Device for locating secondary node of vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for locating secondary nodes of a vehicle, comprising a primary node and n secondary nodes, where n = 2 to N, N is an integer, connected together by at least two sub-networks, each sub-network comprising m secondary nodes, where m = 1 to M, M is an integer, characterized in that each sub-network comprises a terminal secondary node located at the end of each sub-network, (a)-the primary node is configured to be connected to at least one of the two sub-networks and comprises a primary electronic control unit configured to, during a learning phase:-activate power supply to one of the at least two sub-networks and deactivate power supply to the other sub-network,-receive a presence message from a secondary node of the activated sub-network, the presence message comprises a unique identifier associated with each secondary node,-identifying the terminal secondary node of the activated sub-network by means of a field of its unique identifier,-locating the terminal secondary node in the activated sub-network by means of the architecture of the activated sub-network,-if n = 2 or 3,-if n = 2 or 3, identifying the terminal secondary node of the activated sub-network by means of the field of its unique identifier. Determining, according to the architecture of the vehicle network, the locations of other secondary nodes of the vehicle network, if ngt; 3:-sending a command to the terminal secondary node so that it performs a measurement of the distance between itself and the other secondary node of one of the at least two sub-networks,-receiving the distances and comparing them with each other,-determining the position of the other secondary node as a function of the architecture of the activated sub-network and the comparison.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for locating a secondary node of a vehicle. It is particularly applicable to, but not limited to, motor vehicles. Background Art

[0002] In the field of motor vehicles, a device for locating secondary nodes known to those skilled in the art comprises a main node and a plurality of secondary nodes connected to the main node via at least one wired sub-network, the group of secondary nodes, the main node and the at least one wired sub-network forming a vehicle network. The secondary nodes have different locations in the motor vehicle. The main node is configured to send location messages to various secondary nodes and receive their responses. Each secondary node is configured to send a response, which includes a measurement of the distance between itself and a hands-free access device. Based on the distance measurement, the main node is able to perform a geometric reconstruction (e.g., triangulation) to determine the position of the hands-free access device relative to the motor vehicle. The hands-free access device makes it possible, in particular, to implement a so-called PEPS (passive entry passive start) function. The PEPS function makes it possible to unlock the motor vehicle when the hands-free access device approaches the vehicle, thereby making it possible to enter the vehicle, and also makes it possible to authorize the start of the motor vehicle.

[0003] After the location of the hands-free access device has been determined, the PEPS function or any other function involving the hands-free access device, such as starting the motor vehicle itself, is authorized or not authorized.

[0004] When the secondary nodes are produced in a factory, a unique identifier is associated with each secondary node.

[0005] One problem is to retrieve the unique identifiers of each secondary node and to relate them to each location of the secondary node. By correctly identifying the various secondary nodes with respect to their locations, the master node is able to distinguish the various messages sent by the various nodes on the wired sub-network and retrieve the distance measurement from the messages sent by the secondary nodes, knowing the secondary node from which the distance measurement originated. Thereafter, the master node is able to correctly perform geometric reconstruction in order to locate the hands-free access device. Summary of the invention

[0006] In this context, the present invention aims to propose a device for locating a secondary node of a vehicle which makes it possible to solve the problem.

[0007] To this end, the present invention proposes a device for locating a secondary node of a vehicle, the locating device comprising a main node and n secondary nodes, wherein n=2 to N, N is an integer, connected together by at least two wired sub-networks forming a vehicle network, each wired sub-network comprising m secondary nodes, wherein m=1 to M, M is an integer, characterized in that each wired sub-network comprises a terminal secondary node located at the end of each wired sub-network relative to the main node, (a)-the main node is configured to be connected to at least one of the two wired sub-networks, and comprises:

[0008] (i) A main electronic control unit configured to:

[0009] - activating power supply to at least one of the two wired sub-networks,

[0010] - receiving a presence message from the secondary nodes of said activated wired sub-network, said presence message comprising a unique identifier associated with each secondary node,

[0011] - identifying said terminal secondary node of said activated wired sub-network by means of a field of its unique identifier,

[0012] - locating the terminal secondary node in the activated wired sub-network through the architecture of the vehicle network,

[0013] - if n=2 or 3, determining the locations of other secondary nodes of the vehicle network according to the architecture of the vehicle network,

[0014] - If n > 3:

[0015] - sending a command to said terminal secondary node so that it performs a distance measurement between itself and the other secondary nodes of one of the at least two wired sub-networks,

[0016] - receiving said distances and comparing them with each other,

[0017] - determining the location of the other secondary nodes according to the architecture of the activated wired sub-network and the comparison,

[0018] (b)-Each secondary node comprises:

[0019] (i) a secondary electronic control unit configured, during said learning phase, to:

[0020] - sending a presence message including a unique identifier to said master node,

[0021] (c) said terminal secondary node comprises a secondary resistor and comprises a unique identifier having a field identifying it as a terminal secondary node and comprises a secondary electronic control unit configured to: during said learning phase:

[0022] - If n > 3:

[0023] - receiving a command from said master node so that it performs a distance measurement between itself and the other secondary nodes of one of the at least two wired sub-networks,

[0024] - Performing the distance measurements and sending them back to the main electronic control unit.

[0025] Thus, as will be seen in detail later, the master node will be able to retrieve the unique identifier of each secondary node of the wired sub-network, including the terminal secondary node of the wired sub-network whose power supply is activated, and locate it, as well as the distances between the terminal secondary node of said wired sub-network and the other secondary nodes of said wired sub-network. According to the architecture of the wired sub-network and, where applicable, a set of mutual distance comparisons, the master node will be able to locate the secondary nodes, that is to say, to assign a unique identifier to each position in the vehicle. Thus, it determines the exact location of each secondary node in the vehicle.

[0026] According to some non-limiting embodiments, the positioning device may further include one or more additional features, which may be employed alone or in any of the following technically possible combinations.

[0027] According to one non-limiting embodiment, the master node further comprises at least one master resistor.

[0028] According to one non-limiting embodiment, said at least one primary resistor and said secondary resistor have the same value.

[0029] According to one non-limiting embodiment, the master electronic control unit is configured to command two master switches, each associated with one of the at least two wired sub-networks, namely:

[0030] - a first master switch, so as to adopt during said learning phase a secondary position, wherein said master node is connected to a first wired sub-network, and a primary position, wherein said second wired sub-network is connected to a second master resistor, and

[0031] - a second master switch, so as to adopt during said learning phase a secondary position, wherein said master node is connected to a second wired sub-network, and a primary position, wherein said first wired sub-network is connected to a first master resistor.

[0032] The master node is thus connected to the at least one wired sub-network via the master electronic control unit.

[0033] According to one non-limiting embodiment, during the operation phase, the master node is configured to command the two master switches to enter the secondary position in order to connect the master electronic control units to the two corresponding wired sub-networks.

[0034] According to a non-limiting embodiment, when n=6, and if m=3 for each wired sub-network, the master node is further configured to:

[0035] - activating the power supply of the wired sub-network so as to be able to identify and locate its terminal secondary nodes, send said commands, receive said distances and compare them, and locate other secondary nodes in said wired sub-network according to the architecture of the vehicle network and said comparison,

[0036] And wherein the terminal secondary node of the wired sub-network is configured to perform distance measurement between itself and other secondary nodes of the wired sub-network to which it belongs.

[0037] According to one non-limiting embodiment, one terminal secondary node of a wired sub-network is located inside the vehicle, while the other secondary nodes of the same wired sub-network are located outside, or vice versa.

[0038] According to one non-limiting embodiment, the terminal secondary nodes are defined at different distances from the other secondary nodes of the wired sub-network to which they belong.

[0039] According to one non-limiting embodiment, the secondary node is a beacon.

[0040] According to one non-limiting embodiment, the at least two wired sub-networks are CAN, LIN, LAN, I2C or UART networks.

[0041] According to one non-limiting embodiment, the master electronic control unit is configured to deactivate the power supply to the other wired sub-networks during the learning phase.

[0042] According to one non-limiting embodiment, when the main electronic control unit commands the first main switch to enter its secondary position, it simultaneously commands the second main switch to enter its primary position, and vice versa.

[0043] A method for locating a secondary node of a vehicle is also proposed, the vehicle comprising a primary node and n secondary nodes, n=2 to N, N being an integer, connected together via at least two wired sub-networks forming a vehicle network, each wired sub-network comprising m secondary nodes, m=1 to M, M being an integer, characterized in that the locating method comprises a learning phase, the learning phase comprising the following steps:

[0044] - a master electronic control unit of the master node activates power supply to one of at least two wired sub-networks,

[0045] - the secondary electronic control units of said secondary nodes send a presence message comprising a unique identifier of each secondary node,

[0046] - the master electronic control unit of the master node receives the presence message,

[0047] - said master electronic control unit identifies the terminal secondary node of said activated wired sub-network by means of its unique identifier field,

[0048] - the master electronic control unit locates the terminal secondary node in the activated wired sub-network via the architecture of the vehicle network,

[0049] - if n=2 or 3, the master electronic control unit determines the locations of the other secondary nodes of the vehicle network according to the architecture of the activated wired sub-network,

[0050] - If n > 3:

[0051] - the master electronic control unit sends a command to a secondary electronic control unit of the terminal secondary node causing it to perform a distance measurement between itself and the other secondary nodes of one of the at least two wired sub-networks,

[0052] - the secondary electronic control unit of the terminal secondary node receives the command,

[0053] - the secondary electronic control unit of the terminal secondary node performs the distance measurements and sends them back to the primary electronic control unit of the primary node,

[0054] - said master electronic control unit of said master node receives said distances and compares them with each other,

[0055] - Based on the architecture of the activated wired sub-network and the comparison, the master electronic control unit determines the positions of the other secondary nodes.

[0056] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said positioning method further comprises the step of said master electronic control unit storing said unique identifier of said secondary node.

[0057] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the positioning method further comprises the following steps:

[0058] - the master control unit switches the first master switch to a secondary position in order to connect the master node to the first wired sub-network,

[0059] - the master control unit switches the second master switch to the master position in order to disconnect the master node from the second wired sub-network and connect the first wired sub-network to the master resistor.

[0060] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the positioning method further comprises a step in which the master control unit of the master node activates an operating phase when the learning phase has ended. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0061] The invention and its various applications will be better understood by reading the following description and examining the accompanying drawings.

[0062] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a device for locating a secondary node of a vehicle according to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the locating device comprising a primary node and a plurality of secondary nodes connected to each other via at least two wired sub-networks, the schematic diagram illustrating the primary node, a single secondary node and a wired sub-network connecting the primary node to the secondary nodes;

[0063] Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of a vehicle according to a non-limiting embodiment, showing Figure 1 An example of positioning a primary node and multiple secondary nodes of a positioning device,

[0064] Figure 3 According to a non-limiting embodiment, Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the architecture of the master node of the positioning device,

[0065] Figure 4 According to a non-limiting embodiment, Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the architecture of a non-terminal secondary node of the positioning device,

[0066] Figure 5 According to a non-limiting embodiment, Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the architecture of the terminal secondary node of the positioning device,

[0067] Figure 6 According to a non-limiting embodiment, Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a positioning device, the positioning device comprising a Figure 3 the master node, and six secondary nodes connected to the master node through a first wired sub-network and a second wired sub-network,

[0068] Figure 7 According to a non-limiting embodiment Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a master node of the positioning device when connected to the first wired sub-network during a learning phase,

[0069] Figure 8 According to a non-limiting embodiment, Figure 6 Schematic diagram of a positioning device, which shows the Figure 7 a connection of the master node to the first wired sub-network,

[0070] Fig. 9 According to a non-limiting embodiment Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the master node of the positioning device when connected to the second wired sub-network during the learning phase,

[0071] Fig.10 According to a non-limiting embodiment, Figure 6 Schematic diagram of a positioning device, which shows the Fig. 9 the connection of the master node to the second wired sub-network,

[0072] Fig.11 According to a non-limiting embodiment Figure 3 a schematic diagram of the master node of the positioning device when connected to the first wired sub-network and the second wired sub-network during the operation phase,

[0073] Fig.12 According to a non-limiting embodiment, the Figure 1 A plan view of a vehicle of a positioning device, the positioning device comprising two secondary nodes, each distributed on two wired sub-networks,

[0074] Fig.13 According to a non-limiting embodiment, the Figure 1 A plan view of a vehicle having a positioning device, the positioning device comprising three secondary nodes distributed on two wired sub-networks,

[0075] Fig.14 According to a non-limiting embodiment, the Figure 1 A plan view of a vehicle of a positioning device, the positioning device comprising six secondary nodes distributed on two wired sub-networks,

[0076] Fig.15 According to a non-limiting embodiment, Figure 1 A flowchart of a method for locating a secondary node of a vehicle implemented by a positioning device,

[0077] Fig.16 According to a non-limiting embodiment, Fig.15 The sequence of steps of the positioning method.

[0078] Unless otherwise stated, structurally or functionally identical elements appearing in multiple figures retain the same reference numerals. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0079] In the description, balance is understood as electrical balance through a load (or resistor). In the description, the wired sub-network Nw is also referred to as sub-network Nw.

[0080] Reference Figures 1 to 14A device 1 for locating a secondary node 11 of a vehicle 2 according to the invention is described. In a non-limiting embodiment, the vehicle 2 is a motor vehicle. A motor vehicle is understood to mean any type of motor vehicle. This embodiment is given as a non-limiting example in the rest of the description. In the rest of the description, the vehicle 2 is therefore referred to as a motor vehicle 2.

[0081] The secondary node 11 forms part of the vehicle network Nv. The vehicle network Nv is formed by at least two wired sub-networks Nw. The vehicle network Nv includes a primary node 10 and n secondary nodes 11, where n=2 to N, N is an integer. Each wired sub-network Nw includes m secondary nodes, where m=1 to M, M is an integer.

[0082] The secondary node 11 is used to determine the hands-free access device 3 (such as Figure 2 ) relative to the position Pos0 of the motor vehicle 2. Each secondary node 11 is configured to measure the distance between itself and the hands-free access device 3. In some non-limiting embodiments, the hands-free access device 3 is a smart phone or a hands-free identifier.

[0083] When the hands-free access device 3 is close to the motor vehicle 2, at least one hands-free function F can be executed. In some non-limiting embodiments, the hands-free function F is:

[0084] a so-called PEPS (Passive Entry Passive Start) function. This PEPS function makes it possible, in particular, to unlock the motor vehicle 2 when the hands-free access device 3 is in proximity to the motor vehicle 2 and thus to gain access to said vehicle, and also to authorize the starting of the motor vehicle 2, or

[0085] a welcome scene function, in which the lights or headlights of the motor vehicle 2 illuminate a specific area, called the welcome area, or

[0086] -Automatic parking (also known as remote parking) function.

[0087] In one non-limiting embodiment, the hands-free access device 3 may combine a plurality of hands-free functions F.

[0088] The positioning device 1 comprises:

[0089] - Master Node 10,

[0090] - a plurality of secondary nodes 11,

[0091] - are connected together by at least two wired sub-networks Nw, also called sub-networks Nw.

[0092] Figure 1A single secondary node 11 is shown. In some non-limiting embodiments, the wired sub-network Nw is a CAN, LIN, LAN, I2C or UART network or any other type of network. Each of the wired sub-networks Nw is powered by an electrical power source 21, also referred to as a power source 21 (e.g. Figure 1 ). Figure 3 As can be seen in the following figures, the wired sub-network Nw is connected on two paths. The primary node 10, the secondary node 11 and the at least one wired sub-network Nw form a vehicle network Nv. In a non-limiting embodiment, the vehicle network Nv is a secondary vehicle network different from the primary vehicle network used by an electronic control unit (not shown) that supervises engine control or authorizes starting the motor vehicle 2.

[0093] Each secondary node 11 has a unique identifier Id indicating whether it is located inside or outside the motor vehicle 2. In a non-limiting embodiment, the unique network identifier Id is encoded on 8 bits (that is, one byte). It includes a field b1 indicating that the secondary node 11 is a terminal secondary node. In particular, the field b1 indicates that the terminal secondary node 11 has a secondary resistor R2 (described below), thereby distinguishing it from other secondary nodes 11 without a secondary resistor. This field b1 can be encoded on one or more bits. The unique network identifier Id also includes a bit b0, which indicates whether the secondary node 11 is located inside or outside the motor vehicle 2. Therefore, in a non-limiting example, if b0=0, the secondary node 11 is inside, and if b0=1, the secondary node 11 is outside. The unique identifier Id also includes a unique identification code a0, which makes it possible to distinguish one secondary node 11 from another secondary node 11. The unique identification code a0 can be encoded on one or more bits.

[0094] like Figure 6 As shown, the secondary nodes 11 are connected to each other and to the primary node 10 through at least two wired sub-networks Nw. They are connected in series. Therefore, one or two secondary nodes 11 are directly connected to the primary node 10, while other secondary nodes 11 are indirectly connected to the primary node 10 via other secondary nodes 11. When there are multiple secondary nodes 11 in the sub-network Nw, the secondary nodes 11 of the sub-network Nw include:

[0095] - a single terminal secondary node 11 which is the last node of the sub-network Nw and is the node located at the end of the sub-network Nw,

[0096] - a single secondary node 11 directly connected to the primary node 10, also referred to as the initial secondary node 11,

[0097] - one or more secondary nodes 11 arranged between the terminal secondary node 11 and the initial secondary node 11, also called intermediate secondary nodes 11. It should be noted that if there are only two secondary nodes 11 in the subnetwork Nw, the intermediate secondary node 11 can be the same as the initial secondary node 11 or the terminal secondary node 11.

[0098] Thus, a terminal secondary node 11 is connected to only a single node, which may be another secondary node 11 or the primary node 10 itself. It should be noted that a terminal node 11 is not necessarily the secondary node 11 that is farthest in distance from the primary node 10. Thus, an initial secondary node 11 is connected to the primary node 10 and another secondary node 11. It should be noted that an initial node 11 is not necessarily the secondary node 11 that is closest in distance to the primary node 10.

[0099] The terminal secondary node 11, the initial secondary node 11 directly connected to the primary node 10, and other intermediate secondary nodes 11 are all connected in series. Figure 4 As shown, the intermediate secondary node 11 includes an input IN and an output OUT that are internally connected to each other. The intermediate secondary node 11 is connected to the input IN of the next secondary node, and is connected to the output OUT of the previous secondary node 11. Figure 5 As shown, the terminal secondary node 11 includes an input IN and has no output OUT. The terminal secondary node 11 is connected to the output OUT of the intermediate secondary node 11 or the initial secondary node 11.

[0100] The master node 10 is called a hub. In a non-limiting embodiment, the secondary node 11 is a beacon, also called an anchor or a satellite. The secondary node 11 is configured to measure its distance d0 relative to the hands-free access device 3. The master node 10 is configured to perform a geometric reconstruction (e.g., triangulation in a non-limiting example) based on the distance d0 measurement and thus determine the position Pos0 of the hands-free access device 3 relative to the motor vehicle 2.

[0101] exist Figure 2 In a non-limiting example shown, the master node 10 is located on the dashboard of the motor vehicle 2. It should be noted that the master node 10 initially knows the positions Pos of the secondary nodes 11, i.e. the architecture T or topology of the vehicle network Nv and of the subnetworks Nw formed thereby. However, initially it does not know their positions, i.e. which unique identifier Id is associated with which position Pos in the motor vehicle 2. Figure 2 In the illustrated non-limiting example, the vehicle network Nv comprises six secondary nodes 112 to 117. Figure 2In a non-limiting embodiment shown, the secondary nodes 112 to 117 are located at the following positions: center front, right front door, left front door, right rear door, left rear door, center rear. The master node 10 knows the architecture T, that is, in the non-limiting example given, it knows that there are six secondary nodes 11, namely the first one is located at the front center right, the second one is located at the right front door, the third one is located at the left front door, the fourth one is located at the right rear door, the fifth one is located at the left rear door, and the sixth one is located at the center rear of the trunk or tailgate. It should also be noted that the master node 10 knows the number of secondary nodes 11 in the vehicle network Nv and the sub-networks Nw in which they are distributed.

[0102] In a non-limiting embodiment, the secondary node 11 is configured to communicate with the hands-free access device 3 according to an ultra-wideband communication protocol (also called UWB protocol). This makes the communication time between them very short. In addition, this communication protocol is difficult to crack.

[0103] In one non-limiting embodiment, the vehicle network Nv comprises two wired sub-networks Nw1, Nw2. In this case, the master node 10 is located between the two wired sub-networks Nw1, Nw2 and is directly connected to the initial secondary node 11 on each wired sub-network Nw1, Nw2.

[0104] exist Figure 6 In a non-limiting example, the vehicle network Nv includes two wired sub-networks Nw1, Nw2, each including four and three secondary nodes 11, respectively. Therefore, the positioning device 1 includes six secondary nodes 112 to 117, and the main node 10 is positioned relative to the center of the vehicle network Nv. Three secondary nodes 112 to 114 are connected to the main node 10 via the wired sub-network Nw1, and three secondary nodes 115 to 117 are connected to the main node 10 via the wired sub-network Nw2. The secondary node 114 is directly connected to the main node 10, and the other secondary nodes 113 and 112 are indirectly connected to the main node 10 through the wired sub-network Nw1. The secondary node 112 is the terminal secondary node 11 of the wired sub-network Nw1. The secondary node 115 is directly connected to the main node 10, and the other secondary nodes 116 and 117 are indirectly connected to the main node 10 through the wired sub-network Nw2. The secondary node 117 is the terminal secondary node 11 of the wired sub-network Nw2.

[0105] like Figure 1 or Figure 3 As shown, the master node 10 includes:

[0106] - a main electronic control unit ECU1, also called main control unit ECU1 or main unit ECU1,

[0107] - A network controller NC1 which is the physical, electrical and protocol interface between the sub-network Nw and the main control unit ECU1.

[0108] like Figure 3 As shown, in a non-limiting embodiment, the master node 10 further includes:

[0109] - Two main switches Sw11, Sw12, and

[0110] - Two corresponding network switch controllers SWC11 , SWC12 , each switch controller SWC11 , SWC12 being the physical, electrical and protocol interface between said at least one sub-network Nw and said corresponding master switch Sw11 , Sw12 .

[0111] To simplify, Figure 1 A single master switch Sw1 and a single network switch controller SWC1 are shown. In one non-limiting embodiment, the master node 10 further comprises a rewritable programmable memory Mem, also referred to as memory Mem.

[0112] like Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, each secondary node 11 (regardless of whether it is a terminal node or not) comprises:

[0113] - a sub-electronic control unit ECU2, also referred to as sub-control unit ECU2 or sub-unit ECU2, and

[0114] - A network controller NC2 which is the physical, electrical and protocol interface between said at least one sub-network Nw and said secondary control unit ECU2.

[0115] The various elements of the primary node 10 and the secondary node 11 are described in detail below.

[0116] The master node 10 is configured to be connected to at least one wired sub-network Nw.

[0117] A connection to the wired sub-network Nw allows messages to propagate on said wired sub-network Nw via the master node 10. A disconnection prevents messages from circulating via said master node 10.

[0118] exist Figure 3 In a non-limiting embodiment shown, the connection is not permanent but is implemented via two main switches Sw11 , Sw12 .

[0119] Therefore, if Figure 1 As shown, the main switch Sw1 is configured as follows:

[0120] - Using a secondary location p12, where the master node 10 is connected to a wired sub-network Nw (e.g. Figure 1 The function f12(Sw1,p12,10,Nw) shown,

[0121] - adopting the master position p11, in which the master node 10 is connected to the master resistor R1 (eg Figure 1 Function f13(Sw1, p11, 10, R1) shown.

[0122] In this case, the main electronic control unit ECU1 is configured to command two main switches Sw11, Sw12, namely:

[0123] - a first master switch Sw11 in order to adopt a secondary position p12 during a learning phase ph0, wherein the master node 10 is connected to one Nw( Figure 1 The function f1(ECU1,Sw11,p12,Nw) shown in

[0124] - a second master switch Sw12 in order to adopt a master position p11 during the learning phase ph0, wherein the wired sub-network Nw is connected to the master resistor R1 ( Figure 1 The function f2(ECU1,Sw12,p11,R1) shown in FIG.

[0125] The learning phase ph0 makes it possible to retrieve the unique identifier Id of each secondary node 11 and thus locate them by identifying them relative to their position Pos. In one non-limiting embodiment, the learning phase ph0 is triggered in the factory by a tool external to the positioning device 1. This will be explained in detail in the following description.

[0126] In the remaining description, the first main switch Sw11 is referred to as the main switch Sw11 , and the second main switch Sw12 is referred to as the main switch Sw12 .

[0127] When the connection is not permanent, Figure 6 In a non-limiting embodiment shown, the master node 10 and the secondary node 11 are connected together through at least two wired sub-networks Nw1, Nw2. The two wired sub-networks Nw1, Nw2 with the master node 10 and the secondary node 11 form a vehicle network Nv, and each wired sub-network Nw1, Nw2 connects one or more secondary nodes 11 in series to the master node 10. The wired sub-network Nw1 is also referred to as the first wired sub-network Nw1. The wired sub-network Nw2 is also referred to as the second wired sub-network Nw2.

[0128] Therefore, in Figure 6 In the non-limiting example of , there are six secondary nodes 112 to 117 distributed over two wired sub-networks Nw1 and Nw2:

[0129] - the wired sub-network Nw1 includes secondary nodes 112 to 114, the secondary node 112 is located at the end of the wired sub-network Nw1, the secondary node 114 is directly connected to the primary node 10, and

[0130] The wired sub-network Nw2 includes secondary nodes 115 to 117 , the secondary node 117 is located at the end of the wired sub-network Nw2 , and the secondary node 115 is directly connected to the primary node 10 .

[0131] In this case, the main electronic control unit ECU1 is configured to command:

[0132] - a first master switch Sw11 in order to adopt a secondary position p12 during the learning phase ph0, in which the master node 10 is connected to the first wired sub-network Nw1 (function f1 above), and to adopt a primary position p11 in which the second wired sub-network Nw2 is connected to a second primary resistor R12 ( Figure 1 In the main position p11, the first main switch Sw11 is disconnected from the first wired sub-network Nw1.

[0133] - a second master switch Sw12 in order to adopt a secondary position p12 during the learning phase ph0, wherein the master node 10 is connected to the second wired sub-network Nw2 ( Figure 1 The function f4 (ECU1, Sw12, p12, Nw2) shown in FIG. 1 is used, and the main position p11 is adopted, wherein the first wired sub-network Nw1 is connected to the first main resistor R11 (the above function f2). In this main position p11, the second main switch Sw12 is disconnected from the second wired sub-network Nw2.

[0134] In the remaining description, the first main resistor R11 is referred to as the main resistor R11. The second main resistor R12 is also referred to as the main resistor R12.

[0135] Thus, in the case of two sub-networks Nw1 , Nw2 , the locating device 1 comprises two main resistors R11 , R12 .

[0136] It should be noted that disconnection means that the main switch Sw1 has cut off the electrical signal carrying the message on the wired sub-network Nw.

[0137] In the learning phase ph0, it should be noted that when the main electronic control unit ECU1 commands the first main switch Sw11 to enter its secondary position p12, it simultaneously commands the second main switch Sw12 to enter its primary position 11. Conversely, when the main electronic control unit ECU1 commands the second main switch Sw12 to enter its secondary position p12, it simultaneously commands the first main switch Sw11 to enter its primary position 11.

[0138] Therefore, if Figure 7As shown, when the main switch Sw11 is in its secondary position p12, the main switch Sw12 is in its primary position p11. In this case, the main node 10 is connected to the wired sub-network Nw1. It can communicate with the secondary nodes 112 to 114 of the wired sub-network Nw1. In other words, its main electronic control unit ECU1 is connected to the wired sub-network Nw1 and can communicate with the secondary electronic control unit ECU2 of the secondary nodes 112 to 114. In addition, the wired sub-network Nw1 is connected to the first main resistor R11. This makes it possible to balance the wired sub-network Nw1 at the value of the first main resistor R11. In addition, the main node 10 is disconnected from the wired sub-network Nw2. It cannot communicate with the secondary nodes 115 to 117 of the wired sub-network Nw2. In other words, its main electronic control unit ECU1 is disconnected from the wired sub-network Nw2 and cannot communicate with the secondary electronic control unit ECU2 of the secondary nodes 115 to 117.

[0139] like Fig. 9 As shown, when the main switch Sw12 is in its secondary position p12, the main switch Sw11 is in its primary position p11. In this case, the main node 10 is connected to the wired sub-network Nw2. It can communicate with the secondary nodes 115 to 117 of the wired sub-network Nw2. In other words, its main electronic control unit ECU1 is connected to the wired sub-network Nw2 and can communicate with the secondary electronic control unit ECU2 of the secondary nodes 115 to 117. In addition, the wired sub-network Nw2 is connected to the second main resistor R12. This makes it possible to balance the wired sub-network Nw2 at the value of the second main resistor R12. In addition, the main node 10 is disconnected from the wired sub-network Nw1. It cannot communicate with the secondary nodes 112 to 114 of the wired sub-network Nw1. In other words, its main electronic control unit ECU1 is disconnected from the wired sub-network Nw1 and cannot communicate with the secondary electronic control unit ECU2 of the secondary nodes 112 to 114.

[0140] It should be noted that the same principle applies to N sub-networks Nw, in which case the positioning device 1 comprises:

[0141] - N master switches Sw1, each associated with a sub-network Nw and configured to connect the master node 10 to the corresponding sub-network Nw, in particular during the learning phase ph0,

[0142] - N main resistors R1 for balancing each of the N sub-networks Nw.

[0143] like Figure 1 As shown, during the learning phase ph0, the main electronic control unit ECU1 is also configured to:

[0144] - Activate the power supply 21 to the subnetwork NW ( Figure 1, and deactivates the power supply 21 to the other subnetwork Nw ( Figure 1 The function f5'(ECU1,Nw,OFF) shown in

[0145] - receiving a presence message msg3 from said secondary node 11, said presence message msg3 comprising a unique identifier Id associated with each secondary node 11 ( Figure 1 The function f6(ECU1,11,msg3(Id)) shown in FIG.

[0146] Activation is understood to mean that the master node 10 (via its master electronic control unit ECU1) is configured to independently activate the power supply 21 to each sub-network Nw. Likewise, deactivation is understood to mean that the master node 10 (via its master electronic control unit ECU1) is configured to independently deactivate the power supply 21 to each sub-network Nw. Reference will be made to the activation of the power supply 21 of a sub-network Nw and to the activation of a sub-network Nw. In the same way, reference will be made to the deactivation of the power supply 21 of a sub-network Nw and to the deactivation of a sub-network Nw.

[0147] It should be noted that there is a message msg3 which is either a broadcast message, i.e. addressed to any node on the subnetwork Nw, or a dedicated message addressed directly to the master node 10, which therefore includes the unique identifier of said master node 10. Therefore, either the secondary nodes 11 do not know the unique identifier Id of said master node 10, or they know it.

[0148] It should be noted that for good communication between the various nodes of the vehicle network Nv (the primary node 10 and the secondary nodes 11), a good electrical balance of the vehicle network Nv is necessary. In fact, the wired sub-network Nw of the vehicle network Nv has a very long wire length. If it is desired to optimize the communication between the various nodes 10 and 11, each wired sub-network Nw must be balanced, otherwise there is a risk of degradation of the communication between the various nodes 10 and 11. If the wired sub-network Nw is unbalanced, this will lead to the risk of signal attenuation when transmitting the unique identifier Id. Therefore, the primary node 10 runs the risk of not being able to correctly receive the presence message msg3 and its content, in particular including the unique identifier Id, especially if the latter originates from the secondary node 11 of the wired sub-network Nw that is farthest from the primary node 10. In fact, in order to send its unique identifier Id, the presence message msg3 sent by the secondary node 11 must pass through the wired sub-network Nw and all other secondary nodes 11 located between itself and the primary node 10.

[0149] In order to balance the wired sub-network Nw, the amplitude of the electrical signal carrying the presence message msg3 must be consistent along the wired sub-network Nw. The wired sub-network Nw must be loaded in the same way. This means that its left and right sides must have the same impedance. This enables robust communication between the various nodes 10 and 11 of the wired sub-network Nw. The wired sub-network Nw is balanced by a primary resistor R1 on one side of the wired sub-network Nw and a secondary resistor R2 on the other side of the wired sub-network Nw.

[0150] To this end, in one non-limiting embodiment, the master node 10 also comprises at least one master resistor R1 for balancing the wired sub-network Nw.

[0151] Therefore, in Figure 6 In the non-limiting embodiment shown, the secondary nodes 11 are distributed over two wired sub-networks Nw1, Nw2, and the primary node 10 comprises two primary switches Sw1, Sw2, each connected to the wired sub-networks Nw1, Nw2, such as Figure 3 As shown, the master node 10 comprises two main resistors R11, R12, each associated with one of the two wired sub-networks Nw1, Nw2, wherein one R11 is connected to the first wired sub-network Nw1 when the second master switch Sw12 is in its primary position p11, and the other R12 is connected to the second wired sub-network Nw2 when the first master switch Sw12 is in its primary position p11. Therefore, the main resistor R11 makes it possible to balance the first wired sub-network Nw1, and the main resistor R12 makes it possible to balance the second wired sub-network Nw2.

[0152] It should be noted that the same principle applies to N sub-networks Nw, in which case the positioning device 1 comprises N main resistors R1 , each associated with a sub-network Nw.

[0153] like Figure 1 As shown, the secondary electronic control unit ECU2 is configured during the learning phase ph0 as follows:

[0154] - Sending a presence message msg3 including a unique identifier Id to the master node 10 ( Figure 1 The function f11(ECU2,10,msg3(Id))) shown in FIG.

[0155] It should be noted that presence messages msg3 are sent in a ring by each secondary node 11 of the sub-network Nw as soon as said sub-network Nw is activated.

[0156] The main electronic control unit ECU1 is also configured to:

[0157] - The terminal secondary node 11 (of the sub-network Nw) is identified by the field b1 of its unique identifier Id (function f6'(ECU1, 11, Id(b1)), the field b1 indicating that the terminal secondary node 11 carries a secondary resistor R2 (described below). Therefore, by the presence of the message msg3, the terminal secondary node 11 can be directly identified by the master node 10 using the field b1 of its unique identifier Id.

[0158] In order to balance the vehicle network Nv, in a non-limiting embodiment, the terminal secondary node 11 of the sub-network Nw further includes a secondary resistor R2, also called an internal resistor R2, such as Figure 5 It should be noted that Figure 4 As shown, the other secondary nodes 11 do not have a secondary resistor R2. The field b1 of the unique identifier Id thus indicates whether the secondary node 11 carries a secondary resistor R2. This is therefore a simple solution for the master node 10 to identify whether a secondary node 11 is a terminal secondary node 11. Thus, when the master node 10 is connected to the subnetwork Nw, the latter is connected to the secondary resistor R2 of the terminal secondary node 11. The connection to the secondary resistor R2 makes it possible to balance the subnetwork Nw on its side.

[0159] exist Figure 6 In the non-limiting example of , the terminal secondary node 112 of the wired sub-network Nw1 therefore comprises a secondary resistor R2 and the terminal secondary node 117 of the wired sub-network Nw2 also comprises a secondary resistor R2.

[0160] Thus, the wired sub-network Nw is loaded in the same way on each of its sides, and therefore at each of its ends, by means of the primary resistor R1 of the primary node 10 and the secondary resistor R2 of the terminal secondary node 11 .

[0161] In a non-limiting embodiment, the primary resistor R1 and the secondary resistor R2 have the same value. Their values ​​are fixed and depend on the type of wired sub-network Nw implemented. In a non-limiting example, for a CAN wired sub-network Nw, their values ​​are substantially equal to 120Ω (ohms). The primary resistor R1 and the secondary resistor R2 are balancing resistors. Therefore, when the master node 10 is connected to the wired sub-network Nw via the initial secondary node 11, the primary resistor R1 and the secondary resistor R2 make it possible to balance the wired sub-network Nw.

[0162] The learning phase ph0 makes it possible to retrieve the unique identifier Id of each secondary node 11. In order to know the unique identifier Id of each secondary node 11, the master node 10 is connected to the various secondary nodes 11 of the wired sub-network Nw. The wired sub-network Nw to which the master node 10 is connected is called the current wired sub-network Nw. When there are two wired sub-networks Nw1, Nw2, the master node 10 is connected to only one of the two wired sub-networks Nw1, Nw2 at a time during the learning phase ph0. Therefore, it is disconnected from the other wired sub-network Nw2, Nw1 at the same time. Therefore, it will retrieve the unique identifier Id of the secondary node 11 of the wired sub-network Nw to which it is connected. Then, when it is finished, it disconnects from the wired sub-network Nw and connects to the other wired sub-network Nw in order to retrieve the unique identifier Id of the secondary node 11 of the other wired sub-network Nw. For example, when there are two sub-networks Nw1, Nw2, the master node 10 can first connect to the wired sub-network Nw1 or the wired sub-network Nw2. The wired sub-network Nw1 and the wired sub-network Nw2 are therefore alternately the current wired sub-network Nw.

[0163] Therefore, in one non-limiting embodiment, during the learning phase ph0, the master node 10 is configured to command a single master switch Sw1, Sw2 to enter the secondary position p12 so as to connect the main electronic control unit ECU1 to the corresponding wired sub-network Nw1, Nw2, and to command another master switch Sw2, Sw1 to enter the main position p11 so as to disconnect the main electronic control unit ECU1 from the corresponding other wired sub-network Nw2, Nw1, as described above.

[0164] This learning phase ph0 is only performed once when the positioning device 1 is installed in the motor vehicle 2 in the factory where it is assembled, or for example once when a primary node 10 or a secondary node 11 is repaired or replaced in a motor vehicle workshop.

[0165] The master node 10 will be connected to the secondary nodes 11 of the wired sub-network Nw by connecting directly to the initial secondary node 11, since all secondary nodes 11 are connected in series.

[0166] Therefore, in Figure 6 In the non-limiting example shown, in the case where six secondary nodes 112 to 117 are distributed over two wired sub-networks Nw1 and Nw2, in order to connect to and disconnect from the wired sub-network Nw1, as shown in FIG. Figure 7 As shown, the master node 10 commands the master switch Sw11 to enter its secondary position p12, and commands the master switch Sw12 to enter its primary position p11. In this case, the first master resistor R11 is connected to the wired sub-network Nw1, so that the wired sub-network Nw1 can be balanced.

[0167] like Figure 8 As shown, the master node 10 will connect with all secondary nodes 11 of the wired sub-network Nw1 by connecting directly to the initial secondary node 11 .

[0168] Thus, the master node 10 is directly connected to the secondary node 114, which is the initial secondary node 11. When the master node 10 is connected to the secondary node 114, the master node 10 is also connected to the subsequent secondary nodes 11, namely the secondary nodes 113 and 112, but indirectly, since they are all connected in series with each other and with the secondary node 114. The master node 10 is able to communicate with this secondary node 114 in order to retrieve its unique identifier Id, and is also able to communicate with the secondary nodes 113 and 112 via a received presence message msg3 including the unique identifier Id. It should be noted that the secondary resistor R2 of the secondary node 112 makes it possible to balance the wired sub-network Nw1 with the primary resistor R11.

[0169] After all the unique identifiers Id have been retrieved from each secondary node 11 of the current wired sub-network Nw, the master node 10 identifies the terminal secondary node 11 as the last one in the wired sub-network Nw by means of the field b1 of its unique identifier Id. By means of the architecture T of the activated sub-network Nw, the master node 10 knows where the terminal secondary node 11 is placed, i.e. where its position Pos is located. Therefore, by retrieving its unique identifier Id, it is now possible to correlate the unique identifier Id with the position Pos of the terminal secondary node 11. Therefore, the master node 10 is configured to locate the terminal secondary node 11 (illustrated function f19 (ECU1, 11, Id, Pos)).

[0170] It should be noted that for the other secondary nodes 11, whether these intermediate secondary nodes 11 or the initial secondary nodes 11, the master node 10 cannot yet locate them despite the fact that it has received their unique identifiers Id, unless of course there is only a single secondary node 11 in the current subnetwork Nw.

[0171] Therefore, in Fig.10 In the non-limiting example of, for the wired sub-network Nw1, the master node recognizes the secondary node 112 as the terminal secondary node 11 and determines its position, i.e. its exact position Pos in the motor vehicle 2. It should be noted that for the other secondary nodes 114 and 113, the master node 10 is not yet able to locate them, despite the fact that it has also received their unique identifiers Id.

[0172] The description of the wired sub-network Nw1 applies to the wired sub-network NW2.

[0173] Therefore, in Figure 6In the non-limiting example shown, in the case where six secondary nodes 112 to 117 are distributed over two wired sub-networks Nw1 and Nw2, in order to connect to and disconnect from the wired sub-network Nw2, as shown in FIG. Fig. 9 As shown, the master node 10 commands the master switch Sw12 to enter its secondary position p12, and commands the master switch Sw11 to enter its primary position p11. In this case, the second master resistor R12 is connected to the wired sub-network Nw2, so that the wired sub-network Nw2 can be balanced.

[0174] like Fig.10 As shown, the master node 10 will connect to all secondary nodes 11 of the wired sub-network Nw2 by connecting directly to the initial secondary node 11.

[0175] Thus, the master node 10 is directly connected to the secondary node 115, which is the initial secondary node 11. When it is connected to the secondary node 115, the master node 10 is also connected to the subsequent secondary nodes 11, namely the nodes 116 and 117, but indirectly, since they are all connected in series with each other and with the secondary node 115. The master node 10 is then able to communicate with this secondary node 115 in order to retrieve its unique identifier Id, and also with the secondary nodes 116 and 117 via the received presence message msg3 including the unique identifier Id. It should be noted that the secondary resistor R2 of the secondary node 117 makes it possible to balance the wired sub-network Nw2 with the primary resistor R12.

[0176] After having retrieved all the unique identifiers Id from each of the secondary nodes 11 of the current wired sub-network Nw2, the master node 10 identifies the terminal secondary node 117 as the last one in the wired sub-network Nw2 by means of the field b1 of its unique identifier Id. By means of the architecture T of the activated sub-network Nw2, it determines the position of the terminal secondary node 117. Therefore, it assigns the identifier Id of the terminal secondary node 11 to the position Pos of the terminal secondary node 11 in the motor vehicle 2. It should be noted that for the other secondary nodes 115 and 116, the master node 10 is not yet able to locate them, despite the fact that it has also received their unique identifiers Id.

[0177] With the terminal secondary node 11 that it has identified and located, the master node 10 will be able to locate other secondary nodes 11 directly or by measuring the distance d between the terminal secondary node 11 and other secondary nodes 11 and comparing the distance d as described below. Therefore, the master electronic control unit ECU1 of the master node 10 is also configured to associate the position Pos with the unique identifier Id of each secondary node 11 ( Figure 1 The function f14(ECU1,11(Id,Pos)) shown in FIG. 14(ECU1,11(Id,Pos)) positions them.

[0178] exist Fig.12 In the first non-limiting embodiment shown, when the vehicle network Nv includes two sub-networks Nw1, Nw2, two secondary nodes 11 (n=2), that is, there is one (m=1) secondary node in each sub-network Nw1, Nw2, the main node 10 directly locates other secondary nodes 11 without comparing the distance d.

[0179] exist Fig.12 In the non-limiting example shown, the two secondary nodes 11 are located inside the motor vehicle 2. Fig.12 In the figure, the two sub-networks Nw1 and Nw2 are represented by dotted lines.

[0180] In the non-limiting example shown:

[0181] - two secondary nodes 11 are labeled 11a and 11b,

[0182] - the secondary node 11b forms part of a first sub-network Nw1 and the secondary node 11a forms part of a second sub-network Nw2,

[0183] - the secondary node 11a is located in the front center of the motor vehicle 2, the secondary node 11b is located in the rear center of the motor vehicle 2, and

[0184] - The terminal secondary node 11 of the first sub-network Nw1 is the secondary node 11b, and the terminal secondary node 11 of the second sub-network Nw2 is the secondary node 11a.

[0185] The master node 10 knows the architecture T of the vehicle network Nv, ie, it knows that there are secondary nodes 11 located in the front and in the back, each distributed in a different sub-network Nw.

[0186] The master node 10 activates the power supply to the first sub-network Nw1 (function f5 described above) so as to be able to locate only the secondary node 11 in the first sub-network Nw1 according to the architecture T of the vehicle network Nv. When the first sub-network Nw1 is powered, the secondary node 11b is able to send its unique identifier Id to the master node 10 (function f11 described above). The master node 10 thus retrieves the unique identifier Id of the secondary node 11b. Based on the unique identifier Id and according to the architecture T of the vehicle network Nv, the master node 10 determines that the secondary node 11b is the terminal secondary node 11 in the first sub-network Nw1 and that it is located in the middle and rear of the motor vehicle 2. It is therefore in position Pos1. The master node 10 has therefore located the secondary node 11b, that is, it has associated its unique identifier Id with its position Pos1.

[0187] The position of the secondary node 11a still needs to be found, here Pos2. In this case, the master node 10 activates the power supply to the second sub-network Nw2 (function f5 above) so as to be able to locate only the secondary node 11 in the second sub-network Nw2 according to the architecture T of the vehicle network Nv.

[0188] In one non-limiting embodiment, the master node 10 deactivates the supply of power to the first sub-network Nw1 (function f5 ′ described above). This makes it possible to reduce the power consumption of the motor vehicle 2 .

[0189] When the second sub-network Nw2 is powered, the secondary node 11a is able to send its unique identifier Id to the master node 10 (function f11 above). The master node 10 thus retrieves the unique identifier Id of the secondary node 11a. Based on said unique identifier Id and according to the architecture T of the vehicle network Nv, the master node 10 determines that said secondary node 11a is a terminal secondary node 11 in the second sub-network Nw2 and that it is located in the middle front of the motor vehicle 2. It is therefore in position Pos2. The master node 10 has thus located the secondary node 11a, that is to say, it has associated its unique identifier Id with its position Pos2.

[0190] The master node 10 has thus discovered which secondary node 11 is located in front of the motor vehicle 2 and which secondary node 11 is located behind. The master node 10 is now able to distinguish between them.

[0191] In a non-limiting embodiment, when the master node 10 has completed the positioning of all the secondary nodes 11 (here 11a and 11b) of the vehicle network Nv, the master node 10 deactivates the power supply 21 to the second sub-network Nw2 (function f5' described above) and, where applicable, deactivates the power supply 21 to the first sub-network Nw1 (if this has not been done before). This makes it possible to reduce the power consumption of the motor vehicle 2. Of course, when the nodes 10 and 11 are to be used during the operation of the motor vehicle 2 (operation phase ph1 described below), the power supply 21 to the first sub-network Nw1 and the power supply to the second sub-network Nw2 are then activated again.

[0192] It should be noted that non-limiting exemplary embodiments have been given for two secondary nodes 11 located inside the motor vehicle 2 , but the same principles apply to two secondary nodes 11 located outside, or one secondary node 11 located inside and another secondary node 11 located outside.

[0193] exist Fig.13In the second non-limiting embodiment shown, when the vehicle network Nv includes two sub-networks Nw1, Nw2 and three secondary nodes 11 (n=3), namely one (m=1) in the sub-network Nw1 and the other two (m=2) in another sub-network Nw2, the main node 10 directly locates the other secondary nodes 11 without comparing the distance d.

[0194] exist Fig.13 In the second non-limiting embodiment shown, the vehicle network Nv includes two sub-networks Nw1 and Nw2 and four nodes, including a primary node 10 and three secondary nodes 11 (n=3), the first sub-network Nw1 includes one secondary node 11 (m=1), and the second sub-network Nw2 includes two secondary nodes 11 (m=2). Fig.13 In the figure, the two sub-networks Nw1 and Nw2 are represented by dotted lines.

[0195] In the non-limiting example shown:

[0196] - three secondary nodes 11 are referenced 11a, 11b and 11c and are located inside the motor vehicle 2,

[0197] - the secondary node 11b forms part of a first sub-network Nw1, while the secondary nodes 11a and 11c form part of a second sub-network Nw2,

[0198] - the secondary node 11a is located in the middle front and inside of the motor vehicle 2, here at position Pos3,

[0199] - the secondary node 11 b is located in the center right and inside of the motor vehicle 2 , here in position Pos1 ,

[0200] - the secondary node 11 c is located at the center left and inside of the motor vehicle 2 , here at position Pos2 , and

[0201] - the terminal secondary node 11 of the first sub-network Nw1 is the secondary node 11b,

[0202] - The terminal secondary node 11 of the second sub-network Nw2 is the secondary node 11a.

[0203] In one non-limiting embodiment, the terminal secondary node 11b is defined such that it is located at different distances from the other secondary nodes 11 of the other sub-network Nw2. In another non-limiting embodiment, it is located at an equidistant distance.

[0204] According to this second non-limiting embodiment, in a non-limiting embodiment, when n=3, and for at least one of the two sub-networks Nw1, Nw2, m=1, the master node 10:

[0205] - activating the power supply to said sub-network Nw1 with m=1, so as to be able to identify the terminal secondary node 11 and locate it,

[0206] After locating the terminal secondary node 11 in the sub-network Nw1 , the power supply 21 to the other sub-network Nw2 is activated so as to be able to identify the terminal secondary node 11 in the other sub-network Nw2 and locate it.

[0207] According to the architecture T of the vehicle network Nv, after receiving the unique identifier Id of each secondary node 11, the master node 10 is able to associate the unique identifier Id of the terminal secondary nodes 11b and 11a with the position Pos in the vehicle network Nv, because the terminal nodes 11b and 11a have been identified by the field b1. It thus locates them. In fact, it knows that the terminal secondary node 11 of the first sub-network Nw1 is located in the middle right and inside of the motor vehicle 2, and the terminal secondary node 11 of the second sub-network Nw2 is located in the middle front and inside of the motor vehicle 2. Therefore, the master node 10 determines that the terminal secondary node 11b is a node located in the middle right of the motor vehicle 2, that is, at the position Pos1, and the terminal secondary node 11a is a node located in the middle front of the motor vehicle 2, that is, at the position Pos3. Therefore, the master node 10 has located the secondary node 11a, that is, it has associated its unique identifier Id with its position Pos3, and has located the secondary node 11b, that is, it has associated its unique identifier Id with its position Pos1.

[0208] After locating the two terminal secondary nodes 11b and 11a, the master node 10 is then able to associate the unique identifier Id of the last secondary node 11c with its position Pos in the vehicle network Nv, according to the architecture T of the vehicle network Nv. Using the architecture T, the master node 10 knows that there is a secondary node 11 located center left and inside the motor vehicle 2, which is not the terminal secondary node 11. The master node 10 therefore determines that the secondary node 11c is a node located center left, that is, at position Pos2.

[0209] In a non-limiting embodiment, when all the secondary nodes 11 of the vehicle network Nv have been located, the master node 10 deactivates the power supply 21 to the first sub-network Nw1 and deactivates the power supply 21 to the second sub-network Nw2 (function f5' described above). This makes it possible to reduce the power consumption of the motor vehicle 2. Of course, when the nodes 10 and 11 are to be used during the operation of the motor vehicle 2 (operation phase ph1 described below), the power supply 21 to the first sub-network Nw1 and the power supply to the second sub-network Nw2 are then activated again.

[0210] It should be noted that a non-limiting exemplary embodiment has been given for three secondary nodes 11 located inside the motor vehicle 2 , but the same principles apply to three secondary nodes 11 located outside, or to any other combination of internal or external nodes.

[0211] exist Fig.14 In the third non-limiting embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, when the vehicle network Nv includes two sub-networks Nw1, Nw2 and more than three secondary nodes 11 (n>3), the master node 10 locates other secondary nodes 11 (i.e., those secondary nodes different from the terminal secondary node 11) by comparing the distance d.

[0212] Therefore, the main electronic control unit ECU1 is also configured to:

[0213] - Sending a command c1 to said terminal secondary node 11 causing it to perform a measurement of the distance d between itself and at least one of the two other secondary nodes 11 of one of the sub-networks Nw ( Figure 1 The function f7(ECU1,11,c1,d) shown in

[0214] - receiving the distance d( Figure 1 The function f8(ECU1,11,d) shown above and comparing them with each other ( Figure 1 The function f9(ECU1,d) shown,

[0215] - Determine the location of the other secondary nodes 11 of at least one of the two sub-networks according to the architecture T of the activated sub-network Nw and the comparison result ( Figure 1 The function f10(ECU1,11,Id,Pos) is shown.

[0216] Positioning is understood as associating the unique identifier Id with a position Pos in the motor vehicle 2. It should be noted that the comparison step may comprise one or more comparisons.

[0217] It should be noted that the primary node 10 is able to send this command c1 to the terminal secondary node 11 because it knows the unique identifier Id of said terminal secondary node 11 .

[0218] The master node 10 is configured to know the architecture T of the vehicle network Nv, that is, it knows:

[0219] - the number of secondary nodes 11 in each sub-network Nw,

[0220] - The position Pos that the secondary node 11 can occupy in each sub-network Nw.

[0221] However, knowing the architecture T does not imply identifying the secondary node 11, whether a terminal secondary node 11 or any other secondary node 11. Therefore, the master node 10 does not initially know the exact position Pos occupied by a particular secondary node 11 in the sub-network Nw.

[0222] like Figure 1 As shown, if n>3, the at least one terminal secondary node 11, in particular the secondary electronic control unit ECU2, is configured as follows:

[0223] - receiving said command c1 from said primary node 10 so that it performs a measurement of the distance d between itself and at least two other secondary nodes 11 of one of the sub-networks Nw (illustrated function f12 (10, c1, d, Nw)),

[0224] - performs said measurement of the distance d between itself and the other secondary nodes 11 (illustrated function f13 (11, d, Nw)),

[0225] - sending said measurement of distance d back to said master node 10 , in particular the master electronic control unit ECU1 (illustrated function f14 ( 11 , 10 , d, Nw)).

[0226] It should be noted that a terminal secondary node 11 is thus able to perform measurements of distance d between itself and other secondary nodes 11 of the sub-network Nw to which it belongs, or between itself and other secondary nodes 11 of another sub-network Nw to which it does not belong.

[0227] Therefore, when the master node 10 receives the distances d, it compares them with each other. The number of comparisons depends on the number of secondary nodes 11 and the number of sub-networks Nw in the vehicle network Nv.

[0228] Therefore, the following is based on Fig.14 A third non-limiting embodiment of a vehicle network Nv is shown to explain the comparison.

[0229] exist Fig.14 In the third non-limiting embodiment shown, the vehicle network Nv includes seven nodes, namely a primary node 10 and six secondary nodes 11 (n=6), the first sub-network Nw1 includes three secondary nodes 11 (m=3), and the second sub-network Nw2 also includes three secondary nodes 11 (m=3). Fig.14 In the figure, the two sub-networks Nw1 and Nw2 are represented by dotted lines.

[0230] In the non-limiting example shown:

[0231] - the six secondary nodes 11 are labeled 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e and 11f,

[0232] - the secondary nodes 11b, 11e and 11f form part of a first sub-network Nw1 and the secondary nodes 11a, 11c, 11d form part of a second sub-network Nw2,

[0233] - the secondary node 11a is located in the middle front and inside of the motor vehicle 2, here at position Pos2,

[0234] - the secondary node 11 b is located at the rear center and inside the motor vehicle 2 , here at position Pos1 ,

[0235] - the secondary node 11 c is located at the right front and outside of the motor vehicle 2 , here at position Pos5 ,

[0236] - the secondary node 11 d is located at the right rear and outside of the motor vehicle 2 , here at position Pos6 ,

[0237] - the secondary node 11 e is located at the left rear and outside of the motor vehicle 2 , here at position Pos3 ,

[0238] The secondary node 11 f is located at the left front and outside of the motor vehicle 2 , here at position Pos4 .

[0239] According to this third non-limiting embodiment, there are two terminal secondary nodes 11, one each located in the subnetworks Nw1, Nw2 and inside the motor vehicle 2. In the non-limiting example shown, the terminal secondary node 11b is located in the first subnetwork Nw1 and the terminal secondary node 11a is located in the second subnetwork Nw2.

[0240] A terminal secondary node 11 is located inside the motor vehicle 2, unlike other secondary nodes 11 of the same sub-network Nw, which are located outside, and vice versa: a terminal secondary node 11 is located outside the motor vehicle 2, unlike other secondary nodes 11 of the same sub-network Nw, which are located inside. Thus, in the non-limiting example given, the master node 10 knows via the architecture T of the vehicle network Nv that there is a secondary node 11 inside the sub-network Nw as a terminal secondary node 11, and that the other secondary nodes 11 are located outside said sub-network Nw. It should be noted that the terminal secondary node 11 is defined so that it is located at a different distance from the other secondary nodes 11 of the sub-network Nw to which it belongs.

[0241] The terminal secondary node 11b is thus defined so that it is located at a different distance d from the other secondary nodes 11 of the first sub-network Nw1. Therefore, the distance of the secondary node 11b from the secondary node 11e is different from its distance from the secondary node 11f. This will make it possible to distinguish between the secondary node 11e and the secondary node 11f.

[0242] Similarly, the reference secondary node 11a is defined so that it is located at a different distance d from the other secondary nodes 11 of the second sub-network Nw2. Therefore, the distance of the secondary node 11a from the secondary node 11c is different from its distance from the secondary node 11d. This will make it possible to distinguish between the secondary node 11c and the secondary node 11d.

[0243] In a non-limiting embodiment, when n=6, and if for each sub-network Nw, m=3, the master node 10:

[0244] - Activating the power supply of the sub-network Nw so as to be able to identify and locate its terminal secondary nodes 11, sending said command c1, receiving said distances d and comparing them, and locating the other secondary nodes 11 in said sub-network Nw according to the architecture T of the vehicle network Nv and said comparison.

[0245] In a non-limiting embodiment, when n=6, and m=3 for each sub-network Nw, the terminal secondary node 11 of the sub-network Nw performs a measurement of the distance d between itself and the other secondary nodes 11 of the sub-network Nw to which it belongs.

[0246] As described above, when the master node 10 activates the power supply 21 to the first sub-network Nw1 , it retrieves the identifier Id of the secondary node 11 in the first sub-network Nw1 . It is also conceivable to temporarily deactivate the power supply 21 to the second sub-network Nw2 .

[0247] As described above, based on the unique identifier Id (in particular its field b1) and according to the architecture T of the vehicle network Nv, the master node 10 has located the terminal secondary node 11b, that is, it has associated its unique identifier Id with the position Pos (here Pos1, here middle and rear) in the motor vehicle 2, because it knows that it is inside the motor vehicle 2, while the other secondary nodes 11 of the subnetwork Nw1 are outside.

[0248] When receiving the command c1 sent by the master node 10 to perform the measurement of the distance d, the terminal secondary node 11b performs the measurement of the distance d between itself and the other secondary nodes 11 (here 11e and 11f) of the first subnetwork Nw1, and sends back two distances d to the master node 10, marked as Rbe and Rbf, which are the distance between itself and the secondary node 11e and the distance between itself and the secondary node 11f, respectively.

[0249] When receiving the distances Rbe and Rbf, the master node 10 compares them with each other. It can be seen that Rbf is greater than Rbe.

[0250] According to the architecture T of the vehicle network Nv and the comparison, the master node 10 is able to associate the unique identifiers Id of the secondary nodes 11e and 11f with the positions Pos in the vehicle network Nv. In fact, it knows that in the first sub-network Nw1, there is a secondary node 11 located at the left front and farther away from the terminal secondary node 11b located at the middle rear, while the other secondary node is located at the left rear and closer to the terminal secondary node 11b located at the middle rear. Since Rbf>Rbe, the master node 10 determines that the secondary node 11e is a node located at the left rear of the motor vehicle 2, which is the position Pos3, and the secondary node 11f is a node located at the left front, which is the position Pos4. It therefore locates the secondary nodes 11e and 11f of the first sub-network Nw1, that is, it therefore associates the unique identifiers Id of the secondary nodes 11e and 11f with the positions Pos3 and Pos4, respectively.

[0251] When the master node 10 has finished locating the secondary node 11 of the first sub-network Nw1, it does exactly the same thing for the second sub-network Nw2.

[0252] To do this, master node 10:

[0253] - Deactivating the power supply 21 to the first subnetwork Nw1 (function f5′ described above). Deactivating the power supply 21 to the first subnetwork Nw1 makes it possible to reduce the power consumption of the motor vehicle 2. It should be noted that the step of deactivating the power supply 21 to the first subnetwork Nw1 is optional and

[0254] - Activating the power supply 21 of the second sub-network Nw2 (function f5 described above), so that the secondary nodes 11 of the second sub-network Nw2 can be taken into account.

[0255] By activating the power supply 21 , the master node 10 retrieves the identifier Id of the secondary node 11 in the second sub-network Nw2 .

[0256] As described above, based on the unique identifier Id (particularly field b1) and according to the architecture T of the vehicle network Nv, the master node 10 has located the terminal secondary node 11a, i.e. it has associated its unique identifier Id with the position Pos (here Pos2, here center-front) in the motor vehicle 2, because it knows that it is inside the motor vehicle 2, while the other secondary nodes 11 of the subnetwork Nw2 are outside.

[0257] When receiving the command c1 sent by the master node 10 to perform the measurement of the distance d, the terminal secondary node 11a performs the measurement of the distance d between itself and the other secondary nodes 11 (here 11c and 11d) of the second subnetwork Nw2, and sends back two distances d to the master node 10, marked as Rac and Rad, which are the distance between itself and the secondary node 11c and the distance between itself and the secondary node 11d, respectively.

[0258] When receiving the distances Rac and Rad, the master node 10 compares them with each other. It can be seen that Rad is greater than Rac.

[0259] According to the architecture T of the vehicle network Nv and the comparison, the master node 10 is able to associate the unique network identifiers Id of the secondary nodes 11c and 11d with the positions Pos in the vehicle network Nv. In fact, it knows that in the second sub-network Nw2, there is a secondary node 11 located in the right front and closer to the terminal secondary node 11a located in the middle front, while the other secondary node is located in the right rear and farther away from the terminal secondary node 11a located in the middle front. Since Rad>Rac, the master node 10 determines that the secondary node 11c is a node located in the right front of the motor vehicle 2, which is the position Pos5, and the secondary node 11d is a node located in the right rear, which is the position Pos6. Therefore, it locates the secondary nodes 11c and 11d of the second sub-network Nw2, that is, it therefore associates the unique identifiers Id of the secondary nodes 11c and 11d with the positions Pos5 and Pos6, respectively.

[0260] When the master node 10 has completed the positioning of all the secondary nodes 11 of the vehicle network Nv, in a non-limiting embodiment, the master node 10 deactivates the power supply 21 to the first sub-network Nw1 (if it has not done so beforehand), and deactivates the power supply 21 to the second sub-network Nw2. This makes it possible to reduce the power consumption of the motor vehicle 2. Of course, when the nodes 10 and 11 are to be used during the operation of the motor vehicle 2 (operation phase ph1 described below), the power supply 21 to the first sub-network Nw1 and the power supply to the second sub-network Nw2 are then activated again.

[0261] It should be noted that a non-limiting exemplary embodiment has been given for three sub-nodes 11 of a sub-network Nw, wherein the terminal sub-node 11 is located inside the motor vehicle 2 and the other two sub-nodes 11 are located outside, but the same principle applies to three sub-nodes 11 of a sub-network Nw, wherein the terminal sub-node 11 is located outside the motor vehicle 2 and the other two sub-nodes 11 are located inside. This makes it possible to distinguish one sub-node 11 from the other sub-nodes 11, so that it acts as a terminal sub-node 11. It should be noted that in another non-limiting embodiment, one terminal sub-node of a sub-network Nw may be located inside (and the other terminal sub-nodes of that sub-network Nw are located outside), while the terminal sub-nodes of another sub-network are located outside (and the other terminal sub-nodes of that other sub-network Nw are located inside).

[0262] The learning phase ph0 then ends when the master node 10 has retrieved the unique identifiers Id of all the secondary nodes 11 located on the entire vehicle network Nv and has associated their positions Pos therewith. When the learning phase ph0 has ended, the positioning device 1 can then operate in a phase known as the operating phase ph1, in which the master node 10 communicates with all the secondary nodes 11 of the vehicle network Nv, i.e. with all the secondary nodes 11 of at least two wired sub-networks Nw. In a non-limiting embodiment, the operating phase ph1 is triggered in the factory when the learning phase ph0 has ended. In a non-limiting embodiment, this operating phase ph1 is automatically activated by the main electronic control unit ECU1 of the master node 10 when the learning phase ph0 has ended. In the operating phase ph1, the master node 10 locates the hands-free access device 3 with the help of the secondary nodes 11.

[0263] To activate the operation phase ph1, the master node 10 is configured to command all the master switches Sw1 to enter their secondary positions p12 in order to connect the master node 10 to all the corresponding wired sub-networks Nw ( Figure 1 Thus, in the non-limiting example of six secondary nodes 112 to 117 distributed over two wired sub-networks Nw1, Nw2, as shown in FIG. Fig.11 As shown, the two main switches Sw11 and Sw12 are in their secondary position p12. The master node 10 is therefore connected to the two wired sub-networks Nw1 and Nw2. In other words, the master node 10 is connected to the secondary nodes 112 to 114 of the wired sub-network Nw1, and to the secondary nodes 115 to 117 of the wired sub-network Nw2. It is able to communicate with all the secondary nodes 112 to 117 of the vehicle network Nv. Therefore, the master node 10 can ask the secondary node 11 to measure the distance d0 between the secondary node 11 and the hands-free access device 3, retrieve them, and calculate the position Pos0 of the hands-free access device 3 based on the distance measurement.

[0264] Therefore, in one non-limiting embodiment, the main electronic control unit ECU1 is further configured to:

[0265] - Send a distance measurement d0 request msg4 to the secondary node 11 ( Figure 1 The function f17(ECU1,11,msg4(d0))) shown in

[0266] - Based on a plurality of distance measurements d0 from the hands-free access device 3 to the secondary node 11 ( Figure 1 The function f18 (ECU1, 11, d0, Pos0) shown in FIG. 2 measures the position Pos0 of the hands-free access device 3 relative to the motor vehicle 2. Since such position measurement is known to a person skilled in the art, it will not be described here.

[0267] Depending on the position of the hands-free access device 3 around the motor vehicle 2 , the main electronic control unit ECU1 authorizes or does not authorize the PEPS function or any other of the above-mentioned hands-free functions F.

[0268] Therefore, the positioning device 1 is configured to implement a positioning method 5 according to a non-limiting embodiment, or referred to as positioning method 5. The positioning method 5 comprises a learning phase ph0 and an operating phase ph1.

[0269] According to one non-limiting embodiment, referring to Fig.15 and 16 A positioning method 5 is described. According to the non-limiting embodiment shown, there are two sub-networks Nw1, Nw2. Fig.14 The vehicle network Nv of is given as a non-limiting example. The sub-networks Nw1, Nw2 thus each include nodes 11b, 11e, 11f and nodes 11a, 11c and 11d. The sub-nodes 11a and 11b are the terminal sub-nodes of the sub-networks Nw1 and Nw2, respectively. In the non-limiting example, they are located inside, while the other sub-nodes 11 are located outside the motor vehicle 2.

[0270] Initially, the master switches Sw11 , Sw12 of the master node 10 are located in the master position p11 : the master node 10 is not connected to any wired sub-network Nw1 , Nw2 .

[0271] According to this non-limiting embodiment, the master node 10 is first connected to the sub-network Nw1. Therefore, Nw=Nw1, and Nw′=Nw2, where Nw is the current sub-network. It should be noted that the choice of first connecting to the sub-network Nw1 is random. In a non-limiting embodiment, the choice is configured in the main electronic control unit ECU1 of the master node 10.

[0272] Therefore, if Fig.15 and 16 As shown, if there are two wired sub-networks Nw1, Nw2 during the learning phase ph0, the following steps are performed.

[0273] exist Fig.15 In step E1, ie, F1 (ECU1, Nw, ON) shown in the figure, the main electronic control unit ECU1 of the master node 10 activates the power supply to the sub-network Nw1. In a non-limiting embodiment, Fig.15 In step E1', that is, F1' (ECU1, Nw', OFF) shown in the figure, if the sub-network Nw2 is activated in advance, it deactivates the power supply to the sub-network Nw2. In addition, the main electronic control unit ECU1 switches the main switch Sw11 to the secondary position p12 so as to connect the master node 10 to the wired sub-network Nw1 (at Fig.15At the same time, the main control unit ECU1 switches the main switch Sw12 to the main position p11 to disconnect the master node 10 from the wired sub-network Nw2 and connect the wired sub-network Nw1 to the main resistor R11 (at Fig.15 It should be noted that in a non-limiting embodiment, steps E1 and E1' are performed in parallel.

[0274] exist Fig.15 In step E2, illustrated as F2 (ECU2, 10, msg3 (Id)), the secondary electronic control unit ECU2 of each secondary node 11 of the subnetwork Nw1 sends a presence message msg3 including its unique identifier Id. Thus, the secondary nodes 11b, 11e and 11f send their unique identifiers Id.

[0275] exist Fig.15 In step E3, F3 (ECU1, 11, msg3 (Id)) in the diagram, the main electronic control unit ECU1 of the master node 10 receives the presence message msg3, and in step E4, F4 (ECU1, Mem, Id) in the diagram, the unique identifier Id of the secondary nodes 11b, 11e and 11f is stored in its memory Mem. In a non-limiting embodiment, the main control unit ECU1 waits for the presence message msg3 for a waiting time equal to 250ms in a non-limiting example.

[0276] exist Fig.15 In step E5, ie, F5 (ECU1, 11, Id (b1)) in the diagram, the main electronic control unit ECU1 of the main node 10 identifies the terminal secondary node 11 of the sub-network Nw1 by the field b1 of its unique identifier Id. That is, in the non-limiting example given, it identifies the secondary node 11b as the terminal secondary node, here located inside the motor vehicle 2.

[0277] exist Fig.15 In step E6, namely F6 (ECU1, 10, Id, Pos) shown in the figure, the main electronic control unit ECU1 of the main node 10 locates the terminal sub-node 11b in the activated sub-network Nw through the architecture T of the activated sub-network Nw1, and the architecture T indicates that the terminal sub-node 11 is the sub-node 11 located inside, while the other two sub-nodes 11 are located outside.

[0278] exist Fig.15In step E7, i.e., F7 (ECU1, 11, c1, d, Nw) shown in the figure, if n>3 (branch A), the main electronic control unit ECU1 sends a command c1 to the secondary electronic control unit ECU2 of the terminal secondary node 11b, so that it performs measurement of the distance d between itself and other secondary nodes 11 (i.e., 11e and 11f) of the subnetwork Nw1.

[0279] exist Fig.15 In step E8, ie, F8 (ECU2, 10, c1, d, Nw) shown in the figure, the secondary electronic control unit ECU 2 of the terminal secondary node 11b receives the command c1.

[0280] exist Fig.15 In step E9, ie, F9 (ECU2, d, Nw) in the diagram, the secondary electronic control unit ECU2 of the terminal secondary node 11b performs the measurements of the distances d between itself and the other secondary nodes 11e and 11f and sends them back (at Fig.15 Step E10 in the diagram is F10 (ECU2, 10, d, Nw)) of the master electronic control unit ECU1 of the master node 10, which receives them (in Fig.15 Step E11 in the figure is F11 (ECU1, 11, d)).

[0281] exist Fig.16 In step E12 ( F12 (ECU1 , d ) shown in the figure, the master electronic control units ECU1 of the master node 10 compare the distances d with each other.

[0282] exist Fig.16 In step E13, F13 (ECU1, 11, Pos) in the figure, the master electronic control unit ECU1 of the master node 10 determines the positions of the other secondary nodes 11e and 11f of the sub-network Nw1 according to the architecture T of the activated sub-network Nw and the comparison. That is, it associates the unique identifier Id with the corresponding position Pos3, Pos4 of each secondary node 11e and 11f.

[0283] It should be noted that if n = 2 or 3 ( Fig.15 According to the architecture T of the vehicle network Nv, the master electronic control unit ECU1 of the master node 10 determines the positions of other secondary nodes 11 of the vehicle network Nv (step E7′, i.e., F7′ (ECU1, 11, Pos)).

[0284] After locating all the secondary nodes 11 of the wired sub-network Nw1, the master node 10 connects to another sub-network Nw2. To this end, the master node 10 activates the power supply 21 to the other sub-network Nw2 (at Fig.16 Then, the master electronic control unit ECU1 of the master node 10 switches the master switch Sw12 to the secondary position p12 so as to connect the master node 10 to the wired sub-network Nw2 (in Fig.16 At the same time, the main control unit ECU1 switches the main switch Sw11 to the main position p11 to disconnect the master node 10 from the wired sub-network Nw1 and connect the wired sub-network Nw2 to the main resistor R12 (at Fig.16 Step E13"' in the figure is F13"' (ECU1, Sw11, p11, R1)). Fig.15 As shown, the current situation is that Nw=Nw2, and Nw'=Nw1.

[0285] Therefore, the same steps E1 to E6 are performed on the subnetwork Nw2 side, and then E7 to E13 if n>3, or E7' if n=2 or 3. Fig.15 In the non-limiting example of , the master node 10 thus identifies and locates that the terminal secondary node 11 is the secondary node 11 a and that it is located inside the motor vehicle 2 , and thus locates the other secondary nodes 11 c and 11 d .

[0286] The learning phase ph0 ends when the master node 10 has located each secondary node 11 of each wired sub-network Nw1, Nw2. Then, in a non-limiting embodiment, it can deactivate the power supply 21 (step not shown) to all sub-networks, i.e. sub-networks Nw1 and Nw2, the learning phase ph0 usually performed in the factory having ended.

[0287] The localization device 10 can then operate in its operating phase ph1 during use of the motor vehicle 2 . Thus, in a step E14 , illustrated as F14 ( ECU1 , ph1 ), the master electronic control unit ECU1 of the master node 10 activates the operating phase ph1 of the localization device 1 .

[0288] Of course, the description of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments and the above-mentioned fields. The device 1 for locating a secondary node 11 thus operates with all multiples of 2 and 3 of the secondary nodes 11. Therefore, the positioning device 1 can operate with a single subnetwork Nw of n=1, 2 or 3. Therefore, in another non-limiting embodiment, the number of secondary nodes 11 can be equal to 5, distributed on two subnetworks Nw1, Nw2, one of which has m=2 and the other has m=3. Therefore, in another non-limiting embodiment, the number of subnetworks Nw is greater than 2, and therefore, the number of secondary nodes 11 is non-limiting, n=2 to N, N being an integer.

[0289] The described invention therefore has, inter alia, the following advantages:

[0290] - this makes it possible to identify each secondary node 11 present on the vehicle network Nv and to associate it with a position Pos, enabling the primary node 10 to know, during the operating phase ph1, the secondary node 11 from which a message originates, in particular a message comprising a distance measurement related to the hands-free access device 3,

[0291] - it makes it possible to balance the wired subnetwork Nw of the vehicle network Nv in order to have an optimal transmission of the presence message msg3 without degradation, the balancing being achieved by means of the internal resistor R2 of the terminal secondary node 11 and the main resistor R1 associated with the subnetwork Nw to which the master node 10 is connected,

[0292] - It is a solution adapted to various topologies of the vehicle network Nv: it is a solution that works with any location of the master node 10 in the vehicle network Nv, whether in the center or at the end of the vehicle network Nv,

[0293] - this is a solution that makes it possible to address a single wired sub-network Nw at a time in order to retrieve the unique identifier Id of the secondary node 11 of this wired sub-network Nw,

[0294] - This is a solution that is easy to implement with a simple circuit.

Claims

1. A device (1) for locating a secondary node (11) of a vehicle (2), the locating device (1) comprising a primary node (10) and n secondary nodes (11), wherein n=2 to N, N is an integer, connected together by at least two wired sub-networks (Nw1, Nw2) forming a vehicle network (Nv), each wired sub-network (Nw) comprising m secondary nodes (11), wherein m=1 to M, M is an integer, characterized in that Each wired sub-network (Nw) comprises a terminal secondary node (11) located at the end of each wired sub-network (Nw) relative to the primary node (10), (a)-The master node (10) is configured to be connected to at least one of the two wired sub-networks (Nw1, Nw2) and comprises: (i)- A main electronic control unit (ECU1) configured to, during a learning phase (ph0): - activating the power supply (21) to one of at least two wired sub-networks (Nw), - receiving a presence message (msg3) from the secondary nodes (11) of said activated wired sub-network (Nw), said presence message (msg3) comprising a unique identifier (Id) associated with each secondary node (11), - identifying said terminal secondary node (11) of said activated wired sub-network (Nw) by means of a field (b1) of its unique identifier (Id), - locating the terminal secondary node (11) in the activated wired sub-network (Nw) by means of the architecture (T) of the vehicle network (Nv), - if n=2 or 3, determining the positions of other secondary nodes (11) of the vehicle network (Nv) according to the architecture (T) of the vehicle network (Nv), - If n > 3: - sending a command (c1) to said terminal secondary node (11) causing it to perform a measurement of the distance (d) between itself and the other secondary nodes (11) of one of the at least two wired sub-networks (Nw), - receiving said distances (d) and comparing them with each other, - determining the location of said other secondary nodes (11) according to the architecture (T) of said activated wired sub-network (Nw) and said comparison, (b)-Each secondary node (11) comprises: (i) a secondary electronic control unit (ECU2) configured to, during said learning phase (ph0): - sending a presence message (msg3) comprising a unique identifier (Id) to said master node (10), (c) - said terminal secondary node (11) comprises a secondary resistor (R2) and comprises a unique identifier (Id) having a field (b1) identifying it as a terminal secondary node (11) and comprising a secondary electronic control unit (ECU2) configured to: during said learning phase (ph0): - If n > 3: - receiving a command (c1) from said primary node (10) causing it to perform a measurement of the distance (d) between itself and the other secondary nodes (11) of one of the at least two wired sub-networks (Nw), - Performing the distance (d) measurements and sending them back to the main electronic control unit (ECU1).

2. The positioning device (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The master node (10) also includes at least one master resistor (R1).

3. The positioning device (1) according to claim 2, wherein: The at least one primary resistor (R1) and the secondary resistor (R2) have the same value.

4. The positioning device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The main electronic control unit (ECU1) is configured to command two main switches (Sw11, Sw12), each associated with one of at least two wired sub-networks (Nw), namely: a first master switch (Sw11) in order to adopt during said learning phase (ph0) a secondary position (p12) in which said master node (10) is connected to a first wired sub-network (Nw1), and a primary position (p11) in which said second wired sub-network (Nw2) is connected to a second primary resistor (R12), and - a second master switch (Sw12) in order to adopt during the learning phase (ph0) a secondary position (p12) in which the master node (10) is connected to a second wired sub-network (Nw2), and a primary position (p11) in which the second wired sub-network (Nw1) is connected to a first primary resistor (R11).

5. Positioning device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein: During an operating phase (Ph1), the master node (10) is configured to command two master switches (Sw1, Sw2) to enter the secondary position (p12) in order to connect the master electronic control unit (ECU1) to the two corresponding wired sub-networks (Nw1, Nw2).

6. The positioning device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: When n=6, and for each wired sub-network (Nw), if m=3, the master node (10) is also configured as: - activating the power supply to the wired sub-network (Nw) so as to be able to identify and locate its terminal secondary nodes (11), sending said command (c1), receiving said distances (d) and comparing them, and locating other secondary nodes (11) in said wired sub-network (Nw) according to the architecture (T) of the vehicle network (Nv) and said comparison, And wherein the terminal secondary node (11) of the wired sub-network (Nw) is configured to perform a measurement of the distance (d) between itself and other secondary nodes (11) of the wired sub-network (Nw) to which it belongs.

7. Positioning device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein: One terminal sub-node (11) of the wired sub-network (Nw) is located inside the vehicle (2), while the other sub-nodes (11) of the same wired sub-network (Nw) are located outside, and vice versa.

8. The positioning device (1) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein: The terminal secondary node (11) is defined at different distances from other secondary nodes (11) of the wired sub-network (Nw) to which it belongs.

9. The positioning device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The secondary node (11) is a beacon.

10. A method (5) for locating a secondary node (11) of a vehicle (2), the vehicle (2) comprising a primary node (10) and n secondary nodes (11), wherein n=2 to N, N being an integer, connected together by at least two wired sub-networks (Nw) forming a vehicle network (Nv), each wired sub-network (Nw) comprising m secondary nodes (11), wherein m=1 to M, M being an integer, characterized in that The positioning method (5) comprises a learning phase (ph0), which comprises the following steps: - the master electronic control unit (ECU1) of the master node (10) activates (E1) the power supply (21) to one of at least two wired sub-networks (Nw), - the secondary electronic control unit (ECU2) of said secondary node (11) sends (E2) a presence message (msg3) comprising a unique identifier (Id) of each secondary node (11), - the master electronic control unit (ECU1) of the master node (10) receives (E3) the presence message (msg3), - said main electronic control unit (ECU1) identifies (E5) the terminal secondary node (11) of said activated wired sub-network (Nw) by means of the field (b1) of its unique identifier (Id), - the main electronic control unit (ECU1) locates (E6) the terminal secondary node (11) in the activated wired sub-network (Nw) through the architecture (T) of the vehicle network (Nv), - if n=2 or 3, the master electronic control unit (ECU1) determines (E7') the positions of the other secondary nodes (11) of the vehicle network (Nv), according to the architecture (T) of the activated wired sub-network (Nw), - If n > 3: - the main electronic control unit (ECU1) sends (E7) a command (c1) to a secondary electronic control unit (ECU2) of the terminal secondary node (11) causing it to perform a measurement of the distance (d) between itself and the other secondary node (11) of one of the at least two wired sub-networks (Nw), - the secondary electronic control unit (ECU2) of the terminal secondary node (11) receives (E8) the command (c1), - the secondary electronic control unit (ECU2) of the terminal secondary node (11) performs (E9) the distance (d) measurements and sends them back (E10) to the primary electronic control unit (ECU1) of the primary node (10), - the master electronic control unit (ECU1) of the master node (10) receives (E11) the distances (d) and compares them with each other (E12), - Based on the architecture (T) of the activated wired sub-network (Nw) and on said comparison, said main electronic control unit (ECU1) determines (E13) the position of said other secondary nodes (11).

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