted message elements according to correlations of those waveform features. For example, after demodulating, the receiver can identify a subset of message elements that are all demodulated according to the same modulation level, and can measure a signal parameter for each message element in the subset. The processor can then average the deviations in the subset, and compare those message elements to the average for the subset. If one of the message elements shows an anomalously large deviation from the average, that message element is likely faulted.

Abstract: Most automatic driver-assistance systems, including allegedly autonomous driving systems, fail to react to certain hazard cues that human drivers instinctively notice. Chief among those cues is the sudden illumination of the brake lights in the vehicle ahead. Admittedly, it is difficult for software to discriminate between brake lights, turn signal lights, and running lights—but that is what safety requires. Disclosed herein are methods and systems for processors on vehicles to interpret sensor images, detect brake lights ahead, and take proper avoidance action such as braking and swerving. The proper strategy may be decided according to the relative speed of the two vehicles and their distance apart when the brake lights come on, among other factors. With such foresighted collision mitigation capability, autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles may be able to save many lives due to unnecessary collisions in traffic.

Abstract: Message faulting is a critical unsolved problem for 5G and 6G. Disclosed herein is a method for combining an AI-based analysis of the waveform data of each message element, plus the constraint of an associated error-detection code (such as a CRC or parity construct of the correct message) to localize and, in many cases, correct a limited number of faults per message, without a retransmission. For example, the waveform data may include a deviation of the amplitude or phase of a particular message element, relative to an average of the amplitudes or phases of the other message elements that have the same demodulation value. The outliers are thereby exposed as the most likely faulted message elements. In addition, using the error-detection code, the AI model can determine the most likely corrected message, thereby avoiding retransmission delays and power usage and other costs.

Abstract: Traffic collisions involving autonomous vehicles can be greatly reduced by timely initiation of evasive action. However, calculating a suitable sequence of actions capable of avoiding or minimizing the collision may require the speed of a supercomputer. Therefore, disclosed is a method for the autonomous vehicle to transmit an emergency message with sensor data to a nearby access point in 5G or 6G, and the access point can forward the data to a supercomputer trained in collision avoidance. The supercomputer, millions or billions of times faster than vehicle computers, explores many sequences of actions and selects the one most likely to avoid the collision or if unavoidable, the sequence of actions that results in the least harm. Again using an exclusive channel, the supercomputer and the access point can relay the selected sequence to the autonomous vehicle, for immediate collision avoidance or harm minimization.

Abstract: 5G and especially 6G are built around beamed transmissions and receptions, but aligning the beams toward the intended recipient is currently an expensive and complex process that reduced-capability devices may have difficulty performing. Therefore, an improved beam alignment process is disclosed, involving “triangle” beams. A triangle beam is a wide transmission beam that is arranged to be high-power at one side and low-power at the other side, tapering monotonically between the two angles. A user device can detect the triangle beam and measure the received amplitude or power level. By comparing to the amplitude of a previous transmission, the user device can determine its angle relative to the base station. The user device can then transmit directional beams toward the base station, and can also inform the base station of the angle so that they both can use well-directed transmission and reception beams. Many other aspects are disclosed.