Network communication system and method for optimizing network performance

Abstract

A computer for a network communication system for a motor vehicle is provided. The system includes a central gateway and a plurality of electronic control units (ECUs) coupled to the central gateway. The computer includes one or more processors and a computer readable medium (CRM) coupled to the processor. The processor is programmed to receive an input database comprising a plurality of messages having a plurality of unique periodic rates. The processor is further programmed to assign a plurality of delayed start times to associated messages, wherein the number of messages transmitted at each of the delayed start times is limited to a predetermined maximum threshold. The processor is further programmed to generate an output database comprising delayed start times, thereby encoding the ECU based on the output database to transmit messages at the associated delayed start times to reduce congestion in the system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to network communication systems, and more particularly to network communication systems and methods for managing data traffic to optimize network performance and reduce congestion. Background Art

[0002] Modern vehicles can have network configurations with serial data traffic designed for a variety of traffic patterns, including periodic, periodic with events, and events only. In these networks, messages are transmitted in a way that can cause accumulation during certain time intervals, which in turn can cause the electronic control unit (ECU) to miss messages and adversely affect vehicle performance.

[0003] Therefore, while existing network communication systems can achieve their intended purposes, a new and improved network communication system is needed that solves these problems. Summary of the invention

[0004] According to several aspects of the present disclosure, a computer for a network communication system ("system") for a motor vehicle is provided. The system includes a central gateway and a plurality of electronic control units (ECUs) connected to the central gateway. The computer includes one or more processors and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium (CRM) connected to the processor. The CRM stores instructions so that the processor is programmed to receive an input database. The input database includes a plurality of messages suitable for transmission by the ECUs on the system at a plurality of unique periodic rates. The processor is further programmed to assign a plurality of delayed start times for transmitting an associated one of the messages. The number of messages transmitted at each of the delayed start times is limited to a predetermined maximum threshold. The processor is further programmed to generate an output database. The output database includes a delayed start time for each message in the message, thereby encoding the ECU based on the output database to transmit the message at the associated delayed start time for reducing congestion in the system.

[0005] In one aspect, an input database includes a plurality of message identifications (IDs) and a plurality of initial offset times for associated messages.

[0006] In another aspect, the processor is further programmed to compare the initial offset time of each of the messages to zero. The processor is further programmed to assign the currently delayed start time to the associated message in response to the processor determining that the initial offset time associated with the message is equal to zero.

[0007] In another aspect, the processor is further programmed to define a delayed start time for the associated message equal to the initial offset time for the associated message in response to the processor determining that the initial offset time is not equal to zero.

[0008] In another aspect, the processor is further programmed to determine a message count and compare the message count to a predetermined maximum threshold. The processor is further programmed to increase the message count by one and assign the current delayed start time to the associated message in response to the processor determining that the message count at the current delayed start time is less than or equal to the predetermined maximum threshold.

[0009] In another aspect, the processor is further programmed to increase the delayed start time of the associated message by a predetermined increment in response to the processor determining that the message count is not less than or equal to the predetermined maximum threshold.

[0010] In another aspect, the processor is further programmed to reset the message count to 1 in response to the processor determining that the message count is not less than or equal to the predetermined maximum threshold.

[0011] In another aspect, the processor is further programmed to determine whether any of the messages has not been assigned one of the delayed start times. The processor is further programmed to generate an output database in response to the processor determining that all messages have been assigned an associated one of the delayed start times.

[0012] According to several aspects of the present disclosure, a network communication system for a motor vehicle is provided. The system includes a computer having one or more processors and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium (CRM) connected to the processor. The CRM stores instructions so that the processor is programmed to receive an input database. The input database includes multiple messages suitable for transmission at multiple unique periodic rates. The processor is further programmed to assign multiple delayed start times to an associated message in the message. The number of messages transmitted at each time in the delayed start time is limited to a predetermined maximum threshold. The processor is further programmed to generate an output database. The output database includes the delayed start time of each message in the message. The system further includes a central gateway and multiple electronic control units (ECUs) connected to the central gateway. The ECU is encoded based on the output database to transmit messages at the associated delayed start time to reduce congestion in the network communication system.

[0013] In one aspect, an input database includes a plurality of message identifications (IDs) and a plurality of initial offset times for an associated one of the messages.

[0014] In another aspect, the processor is further programmed to compare the initial offset time of each of the messages to zero. The processor is further programmed to assign a delayed start time to the associated message in response to the processor determining that the initial offset time associated with the message is equal to zero.

[0015] In another aspect, the processor is further programmed to define a delayed start time for the associated message equal to the initial offset time for the associated message in response to the processor determining that the initial offset time is not equal to zero.

[0016] In another aspect, the processor is further programmed to determine a message count and compare the message count to a predetermined maximum threshold. The processor is further programmed to increase the message count by one and assign the current delayed start time to the associated message in response to the processor determining that the message count at the current delayed start time is less than or equal to the predetermined maximum threshold.

[0017] In another aspect, the processor is further programmed to increase the currently delayed start time of the associated message by a predetermined increment in response to the processor determining that the message count is not less than or equal to the predetermined maximum threshold.

[0018] In another aspect, wherein the at least one processor is further programmed to reset the message count to 1 in response to the processor determining that the message count is not less than or equal to a predetermined maximum threshold.

[0019] In another aspect, the processor is further programmed to determine whether any of the messages has not been assigned one of the delayed start times. The processor is further programmed to generate an output database in response to the processor determining that all messages have been assigned an associated one of the delayed start times.

[0020] According to several aspects of the present disclosure, a method for manufacturing a network communication system (system) is provided. The system includes a central gateway, a plurality of electronic control units (ECUs), and a computer having one or more processors and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium (CRM). The method includes using a processor to receive an input database, the input database including a plurality of messages suitable for transmission by an ECU on the system at a plurality of unique periodic rates. The method further includes using a processor to assign a plurality of delayed start times to an associated one of the messages. The number of messages transmitted at each time in the delayed start time is limited to a predetermined maximum threshold. The method further includes using a processor to generate an output database. The output database includes a delayed start time for each message in the message, thereby encoding the ECU based on the output database to transmit the message at the associated delayed start time and reduce congestion in the system.

[0021] In one aspect, the input database includes a plurality of message identifications (IDs) and a plurality of initial offset times for associated ones of the messages. The method further includes comparing, using a processor, the initial offset time of each of the messages to zero. The method further includes assigning, using the processor, a currently delayed start time to the associated message in response to the processor determining that the initial offset time is equal to zero. The method further includes defining, using the processor, a delayed start time of the associated message equal to the initial offset time of the associated message in response to the processor determining that the initial offset time is not equal to zero.

[0022] In another aspect, the method further includes determining, using the processor, a message count. The method further includes comparing, using the processor, the message count to a predetermined maximum threshold. The method further includes, using the processor, increasing the message count by one and assigning the current delayed start time to the associated message in response to the processor determining that the message count at the delayed start time is less than or equal to the predetermined maximum threshold.

[0023] In another aspect, the method further includes increasing, using the processor, the delayed start time of the associated message by a predetermined increment in response to the processor determining that the message count is not less than or equal to the predetermined maximum threshold.

[0024] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein.It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

[0026] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of one non-limiting example of a motor vehicle having a network communication system with a computer for reducing congestion in the network communication system.

[0027] Figure 2 Is manufacturing Figure 1 A flow chart of one non-limiting example of a method of a network communication system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. Although the drawings represent examples, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and certain features may be exaggerated to better illustrate and explain certain aspects of the illustrative examples. Any one or more of these aspects may be used alone or in combination with each other. In addition, the exemplary illustrations described herein are not intended to be exhaustive or otherwise limited or restricted to the precise forms and configurations shown in the drawings and disclosed in the following detailed description. The exemplary illustrations are described in detail with reference to the following drawings:

[0029] refer to Figure 1 , a non-limiting example of a motor vehicle 100 has a network communication system 102 (system) that transmits in a manner that minimizes the accumulation of messages at certain time intervals and reduces the risk of messages being lost during vehicle operation. In this non-limiting example, the system 102 generally includes a central gateway 104, a first electronic control unit 106 (ECU), a first sensor 108 coupled to the first ECU 106, a second ECU 110, a second sensor 112 coupled to the second ECU 110, a third ECU 114, an actuator 116 coupled to the third ECU 114, a fourth ECU 118, a display device 120 coupled to the fourth ECU 118, and a central gateway 104 coupled to the ECUs 106, 110, 114, 118. It is contemplated that a motor vehicle may have other suitable systems with any number of ECUs, sensors, actuators, display devices, gateways, and / or other suitable devices. As described in detail below, the ECUs 106, 110, 114, 118 are encoded for transmitting messages at multiple delayed start times, with a maximum number of messages transmitted at any time interval to reduce congestion and optimize network performance.

[0030] The system 102 further includes a computer 122 separate from the motor vehicle 100 that determines a delayed start time for each of the messages transmitted by an associated one of the ECUs 106, 110, 114, 118 during a design or development phase. The computer 122 includes one or more processors 124 and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium 126 (CRM) coupled to the processor 124. The CRM 126 stores instructions such that the processor is programmed to receive an input database 128 that includes a plurality of messages adapted for transmission at a plurality of unique periodic rates. The input database 128 includes a plurality of message identifications (IDs) and a plurality of initial offset times for an associated one of the messages.

[0031] The processor 124 is further programmed to assign a plurality of delayed start times to an associated one of the messages, wherein the number of messages transmitted at each of the delayed start times is limited to a predetermined maximum threshold. In this way, the system 102 is free from congestion or message bottlenecks. As a non-limiting example only, the processor 124 may be programmed to generate an output database 127, as described in more detail below, which enables the ECU to transmit a maximum of 10 messages at each time interval (e.g., 10 ms after the start) and a maximum of 10 messages 20 ms after the start, and so on. It is contemplated that the predetermined maximum threshold at any delayed start time may be higher or lower than 10 messages, and the delayed start times may be separated by any increments higher or lower than 10 ms. More specifically, the processor 124 is further programmed to compare the initial offset time of each of the messages in the message with zero. If the processor 124 determines that the initial offset time associated with the message is equal to zero, the processor 124 assigns the current delayed start time to the associated message. If processor 124 determines that the initial offset time is not equal to zero, processor 124 is further programmed to define a delayed start time for the associated message to be equal to the initial offset time for the associated message.

[0032] The processor 124 is further programmed to determine a message count and compare the message count to a predetermined maximum threshold. The processor 124 is further programmed to increase the message count by 1 and assign the delayed start time to the associated message in response to the processor 124 determining that the message count at the delayed start time is less than or equal to the predetermined maximum threshold. Continuing with the previous non-limiting example, where the predetermined maximum threshold is 10 messages at a delayed start time of 10 ms, the processor 124 is programmed to increase the message count after the start by 1 when fewer than 10 messages were previously assigned to the start at 10 ms.

[0033] The processor 124 is further programmed to, in response to the processor 124 determining that the message count is not less than the predetermined maximum threshold, increase the current delayed start time of the associated message by a predetermined increment and reset the message count to 1. Continuing with the previous non-limiting example, where the predetermined maximum threshold is 10 messages at a delayed start time of 10 ms, the processor 124 increases the delayed start time of the associated message by increments of 10 ms to increase the delayed start time from 10 ms to 20 ms.

[0034] The processor 124 is further programmed to determine whether any of the messages has not been assigned one of the delayed start times; and generate an output database 127 in response to the processor 124 determining that all of the messages have been assigned an associated one of the delayed start times. The processor 124 is further programmed to generate the output database 127, which includes the delayed start time assigned to each of the messages. Based on the output database 127, the ECUs 106, 110, 114, 118 are encoded to transmit messages at the associated delayed start times for reducing congestion of the system 102 and optimizing network performance of the system 102.

[0035] Reference now Figure 2 , used to manufacture Figure 1 A non-limiting example of a method 200 for a system 102 of the present invention begins at block 202, where the processor 124 receives an input database 128 including a plurality of messages associated with a plurality of unique periodic rates for transmission, for example, by ECUs 106, 110, 114, 118 on the system 102. The input database 128 includes a plurality of message identifications (IDs) and a plurality of initial offset times for an associated one of the messages.

[0036] At block 204, processor 124 compares the initial offset time of the associated message to zero. If processor 124 determines that the initial offset time of the associated message is not equal to zero, method 200 proceeds to block 206. If processor 124 determines that the initial offset time of the associated message is equal to zero, method 200 proceeds to block 212.

[0037] At block 206 , in response to the processor 124 determining that the initial offset time is not equal to zero, the processor 124 defines the delayed start time of the associated message to be equal to the initial offset time of the associated message. The method 200 then proceeds to block 208 .

[0038] At block 208, the processor 124 determines whether any of the messages has not been assigned one of the delayed start times. If the processor 124 determines that one or more messages have not been assigned one of the delayed start times, the method 200 returns to block 204 to process the next message from the input database 128. If the processor 124 determines that all messages have been assigned one of the delayed start times, the method 200 proceeds to block 210.

[0039] At box 210, the processor 124 generates an output database 127, which includes multiple delayed start times for each message in the message, and encodes the ECUs 106, 110, 114, 118 based on the output database 127 to transmit the multiple messages at the associated delayed start times to reduce congestion and optimize network performance.

[0040] At block 212, processor 124 determines the message count for the current delayed start time and compares the message count to a predetermined maximum threshold. If processor 124 determines that the message count is less than or equal to the predetermined maximum threshold at the delayed start time, method 200 proceeds to block 214. If processor 124 determines that the message count is not less than or equal to the predetermined maximum threshold at the delayed start time, method 200 proceeds to block 218.

[0041] At block 214 , in response to the processor 124 determining that the message count is less than or equal to the predetermined maximum threshold at the delayed start time, the processor 124 increases the message count by 1. The method 200 then proceeds to block 216 .

[0042] At block 216, processor 124 defines the delayed start time as the start time of the current delay for the associated message. Continuing with the previous example, processor 124 may assign a delayed start time of 10 ms to the first message. It is contemplated that processor 124 may assign any delayed start time above or below 10 ms to the message. Method 200 then proceeds to block 208.

[0043] At block 218, in response to the processor determining that the message count is not less than or equal to the predetermined maximum threshold, the processor 124 increases the delayed start time of the associated message by a predetermined increment and resets the message count to 1. Continuing with the previous example, where the predetermined maximum threshold is 10 and the message count is 10, the processor 124 may increase the delayed start time of 10 ms by an increment of 10 ms, making the new delayed start time 20 ms. However, it is contemplated that the predetermined increment may be higher or lower than 10 ms. The method 200 then proceeds to block 216.

[0044] With respect to the media, processes, systems, methods, heuristics, etc. described herein, it should be understood that although the steps of these processes, etc. have been described as occurring in a certain order, these processes can be practiced by performing the described steps in an order other than the order described herein. It should further be understood that certain steps can be performed simultaneously, other steps can be added, or certain steps described herein can be omitted. In other words, the description of the processes herein is provided for the purpose of illustrating certain embodiments and should not be construed in any way to limit the claims.

[0045] Therefore, it should be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive. After reading the above description, many embodiments and applications other than the examples provided will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The scope of the present invention should not be determined with reference to the above description, but should be determined with reference to the full scope of the equivalents given by the attached claims and these claims. It is foreseen and expected that future developments will occur in the fields discussed herein, and the disclosed systems and methods will be incorporated into such future embodiments. In short, it should be understood that the present invention is capable of modification and variation, and is limited only by the attached claims.

[0046] Unless otherwise expressly indicated herein, all terms used in the claims are intended to be given their plain and ordinary meanings as understood by those skilled in the art. Specifically, unless a claim recites an express limitation to the contrary, the use of singular articles such as "a", "the", "said", etc. should be interpreted as reciting one or more of the indicated elements.

Claims

1. A computer for a network communication system of a motor vehicle, wherein the network communication system comprises a central gateway and a plurality of electronic control units ECU connected to the central gateway, the computer comprising: at least one processor; and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium CRM, which is coupled to the at least one processor and stores instructions such that the at least one processor is programmed to: receiving an input database comprising a plurality of messages adapted for transmission by the ECU on the network communication system at a plurality of unique periodic rates; assigning a plurality of delayed start times to an associated one of the messages, wherein the number of messages transmitted at each of the delayed start times is limited to a predetermined maximum threshold; and generating an output database including the plurality of delayed start times for each of the messages, thereby encoding the ECU based on the output database to transmit the plurality of messages at the associated delayed start times for reducing congestion of the network communication system; wherein the input database includes a plurality of message identification IDs and a plurality of initial offset times for an associated one of the messages; Wherein, the at least one processor is further programmed to: comparing each of the initial offset times to zero; and In response to the processor determining that the initial offset time associated with the message is equal to zero, assigning the delayed start time to the associated message.

2. The computer according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one processor is further programmed to define the delayed start time for the associated message equal to the initial offset time for the associated message in response to the at least one processor determining that the initial offset time is not equal to zero.

3. The computer according to claim 2, wherein: The at least one processor is further programmed to: Determine message count; comparing the message count to a predetermined maximum threshold; and In response to the at least one processor determining that the message count at the delayed start time is less than or equal to the predetermined maximum threshold, the message count is increased by one and the delayed start time is assigned to the associated message.

4. The computer according to claim 3, wherein: The at least one processor is further programmed to increase the delayed start time of the associated message by a predetermined increment in response to the at least one processor determining that the message count is not less than or equal to the predetermined maximum threshold.

5. The computer according to claim 4, wherein: The at least one processor is further programmed to reset the message count to 1 in response to the at least one processor determining that the message count is not less than or equal to the predetermined maximum threshold.

6. The computer according to claim 5, wherein: The at least one processor is further programmed to: determining whether any of the messages has not been assigned one of the delayed start times; and The output database is generated in response to the at least one processor determining that all of the messages have been assigned an associated one of the delayed start times.

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