Automotive telemetry protocol

• US 8,560,609 B2
• Filed: 02/07/2011
• Issued: 10/15/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Drivepath, LLC
• Original Assignee: Paxgrid Telemetric Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Nathanson, Martin D.
• Primary Examiner(s): WINDER, PATRICE L
• Application Number:
  US13/022,101
• Publication Number:
  US 20110231546A1
• Time in Patent Office: 981 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 709/204
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/57 for mobile receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/32 Arrangements for monitoring conditions of receiving stations, e.g. malfunction or breakdown of receiving stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/92 for local area
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0213 Standardised network management protocols, e.g. simple network management protocol [SNMP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/12 Discovery or management of network topologies
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/00 Arrangements for monitoring or testing data switching networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/10 Active monitoring, e.g. heartbeat, ping or trace-route
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/16 Threshold monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/166 at the transport layer
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/04 Protocols for data compression, e.g. ROHC
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/16 Implementation or adaptation of Internet protocol [IP], of transmission control protocol [TCP] or of user datagram protocol [UDP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/164 Adaptation or special uses of UDP protocol
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/327 in the session layer [OSI layer 5]
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/50 using a mobile data collecting device, e.g. walk by or drive by
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/00 Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/18 Processing of user or subscriber data, e.g. subscribed services, user preferences or user profiles; Transfer of user or subscriber data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/20 : Transfer of user or subscriber data

Abstract

Disclosed is a method of conveying vehicle operation data from a vehicle to a remote monitoring recipient, comprising the steps of establishing a data link between the vehicle and the remote monitoring recipient; collecting vehicle operation data from data sources in the vehicle; packaging the vehicle operation data in a data packet using protocol derived from SNMP; and conveying the data packet over the data link.

Claims

1. A vehicular communications network for exchanging data between a plurality of both vehicle and stationary nodes, each stationary node comprising a computing unit operable to include traffic signalization, electronic tolling, and or electronic signage functions, each vehicle node comprising:

an on board computing unit which is operable to broadcast identity messages to, and to receive identity messages from, a plurality of neighboring vehicle nodes on at least one roadway, the received identity messages enabling each vehicle node to identify, to locate, and to list the plurality of neighboring vehicle nodes, the computing unit in said each vehicle node being operable over a high frequency channelized RF band, compliant with IEEE 802.11 Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol specification for ad-hoc networking, the identity messages being broadcast on an assigned channel common to the neighboring vehicle nodes and at intervals effective for collision avoidance, the computing unit in said each vehicle node operable for exchanging operational data with selected ones of said plurality of neighboring vehicle nodes, the operational data including event notifications representative of driving maneuvers, said each vehicle node being operable to detect transition to another vehicle neighborhood by;

interacting with the stationary node to discover whether a different channel is currently assigned for broadcasting identity messages;

monitoring identity messages on a plurality of channels, until said each vehicle node determines that the plurality of neighboring vehicle nodes are using a different channel to broadcast identity messages,

wherein spectrum utilization is optimized by assigning channel usage to different vehicle neighborhoods according to conditions on the roadway,

wherein said each vehicle node is operable to detect an exit of a departing neighboring vehicle node from the vehicle neighborhood, when a configurable amount of time expires without receiving identity messages from the departing neighboring vehicle node,

wherein, in order to enable vehicle-to-vehicle notification and acknowledgment of a driving maneuver, each of said on board computing units further comprises a transmitter and receiver capable of transmitting and receiving messages under an SNMP protocol,

wherein the on board computing unit is configurable for dynamic adjustment of synchronization parameters governing passive node registration, compliant with IEEE 802.11, such that an interval between successive beacon frames is lengthened and a contention free period following transmission of each beacon frame is minimized,

wherein each vehicle node is operable to transmit a notification to the plural neighboring vehicle nodes, when said each vehicle node changes the assigned channel on which it broadcasts identity messages, and

wherein said each vehicle node is operable to broadcast identity messages over a predetermined discovery time period that is equal to a time period required to allow said each vehicle node to recognize the plurality of neighboring vehicle nodes, wherein both a length of a discovery period and a geographic size of the vehicle neighborhood are adjustable according to an average speed of the plurality of neighboring vehicles nodes in the vehicle neighborhood.

2. A network as defined in claim 1, wherein each on board computing unit for a corresponding vehicle node is operable to (i) define the vehicle neighborhood for the vehicle node, varying a geographic size of the vehicle neighborhood according to a current road speed, and (ii) to dynamically change the vehicle neighborhood according to changes in the vehicle conditions.

3. A network as defined in claim 1, wherein the common channel is assigned according to current GPS heading of the neighboring vehicle nodes in the vehicle neighborhood.

4. A network as defined in claim 1, wherein the identity messages include GPS information.

5. A network as defined in claim 1, wherein the identity messages include elevation information.

6. A network as defined in claim 1, wherein each node is Internet addressable.

7. A network as defined in claim 6, wherein each node is IPv6 addressable.

8. A communications device for placement onboard a vehicle to form a vehicle node in a communications network servicing one or more roadways, for exchanging data between plurality of vehicle nodes and a plurality of stationary nodes, each stationary node comprising a computing unit operable to include traffic signalization, electronic tolling, and/or electronic signage functions, each vehicle node comprising:

a radio unit operable to broadcast identity messages to, and to receive identity messages from, a plurality of neighboring vehicle received identity messages enabling each vehicle node to identify, to locate, and to list the plurality of neighboring vehicle nodes, the radio unit in said each vehicle node being operable over a high frequency channelized RF band, compliant with IEEE 802.11 Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol specification for ad-hoc networking, on an assigned channel common to the vehicle nodes in a vehicle neighborhood, the identity messages being exchanged at broadcast on an assigned channel common to the neighboring vehicle nodes and at intervals effective for collision avoidance, the radio unit in said each vehicle node operable for exchanging operational data with selected ones of said plurality of neighboring vehicles, the operational data including event notifications representative of driving maneuvers, said each vehicle node being operable to detect transition to another vehicle neighborhood by;

interacting with the stationary node to discover whether a different channel is currently assigned for broadcasting identity messages; and

monitoring identity messages on a plurality of channels, until said each vehicle node determines that the plurality of neighboring vehicle nodes are using a different channel to broadcast identity messages,

the radio unit being operable for assigning channel usage to different vehicle neighborhoods according to roadway conditions,

wherein said each vehicle node is operable to detect an exit of a departing neighboring vehicle node from the vehicle neighborhood, when a configurable amount of time expires without receiving identity messages from the departing neighboring vehicle node,

wherein, in order to enable vehicle-to-vehicle notification and acknowledgment of a driving maneuver, each of said on board computing units further comprises a transmitter and receiver capable of transmitting and receiving messages under an SNMP protocol,

wherein the interval between successive beacon frames, required for passive node registration as defined in IEEE 802.11, is lengthened by the on board computer so as to maximize the contention free period following transmission of each beacon frame,

wherein each vehicle node is operable to transmit a notification to the plural neighboring vehicle nodes, when said each vehicle node changes the assigned channel on which it broadcasts identity messages, and

wherein said each vehicle node is operable to broadcast identity messages over a predetermined discovery time period that is equal to a time period required to allow said each vehicle node to recognize the plurality of neighboring vehicle nodes, wherein both a length of a discovery period and a geographic size of the vehicle neighborhood are adjustable according to an average speed of the plurality of neighboring vehicles nodes in the vehicle neighborhood.

9. A device as defined in claim 8, the radio unit being operable to define the vehicle neighborhood for the vehicle node, according to predetermined vehicle conditions of the vehicle node, and to dynamically change the vehicle neighborhood according to changes in the vehicle conditions.

10. A device as defined in claim 9, the radio unit being responsive to one or more stationary nodes.

11. A device as defined in claim 10, the common channel being assignable according to the stationary node.

12. A device as defined in claim 9, the common channel being assignable according to a current GPS heading of said plurality of neighboring vehicle nodes.

13. A device as defined in claim 12, the radio unit being operable to detect an exit of a departing neighboring vehicle node from the vehicle neighborhood, when a configurable amount of time expires without receiving identity messages from the departing neighboring vehicle node.

14. A device as defined in claim 13, wherein the identity messages include GPS information.

15. A device as defined in claim 13, wherein the identity messages include elevation information.

16. A device as defined in claim 14, the radio unit and radio unit configured to transmit and receiving messages under an SNMP protocol.

17. A device as defined in claim 8, wherein the identity message includes beacon frames, the radio unit being configurable for dynamic adjustment of synchronization parameters governing passive node registration, compliant with IEEE 802.11, such that the interval between successive beacon frames is lengthened and the contention free period following transmission of each beacon frame is minimized.

18. A device as defined in claim 17, the radio unit being operable to transmit a notification to neighboring vehicle nodes, when the assigned channel for the radio unit is changed.

19. A vehicle equipped with a communications device as defined in claim 8.

20. A method for placement onboard a vehicle to form a vehicle node in a communications network for exchanging data between a plurality of both vehicle and stationary nodes, each stationary node operable to include traffic signalization, electronic tolling, and/or electronic signage functions, each vehicle node operable to

broadcast identity messages to, and to receive identity messages from, a plurality of plural neighboring vehicle nodes on at least one roadway, the received identity messages enabling each vehicle node to identify, to locate, and to list the plurality of neighboring vehicle nodes, each vehicle node being operable over a high frequency channelized RF band, compliant with the IEEE 802.11 Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol specification for ad-hoc networking, the identity messages being broadcast on an assigned channel common to the neighboring vehicle nodes and at intervals effective for collision avoidance;

a computing unit in said each vehicle node operable for exchanging operational data with selected ones of said plurality of neighboring vehicle nodes, the operational data including event notifications representative of driving maneuvers, said each vehicle node being operable to detect transition to another vehicle neighborhood by;

interacting with the stationary node to discover whether a different channel is currently assigned for broadcasting identity messages; and

monitoring identity messages on a plurality of channels, until the vehicle node determines that the plurality of neighboring vehicle nodes are using a different channel to broadcast identity messages;

optimizing spectrum utilization by assigning channel usage to different vehicle neighborhoods according to conditions on the roadway; and

assigning the common channel according to current GPS heading of the plurality of neighboring vehicle nodes in the vehicle neighborhood,

wherein said each vehicle node is operable to detect an exit of a departing neighboring vehicle node from the vehicle neighborhood, when a configurable amount of time expires without receiving identity messages from the departing neighboring vehicle node

wherein, in order to enable vehicle-to-vehicle notification and acknowledgment of a driving maneuver, each of said on board computing units further comprises a transmitter and receiver capable of transmitting and receiving messages under an SNMP protocol,

wherein the interval between successive beacon frames, required for passive node registration as defined in IEEE 802.11, is lengthened by the on board computer so as to maximize the contention free period following transmission of each beacon frame,

wherein each vehicle node is operable to transmit a notification to the plural neighboring vehicle nodes, when said each vehicle node changes the assigned channel on which it broadcasts identity messages, and

wherein said each vehicle node is operable to broadcast identity messages over a predetermined discovery time period that is equal to a time period required to allow said each vehicle node to recognize the plurality of neighboring vehicle nodes, wherein both a length of a discovery period and a geographic size of the vehicle neighborhood are adjustable according to an average speed of the plurality of neighboring vehicles nodes in the vehicle neighborhood.

21. A method as defined in claim 20, further comprising defining the vehicle neighborhood for the vehicle node, according to predetermined vehicle conditions of the vehicle node, and to dynamically change the vehicle neighborhood according to changes in the vehicle conditions.

22. A method as defined in claim 20, further comprising receiving messages from one or more stationary nodes.

23. A method as defined in claim 22, further comprising assigning the common channel according to messages received from the stationary node.

24. A method as defined in claim 20, further comprising detecting an exit of a departing neighboring vehicle node from the vehicle neighborhood, when a configurable amount of time expires without receiving identity messages from the departing neighboring vehicle node.

25. A method as defined in claim 24, wherein the identity messages of the vehicle node include GPS information.

26. A method as defined in claim 25, wherein the identity messages include elevation information.

27. A method as defined in claim 25, wherein, in order to enable vehicle-to-vehicle notification and acknowledgment of a driving maneuver, each of said computing units further comprises a transmitter and receiver capable of transmitting and receiving messages under an SNMP protocol.

28. A method as defined in claim 27, further comprising dynamically adjusting synchronization parameters governing passive node registration, compliant with IEEE 802.11, such that an interval between successive identity messages is lengthened and a contention free period following transmission of each identity message is minimized.

29. A method as defined in claim 28, further comprising transmitting a notification to the plural neighboring vehicle nodes, when the vehicle node changes the assigned channel on which it broadcasts identity messages and event notifications.

30. A method as defined in claim 29, further comprising broadcasting identity messages over a predetermined discovery time period that is equal to a time period required to allow the vehicle node to be recognized by the plurality of neighboring vehicle nodes.

31. A method as defined in claim 30, further comprising adjusting a length of a discovery period and/or a geographic size of the vehicle neighborhood according to an average speed of the plurality of neighboring vehicles nodes in the vehicle neighborhood.

32. A vehicular communications network for exchanging data between a plurality of vehicle nodes, each vehicle node comprising an on board computing unit which is operable to broadcast identity messages to, and to receive identity messages from, a plurality of neighboring vehicle nodes in a vehicle neighborhood on at least one roadway, wherein the vehicle neighborhood includes one or more stationary nodes, each including a computing unit, the broadcast and received identity messages enabling each vehicle node to identify, to locate, and to list the plurality of neighboring vehicle nodes in the vehicle neighborhood, wherein the identity messages include GPS information;

the computing unit in said each vehicle node and in the plurality of neighboring vehicle nodes being operable over a high frequency channelized RF band, compliant with IEEE 802.11 Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol specification for ad-hoc networking to broadcast and to receive identity messages from one another, on an assigned channel common to the vehicle nodes in the vehicle neighborhood, the identity messages being exchanged at intervals effective for collision avoidance;

the computing unit in said each vehicle node operable for exchanging operational data with selected ones of said plurality of neighboring vehicle nodes in the vehicle neighborhood on the assigned channel, the operational data including event notifications representative of driving maneuvers;

wherein the common channel is assigned according to current GPS heading of the neighboring vehicle nodes in the vehicle neighborhood;

each vehicle node being operable to detect transition to another vehicle neighborhood by monitoring identity messages on a plurality of channels, until the vehicle node determines that the plurality of neighboring vehicle nodes are using a different channel to broadcast identity messages, said each vehicle node being operable to broadcast identity messages over a predetermined discovery time period that is equal to a time period required to allow said each vehicle node to recognize the plurality of neighboring vehicle nodes,

wherein both a length of a discovery period and a geographic size of the vehicle neighborhood are adjustable according to an average speed of the plurality of neighboring vehicles nodes in the vehicle neighborhood.

33. A network as defined in claim 32, wherein the stationary nodes include traffic signalization, electronic tolling, and/or electronic signage functions.

34. A network as defined in claim 33, wherein the common channel is assigned according to current GPS heading of the neighboring vehicle nodes in the vehicle neighborhood.

35. A network as defined in claim 33, wherein the identity messages include elevation information.

36. A network as defined in claim 35, wherein each vehicle node is Internet addressable.

37. A network as defined in claim 32, said each vehicle node being operable to detect an exit of a departing neighboring vehicle node from the vehicle neighborhood, when a configurable amount of time expires without receiving identity messages from the departing neighboring vehicle node.

38. A network, as defined in claim 37, each vehicle node being operable to transmit a notification to the neighboring vehicle nodes when the vehicle node changes the assigned channel.

39. A network as defined in claim 32, wherein, in order to enable vehicle-to-vehicle notification and acknowledgment of a driving maneuver, each of said computing units further comprises a transmitter and receiver capable of transmitting and receiving messages under an SNMP protocol.

40. A network as defined in claim 39, wherein each vehicle node is IPv6 addressable.

41. A network as defined in claim 32, the computing unit being configurable for adjustment of synchronization parameters governing passive node registration, compliant with IEEE 802.11, to lengthen the interval between successive identity messages from neighboring vehicle nodes and to minimize a contention free period following transmission of each identity message.

42. A communications device for placement onboard a vehicle to form a vehicle node in a communications network servicing one or more roadways, for exchanging data between a plurality of vehicle nodes and a plurality of stationary nodes, each stationary node comprising a computing unit operable to include traffic signalization, electronic tolling, and or electronic signage functions, each vehicle node comprising:

a radio unit operable over a high frequency channelized RF band, compliant with IEEE 802.11 Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol specification for ad-hoc networking, the radio unit operable to broadcast identity messages and to receive identity messages from a plurality of neighboring vehicle nodes in a vehicle neighborhood on a roadway and on an assigned channel common to the plurality of neighboring vehicle nodes in the vehicle neighborhood at intervals effective for collision avoidance; and

a computing unit for identifying, locating, and maintaining a listing of the plurality of neighboring vehicle nodes in the vehicle neighborhood, and for exchanging operational data with selected ones of the plurality of neighboring vehicle nodes in the vehicle neighborhood on the assigned channel, the operational data including event notifications representative of driving maneuvers, the computing unit being operable to define a vehicle neighborhood for the vehicle node, according to predetermined vehicle conditions of the vehicle node, and to dynamically change the vehicle neighborhood according to changes in the vehicle conditions, each on board computing unit operable to select a common channel for communication with other vehicle nodes in the neighborhood, the computing unit being operable to detect transition to another vehicle neighborhood by monitoring identity messages on a plurality of channels, until the vehicle node determines that the plurality of neighboring vehicle nodes are using a different channel to broadcast identity messages, each computing unit being operable to interact with the stationary node to detect transition to another vehicle neighborhood, said each vehicle node being operable to detect transition to another vehicle neighborhood by;

interacting with the stationary node to discover whether a different channel is currently assigned for broadcasting identity messages;

monitoring identity messages on a plurality of channels, until said each the vehicle node determines that the plurality of neighboring vehicle nodes are using a different channel to broadcast identity messages,

wherein spectrum utilization is optimized by assigning channel usage to different vehicle neighborhoods according to conditions on the roadway,

wherein said each vehicle node is operable to detect an exit of a departing neighboring vehicle node from the vehicle neighborhood, when a configurable amount of time expires without receiving identity messages from the departing neighboring vehicle node,

wherein, in order to enable vehicle-to-vehicle notification and acknowledgment of a driving maneuver, each of said on board computing units further comprises a transmitter and receiver capable of transmitting and receiving messages under an SNMP protocol,

wherein the interval between successive beacon frames, required for passive node registration as defined in IEEE 802.11, is lengthened by the on board computer so as to maximize the contention free period following transmission of each beacon frame, wherein each vehicle node is operable to transmit a notification to the plural neighboring vehicle nodes, when said each vehicle node changes the assigned channel on which it broadcasts identity messages, and

wherein said each vehicle node is operable to broadcast identity messages over a predetermined discovery time period that is equal to a time period required to allow said each vehicle node to recognize the plurality of neighboring vehicle nodes, wherein both a length of a discovery period and a geographic size of the vehicle neighborhood are adjustable according to an average speed of the plurality of neighboring vehicles nodes in the vehicle neighborhood.

43. A device as defined in claim 42, the computing unit being responsive to plural stationary nodes.

44. A device as defined in claim 43, the common channel being assignable according to the stationary node.

45. A device as defined in claim 42, the common channel being assignable according to a current GPS heading of said plurality of neighboring vehicle nodes.

46. A device as defined in claim 42, wherein the identity messages include GPS information.

47. A device as defined in claim 46, wherein the identity messages include elevation information.

48. A device as defined in claim 47, the computing unit and radio unit configured to transmit and receiving messages under an SNMP protocol.

49. A device as defined in claim 42, the computing unit being operable to transmit a notification to neighboring vehicle nodes, when the assigned channel for the computing unit is changed.

50. A method for enabling a vehicle node to communicate with a plurality of neighboring vehicle nodes in an ad hoc vehicle neighborhood network on a roadway, the vehicle node receiving messages from one or more stationary nodes, comprising:

broadcasting identity messages from the vehicle node to the plurality of neighboring vehicle nodes and receiving identity messages from the plurality of neighboring vehicle nodes over a high frequency channelized RF band, compliant with IEEE 802.11 Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol specification for ad-hoc networking, on an assigned channel common to said vehicle node and the plurality of neighboring vehicle nodes in the vehicle neighborhood and at intervals effective for collision avoidance, wherein the identity messages of the vehicle node include GPS information;

identifying, locating and maintaining a listing of the plurality of neighboring vehicle nodes in the vehicle neighborhood;

exchanging operational data with selected ones of the plurality of neighboring vehicle nodes in the vehicle neighborhood on the assigned channel, the operational data including event notifications representative of driving maneuvers;

detecting transition from one vehicle neighborhood to another, by monitoring identity messages on a plurality of channels until the vehicle node determines that the plurality of neighboring vehicle nodes are using a different channel to broadcast their identity messages;

detecting an exit of a departing neighboring vehicle node from the vehicle neighborhood, when a configurable amount of time expires without receiving identity messages from the departing neighboring vehicle node,

wherein, in order to enable vehicle-to-vehicle notification and acknowledgment of a driving maneuver, each of said computing units further comprise a transmitter and receiver capable of transmitting and receiving messages under an SNMP protocol;

transmitting a notification to the plurality of neighboring vehicle nodes, when the vehicle node changes the channel on which it broadcasts identity messages and event notifications; and

broadcasting identity messages over a predetermined discovery time period that is equal to a time period required to allow the vehicle node to be recognized by the plurality of neighboring vehicle nodes.

51. A method as defined in claim 50, further comprising defining the vehicle neighborhood for the vehicle node, according to predetermined vehicle conditions of the vehicle node, and to dynamically change the vehicle neighborhood according to changes in the vehicle conditions.

52. A method as defined in claim 50, further comprising assigning the common channel according to messages received from the stationary node.

53. A method as defined in claim 52, further comprising assigning the common channel according to current GPS heading of the plurality of neighboring vehicle nodes in the vehicle neighborhood.

54. A method as defined in claim 50, wherein the identity messages include elevation information.

55. A method as defined in claim 50, further comprising adjusting a length of a discovery period and/or a geographic size of the vehicle neighborhood according to an average speed of the plurality of neighboring vehicles nodes in the vehicle neighborhood.

56. A communications device for placement onboard a vehicle to form a vehicle node in a communications network servicing one or more roadways, for exchanging data between a plurality of vehicle nodes and a plurality of stationary nodes, each stationary node comprising a computing unit operable to include traffic signalization, electronic tolling, and/or electronic signage functions, each vehicle node, comprising;

a radio unit operable over a high frequency channelized RF band, compliant with IEEE 802.11 Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol specification for ad-hoc networking, the radio unit operable to broadcast identity messages and to receive identity messages from the plurality neighboring vehicle nodes in a vehicle neighborhood on a roadway on a commonly assigned channel at intervals effective for collision avoidance; and

a computing unit for exchanging operational data with selected ones of the plurality of neighboring vehicle nodes in the vehicle neighborhood on the assigned channel, the operational data including event notifications representative of driving maneuvers, the computing unit being operable to detect transition to another vehicle neighborhood by monitoring identity messages on a plurality of channels, until the vehicle node determines that the plurality of neighboring vehicle nodes are using a different channel to broadcast identity messages, received identity messages enabling each vehicle node to identify, to locate, and to list the plurality of neighboring vehicle nodes said each vehicle node being operable to detect transition to another vehicle neighborhood by;

interacting with the stationary node to discover whether a different channel is currently assigned for broadcasting identity messages; and

monitoring identity messages on a plurality of channels, until said each the vehicle node determines that the plurality of neighboring vehicle nodes are using a different channel to broadcast identity messages,

wherein spectrum utilization is optimized by assigning channel usage to different vehicle neighborhoods according to conditions on the roadway,

wherein said each vehicle node is operable to detect an exit of a departing neighboring vehicle node from the vehicle neighborhood, when a configurable amount of time expires without receiving identity messages from the departing neighboring vehicle node,

wherein, in order to enable vehicle-to-vehicle notification and acknowledgment of a driving maneuver, each of said on board computing units further comprises a transmitter and receiver capable of transmitting and receiving messages under an SNMP protocol,

wherein the interval between successive beacon frames, required for passive node registration as defined in IEEE 802.11, is lengthened by the on board computer so as to maximize the contention free period following transmission of each beacon frame,

wherein each vehicle node is operable to transmit a notification to the plural neighboring vehicle nodes, when said each vehicle node changes the assigned channel on which it broadcasts identity messages, and

wherein said each vehicle node is operable to broadcast identity messages over a predetermined discovery time period that is equal to a time period required to allow said each vehicle node to recognize the plurality of neighboring vehicle nodes, wherein both a length of a discovery period and a geographic size of the vehicle neighborhood are adjustable according to an average speed of the plurality of neighboring vehicles nodes in the vehicle neighborhood.