System update management method and device for in-vehicle computing platform

Abstract

The application provides a kind of vehicle-mounted computing platform system update management method and device, method includes that controller obtains the system update instruction issued by decision unit, parses the number of perception computing unit that needs to be updated, and the number of perception computing unit is sent to channel selection unit;Channel selection unit enables the corresponding perception computing unit of the number;Decision unit is upgraded to the perception computing unit by enabling channel unit.This application carries out hardware optimization to the system update of vehicle-mounted computing platform by controller and channel selection unit, the system update instruction of controller to decision unit is parsed, and the number of perception computing unit that needs to be updated is obtained, and the corresponding perception computing unit is enabled by the number of channel selection unit, and the timing control of controller is controlled simultaneously to the power-on of perception computing unit and upgrade process, avoid triggering false upgrade, provide the flexibility of entire system and reduce hardware redundancy.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of connected vehicle technology, and in particular to a system update management method and apparatus for an in-vehicle computing platform. Background Technology

[0002] As the automotive industry enters the era of intelligence and connectivity, in-vehicle computing platforms have become crucial for the development of intelligent driving. In-vehicle computing platforms are the foundation for autonomous driving. Based on the basic theoretical model of autonomous driving, they can be divided into three parts: perception units, decision-making units, and control units. In-vehicle computing platforms process multi-sensor data in real time, achieving autonomous driving through perception, fusion, prediction, decision-making, planning, and control operations. This entire process relies on the powerful computing power of the platform. As autonomous driving technology advances, the hardware architecture requirements for in-vehicle computing platforms also increase, such as the need for an integrated architecture that integrates perception and decision-making units, a modular design that supports upgrades and iterations, and flexible configuration of computing power for application-oriented needs. Faced with the challenges of computing power and numerous new demands, for L3 and higher-level autonomous vehicles, a single-chip hardware architecture can no longer meet the numerous interface and computing power requirements; the computing platform needs to adopt a heterogeneous chip hardware solution. The heterogeneous hardware architecture with multiple processing chips needs to be configured with a flexible and comprehensive system upgrade and update strategy to ensure reliable and stable system updates and normal operation. Therefore, the system update management of complex in-vehicle computing platforms is a problem that urgently needs to be solved in this field.

[0003] Currently, in the field of automotive computing platform hardware architecture, the decision-making unit uses a multi-core CPU to execute most of the core algorithms related to autonomous driving, while integrating multi-source data to complete functions such as path planning and decision control; the perception unit uses multiple AI acceleration engines (mostly GPUs, FPGAs, ASICs, etc.) to achieve efficient processing and fusion of multi-sensor data to obtain key information for planning and decision-making; the control unit is based on a traditional vehicle control MCU. Upgrades and updates to the entire system are led by the CPU of the decision-making unit, with upgrades and updates performed on each AI computing unit separately.

[0004] The in-vehicle computing platform adopts a heterogeneous hardware solution and tends towards a modular design to flexibly expand computing power. System upgrade and update schemes should also be improved to suit multi-processor hardware architectures while enhancing flexibility. Using separate channels to upgrade each AI computing unit is suitable for situations with fewer computing units, but for the current high computing power and flexible configuration requirements of in-vehicle computing platforms, this would obviously lead to hardware design redundancy. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention provides a system update management method and apparatus for an in-vehicle computing platform, which solves the problem of hardware design redundancy caused by upgrading the perception computing unit separately using a single channel.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] The first aspect of this invention provides a system update management method for an in-vehicle computing platform, the method comprising the following steps:

[0008] The controller obtains the system update instruction issued by the decision unit, parses the sensing computing unit number that needs to be updated, and sends the sensing computing unit number to the channel selection unit;

[0009] The channel selection unit selects the sensing computing unit corresponding to the number;

[0010] The decision-making unit upgrades and updates the sensing and computing unit through the gating channel unit.

[0011] Furthermore, the controller is a complex programmable logic device (CPLD) or a microcontroller (MCU).

[0012] Furthermore, the method further includes the following steps after the controller resolves the perception computing unit number and before the decision unit performs an upgrade update:

[0013] The controller controls the power-on reset of the sensing and computing unit corresponding to the number.

[0014] A second aspect of the present invention provides a system update management device for an in-vehicle computing platform, including a decision unit, the device further including a controller and a channel selection unit, the decision unit being connected to the controller and the channel selection unit respectively;

[0015] The controller is used to receive the system update instruction from the decision unit and parse out the number of the perception computing unit that needs to be updated, and send the number to the channel selection unit;

[0016] The channel selection unit is based on the sensing and computing unit corresponding to the number selection;

[0017] The decision-making unit is used to upgrade and update the selected perception computing unit.

[0018] Furthermore, the controller is a complex programmable logic device (CPLD) or a microcontroller (MCU).

[0019] Furthermore, the controller includes an update instruction parsing unit, a system update control unit, and a power-on reset control unit;

[0020] The update instruction parsing unit parses out the number of the perception computing unit that needs to be updated based on the system update instruction;

[0021] The system update control unit sends a system update distribution control signal to the channel selection unit based on the parsed number;

[0022] The power-on reset control unit controls the power-on reset of the sensing computing unit corresponding to the number, and performs timing control for system updates.

[0023] Furthermore, the channel selection unit includes a common terminal and a selection terminal. The common terminal is connected to the controller, and the selection terminal includes selection switches corresponding to the number of sensing computing units. Each selection switch is connected to one sensing computing unit.

[0024] Furthermore, the controller and decision-making unit use an I2C or LPC interface as the signal transmission path.

[0025] Furthermore, the decision-making unit and the channel selection unit use a serial bus as the signal transmission path.

[0026] A third aspect of the present invention provides a computer storage medium storing computer instructions that, when executed on the device, cause the device to perform the steps of the method.

[0027] The system update management device of the second aspect of the present invention can implement the methods of the first aspect and its various implementations, and achieve the same effect.

[0028] The effects described in the invention are merely those of the embodiments, and not all the effects of the invention. One of the above technical solutions has the following advantages or beneficial effects:

[0029] This invention optimizes the system update of the vehicle computing platform through a controller and a channel selection unit. The controller parses the system update command of the decision unit to obtain the number of the perception computing unit that needs to be updated. The channel selection unit selects the corresponding perception computing unit through the number. The controller also controls the power-on of the perception computing unit and the timing of the upgrade process to avoid triggering erroneous upgrades, thereby providing the flexibility of the entire system and reducing hardware redundancy. Attached Figure Description

[0030] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, for those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0031] Figure 1 This is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of the method described in this invention;

[0032] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating one implementation of the method described in this invention.

[0033] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of the device described in this invention;

[0034] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of the controller described in this invention;

[0035] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the channel selection unit described in this invention. Detailed Implementation

[0036] To clearly illustrate the technical features of this solution, the invention will be described in detail below through specific embodiments and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The following disclosure provides many different embodiments or examples for implementing different structures of the invention. To simplify the disclosure of the invention, components and arrangements of specific examples are described below. Furthermore, reference numerals and / or letters may be repeated in different examples. This repetition is for simplification and clarity and does not in itself indicate a relationship between the various embodiments and / or arrangements discussed. It should be noted that the components illustrated in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Descriptions of well-known components, processing techniques, and processes are omitted in this invention to avoid unnecessarily limiting the invention.

[0037] like Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment of the invention provides a system update management method for an in-vehicle computing platform, the method comprising the following steps:

[0038] S1, the controller obtains the system update instruction issued by the decision unit, parses the sensing computing unit number that needs to be updated, and sends the sensing computing unit number to the channel selection unit;

[0039] S2, the channel selection unit selects the sensing computing unit corresponding to the number;

[0040] S3, the decision-making unit upgrades and updates the sensing and computing unit through the gating channel unit.

[0041] The controller is a complex programmable logic device (CPLD) or a microcontroller (MCU).

[0042] like Figure 2As shown, in one implementation of the system update management method of the present invention, the decision unit CPU issues a system update instruction to update the nth sensing computing unit. The system update instruction is transmitted to the controller via I2C or LPC. The controller parses the received system update instruction and records the number of the nth sensing computing unit undergoing system update. Based on the number, it issues system update distribution control signals SEL0 / SEL1. The channel selection unit decodes and selects the corresponding channel switch Sn based on SEL0 / SEL1. Based on the number, the controller issues a power-on reset control signal to reset the nth sensing computing unit and control the timing of the system update. The decision unit CPI upgrades and updates the nth sensing computing unit through the system update channel, and the sensing computing unit sends back an update completion signal.

[0043] like Figure 3 As shown, this embodiment of the invention also provides a system update management device for an in-vehicle computing platform, including a decision unit, a controller, and a channel selection unit, wherein the decision unit is connected to the controller and the channel selection unit respectively;

[0044] The controller is used to receive the system update instruction from the decision unit and parse out the number of the perception computing unit that needs to be updated, and send the number to the channel selection unit;

[0045] The channel selection unit is based on the sensing and computing unit corresponding to the number selection;

[0046] The decision-making unit is used to upgrade and update the selected perception computing unit.

[0047] This system update management device can guide the flexible updates of the sensing computing units within the system, providing an upgrade channel for sensing computing units that need to be upgraded, and it does not interfere with other channels, and has a control and management mechanism to avoid erroneous updates.

[0048] The controller parses the system update instructions issued by the CPU and controls the signals to complete the upgrade and update of each computing unit within the system. It can use an MCU, CPLD, etc.; in this embodiment, a CPLD is used as the controller.

[0049] like Figure 4 As shown, the controller includes an update instruction parsing unit, a system update control unit, and a power-on reset control unit;

[0050] The update instruction parsing unit parses the number of the perception computing unit that needs to be updated based on the system update instruction, and the transmission path of the update instruction is the I2C / LPC interface.

[0051] The system update control unit sends a system update distribution control signal to the channel selection unit based on the parsed number. Based on the system update perception calculation unit number obtained by instruction parsing, the system update distribution control signal SEL0 and SEL1 are sent. The system update distribution control signal is connected to the channel selection unit to control the channel selection.

[0052] The power-on reset control unit controls the power-on reset of the sensing computing units corresponding to the specified numbers, and performs system update timing control. Based on the system update sensing computing unit number obtained through instruction parsing, it issues a power-on reset control signal, which is connected to each sensing computing unit. When updating the nth sensing computing unit, the power-on reset control signal resets the nth sensing computing unit. After the system update is completed (marked by receiving a feedback signal from the sensing computing unit), the reset signal is released. The timing of the power-on reset control signal manages system upgrades, preventing accidental upgrades.

[0053] The channel selection unit is used to provide system update paths, enabling 1-to-n channel selection. For example... Figure 5 As shown, the channel selection unit includes a common terminal (Z+, Z-) and a selection terminal (A+, A-; B+, B-; C+, C-; D+, D-). The common terminal is connected to the controller, and the selection terminal includes a selection switch corresponding to the number of sensing computing units. Each selection switch is connected to one sensing computing unit.

[0054] The system update interface can be of various types, including but not limited to the USB 2.0 serial interface used in this embodiment. The channel selection unit receives system update distribution control signals SEL0 and SEL1 from the system update controller, and decodes and controls one of the channel selection switches SA / SB / SC / SD according to SEL0 / SEL1.

[0055] This invention also provides a computer storage medium storing computer instructions, which, when executed on the device, cause the device to perform the steps of the method.

[0056] While the specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, this is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that various modifications or variations that can be made by those skilled in the art without creative effort based on the technical solutions of the present invention are still within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A system update management method for an in-vehicle computing platform, characterized in that, The method includes the following steps: The controller obtains the system update instruction issued by the decision unit, parses the sensing computing unit number that needs to be updated, and sends the sensing computing unit number to the channel selection unit; The channel selection unit selects the sensing computing unit corresponding to the number; the channel selection unit includes a common terminal (Z+, Z-) and selection terminals (A+, A-; B+, B-; C+, C-; D+, D-), the common terminal is connected to the controller, and the selection terminals include selection switches corresponding to the number of sensing computing units, with each selection switch connected to one sensing computing unit; The decision-making unit upgrades and updates the sensing and computing unit through the gating channel unit; The specific working principle of the method is as follows: The decision unit CPU issues a system update command to update the nth sensing computing unit. This command is transmitted to the controller via I2C or LPC. The controller parses the received command and records the number of the nth sensing computing unit undergoing the update. Based on the number, it issues system update distribution control signals SEL0 / SEL1. The channel selection unit decodes SEL0 / SEL1 and selects the corresponding channel switch Sn. The controller issues a power-on reset control signal based on the number, resetting the nth sensing computing unit and controlling the timing of the system update. The decision unit CPI upgrades the nth sensing computing unit through the system update channel, and the sensing computing unit sends back an update completion signal. The method further includes the following steps after the controller resolves the perception computing unit number and before the decision unit performs an upgrade update: The controller controls the power-on reset of the sensing and computing unit corresponding to the number; The specific process of power-on reset is as follows: a power-on reset control signal is issued according to the system update perception computing unit number obtained by instruction parsing. The power-on reset control signal is connected to each perception computing unit. When the nth perception computing unit is updated, the power-on reset control signal will reset the nth perception computing unit. The reset signal is released after the system update is completed.

2. The system update management method for the vehicle-mounted computing platform according to claim 1, characterized in that, The controller is a complex programmable logic device (CPLD) or a microcontroller (MCU).

3. A system update management device for an in-vehicle computing platform, comprising a decision-making unit, characterized in that, The device further includes a controller and a channel selection unit, and the decision unit is connected to the controller and the channel selection unit respectively; The controller is used to receive the system update instruction from the decision unit and parse out the number of the perception computing unit that needs to be updated, and send the number to the channel selection unit; The channel selection unit selects the corresponding sensing computing unit based on the number; the channel selection unit includes a common terminal (Z+, Z-) and selection terminals (A+, A-; B+, B-; C+, C-; D+, D-), the common terminal is connected to the controller, and the selection terminals include selection switches corresponding to the number of sensing computing units, with each selection switch connected to one sensing computing unit; The decision-making unit is used to upgrade and update the selected perception computing unit; The controller includes an update instruction parsing unit, a system update control unit, and a power-on reset control unit; The update instruction parsing unit parses out the number of the perception computing unit that needs to be updated based on the system update instruction; The system update control unit sends a system update distribution control signal to the channel selection unit based on the parsed number; The power-on reset control unit controls the power-on reset of the sensing computing unit corresponding to the number, and performs timing control of system updates; specifically, it issues a power-on reset control signal based on the system update sensing computing unit number obtained from instruction parsing, and the power-on reset control signal is connected to each sensing computing unit; when updating the nth sensing computing unit, the power-on reset control signal will reset the nth sensing computing unit, and the reset signal is released after the system update is completed; The controller and decision-making unit use an I2C or LPC interface as the signal transmission path; The decision-making unit and the channel selection unit use a serial bus as the signal transmission path.

4. The system update management device for the vehicle-mounted computing platform according to claim 3, characterized in that, The controller is a complex programmable logic device (CPLD) or a microcontroller (MCU).

5. A computer storage medium storing computer instructions, characterized in that, When the computer instructions are executed on the apparatus according to any one of claims 3-4, the apparatus causes the apparatus to perform the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1-2.

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