A Design Method and System of a Pluggable and Expandable In-vehicle Cockpit Controller System Architecture

Abstract

The present invention discloses a design method and system for a pluggable and expandable in-vehicle cockpit controller system architecture. The cockpit controller system is designed into a main partition for basic functions and an expansion partition for expansion functions. The main partition for basic functions and the expansion partition for expansion functions are connected to each subsystem in a pluggable and expandable manner; the subsystems include display, image, sound, antenna subsystems related to the cockpit controller and their associated systems. Through the pluggable and expandable method, the present invention realizes a set of hardware, and through different plugging combinations and flexible software configurations, maximizes the configuration width and cost combination; the data can be maximally interconnected between partitions, meeting the requirements of function allocation and interaction, supporting hardware reservation and flexible configuration expansion or reduction, adapting to different configuration requirements; and realizing the safety and controllability of each component.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a design method for a pluggable and expandable in-vehicle cockpit controller system architecture, and a pluggable and expandable in-vehicle cockpit controller system, belonging to the technical field of in-vehicle intelligent cockpits. Background Art

[0002] Currently, the functional richness of the vehicle cockpit controller part has been increasing day by day, forming multiple I / O interfaces (including multiple cameras, displays, sound systems, communication systems, etc.), and also including multiple algorithm integrations (image algorithms, AI algorithms, etc.), high computing power and other configuration features. However, in the actual mass production development process, in the face of different vehicle model configuration requirements and different cost ranges, not all the rich cockpit controller functions can be carried, the configuration of the cockpit controller changes a lot, and multiple hardware are often developed to correspond. Therefore, based on the configuration requirements of different vehicle models, the existing in-vehicle cockpit controllers mainly have the following problems: 1. The increase or decrease of the component status of the cockpit controller will cause repeated development, waste resources and is not convenient for management. 2. It is impossible to flexibly respond to the needs of customer-customized configurations and after-sales user hardware iterative upgrades. 3. Different hardware also increases the complexity of software version management and cannot give full play to the flexibility of software definition.

[0003] CN113696837A discloses "an intelligent cockpit control system implemented through hard isolation", including an intelligent cockpit controller, which is used for the intelligent control of the whole vehicle. A multi-core processor is adopted, and the multi-core CPU is isolated into two parts by physical isolation. One part is loaded with the Linux operating system to realize the processing of instrument functions and AVM functions; the other part is loaded with the Android operating system for information entertainment system processing. Through the way of hardware isolation, the multi-core CPU of the controller forms two parts of functions through hardware isolation, realizing the function isolation and integration of the intelligent cockpit controller. It solves the problem that the instrument and the host operate and develop independently, so that the resources are independent of each other and not interfered, ensuring safety and reliability. However, the technology disclosed in this document cannot solve the flexible requirements of hardware iterative upgrades of the cockpit controller, nor can it give full play to the flexibility of software definition. It only solves the method of deploying two operating systems in hard isolation in the case of a traditional cockpit controller with one processing unit, and does not solve the problem of flexible adaptation of the configuration throughout the life cycle through the pluggable and expandable hardware. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Based on this, aiming at the problems of the existing in-vehicle cockpit controller with multiple development states, inflexible response to user needs, and insufficient software definition ability, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a pluggable and expandable design method and system for an in-vehicle cockpit controller.

[0005] To achieve the above object, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0006] A design method for a pluggable and expandable in-vehicle cockpit controller system architecture, characterized in that the cockpit controller system is designed into a main partition for basic functions and an expansion partition for expansion functions, and the main partition for basic functions and the expansion partition for expansion functions are connected to their corresponding subsystems through a pluggable and expandable manner; the subsystems include display, image, sound, antenna subsystems related to the cockpit controller and their associated systems.

[0007] The main partition for basic functions undertakes the operation of basic functions in the system architecture, and the basic functions refer to relatively basic mid- and low-configuration functions in the cockpit functions; the main partition has an independent processing chip, structure, and operating system related to the operation of basic functions.

[0008] The expansion partition for expansion functions undertakes the operation of expansion functions in the system architecture, and the expansion functions refer to relatively high-configuration or optional functions in the cockpit functions; the expansion function partition has an independent processing chip, independent structure, and operating system related to expansion functions.

[0009] Further, the main partition can work independently, and according to the support ability of the chip, the operating system can be configured as a single operating system or a virtualized multi-operating system, fully reflecting the configuration flexibility of the software system.

[0010] The expansion partition needs to be plugged into the main partition to work, and according to the support ability of the chip, the operating system can be configured as a single operating system or a virtualized multi-operating system, fully reflecting the configuration flexibility of the software system.

[0011] The present invention also provides a pluggable and expandable in-vehicle cockpit controller system, including a main partition processing unit and an expansion partition processing unit, and further including display, image, sound, antenna subsystems related to the cockpit controller and their associated systems, and each partition processing unit is connected to each subsystem through a pluggable and expandable manner.

[0012] The main partition processing unit and the expansion partition processing unit respectively include a processing chip, a power chip, a memory RAM, and a memory ROM, and both are independent structures.

[0013] Each partition processing unit is connected to each subsystem through a pluggable and expandable manner.

[0014] Furthermore, the pluggable expansion method includes the method of eliminating tolerances through a floating board-to-board connection between the main partition and the expansion partition controller; the fixing method of hard connecting the main partition and the expansion partition controller structure through physical bolts; the pluggable expansion method includes the configuration of communication channels such as PCIE signals, gigabit Ethernet signals, power supply signals, audio signals, and control signals between the main partition and the expansion partition controller, as well as the usage methods corresponding to specific communication channels.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0016] 1. The design method of the pluggable expansion vehicle cockpit controller system architecture of the present invention realizes a set of hardware through the pluggable expansion method, and through different plugging combinations and flexible software configurations, maximizes the configuration width and cost combination.

[0017] 2. The architecture design of the present invention for partitions realizes the safety, controllability, and computing power balance of each component. In terms of safety control: two processing units are adopted in the partition architecture, and their safe operating states are managed at two levels. The safety management of multiple processors is uniformly managed by an external MCU, and the safety management of the processing unit itself is managed by its internal real-time operating system. This real-time operating system can be the QNX operating system based on virtualization capabilities, or an independent customized version of Linux or a QNX single operating system, as well as other real-time operating systems that can drive the processor unit; and in terms of computing power balance: the internal operating systems of the two processing units adopt the same technology stack, can be backed up with each other, and balance the computing power through application software configuration and service configuration.

[0018] 3. The present invention can maximize data intercommunication between partitions, meeting the requirements of function allocation and interaction. At the level of data intercommunication, gigabit Ethernet and PCIE communication channels are adopted. Ethernet realizes the communication architecture based on SOA (service-oriented) between two processors, and data can be scheduled based on the overall service; PCIE realizes the direct memory access between two processors, and the high-real-time transfer of large amounts of data between two processors.

[0019] 4. The present invention supports hardware reservation and flexible configuration expansion or reduction, adapting to different configuration requirements. The hardware can be expanded and reduced through pluggable interfaces, and the functions of each hardware interface are flexibly allocated through software configuration. The data intercommunication between partitions can be maximized, meeting the requirements of function allocation and interaction; it supports hardware reservation and flexible configuration expansion or reduction, adapting to different configuration requirements. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 It is a design diagram of a pluggable expansion vehicle cockpit controller system architecture.

[0021] Figure 2 It is a design diagram of the hardware architecture of a pluggable and expandable in-vehicle cockpit controller.

[0022] Figure 3 It is an isometric view of the overall structure of a pluggable and expandable in-vehicle cockpit controller.

[0023] Figure 4 They are the left and right views of the overall structure of a pluggable and expandable in-vehicle cockpit controller.

[0024] Figure 5 It is an isometric view of the main partition structure of a pluggable and expandable in-vehicle cockpit controller.

[0025] Figure 6 They are the left and right views of the main partition structure of a pluggable and expandable in-vehicle cockpit controller.

[0026] Figure 7 It is a rear view of the main partition structure of a pluggable and expandable in-vehicle cockpit controller.

[0027] Figure 8 It is an isometric view of the expansion partition structure of a pluggable and expandable in-vehicle cockpit controller.

[0028] Figure 9 They are the left and right views of the expansion partition structure of a pluggable and expandable in-vehicle cockpit controller.

[0029] Figure 10 It is a rear view of the expansion partition structure of a pluggable and expandable in-vehicle cockpit controller.

[0030] Figure 11 It is a schematic diagram of the detailed plugging and unplugging structure of the main partition and the expansion partition of a pluggable and expandable in-vehicle cockpit controller. Specific implementation manners

[0031] The present invention will be further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific implementation manners. All the specific implementation manners described below are only used to illustrate and explain the related invention and are not used to limit the present invention.

[0032] As Figure 1 shown, the present invention provides a design method for the system architecture of a pluggable and expandable in-vehicle cockpit controller. The system composition of the cockpit controller includes a main partition with basic functions and an expansion partition with expansion functions, and also includes display, image, sound, and antenna subsystems related to the cockpit controller and their associated systems. Each partition and each subsystem are in a pluggable and expandable relationship.

[0033] S001 is the main partition, which is the area responsible for the operation of basic functions in the system architecture. The basic functions refer to the relatively basic mid - and low - configuration functions in the cockpit functions. The main partition has an independent processing chip, structure, and operating system related to the operation of basic functions. The main partition can work independently. In the present invention, according to the support ability of the chip, the operating system can be configured as a single - operating system or a virtualized multi - operating system, which can fully reflect the configuration flexibility of the software system.

[0034] S002 is the expansion partition, which is the area responsible for the operation of expansion functions in the system architecture. The expansion functions refer to the relatively high - configuration or optional functions in the cockpit functions. The expansion - function partition has an independent processing chip, independent structure, and operating system related to the expansion functions. The expansion partition needs to be plugged into the main partition to work. In the present invention, according to the support ability of the chip, the operating system can be configured as a single - operating system or a virtualized multi - operating system, which can fully reflect the configuration flexibility of the software system.

[0035] S003 is the basic - function application, which refers to the application running in the main partition to support basic functions, including application systems such as the display subsystem, image subsystem, acoustic subsystem, and antenna subsystem. The basic - function application can be flexibly adjusted based on the configuration of the main - partition software.

[0036] S004 is the expansion - function application, which refers to the application running in the expansion partition to support expansion functions. The main expansion objects are related applications such as the display subsystem and image subsystem, but it is not limited to the display subsystem and image subsystem only, and can be flexibly adjusted through the cooperation of the expansion - partition software and the access of subsystems.

[0037] S005 is the display subsystem, which refers to the display system related to the cockpit controller, including various display screens, HUDs, holographic and other display devices connected to the cockpit controller. Each display device can be flexibly plugged and unplugged with the cockpit controller according to the configuration requirements, and the corresponding functions are configured through software.

[0038] S006 is the image subsystem, which refers to the image devices related to the cockpit controller, including various cameras connected to the cockpit controller and image information input from other controllers to the cockpit controller. Each image device can be flexibly plugged and unplugged with the cockpit controller according to the configuration requirements, and the corresponding functions are configured through software.

[0039] S007 is the acoustic subsystem, referring to the acoustic devices related to the cockpit controller, including external speakers directly driven by the cockpit controller, external microphone devices, and external power amplifier devices controlled by the output signals of the cockpit controller and the connected speakers, microphones, noise reduction devices, etc. The acoustic subsystem is generally classified into basic function applications. The acoustic devices directly driven by the cockpit controller and those driven by the external power amplifier through the signal controller are mutually exclusive, but can be flexibly selected according to the configuration requirements to be driven internally or externally, and the corresponding functions are configured through software.

[0040] S008 is the antenna subsystem, referring to the antenna devices related to the cockpit controller, including radios, GPS, Bluetooth, WiFi, etc. The antenna subsystem is generally classified into basic function applications and connects the corresponding antenna devices according to the configuration needs, and the corresponding functions are configured through software.

[0041] As Figure 2 shown, the present invention relates to a pluggable and expandable vehicle cockpit controller. The hardware architecture is based on the principles and requirements of a system architecture design method for a pluggable and expandable vehicle cockpit controller of the present invention. The composition of the hardware architecture and the signal connection relationships of each processing unit inside the controller are as follows:

[0042] S111 is the processing unit of the main partition. Inside the cockpit domain controller, this processing unit is the minimum system of a set of high-performance processors, including a processing chip, a power supply chip, a memory RAM, and a memory ROM.

[0043] S112 is the processing unit of the expansion partition. Inside the cockpit controller, this processing unit is the minimum system of a set of high-performance processors, which is the same as the main partition processing unit described by S111. S112 has an independent structure and can be connected to S111 through a pluggable interface. The specific structural form will be described in the subsequent structure part of this article.

[0044] S113 is the MCU processor, responsible for the power management of S111 / S112 / S113 / S114 / S115 / S116 and the communication control of S111 / S112 / S114 / S115.

[0045] S114 is the Ethernet switch chip, responsible for the Ethernet data exchange among S111 / S112 / S113 and having an interface for connecting to the Ethernet of other vehicle controllers outside the cockpit controller. This chip is arranged in the same structure as the main partition processing unit.

[0046] S115 is the digital signal processing chip, responsible for the sound processing and channel switching of the cockpit controller.

[0047] S116 is the built-in power amplifier chip, responsible for amplifying the sound signal to drive the external speakers.

[0048] S117 and S118 are the display system and image system connected to the main partition processing unit, which can be maximally accessed based on the interface capabilities of the processor and can be flexibly configured in terms of functions through software.

[0049] S119 and S120 are the display system and image system connected to the extended partition processing unit, which can be maximally accessed based on the interface capabilities of the processor and can be flexibly configured in terms of functions through software.

[0050] S121 is the audio output channel of the extended partition processing unit, which is connected to the S115 DSP processing chip to provide audio input signals for the DSP.

[0051] S122 is the audio output channel of the main partition processing unit, which is connected to the S115 DSP processing chip to provide audio input signals for the DSP.

[0052] S131 is the control signal of the MCU for the Ethernet switch chip, which is responsible for managing the working state of the Ethernet switch chip.

[0053] S132 is the control signal of the MCU for the DSP, which is responsible for managing the working state of the DSP chip.

[0054] S133 is the control signal of the MCU for the main processing unit, which is responsible for managing the working state of the main processing unit and transmitting vehicle real-time signals to the main processing unit at the same time.

[0055] S134 is the control signal of the MCU for the extended processing unit, which is responsible for managing the working state of the extended processing unit and transmitting vehicle real-time signals to the main processing unit at the same time.

[0056] S141 is the Ethernet channel of the extended partition processing unit, which is connected to the S114 Ethernet switch chip through a pluggable connector.

[0057] S142 is the Ethernet channel of the main partition processing unit, which is connected to the S114 Ethernet switch chip through an inter-chip PCB communication line.

[0058] S143 is the Ethernet channel of the MCU, which is connected to the S114 Ethernet switch chip through an inter-chip PCB communication line.

[0059] S151 is the power management signal of the MCU for the extended partition processing unit, which is responsible for power control of the extended processing unit.

[0060] S152 is the power management signal of the MCU for the main area processing unit, which is responsible for power control of the extended processing unit.

[0061] S153 is the power management signal of the MCU for the Ethernet switch chip, which is responsible for power control of the Ethernet switch chip.

[0062] S154 is the power management signal from the MCU to the DSP chip, responsible for power control of the DSP chip.

[0063] S155 is the power management signal from the MCU to the power amplifier chip, responsible for power control of the power amplifier chip.

[0064] S161 is the PCIE channel between the main partition processing unit and the extended partition processing unit, which is connected through a pluggable interface. High-speed data synchronization between the main partition processing unit and the extended partition processing unit is achieved through PCIE, realizing cooperation between processing units.

[0065] Such as Figure 3 shown, it is an example structure of a pluggable extended vehicle cockpit controller; among them, 11 is the expandable partition structure, and the expandable partition hardware is arranged in this structure; 12 is the main partition structure, and the main partition hardware is arranged in this structure.

[0066] Refer to Figure 4 is Figure 3 the left and right views of, showing the fixing method and signal connection method of the main partition and the expandable partition in the cockpit controller structure; among them, 13 is the contact area of the fixing structure between the expandable partition structure and the main partition structure. The expandable partition structure is connected to the main partition structure by supports at the four corners of the expandable partition structure. The specific connection area structure will be shown in pictures later in this article. For details, see Figure 10 , Figure 11 ; 14 is the signal connection structure between the expandable partition and the main partition. This structure is connected by a Board To Board connector, and the specific signals transmitted include PCIE signals, gigabit Ethernet signals, power signals, audio signals, control signals, etc.

[0067] Figure 5 is the axonometric view of the main partition structure of the pluggable extended vehicle cockpit controller; among them, 21 and 23 are the positioning structures for connecting the main partition and the expandable partition. Part of the main partition positioning structure uses the cooperation of positioning posts and screw holes, and the corresponding expandable partition positioning structure is the cooperation of round holes and waist-shaped holes to ensure the connection accuracy between the main partition and the expandable partition structure. For details of the corresponding expandable partition positioning structure, see this article Figure 10 , Figure 11 . 22 is the Board ToBoard connector for signal connection between the main partition and the expandable partition, specifically a floating Board To Board connector, which can absorb part of the accuracy deviation of the structure connection (not less than ±0.5mm). 24 is the protective housing of the main partition high-frequency antenna. The antenna box at this place mainly houses the 4G, Bluetooth, and WIFI antennas built into the main partition.

[0068] Figure 6It is the left and right views of the main partition structure of the pluggable extended vehicle cockpit controller, showing the arrangement of connectors in the main partition structure. Since it needs to be compatible with the connection requirements of all configurations, the interfaces are designed according to the maximum interface capacity of the hardware. The connectors are arranged in a partitioned manner on both the left and right sides, effectively reducing the structural volume. Among them, 25 is the high-speed signal connection area, which is allocated on one side of the main partition structure, specifically including multiple groups of display connectors, multiple groups of camera connectors, and multiple groups of USB connectors. 26 is the power supply and control signal connection area, which is allocated on the other side of the main partition structure, specifically including multiple groups of power signal connectors, multiple groups of CANFD signal connectors, multiple groups of Ethernet signal connectors, multiple groups of audio signal connectors, multiple groups of analog control signal connectors, and GPS, FM / AM radio antenna connectors.

[0069] Figure 7 It is the rear view of the main partition structure of the pluggable extended vehicle cockpit controller, showing the heat dissipation method of the main partition structure and the structural form of the backup battery compartment. Among them, 27 is the active heat dissipation fan area of the main partition structure. The fan is installed outside the heat dissipation fins of the main partition structure, and its main function is to dissipate heat from the heat dissipation fins. There is no opening or connection inside the main partition structure, avoiding the influence of dust inside the main partition. 28 is the battery compartment for the backup battery in the main partition structure. The design of this battery compartment can flexibly implement configuration options related to the backup battery. It can be equipped with a backup battery or not. At the same time, the independent design of the battery is also beneficial for the restrictions of air transportation during the transportation process.

[0070] Figure 8 It is the axonometric view of the extended partition structure of the pluggable extended vehicle cockpit controller, showing the overall structure of the extended partition. Among them, 31 is the active heat dissipation fan area of the extended partition structure, and the design concept of this area is the same as that of the main partition heat dissipation structure.

[0071] Figure 9 It is the left and right views of the extended partition structure of the pluggable extended vehicle cockpit controller, showing the arrangement of connectors in the extended partition and the connection method with the main partition. The interfaces in the extended partition mainly expand the access capabilities of the display and camera. Multiple display interfaces, multiple camera interfaces, and one USB debugging interface are mainly arranged. Among them, 32 is the board-to-board connector for signal connection between the extended partition and the main partition, which is paired with the signal board-to-board connector of the main partition. Specifically, it is a floating Board To Board connector, which can absorb part of the accuracy deviation of the structural connection (not less than ±0.5mm).

[0072] Figure 10Rear view of the expandable partition structure of a pluggable extended vehicle cockpit controller, showing the fixed installation and signal connection method between the expandable partition structure and the main partition structure; among them, 33 is the top view of the board-to-board connector for signal connection between the expandable partition and the main partition. 34 is the mounting ear structure for the fixed installation of the expandable partition and the main partition, including the positioning method and the fixing method. The positioning method uses the cooperation of diagonal round holes and waist-shaped holes.

[0073] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention rather than limiting the technical solutions. Those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that any modifications or equivalent replacements made to the technical solutions of the present invention without departing from the purpose and scope of the present technical solution shall be covered by the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A design method for a pluggable and expandable in-vehicle cockpit controller system architecture, characterized in that, the cockpit controller system is designed into a main partition for basic functions and an expansion partition for expansion functions, and the main partition for basic functions and the expansion partition for expansion functions are connected to their corresponding subsystems through a pluggable and expandable manner; the subsystems include display, image, sound, antenna subsystems related to the cockpit controller and their associated systems; the main partition for basic functions undertakes the operation of basic functions in the system architecture, and the basic functions refer to relatively basic mid- and low-configuration functions in the cockpit functions; the main partition has an independent processing chip, structure, and operating system related to the operation of basic functions; the expansion partition for expansion functions undertakes the operation of expansion functions in the system architecture, and the expansion functions refer to relatively high-configuration or optional functions in the cockpit functions; the expansion function partition has an independent processing chip, independent structure, and operating system related to expansion functions; the two operating systems adopt the same technology stack, can be backed up with each other, and balance computing power through application software configuration and service configuration; the main partition and the expansion partition conduct data intercommunication through Ethernet and PCIE.

2. The design method for a pluggable and expandable in-vehicle cockpit controller system architecture according to claim 1, characterized in that, the main partition can work independently, and according to the support ability of the chip, the operating system can be configured as a single operating system or a virtualized multi-operating system, fully reflecting the configuration flexibility of the software system.

3. The design method for a pluggable and expandable in-vehicle cockpit controller system architecture according to claim 1, characterized in that, the expansion partition needs to be plugged into the main partition to work, and according to the support ability of the chip, the operating system can be configured as a single operating system or a virtualized multi-operating system, fully reflecting the configuration flexibility of the software system.

4. A pluggable and expandable in-vehicle cockpit controller system, characterized in that, it includes a main partition processing unit and an expansion partition processing unit, and also includes display, image, sound, antenna subsystems related to the cockpit controller and their associated systems, and each partition processing unit is connected to each subsystem through a pluggable and expandable manner; the main partition processing unit and the expansion partition processing unit respectively include a processing chip, a power chip, a memory RAM, and a memory ROM, all of which are independent structures; the operating systems inside the two processing units adopt the same technology stack, can be backed up with each other, and balance computing power through application software configuration and service configuration; the main partition processing unit and the expansion partition processing unit conduct data intercommunication through Ethernet and PCIE.

5. The pluggable and expandable in-vehicle cockpit controller system according to claim 4, characterized in that, the pluggable and expandable manner includes a way of eliminating tolerances through a floating board-to-board connection between the main partition and the expansion partition controllers.

6. The pluggable and expandable in-vehicle cockpit controller system according to claim 4, characterized in that, the pluggable and expandable manner includes a fixed manner of hard connection between the main partition and the expansion partition controller structures through physical bolts.

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