Method to enhance vehicle-to-vehicle communication using a frequency band used by the intelligent transport system and at least one mobile communication network, mobile communication network, system, user equipment, program, and computer program product

BACKGROUND

[0001] The present invention relates to a method to enhance vehicle-to-vehicle communication using a frequency band being used by the intelligent transport system and at least one mobile communication network, wherein the at least one mobile communication network comprises a radio access network comprising a plurality of base station entities, each one of the plurality of base station entities having or corresponding to a radio coverage area, respectively,

wherein the intelligent transport system comprises a plurality of vehicles wherein each vehicle of the plurality of vehicles comprises or is associated with a corresponding user equipment being enabled to transmit, within the frequency band, proximity services direct communication messages.

[0002] The present invention further relates to a mobile communication network to enhance vehicle-to-vehicle communication using a frequency band being used by the intelligent transport system and at least one mobile communication network, wherein the at least one mobile communication network comprises a radio access network comprising a plurality of base station entities, each one of the plurality of base station entities having or corresponding to a radio coverage area, respectively,

wherein the intelligent transport system comprises a plurality of vehicles wherein each vehicle of the plurality of vehicles comprises or is associated with a corresponding user equipment being enabled to transmit, within the frequency band, proximity services direct communication messages.

[0003] Additionally, the present invention relates to a system to enhance vehicle-to- vehicle communication using a frequency band being used by the intelligent transport system and at least one mobile communication network, wherein the system comprises a mobile communication network and a plurality of vehicles, wherein the at least one mobile communication network comprises a radio access network comprising a plurality of base station entities, each one of the plurality of base station entities having or corresponding to a radio coverage area, respectively,

wherein the intelligent transport system comprises a plurality of vehicles wherein each vehicle of the plurality of vehicles comprises or is associated with a corresponding user equipment being enabled to transmit, within the frequency band, proximity services direct communication messages.

[0004] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a user equipment within a vehicle to enhance vehicle-to-vehicle communication using a frequency band used by the intelligent transport system and at least one mobile communication network according to the present invention or using a method according to the present invention.

[0005] Also, the present invention relates to a program comprising a computer readable program code and a computer program product to enhance vehicle-to-vehicle

communication using a frequency band being used by the intelligent transport system and at least one mobile communication network, the computer program product comprising a computer program stored on a storage medium, the computer program comprising program code which, when executed on a computer and/or on a user equipment within a vehicle and/or on a first and/or a second base station entity, or in part on a user equipment within a vehicle and/or in part on a first and/or a second base station entity, causes the computer and/or the user equipment within a vehicle and/or the first and/or the second base station entity to perform a method according to the present invention.

[0006] In recent years, there has been a rapid development of establishing vehicle-to- vehicle (V2V) communication as well as communication between vehicles and infrastructure entities like traffic signs (V2I, vehicle-to-infrastructure), in particular without the direct involvement of entities of the access and core network of a mobile communications network in the exchange of messages. Such communication is, e.g., envisioned to improve the safety in road traffic and to help minimize traffic jams.

[0007] Modern mobile communication networks (e.g. long-term evolution (LTE)) are being developed or adapted to support direct communication between vehicles (e.g. cars, trucks, etc.) using the so-called PC5 interface ("sidelink") directly between the vehicles.

[0008] It is advantageous that the resource allocation on such radio transmission resources that are using the PC5 link (or which are used for realizing PC5 link

communication) is controlled by the wireless mobile communication network or components thereof in order to minimise the risk of transmission collisions between different vehicles sending V2V messages. Therefore, the available spectrum is defined in a time - frequency fashion and transmission opportunities for individual vehicles (especially for each individual vehicle) are clearly defined. [0009] Within a certain geographical area, the transmission opportunities can be controlled by a base station entity to enable efficient resource (spectrum) usage and avoid collision between signalling from different vehicles.

[0010] A special use case for V2V communication (without direct network involvement) is "platooning". Platooning is the expression for a number of vehicles driving in a row (i.e. a convoy, especially sequentially one behind the next vehicle), being guided or controlled by a leading vehicle, i.e. a platoon manager vehicle. In such a scenario, it can be possible to allow automated driving for those vehicles following the leading vehicle. "Platooning" can especially be useful for trucks, wherein there is an additional significant benefit of better aerodynamics in case the distance of the trucks within a convoy can be significantly minimised. However, at present the resource allocation mechanisms are not sufficiently accurate and quick in order to allow vehicles in such a convoy to significantly reduce their relative distances, without increased risks.

SUMMARY

[0011] An object of the present invention is the improvement of vehicle-to-vehicle communication using a frequency band being used by the intelligent transport system (ITS) and at least one mobile communication network to improve the possibilities and the performance of the intelligent transport system, especially in view of automated driving, while ensuring a high safety and/or enhancing the safety level and/or the capacity of the intelligent transport system.

[0012] The object of the present invention is achieved by a method to enhance vehicle- to-vehicle communication using a frequency band being used by the intelligent transport system and at least one mobile communication network, wherein the at least one mobile communication network comprises a radio access network comprising a plurality of base station entities, each one of the plurality of base station entities having or corresponding to a radio coverage area, respectively,

wherein the intelligent transport system comprises a plurality of vehicles wherein each vehicle of the plurality of vehicles comprises or is associated with a corresponding user equipment being enabled to transmit, within the frequency band, proximity services direct communication messages,

wherein the frequency band comprises transmission resources for the transmission, by the user equipments of the plurality of vehicles, of such proximity services direct communication messages, wherein the allocation of transmission resources to user equipments of vehicles is, at least partly, controlled by the radio access network of the mobile communication network,

wherein, regarding a first and a second partly overlapping and/or adjacent and/or neighboring radio coverage areas, user equipments of the plurality of vehicles are using transmission resources, according to their path of travel, within the first radio coverage area, and subsequently within the second radio coverage area,

wherein the method comprises the following steps:

— in a first step, specific transmission resources of the transmission resources are allocated, by the radio access network or by the first base station entity, to a first vehicle or to a first group of vehicles within the first radio coverage area, and an allocation request message is transmitted to the second base station entity, wherein the allocation request message comprises an allocation request information regarding transmission resources to be used within the second radio coverage area,

— in a second step, subsequent to the first step, the first vehicle receives or the first group of vehicles receive an allocation acknowledgement message, wherein the allocation acknowledgement message comprises an allocation acknowledgement information regarding an allocation of further specific transmission resources to be used within the second radio coverage area.

[0013] Thereby, it is advantageously possible to improve the reliability of vehicle-to- vehicle communication, in particular for the case that a first vehicle or a first group of vehicles leaves the coverage area of a first base station entity (or is about to leave the coverage area of a first base station entity) and enters the coverage area of a second base station entity (or is about to enter the coverage area of a second base station entity). This is possible, because specific transmission resources (of the transmission resources) are allocated to a first vehicle or to a first group of vehicles within the first radio coverage area and

transmission resources to be used for the first vehicle of the first group of vehicles are requested from a second base station entity (within an allocation request message) especially before the first vehicle or first group of vehicles leaves the coverage area of the first base station entity. Therefore, it is possible that the second base station entity reserves the requested transmission resources to be used for (or by) the first vehicle or the first group of vehicles either more quickly and/or at an earliert point in time, especially before the first vehicle or the first group of vehicles leaves the coverage area of the first base station entity. Within a second step, it is possible that further specific transmission resources are assigned (or allocated) to the first vehicle or the first group of vehicles for the signaling in the coverage area of the second base station entity. An information regarding the allocation of said further specific transmission resources is transmitted to the first vehicle or the first group of vehicles as part of an allocation acknowledgement message (in particular still before the first vehicle or the first group of vehicles leaves the coverage area of the first base station entity).

Therefore, the first vehicle or the first group of vehicles is aware which further specific transmission resources (that are to be used by and allocated to the first vehicle or the first group of vehicles for V2V communication within the coverage area of the second base station entity) are assigned to the first vehicle or the first group of vehicles for V2V

communication within the second coverage area of the second base station entity, especially before the first vehicle leaves or the first group of vehicles leave the coverage area of the first base station entity and/or before the first vehicle enters or the first group of vehicles enter the coverage area of the second base station entity. Therefore, the handover of the first vehicle or the first group of vehicles between the coverage area of the first base station entity and the second base station entity is improved and delay times, arising, e.g., because vehicles traveling from a first coverage area of a first base station entity to a second coverage area of a second base station entity have to be informed about a change of the transmission resources allocated to the fist vehicle when changing the coverage area, are minimized. A particular advantage arises for the case that some vehicles of a first group of vehicles have already entered a second coverage area (and especially left the first coverage area of the first base station entity) and other vehicles of the first group of vehicles are still in the first coverage area (and are especially still served by the first base station entity), which might lead to communication problems, when using V2V communication schemes known from the state of the art (between the vehicles of the first group of vehicles).

[0014] According to an embodiment of the method according to the present invention, the allocation request message comprises an allocation request information such that the specific transmission resources used within the first radio coverage area are also to be used, as further specific transmission resources within the second radio coverage area.

[0015] Thereby, it is advantageously possible that the requested transmission resources to be used within the second radio coverage area are identical to the specific transmission resources (or the same transmission resources as the specific transmission resources) used within the first coverage area. Since it is possible that the second base station entity is informed about this request within the first step as part of the allocation request message and especially before the first vehicle or the first group of vehicles leaves the first coverage area, the second base station can reserve further specific transmission resources for the first vehicle or for the first group of vehicles that are identical to the specific transmission resources. Accordingly, it is possible that - for a handover between the first and second coverage area - the vehicle-to-vehicle communication within a first group of is not interrupted during the transition of a first group of vehicles from a first coverage area to a second coverage area and the handover procedure is improved.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the method according to the present invention, the allocation acknowledgement message comprises an allocation acknowledgement information such that the further specific transmission resources, to be used within the second radio coverage area, correspond to or are identical in time and frequency to the specific transmission resources.

[0017] Thereby, it is advantageously possible that the requested transmission resources to be used within the second radio coverage area are (or correspond to) the specific transmission resources (or the same transmission resources as the specific transmission resources) used within the first coverage area. Since it is possible that the second base station entity is informed about this request within the first step as part of the allocation request message and especially before the first vehicle or the first group of vehicles leaves the first coverage area, the second base station can reserve further specific transmission resources for the first vehicle or for the first group of vehicles that are identical to the specific transmission resources. Accordingly, it is possible that the first vehicle or the first group of vehicles is informed that the further specific transmission resources and the specific transmission resources are identical (by the allocation acknowledgment information as part of the allocation acknowledgement message). Thus, when (or before) the first vehicle or the first group of vehicles leaves the first coverage area (and/or enters the second coverage area and/or transitions from the first coverage area to the second coverage area), first vehicle or the first group of vehicles can continue to communicate using the same or identical specific transmission resources (i.e. the same frequency slots and/or relative time slots) as the further specific transmission resources. This is particularly useful, when some vehicles of a first group of vehicles (e.g., the platoon) have already entered the second coverage area (and especially left the first coverage area) and other vehicles of the first group of vehicles are still within the first coverage area (and not yet served by the second base station entity), because the even for such a situation all vehicles of the first group of vehicles can still communicate via V2V communication using the identical transmission resources (i.e. the specific transmission resources).

[0018] According to an embodiment of the method according to the present invention, the specific transmission resources are used within the first and the second radio coverage areas, and wherein the requested specific transmission resources especially correspond to using

— the same frequency domain resources and the same time domain resources, and/or — the same frequency domain resources and the same time domain resources regarding a specific repetition time interval.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the method according to the present invention, the allocation request information comprises an indication

— of a periodicity and/or of the specific repetition time interval, especially of a periodicity of the platoon-internal communication, and/or

— of an expected data volume of platoon-internal communication, and/or

— of a priority of the plurality of vehicles, and/or

— of the requested further specific transmission resources corresponding to or being identical to the specific transmission resources.

[0020] It is thereby possible, that the second base station entity is informed as part of the allocation request message about the requirements (or needs) of the internal V2V communication of the first group of vehicles (in particular before the first group of vehicles enters the second coverage area). Thereby, it is possible that the second base station entity allocates appropriate further specific transmission resources to the first group of vehicles (or the first vehicle) taking into account information

— on the periodicity and/or of the specific repetition time interval, especially of a periodicity of the platoon-internal communication, and/or

— on an expected data volume of platoon-internal communication, and/or

— on a priority of the plurality of vehicles, and/or

— on the requested further specific transmission resources corresponding to or being identical to the specific transmission resources.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the method according to the present invention, the specific transmission resources and the further specific transmission resources are used by a plurality of vehicles, the plurality of vehicles especially belonging to or forming a platoon, especially a truck platoon or a light truck platoon or a car platoon or a combined platoon, comprising both trucks and/or light trucks and/or cars, and wherein the platoon comprises a platoon manager vehicle and at least one platoon member vehicle.

[0022] Thereby, it is advantageously possible that the plurality of vehicles (or the first group of vehicles) forms a platoon, wherein in one of the vehicles within the platoon acts as a platoon manager vehicle. It is thereby possible that the platoon manager vehicle, e.g., the first vehicle of the platoon (convoy), communicates via V2V communication to the other vehicles of the plurality of vehicles (first group of vehicles). [0023] According to an embodiment of the method according to the present invention, the allocation request message is transmitted, to the second base station entity and within the second radio coverage area, by the first vehicle - especially being a manager vehicle of a platoon of a plurality of vehicles - or by a first group of vehicles, and wherein the allocation acknowledgement message is transmitted, to the first vehicle - especially being a manager vehicle of a platoon of a plurality of vehicles - or to the first group of vehicles and within the second radio coverage area, by the second base station entity.

[0024] According to a preferred embodiment of the method according to the present invention, the allocation request message is transmitted, to the second base station entity, by the first base station entity, wherein the allocation acknowledgement message is transmitted, to the first vehicle - especially being a manager vehicle of a platoon of a plurality of vehicles - or to the first group of vehicles and within the first radio coverage area, by the first base station entity, wherein, prior to transmitting the allocation acknowledgement message to the first vehicle or to the first group of vehicles, a further allocation acknowledgement message is transmitted, by the second base station entity to the first base station entity, wherein, especially prior to transmitting the allocation request message by the first base station entity to the second base station entity, a further allocation request message is transmitted, by the first vehicle or by a first group of vehicles, to the first base station entity and within the first radio coverage area.

[0025] Further, the present invention also relates to a mobile communication network to enhance vehicle-to-vehicle communication using a frequency band being used by the intelligent transport system and at least one mobile communication network, wherein the at least one mobile communication network comprises a radio access network comprising a plurality of base station entities, each one of the plurality of base station entities having or corresponding to a radio coverage area, respectively,

wherein the intelligent transport system comprises a plurality of vehicles wherein each vehicle of the plurality of vehicles comprises or is associated with a corresponding user equipment being enabled to transmit, within the frequency band, proximity services direct communication messages,

wherein the frequency band comprises transmission resources for the transmission, by the user equipments of the plurality of vehicles, of such proximity services direct communication messages, wherein the allocation of transmission resources to user equipments of vehicles is, at least partly, controlled by the radio access network of the mobile communication network,

wherein, regarding a first and a second partly overlapping and/or adjacent and/or

neighboring radio coverage areas, user equipments of the plurality of vehicles are using transmission resources, according to their path of travel, within the first radio coverage area , and subsequently within the second radio coverage area,

wherein the mobile communication network is configured such that:

— specific transmission resources of the transmission resources are allocated, by the radio access network or by the first base station entity, to a first vehicle or to a first group of vehicles within the first radio coverage area, and an allocation request message is received by the second base station entity, wherein the allocation request message comprises an allocation request information regarding transmission resources to be used within the second radio coverage area,

— the first and/or the second base station entity transmits, especially to the first vehicle or to the first group of vehicles, an allocation acknowledgement message, wherein the allocation acknowledgement message comprises an allocation acknowledgement information regarding an allocation of further specific transmission resources to be used within the second radio coverage area.

[0026] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a system to enhance vehicle-to- vehicle communication using a frequency band being used by the intelligent transport system and at least one mobile communication network, wherein the system comprises a mobile communication network and a plurality of vehicles, wherein the at least one mobile communication network comprises a radio access network comprising a plurality of base station entities, each one of the plurality of base station entities having or corresponding to a radio coverage area, respectively,

wherein the intelligent transport system comprises a plurality of vehicles wherein each vehicle of the plurality of vehicles comprises or is associated with a corresponding user equipment being enabled to transmit, within the frequency band, proximity services direct communication messages,

wherein the frequency band comprises transmission resources for the transmission, by the user equipments of the plurality of vehicles, of such proximity services direct communication messages, wherein the allocation of transmission resources to user equipments of vehicles is, at least partly, controlled by the radio access network of the mobile communication network,

wherein, regarding a first and a second partly overlapping and/or adjacent and/or

neighboring radio coverage areas, user equipments of the plurality of vehicles are using transmission resources, according to their path of travel, within the first radio coverage area, and subsequently within the second radio coverage area,

wherein the mobile communication network is configured such that:

— specific transmission resources of the transmission resources are allocated, by the radio access network or by the first base station entity, to a first vehicle or to a first group of vehicles within the first radio coverage area, and an allocation request message is received by the second base station entity, wherein the allocation request message comprises an allocation request information regarding transmission resources to be used within the second radio coverage area,

— the first vehicle receives or the first group of vehicles receive an allocation

acknowledgement message, wherein the allocation acknowledgement message comprises an allocation acknowledgement information regarding an allocation of further specific transmission resources to be used within the second radio coverage area.

[0027] Furthermore, the present invention relates to user equipment within a vehicle to enhance vehicle-to-vehicle communication using a frequency band used by the intelligent transport system and at least one mobile communication network according to the present invention or using a method according to the present invention.

[0028] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a program comprising a computer readable program code which, when executed on a computer and/or on a user equipment within a vehicle and/or on a first and/or a second base station entity, or in part on a user equipment within a vehicle and/or in part on a first and/or a second base station entity, causes the computer and/or the user equipment within a vehicle and/or the first and/or the second base station entity to perform a method according to the present invention.

[0029] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a computer program product to enhance vehicle-to-vehicle communication using a frequency band being used by the intelligent transport system and at least one mobile communication network, the computer program product comprising a computer program stored on a storage medium, the computer program comprising program code which, when executed on a computer and/or on a user equipment within a vehicle and/or on a first and/or a second base station entity, or in part on a user equipment within a vehicle and/or in part on a first and/or a second base station entity, causes the computer and/or the user equipment within a vehicle and/or the first and/or the second base station entity to perform a method according to the present invention.

[0030] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first base station entity and/or the second base station entity is an eNodeB, a femto-cell or a road side unit (e.g., integrated in a street sign).

[0031] These and other characteristics, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. The description is given for the sake of example only, without limiting the scope of the invention. The reference figures quoted below refer to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a system comprising a mobile communications network according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 2 schematically illustrates transmission resources according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 3 schematically illustrate a method according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 4 schematically illustrate a method according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 5 schematically illustrate a method according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The present invention will be described with respect to particular embodiments and with reference to certain drawings but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. The drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn on scale for illustrative purposes.

[0038] Where an indefinite or definite article is used when referring to a singular noun, e.g. "a", "an", "the", this includes a plural of that noun unless something else is specifically stated.

[0039] Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

[0040] In Figure 1 , a system comprising a system to enhance vehicle-to-vehicle communication using a frequency band used by the intelligent transport system and at least one mobile communication network 100 is depicted. The system comprises a mobile communication network 100 and at least a first vehicle 20 (or a plurality of vehicles 20, 21 , 22). The mobile communication network 100 comprises a radio access network 1 10 and a core network 120. A first base station entity 1 1 1 and a second base station entity 1 12 (and usual many further base station entities) are part of the radio access network 1 10. The first base station entity 1 1 1 and the second base station entity 1 12 can, e.g., be eNodeBs but also other base station entities. The first base station entity 1 1 1 covers (serves) a first radio coverage area 1 1 and the second base station entity 1 12 covers (serves) a second coverage area 12. Often, the first and second coverage areas 1 1 , 12 of a first base station entity 1 1 1 and a neighboring second base station entity 1 12 overlap partially to ensure that there are no regions without network coverage in between the coverage areas. In particular, a first vehicle 20 is located in a region, where the first coverage area 1 1 and the second coverage area 12 overlap (but it is also possible that the first vehicle 20 is located at any other point within the first or second coverage area 1 1 , 12). The first vehicle 20 comprises or carries a user equipment that is configured to be able to transmit, within a frequency band, communication messages (especially vehicle-to-vehicle communication) and is especially also capable of communicating with base station entities (e.g. at least the first base station entity 1 1 1 and/or the second base station entity 1 12) of the radio access network 1 10. It is possible that the first vehicle 20 moves from the first coverage area 1 1 to the second coverage 12 (,wherein in the situation depicted in Figure 1 , the first vehicle 20 is currently located in the overlapping region of the first and second coverage area 1 1 , 12) and a handover procedure has to be carried out.

[0041] In Figure 2, transmission resources 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention are schematically illustrated. The transmission resources 200 comprise a frequency domain (vertical blue arrow in Figure 2) and a time domain (horizontal blue arrow in Figure 2). In Figure 2, the total transmission resources (used or allocated for intelligent traffic system PC5 communication) are shown to comprise a first part, also called regular transmission resources 220, 221 , for vehicle-to-vehicle communication, contention based, and a second part, also called allocated transmission resources 210, for vehicle-to-vehicle communication such that transmission resources are used by the vehicles that are

(previously) allocated by the corresponding base station entity. The specific transmission resources 21 1 , allocated to the first vehicle 20 or the first group of vehicles 20, 21 , 22 (at least within the first coverage area 1 1 ), are part of the allocated transmission resources 210 of the transmission resources 200. The further specific transmission resources 212, allocated to the first vehicle 20 or to the first group of vehicles 20, 21 , 22 (at least within the second coverage area 12), are likewise part of the allocated transmission resources 210 of the transmission resources 200. In the embodiment depicted in Figure 2, the specific

transmission resources 21 1 and further specific transmission resources 212 are identical (in particular, the specific transmission resources 21 1 and further specific transmission resources 212 have the same frequency domain resources and the same time domain resources).

[0042] In Figure 3, a method according to a first embodiment of the present invention is schematically illustrated. A first group of vehicles 20, 21 , 22 (e.g., a platoon of trucks) is shown. The first group of vehicles 20, 21 , 22 comprises a platoon manager vehicle 20, which leads the convoy of vehicles 20, 21 , 22 (i.e. the first group of vehicles 20, 21 , 22). In this embodiment, the first group of vehicles 20, 21 , 22 is preferably located in an overlap region of a first coverage area 1 1 of a first base station entity 1 1 1 and a second coverage area 12 of a second base station entity 1 12 (or at least the platoon manager vehicle 20 is located in such an overlap region) and travels in the direction of the second coverage area 12 of the second base station entity 1 12. Within a first and second coverage area 1 1 , 12, transmission resources 200 are generally available for vehicle-to-vehicle communication. As part of a first step, specific transmission resources 21 1 of the transmission resources 200 have been allocated, by the radio access network 1 10 and/or by the first base station entity 1 1 1 , to the first vehicle 20 (i.e. the platoon manager vehicle 20) or to the first group of vehicles 20, 21 , 22 for use within the first radio coverage area 1 1 . This preferably already happens while the first group of vehicles 20, 21 ,22 enters or is located within the first coverage area 1 1 (or even before the first group of vehicles 20, 21 , 22 enters the first coverage area 1 1 ) and before the exchange of messages depicted in Figure 3 begins. Preferably after the allocation of the specific transmission resources 21 1 has taken place and while the first group of vehicles 20, 21 , 22 (or at least the platoon manager vehicle 20) is located in an overlap region of the first coverage area 1 1 and the second coverage area 12, an allocation request message 31 1 is transmitted to the second base station entity 1 12 by the platoon manager vehicle 20. The allocation request message 31 1 comprises an allocation request information regarding transmission resources 200 to be used within the second radio coverage area 12 served by the second base station entity 1 12. In particular the allocation request information indicates that the specific transmission resources 21 1 used by the platoon manager vehicle 20 (or by the first group of vehicles 20, 21 , 22) within the first radio coverage area 1 1 are also to be used as further specific transmission resources 212 within the second radio coverage area 12. Thus, the second base station entity 1 12 is informed about the preferred further specific transmission resources 212 that the platoon manager vehicle 20 wants to use within the second coverage area 12, preferably right when (or after) the platoon manager vehicle 20 enters the second coverage area 12 and preferably still located within the first coverage area 1 1. It is accordingly possible that the mobile communication network and in particular the second base station entity 1 12 reserve the requested transmission resources for the first vehicle 20 and/or the first group of vehicles 20, 21 , 22. In a following second step, the first vehicle 20 or the first group of vehicles 20, 21 , 22 receives an allocation acknowledgement message 312 which is transmitted by the second base station entity 1 12. The allocation acknowledgement message 312 comprises an allocation acknowledgement information regarding an allocation of further specific transmission resources 212 to be used within the second radio coverage area 12. Since the platoon manager vehicle has requested to use the specific transmission resources 21 1 as well in the second coverage area 12, it is possible that the further specific transmission resources 212 allocated to the first vehicle 20 or the first group of vehicles 20, 21 , 22 are identical to the specific transmission resources 21 1 which enables a unproblematic handover without time windows, during which the first group of vehicles might have problems using (internal) vehicle-to-vehicle communication. Such problems might otherwise, e.g., arise because the first vehicle 20 and the last vehicle 22 of the first group of vehicles 20, 21 , 22 could be served by different base stations 1 1 1 , 1 12 at one point time (while transitioning from the first to the second coverage area 1 1 , 12). In such a scenario, the first vehicle 20 and the last vehicle 22 might be unaware that non-identical specific and further specific transmission resources 21 1 , 212 are allocated to them during this time window. This poses great safety risks and prevents establishing a convoy, wherein the vehicles 21 , 22 are automatically following the platoon manager vehicle 20 with extremely reduced distances, respectively.

[0043] In Figure 4, a method according to a second embodiment of the present invention is schematically illustrated. A first group of vehicles 20, 21 , 22 (e.g., a platoon of trucks) is shown. The first group of vehicles 20, 21 , 22 comprises a platoon manager vehicle 20, which leads the convoy of vehicles 20, 21 , 22 (i.e. the first group of vehicles 20, 21 , 22). In this embodiment, the first group of vehicles 20, 21 , 22 (or at least the platoon manager vehicle 20) is located within a first coverage area 1 1 of a first base station entity 1 1 1 or in an overlap region of a first coverage area 1 1 of a first base station entity 1 1 1 and a second coverage area 12 of a second base station entity 1 12 and travels in the direction of the second coverage area 12 of the second base station entity 1 12. Within the first and second coverage areas 1 1 , 12, transmission resources 200 are generally available for vehicle-to-vehicle communication. As part of a first step, specific transmission resources 21 1 of the transmission resources 200 have been allocated, by the radio access network 1 10 or by the first base station entity 1 1 1 , to the first vehicle 20 (i.e. the platoon manager vehicle 20) or to the first group of vehicles 20, 21 , 22 within the first radio coverage area 1 1. This preferably already happens while the first group of vehicles 20, 21 ,22 enters or is located within the first coverage area 1 1 (or even before the first group of vehicles 20, 21 , 22 enters the first coverage area 1 1 ) and before the exchange of messages depicted in Figure 4 begins.

Preferably after the allocation of the specific transmission resources 21 1 has taken place and while the first group of vehicles 20, 21 , 22 (or at least the platoon manager vehicle 20) is located in the first coverage area 1 1 or in an overlap region of the first coverage area 1 1 and the second coverage area 12, an allocation request message 321 is transmitted to the second base station entity 1 12 by the first base station entity 1 1 1. The allocation request message 321 comprises an allocation request information regarding transmission resources 200 to be used within the second radio coverage area 12 served by the second base station entity 1 12. In particular the allocation request information indicates that the specific transmission resources 21 1 used by the platoon manager vehicle 20 (or by the first group of vehicles 20, 21 , 22) within the first radio coverage area 1 1 are also to be used as further specific transmission resources 212 within the second radio coverage area 12. Thus, the second base station entity 1 12 is informed about the preferred further specific transmission resources 212 that the platoon manager vehicle 20 wants to use within the second coverage area 12, preferably before the platoon manager vehicle 20 enters the second coverage area 12 or at least before the platoon manager vehicle 20 leaves the first coverage area 1 1 . It is accordingly possible that the mobile communication network 100 and in particular the second base station entity 1 12 reserve the requested transmission resources for the first vehicle 20 and/or the first group of vehicles 20, 21 , 22. In a following second step, the first vehicle 20 or the first group of vehicles 20, 21 , 22 receives an allocation acknowledgement message 322 which is transmitted by the second base station entity 1 12 (in particular while the platoon manager vehicle 20 is located in the overlap region of the first and second coverage area 1 1 , 12). The allocation acknowledgement message 322 comprises an allocation

acknowledgement information regarding an allocation of further specific transmission resources 212 to be used within the second radio coverage area 12. Since the platoon manager vehicle 20 has requested to use the specific transmission resources 21 1 in the second coverage area 12 as well, it is possible that the further specific transmission resources 212 allocated to the first vehicle 20 or the first group of vehicles 20, 21 , 22 are identical to the specific transmission resources 21 1 , which enables a unproblematic handover without time windows, during which the first group of vehicles might have problems using (internal) vehicle-to-vehicle communication. [0044] In Figure 5, a method according to a third embodiment of the present invention is schematically illustrated. A first group of vehicles 20, 21 , 22 (e.g., a platoon of trucks) is shown. The first group of vehicles 20, 21 , 22 comprises a platoon manager vehicle 20, which leads first group of vehicles 20, 21 , 22. In this embodiment, the first group of vehicles 20, 21 , 22 (or at least the platoon manager vehicle 20) is located within a first coverage area 1 1 of a first base station entity 1 1 1 or in an overlap region of a first coverage area 1 1 of a first base station entity 1 1 1 and a second coverage area 12 of a second base station entity 1 12 and travels in the direction of the second coverage area 12 of the second base station entity 1 12. Within the first and second coverage areas 1 1 , 12, transmission resources 200 are generally available for vehicle-to-vehicle communication. As part of a first step, specific transmission resources 21 1 of the transmission resources 200 have been allocated, by the radio access network 1 10 or by the first base station entity 1 1 1 , to the first vehicle 20 (i.e. the platoon manager vehicle 20) or to the first group of vehicles 20, 21 , 22 within the first radio coverage area 1 1 . This preferably already happens while the first group of vehicles 20, 21 ,22 enters or is located within the first coverage area 1 1 (or even before the first group of vehicles 20, 21 , 22 enters the first coverage area 1 1 ) and before the exchange of messages depicted in Figure 5 begins. Preferably after the allocation of the specific transmission resources 21 1 has taken place and while the first group of vehicles 20, 21 , 22 (or at least the platoon manager vehicle 20) is located in the first coverage area 1 1 or in an overlap region of the first coverage area 1 1 and the second coverage area 12, an allocation request message 331 is transmitted to the second base station entity 1 12 by the first base station entity 1 1 1 . The allocation request message 331 comprises an allocation request information regarding transmission resources 200 to be used within the second radio coverage area 12 served by the second base station entity 1 12. In particular the allocation request information indicates that the specific transmission resources 21 1 used by the platoon manager vehicle 20 (or by the first group of vehicles 20, 21 , 22) within the first radio coverage area 1 1 are also to be used as further specific transmission resources 212 within the second radio coverage area 12. Thus, the second base station entity 1 12 is informed about the preferred further specific transmission resources 212 for the platoon manager vehicle 20 to be used within the second coverage area 12, preferably before the platoon manager vehicle 20 enters the second coverage area 12 or at least before the platoon manager vehicle 20 leaves the first coverage area 1 1 . It is accordingly possible that the mobile communication network and in particular the second base station entity 1 12 reserve the requested transmission resources for the first vehicle 20 and/or the first group of vehicles 20, 21 , 22. In a following second step, the second base station entity 1 12 transmits an allocation acknowledgement message 332 to the first base station entity 1 1 (this is e.g. possible while the platoon manager vehicle 20 is still located in the first coverage area 1 1 or alternatively while the platoon manager vehicle 20 is located in the overlap region of the first and second coverage areas 1 1 , 12). The allocation acknowledgement message 322 comprises an allocation acknowledgement information regarding an allocation of further specific transmission resources 212 to be used within the second radio coverage area 12 by the first vehicle 20 or the first group of vehicles 20, 21 , 22. Since the first base station entity 1 1 1 has indicated (and requested) the specific transmission resources 21 1 to the second base station entity 212 within the allocation request message 331 , it is possible that the further specific transmission resources 212 allocated to the first vehicle 20 or the first group of vehicles 20, 21 , 22 for use in the second coverage are 12 are identical to the specific transmission resources 21 1 . In the following, an allocation

acknowledgement message 333 is transmitted from the first base station entity 1 1 1 to the platoon manager vehicle 20 or to the first group of vehicles 20, 21 , 22, indicating the further specific transmission resources 212 to the platoon manager vehicle 20 or to the first group of vehicles 20, 21 , 22. In this embodiment, it is advantageously possible to inform the platoon manager vehicle 20 or to the first group of vehicles 20, 21 , 22 by means of the allocation acknowledgement message 333 about which further specific transmission resources 212 are allocated to the platoon manager vehicle 20 or to the first group of vehicles 20, 21 , 22 before the platoon manager vehicle 20 or to the first group of vehicles 20, 21 , 22 enters the second coverage area 12. It is also possible that prior to transmitting the allocation request message 331 by the first base station entity 1 1 1 to the second base station entity 1 12, a further allocation request message is transmitted, by the first vehicle 20 or by the first group of vehicles 20, 21 , 22, to the first base station entity 1 1 1 , wherein this further allocation request message especially triggers the transmission of the allocation request message 331 from the first base station entity 1 1 1 to the second base station entity 1 12.