Abstract: A system and method that enables large content data transfers to mobile platforms is provided. The mobile platform cache system and method provided build a cache suitable for large content data transfers using the available storage capacity of one or more frequently used, existing mobile devices. The provided mobile cache system and method prioritize available free or low cost communication protocols for data transfer to one or more mobile devices, enabling the use of free Wi-Fi communications or low cost communications, and minimizing the use of cellular data transmissions for large content data transfers.

Abstract: A system and method of wireless communication between a location-based wireless communications device and a vehicle, the method including the steps of: detecting when the vehicle is within an operating range of the location-based wireless communications device; establishing a short-range wireless communication (SRWC) connection between the location-based wireless communications device and the vehicle, wherein the SRWC connection is carried out over at least a first frequency band that enables a multi-Gbps data transfer rate; and transferring data between the location-based wireless communications device and the vehicle over the SRWC connection.

Abstract: A wireless vehicle-trailer interface system for communication between a vehicle and a trailer is provided. The vehicle may include a vehicle hitch, a vehicle control system, a vehicle radio frequency system, and a processor, the processor configured to generate a unique data packet for each vehicle radio frequency system, determine, for each received response packet, a distance between a corresponding receiving vehicle radio frequency system and a corresponding transmitting trailer radio frequency systems, determine a relative physical position of each vehicle radio frequency system and trailer radio frequency system, determine dimensions of the trailer, determine a physical position of a vehicle hitch and a trailer coupled, and generate instructions for the vehicle control system to cause the vehicle to move to align the vehicle hitch with a trailer coupler.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for enabling an over-the-air update to a plurality of vehicles. A system and method include transmitting a wakeup signal over a communication network to the vehicles that are in a listen state. The update is transmitted over the Wi-Fi network to the vehicles. The transmitting of the update over the Wi-Fi network includes using a transmission scheme to overcome asynchronous communication wakeup of the vehicles.

Abstract: A method of configuring a wireless connection between a vehicle and a non-vehicle wireless access point (WAP) includes receiving at a vehicle communications device data relating to at least one non-vehicle WAP, wherein the data includes configuration data for establishing a connection to the at least one non-vehicle WAP, and when the at least one non-vehicle WAP is identified as being a user-specific non-vehicle WAP, automatically configuring the vehicle communications device as a client device to the user-specific non-vehicle WAP and establishing the wireless connection to the non-vehicle WAP associated with the user-specific location using the configuration data.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for wireless communication in an ecosystem of wireless devices interconnected for assisting a vehicle, or a vehicle and trailer in maneuvers which includes at least one radio frequency (RF) system configured to operate as part of a vehicle system, a trailer system or combination thereof, or as an independent unit with wireless connectivity to the vehicle and/or trailer system or other independent unit to form the ecosystem of wireless devices interconnected. The RF system includes a transceiver for the wireless connectivity with extended range ultra-wide band capabilities wherein each RF system includes: at least one vehicle RF system, at least one trailer RF system and at least one independent RF unit system.

Abstract: A wireless vehicle-trailer interface system for communication between a vehicle and a trailer is provided. The vehicle may include a vehicle hitch, a vehicle control system, a vehicle radio frequency system, and a processor, the processor configured to generate a unique data packet for each vehicle radio frequency system, determine, for each received response packet, a distance between a corresponding receiving vehicle radio frequency system and a corresponding transmitting trailer radio frequency systems, determine a relative physical position of each vehicle radio frequency system and trailer radio frequency system, determine dimensions of the trailer, determine a physical position of a vehicle hitch and a trailer coupled, and generate instructions for the vehicle control system to cause the vehicle to move to align the vehicle hitch with a trailer coupler.

Abstract: Examples of techniques for identifying external devices using a wireless network associated with a vehicle are disclosed. In one example implementation, a method includes initializing, by a processing system, an unsecure wireless network identified by a service set identifier (SSID). The method further includes receiving, by the processing system, a safety message from an external device external to a vehicle. The method further includes processing, by the processing system, the safety message to determine a location and a movement vector of the external device without performing a dynamic internet protocol address allocation to the external device. The method further includes alerting, by the processing system, an operator of the vehicle of the location and the movement vector of the external device.

Abstract: A multi-beam module and method of performing an adaptive beam sweep in a multi-beam module of a vehicle includes obtaining information about the vehicle. The information relates to a motion state of the vehicle. The method also includes determining whether a sector sweep by the multi-beam module should be a limited sector sweep that covers less than a 360 degree span collectively based on applying a rule to the information about the vehicle, and performing the limited sector sweep with beams that cover less than the 360 degree span collectively based on determining that the sector sweep should be the limited sector sweep.

Abstract: A method and device are provided for synchronizing data transmission of multicasting/broadcasting services (MBS) by a plurality of Base Stations. Meanwhile, each of the Base Stations receives the MBS data to be transmitted and determines whether any of the MBS data has not been properly received. If so, the respective Base Station may initiate a process to recover the missing MBS data and/or to obtain information regarding the missing data to determine the duration of the time period that would have been required for transmitting the missing MBS. If the missing data has not been timely recovered, the respective Base Station determines a starting point and the duration of a silence period based on the information obtained, and refrains from transmitting signals along a communication channel allocated for transmission of MBS data, during that silence period.

Abstract: A system and method for carrying out wireless communications at a vehicle, wherein the vehicle comprises a wireless communications device and a plurality of vehicle system modules, wherein the method is carried out by the wireless communications device. The method can include the steps of: receiving an anticipatory vehicle ignition termination signal; setting the wireless communications device to operate in a station mode; detecting the presence of a wireless access point using the wireless communications device in the station mode; providing an indication to at least one of the vehicle system modules of the presence of the wireless access point; establishing a wireless connection between the wireless communications device and the wireless access point; and communicating data between the wireless access point and one or more vehicle system modules via the established wireless connection using the wireless communications device.

Abstract: A spatially distributed module and method of assembling the spatially distributed module in a vehicle include disposing a first sub-module of the module in a first location of the vehicle, and disposing a second sub-module of the module in a second location of the vehicle that is spatially separated from the first location. The first sub-module includes a processor and a memory device and the second sub-module includes a first set of one or more components. The method includes coupling the second sub-module to the first sub-module via a flexible connector such that the first set of the one or more components in the second sub-module use the processor and the memory device in the first sub-module. A length of the flexible connector is at least equal to a minimum distance between the first location and the second location.

Abstract: A vehicle gateway module adapted to communicate using short range wireless communication (SRWC) and a method of receiving data from a wireless source via a SRWC chipset in a vehicle. The method includes the steps of: detecting the wireless source using a first SRWC chipset in a gateway module in the vehicle; in response to detecting the wireless source with the first SRWC chipset, triggering a second SRWC chipset in the gateway module to wake-up by exiting a POWER OFF mode, wherein the first and second SRWC chipsets are configured to communicate according to different SRWC protocols; and in response to the triggering step: exiting the POWER OFF mode at the second SRWC chipset; and receiving content data from the wireless source at the gateway module via the second SRWC chipset.

Abstract: A method and device are provided for synchronizing data transmission of multicasting/broadcasting services (MBS) by a plurality of Base Stations. Meanwhile, each of the Base Stations receives the MBS data to be transmitted and determines whether any of the MBS data has not been properly received. If so, the respective Base Station may initiate a process to recover the missing MBS data and/or to obtain information regarding the missing data to determine the duration of the time period that would have been required for transmitting the missing MBS. If the missing data has not been timely recovered, the respective Base Station determines a starting point and the duration of a silence period based on the information obtained, and refrains from transmitting signals along a communication channel allocated for transmission of MBS data, during that silence period.

Abstract: A passive entry-passive start portable device detection system. A portable device includes a transceiver. At least one vehicle-based transceiver broadcasts an interrogation signal. The transceiver of the portable device transmits a response signal in response to the interrogation signal. A controller determining at least a range of the portable device as a function of the time-of-flight of the interrogation and response signals. The controller controls a measurement duty cycle of the interrogation signal as a function of the determined range.

Abstract: A system and method for performing an operation at a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a first acoustic transceiver that transmits and receives inaudible acoustic signals and a second acoustic transceiver that transmits and receives inaudible acoustic signals. The second acoustic transceiver is stationary with respect to the vehicle. A processor receive an inaudible acoustic signal transmitted between the first acoustic transceiver and the second acoustic transceiver, determines a location of the first acoustic transceiver with respect to the vehicle from the received signal, and performs an operation at the vehicle based on the location of the first acoustic transceiver with respect to the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method that enables large content data transfers to mobile platforms is provided. The mobile platform cache system and method provided build a cache suitable for large content data transfers using the available storage capacity of one or more frequently used, existing mobile devices. The provided mobile cache system and method prioritize available free or low cost communication protocols for data transfer to one or more mobile devices, enabling the use of free Wi-Fi communications or low cost communications, and minimizing the use of cellular data transmissions for large content data transfers.

Abstract: A method of planning communication network infrastructure includes calculating a potential capacity of a plurality of vehicular relay nodes in an area, wherein the plurality of vehicular relay nodes relay data between a plurality of portable devices and at least one base station. The method also includes calculating a potential data demand in the area for transferring data between the plurality of portable devices and the at least one base station. The method further includes determining whether a number of the at least one base station serving the area is sufficient by utilizing the potential capacity of the plurality of vehicular relay nodes in the area and the potential data demand in the area.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for securing and authenticating a network of a vehicle. At least one network key is generated by an electronic control module and distributed to at least one remote device over a wired power line. At least one signed transmission having a signature based on the at least one network key is transmitted from the at least one remote device to the electronic control module over a communication channel on the network separate from the wired power line. The electronic control module authenticates and encrypts the at least one signed transmission and receives a data stream from the at least one remote device over the communication channel.

Abstract: A social media system for a vehicle and a method of operating the social media system are provided. The social media system, for example, may include, but is not limited to a camera, an interface, a memory configured to store one or more safety settings, and a processor communicatively coupled to the camera, the interface and the memory, the processor being configured to receive, via the interface, a command request to utilize the social media system, determine, based upon the safety settings stored in the memory, when the command request may be completed, and executing the command request when the processor determines that command request may be completed.