Network and method for clock synchronization of clusters in a time triggered network

Abstract

The invention relates to a network operating on a time triggered protocol using time slots, wherein at least two clusters are included in the network, each cluster includes at least a node. Further, it relates to a method for clock synchronization within a time triggered network. To provide a network and a method reducing the amount of time needed for aligning multiple communication clusters as much as possible it is proposed to provide a network operating on a time triggered protocol using time slots, wherein at least two clusters (A, B, X) are included in the network, each cluster (A, B, X) includes at least a node (11), wherein the node (11) includes a communication controller (15) having a node clock source (18) for determining a timing for the node (11), wherein the clusters (A, B, X) are connected to a coupling unit (10) having a clock alignment control logic (20) comprising a coupling unit clock source (21) which is more accurate than the node clock source (18), wherein the coupling unit clock source (21) is used for aligning the timing between the at least two clusters (A, B, X). Further it is proposed to provide a method for clock synchronization within a time triggered network using time slots, having at least two clusters (A, B, X), wherein each cluster includes at least one node (11), each node (11) comprises a node clock source (18) and a communication controller (15) and the clusters (A, B, X) are connected to a coupling unit (10) having a clock alignment control logic (20) comprising a coupling unit clock source (21) which is more accurate than the node clock source (18), the method comprising the steps of: monitoring the timing of the connected clusters (A, B, X) within the coupling unit (10); increasing or decreasing a cycle length of the timing within the clusters by use of the coupling unit clock source (21).

Description

technical field [0001] The invention relates to a network operating on the basis of a time-triggered protocol using time slots, wherein the network comprises at least two clusters, each cluster comprising at least one node. Furthermore, it concerns a method for synchronizing clocks within a time-triggered network. Background technique [0002] Modern communication systems usually do not consist of a single communication domain. Instead, multiple such communication domains may each be connected using a different communication protocol. [0003] Current in-vehicle networks typically consist of multiple CAN and LIN clusters interconnected by gateway nodes. These protocols are not intended for real-time exchange of security-related information. As the need to implement safety-related functions in vehicles increases, the need to connect safety-related nodes to the network has further increased. Therefore, security-related protocols need to be added to these networks. In part...

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Problems solved by technology

these coupling units are essentially capable of distributing information used to align the communi

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