Communication system and electronic control device

Abstract

The invention provides a communication system and an electronic control device. Power consumption is reduced in a communication system. A communication system (1) is provided with a slave ECU (3) and a master ECU (2). The slave ECU (3) receives power supply from the battery (7) via the electronic fuse (15). The main ECU (2) controls the operation of the electronic fuse (15). The master ECU (2) detects the current consumption value consumed by the slave ECU (3). A master ECU (2) acquires an NM frame including startup information relating to startup of a slave ECU (3). On the basis of the consumed current value and the activation information, the master ECU (2) puts the electronic fuse (15) into an off state when an off determination condition indicating that a state in which a large amount of current is consumed in the slave ECU (3) continues despite the slave ECU (3) being in a sleep state is satisfied.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a communication system including a plurality of control devices. Background Art

[0002] Patent document 1 describes an in-vehicle network system that includes a power relay for individually switching the on / off of the power of the electronic control device for each of a plurality of electronic control devices. For a specific electronic control device corresponding to a scenario determined based on the condition of the vehicle, a control content for switching the on / off of the power of the specific electronic control device is determined. Based on the determined control content, the on / off of the power supplied to the specific electronic control device is switched using the power relay.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-81021.

[0004] The inventors have conducted detailed studies and found the following problem: In a communication system that includes a plurality of control devices and switches the power supply of the control devices on and off, power may be consumed unnecessarily. Summary of the invention

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to reduce power consumption in a communication system.

[0006] One technical solution of the present disclosure is a communication system including a first control device and a second control device.

[0007] The first control device receives power supply from a power supply via a power supply switching unit configured to switch between an on state in which a power supply path is made conductive and a cutoff state in which the power supply path is cutoff.

[0008] The second control device is connected to the first control device so as to be capable of data communication and to transmit and receive communication frames, and is configured to control the operation of the power supply switching unit.

[0009] The second control device includes a current detection unit, a management frame acquisition unit, a shutdown determination unit, and a power supply shutdown unit.

[0010] The current detection unit is configured to repeatedly detect a consumption current value, that is, a value of current consumed by the first control device.

[0011] The management frame acquisition unit is configured to acquire a management frame that is a communication frame including activation information related to activation of the first control device.

[0012] The shutdown determination unit is configured to determine whether a preset shutdown determination condition is satisfied based on the current consumption value and the activation information, the shutdown determination condition indicating that a high current consumption state continues in the first control device despite the first control device being in the sleep state.

[0013] The power supply cutoff unit is configured to put the power supply switching unit into a cutoff state when the cutoff determination unit determines that the cutoff determination condition is satisfied.

[0014] The communication system of the present disclosure configured in this way can cut off the power supply to the first control device when a situation occurs in which the first control device consumes power unnecessarily even though the first control device should be in a sleep state, based on the current consumption value and the startup information. As a result, the communication system of the present disclosure can suppress the occurrence of a situation in which power is consumed unnecessarily in the first control device, and reduce power consumption in the communication system.

[0015] Another technical solution of the present disclosure provides an electronic control device that functions as a second control device of a communication system including a first control device and a second control device, wherein the electronic control device includes a current detection unit, a management frame acquisition unit, a cutoff determination unit, and a power supply cutoff unit.

[0016] The electronic control device of the present disclosure configured in this way is a device included in the communication system of the present disclosure, and can obtain the same effects as those of the communication system of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 It is a block diagram showing the structure of a communication system.

[0018] Figure 2 This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the belonging information and the activation information.

[0019] Figure 3 is a flow chart showing the first part of the management process.

[0020] Figure 4 is a flow chart showing the second part of the management process.

[0021] Figure 5 It is a block diagram showing the configuration of a communication system according to the second embodiment.

[0022] Figure 6 It is a diagram showing the correspondence between control objects and clusters.

[0023] Figure 7 It is a block diagram showing the configuration of a communication system according to the third embodiment.

[0024] Figure 8This is a block diagram showing the configuration of a central ECU and an upstream power distribution unit according to a third embodiment.

[0025] Fig. 9 This is a first block diagram showing the configuration of a zone ECU according to the third embodiment.

[0026] Fig.10 This is a second block diagram showing the configuration of the zone ECU according to the third embodiment.

[0027] Fig.11 This is a block diagram showing the structure of a slave ECU according to the third embodiment.

[0028] Fig.12 This is a flowchart showing the first part of the area management process according to the third embodiment.

[0029] Fig.13 This is a flowchart showing the second part of the area management process according to the third embodiment.

[0030] Fig.14 This is a flowchart showing the first part of the central management process according to the fourth embodiment.

[0031] Fig.15 This is a flowchart showing the second part of the central management process according to the fourth embodiment.

[0032] Fig.16 This is a flowchart showing the central upstream management process according to the fifth embodiment.

[0033] Fig.17 It is a block diagram showing the structure of a zone ECU according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] [First embodiment]

[0035] A first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0036] The communication system 1 of this embodiment is installed in a vehicle, such as Figure 1 As shown, the master ECU 2, slave ECUs 3, 4, 5, 6, and a battery 7 are provided. ECU is an abbreviation of Electronic Control Unit. Hereinafter, the master ECU 2 and the slave ECUs 3 to 6 are also collectively referred to as nodes.

[0037] The master ECU 2 and the slave ECUs 3 , 4 , 5 are connected via a communication bus 8 so as to be able to communicate data with each other.

[0038] The master ECU 2 and the slave ECU 6 are connected via a communication bus 9 so as to be able to perform data communication with each other.

[0039] The battery 7 supplies electric power to various parts of the vehicle using a DC battery voltage (eg, 12 V). The master ECU 2 and the slave ECUs 3 to 6 receive electric power from the battery 7 to operate.

[0040] The main ECU 2 includes a control unit 11, CAN communication units 12 and 13, a storage unit 14, and electronic fuses 15, 16, and 17. CAN is an abbreviation of Controller Area Network. The communication protocol of the communication system 1 is not limited to CAN.

[0041] The control unit 11 is an electronic control device centered on a microcomputer having a CPU 21, a ROM 22, and a RAM 23. The various functions of the microcomputer are realized by the CPU 21 executing a program stored in a non-migrating physical recording medium. In this example, the ROM 22 is equivalent to a non-migrating physical recording medium storing the program. In addition, a method corresponding to the program is executed by executing the program. In addition, part or all of the functions executed by the CPU 21 may also be constituted by one or more ICs in hardware. In addition, the number of microcomputers constituting the control unit 11 may be one or more.

[0042] The CAN communication unit 12 performs communication with the slave ECUs 3 , 4 , and 5 connected to the communication bus 8 by transmitting and receiving communication frames based on the CAN communication protocol.

[0043] The CAN communication unit 13 performs communication by transmitting and receiving communication frames based on the CAN communication protocol with the slave ECU 6 connected to the communication bus 9. Hereinafter, the communication frame of the CAN is referred to as a CAN frame.

[0044] The storage unit 14 is a storage device for storing various data. The storage unit 14 stores a management table 25 described later. The management table 25 may be stored in the ROM 22 or the RAM 23.

[0045] The electronic fuse 15 is arranged on a power supply path 18 between the battery 7 and the slave ECU 3. The electronic fuse 16 is arranged on a power supply path 19 between the battery 7 and the slave ECU 4. The electronic fuse 17 is arranged on a power supply path 20 between the battery 7 and the slave ECU 5.

[0046] The electronic fuses 15 to 17 include a switch element (e.g., MOSFET) and a control circuit. The control circuits of the electronic fuses 15 to 17 are configured to cut off the power supply paths 18 to 20 by switching the switch element from the on state to the off state when the current value flowing through the power supply paths 18 to 20 exceeds a preset overcurrent judgment value.

[0047] The control circuits of the electronic fuses 15 to 17 are configured to turn on or off the switch elements according to the command from the control unit 11, thereby turning on or off the power supply paths 18 to 20. Hereinafter, the on state in which the power supply paths 18 to 20 are turned on is also referred to as the on state, and the off state in which the power supply paths 18 to 20 are cut off is also referred to as the off state.

[0048] The control circuit of the electronic fuses 15 to 17 is configured to measure the current value flowing through the electronic fuses 15 to 17 and output current value information indicating the measured current value to the master ECU 2. The current value indicated by the current value information output by the electronic fuses 15, 16, 17 corresponds to the value of the current consumed by the slave ECUs 3, 4, 5 (hereinafter referred to as the consumed current value).

[0049] The slave ECUs 3 to 6 include a control unit 31 , a CAN communication unit 32 , and a storage unit 33 .

[0050] The control unit 31 is an electronic control device centered on a microcomputer having a CPU 41, a ROM 42, and a RAM 43. The various functions of the microcomputer are realized by the CPU 41 executing a program stored in a non-migrating physical recording medium. In this example, the ROM 42 is equivalent to a non-migrating physical recording medium storing the program. In addition, the method corresponding to the program is executed by executing the program. In addition, part or all of the functions executed by the CPU 41 can also be constituted by one or more ICs in hardware. In addition, the number of microcomputers constituting the control unit 31 can be one or more.

[0051] The CAN communication unit 32 of the slave ECUs 3 to 5 communicates with the communication devices (that is, the master ECU 2 and the slave ECUs 3 to 5 ) connected to the communication bus 8 based on the CAN communication protocol.

[0052] The CAN communication unit 32 of the slave ECU 6 communicates with a communication device (that is, the master ECU 2 ) connected to the communication bus 9 based on the CAN communication protocol.

[0053] The storage unit 33 is a storage device for storing various data.

[0054] The CAN frame is composed of a start frame, an arbitration field, a control field, a data field, a CRC field, an ACK field, and an end frame. In addition, the arbitration field is composed of an 11-bit or 29-bit identifier (ie, ID) and a 1-bit RTR bit.

[0055] An 11-bit identifier used in CAN communication is called a CAN ID. The CAN ID is set in advance based on the content of data included in a CAN frame, a transmission source of the CAN frame, a transmission destination of the CAN frame, and the like.

[0056] The data field is a payload consisting of 8-bit (ie, 1 byte) first data, second data, third data, fourth data, fifth data, sixth data, seventh data, and eighth data.

[0057] The communication system 1 forms a local network, which is a power supply control method for communication control based on the CAN protocol standard specified in ISO11898-6. Therefore, the communication system 1 realizes low power consumption by individually transferring one or more nodes belonging to a communication group to an awake state (i.e., a startup state) or a sleep state (i.e., a dormant state) for each communication group described later. The node becomes a normal operating state that can be used without limiting the functions assigned to the node by waking up, and becomes a low-power operating state that limits the functions that can be used by sleeping.

[0058] In the communication system 1, when waking up a node in a sleep state, an NM frame is used, which is a CAN frame including activation information specifying an activation group. NM is an abbreviation for Network Management.

[0059] Startup information such as Figure 2 DLC is the abbreviation of Data Length Code, which is an area that indicates the size of the data field in the CAN frame in bytes. That is, the startup information is stored in the data field of the CAN frame. Here, in order to simplify the explanation, the case where DLC is 1 byte (i.e., 8 bits) is shown. The startup group is associated with each bit of the 8-bit data representing the startup information.

[0060] In the activation information set in the NM frame, a bit corresponding to the activation group to be activated is set to 1.

[0061] Each node stores the belonging information indicating the startup group to which the node belongs. The belonging information has the same data length as the startup information, and the allocation of each bit is also the same as the startup information. Moreover, in the belonging information, the bit corresponding to the startup group to which the node belongs is set to 1.

[0062] Each node determines whether the communication group to which the node belongs is a startup object by comparing the startup information extracted from the NM frame with the belonging information stored in the node.

[0063] For example, Figure 2 The shown belonging information indicates belonging to the first communication group, the third communication group, and the fifth communication group. Figure 2 The activation information shown indicates that the second communication group, the third communication group, the fourth communication group and the fifth communication group are activated. The third communication group and the fifth communication group are included in Figure 2 Since both the belonging information and the activation information are shown, this node determines that this node is the activation target of the third communication group and the fifth communication group.

[0064] Figure 1 The management table 25 shown sets, for each of a plurality of communication groups, a correspondence relationship between a communication group and one or more nodes belonging to the corresponding communication group (that is, one or more activated nodes).

[0065] The management table 25 sets, for example, that the master ECU 2 and the slave ECUs 3 and 4 belong to the first communication group.

[0066] The management table 25 sets, for example, that the slave ECUs 3 , 4 , and 5 belong to the second communication group.

[0067] Furthermore, the master ECU 2 and the slave ECUs 3 to 6 are configured to generate and transmit an NM frame including information indicating a communication group related to the corresponding event as the above-mentioned activation information, when detecting that a start condition of the event is satisfied for each of the plurality of events.

[0068] Next, the procedure of the management process executed by the control unit 11 of the main ECU 2 will be described. The management process is a process that is repeatedly executed when the main ECU 2 is activated.

[0069] If management processing is performed, Figure 3 As shown, the CPU 21 of the control unit 11 determines whether an NM frame has been received in S10. When the main ECU 2 generates and transmits an NM frame, the CPU 21 determines that the NM frame has been received in S10.

[0070] Here, if the NM frame is not received, the CPU 21 proceeds to S30. On the other hand, if the NM frame is received, the CPU 21 determines the state (hereinafter, device state) of the slave ECUs 3, 4, 5 based on the startup information included in the received NM frame in S20, and proceeds to S30. The device state is the state of the slave ECUs 3, 4, 5 determined based on the startup information included in the received NM frame.

[0071] Specifically, first, the CPU 21 refers to the management table 25 , thereby identifying one or more pieces of activation information corresponding to each of the slave ECUs 3 , 4 , 5 .

[0072] Next, the CPU 21 determines whether or not at least one of one or more pieces of activation information corresponding to each of the slave ECUs 3 , 4 , 5 indicates “1”.

[0073] Here, when at least one of the one or more startup information indicates "1", the CPU 21 determines that the device state of the corresponding slave ECU is the awake state. On the other hand, when all of the one or more startup information indicates "0", the CPU 21 determines that the device state of the corresponding slave ECU is the sleep state. In addition, when the CPU 21 receives multiple NM frames, when all of the corresponding startup information in all of the received multiple NM frames indicates "0", the CPU 21 determines that the device state of the corresponding slave ECU is the sleep state.

[0074] If the process moves to S30, the CPU 21 selects a slave ECU that has not been selected in S30 of the management process currently executed as the first determination target ECU from the slave ECUs (i.e., slave ECUs 3, 4, and 5) connected to the master ECU 2. For example, if slave ECU 3 has been selected among slave ECUs 3, 4, and 5, the CPU 21 selects slave ECU 4 as the first determination target ECU.

[0075] In S40, the CPU 21 determines whether the first determination target ECU switches from the awake state to the sleep state. Specifically, when the first determination target ECU is in the awake state at the current moment and the device state determined in S20 is the sleep state, the CPU 21 determines that the first determination target ECU switches from the awake state to the sleep state.

[0076] Here, if the first determination target ECU has not switched from the awake state to the sleep state, the CPU 21 transfers to S130. On the other hand, if the first determination target ECU has switched from the awake state to the sleep state, the CPU 21 determines in S50 whether a predetermined determination standby time has passed since it was determined in S10 that the NM frame was received.

[0077] The determination standby time is set individually for each of the slave ECUs 3, 4, and 5. When the first determination target ECU is in the awake state at the current moment and the device state determined in S20 for the first determination target ECU is the sleep state, the sleep transition standby time set in a manner longer than the time required for the first determination target ECU to transition to the sleep state is set as the determination standby time.

[0078] In addition, when the first determination object ECU is in the sleep state at the current moment and the device state determined in S20 for the first determination object ECU is the awake state, the awake transition standby time set in a manner longer than the time required for the first determination object ECU to transition to the awake state is set as the determination standby time.

[0079] Here, when the determination standby time has not passed, the CPU 21 waits until the determination standby time has passed by repeatedly performing the processing of S50. In addition, when the first determination target ECU needs to be transferred to the awake state based on the NM frame received during the period until the determination standby time has passed, the processing of S50 may be interrupted and transferred to S130. Thus, when the first determination target ECU needs to be transferred to the awake state based on the NM frame, the electronic fuse connected to the first determination target ECU can be prevented from being disconnected.

[0080] Then, when the determination standby time has elapsed, the CPU 21 acquires current value information from the electronic fuse connected to the first determination target ECU in S60 . For example, when the first determination target ECU is the slave ECU 3 , the CPU 21 acquires current value information from the electronic fuse 15 .

[0081] In S70, CPU 21 determines whether the current value indicated by the current value information acquired in S60 exceeds a preset abnormality determination value. Here, if the current value is below the abnormality determination value, CPU 21 resets the abnormality continuation counter set in RAM 23 (i.e., sets it to 0) in S80 and transfers to S130.

[0082] On the other hand, when the current value exceeds the abnormality determination value, the CPU 21 increments the abnormality continuation counter by 1 (ie, adds 1) in S90 .

[0083] In S100 , the CPU 21 determines whether the abnormality determination time has elapsed. Specifically, the CPU 21 determines whether the value of the abnormality continuation counter exceeds the abnormality continuation determination value that is preset to a value corresponding to the abnormality determination time.

[0084] Here, if the abnormality determination time has not elapsed, the CPU 21 proceeds to S60 . On the other hand, if the abnormality determination time has elapsed, the CPU 21 opens the electronic fuse connected to the first determination target ECU in S110 .

[0085] In S120 , the CPU 21 resets the abnormality continuation counter, and moves to S130 .

[0086] When the process moves to S130, the CPU 21 determines whether all the slave ECUs connected to the master ECU 2 have been selected in S30. If there are any slave ECUs that have not been selected in S30, the CPU 21 moves to S30.

[0087] On the other hand, when all the slave ECUs connected to the master ECU 2 are selected in S30, Figure 4As shown, in S140 , the CPU 21 selects, from among the slave ECUs (ie, the slave ECUs 3 , 4 , and 5 ) connected to the master ECU 2 , the slave ECU that was not selected in S140 of the management process executed this time as the second determination target ECU.

[0088] In S150 , the CPU 21 determines whether the device state of the second determination target ECU is the awake state based on the determination result of S20 . Here, if the device state of the second determination target ECU is not the awake state, the CPU 21 shifts to S180 .

[0089] On the other hand, when the device state of the second determination target ECU is the awake state, the CPU 21 determines whether the electronic fuse connected to the second determination target ECU is in the open state in S160. Here, when the electronic fuse connected to the second determination target ECU is in the open state, the CPU 21 transfers to S180.

[0090] On the other hand, when the electronic fuse connected to the second determination target ECU is in the open state, the CPU 21 turns the electronic fuse connected to the second determination target ECU into the open state in S170 , and then shifts to S180 .

[0091] If the process moves to S180, the CPU 21 determines whether all the slave ECUs connected to the master ECU 2 have been selected in S140. Here, if there are slave ECUs that have not been selected in S140, the CPU 21 moves to S140. On the other hand, if all the slave ECUs connected to the master ECU 2 have been selected in S140, the CPU 21 ends the management process.

[0092] The communication system 1 configured in this manner includes the slave ECU 3 and the master ECU 2 .

[0093] The slave ECU 3 receives power supply from the battery 7 via an electronic fuse 15 configured to switch between an on state for conducting a power supply path 18 and an off state for interrupting the power supply path 18 .

[0094] The master ECU 2 is connected to the slave ECU 3 so as to be capable of data communication, is capable of transmitting and receiving CAN frames, and is configured to control the operation of the electronic fuse 15 .

[0095] The main ECU 2 includes a control unit 11 and a CAN communication unit 12 .

[0096] The control unit 11 is configured to repeatedly detect a consumption current value, which is a value of current consumed by the slave ECU 3 .

[0097] The CAN communication unit 12 is configured to acquire an NM frame, which is a CAN frame including activation information related to activation of the slave ECU 3. The activation information in the present embodiment is information indicating whether to activate the slave ECU 3.

[0098] The control unit 11 is configured to determine whether a preset cutoff determination condition is satisfied based on the current consumption value and the startup information, the cutoff determination condition indicating that a state where a large current consumption continues in the slave ECU 3 despite the slave ECU 3 being in a sleep state. The cutoff determination condition in the present embodiment means that a state where the current consumption value exceeds a preset abnormal determination value continues for a preset abnormal determination time.

[0099] The control unit 11 is configured to put the electronic fuse 15 into a cut-off state when determining that the cut-off determination condition is satisfied.

[0100] Such a communication system 1 can cut off the power supply to the slave ECU 3 based on the current consumption value and the startup information when a situation occurs in which the slave ECU 3 consumes power unnecessarily even though the slave ECU 3 should be in the sleep state. Thus, the communication system 1 can suppress the occurrence of the situation in which the slave ECU 3 consumes power unnecessarily, and reduce the power consumption in the communication system 1.

[0101] In addition, the control unit 11 is configured to turn on the electronic fuse 15 when the startup information included in the acquired NM frame indicates that the slave ECU 3 is to be started after the electronic fuse 15 is turned off. Thus, the communication system 1 can start the slave ECU 3 by supplying power to the slave ECU 3 when the slave ECU 3 is in a startable state. Therefore, the communication system 1 can suppress the occurrence of a situation where the slave ECU 3 cannot be used in the communication system 1 even though the slave ECU 3 is in a startable state, thereby improving the operation rate of the slave ECU 3.

[0102] Furthermore, control unit 11 is configured to detect the current consumption value by acquiring current value information indicating the value of the current flowing through electronic fuse 15 from electronic fuse 15. Such communication system 1 can detect the current consumption value using the current detection function of electronic fuse 15, so the configuration of communication system 1 can be simplified.

[0103] In the above-described embodiment, the electronic fuse 15 corresponds to the power supply switching unit, the battery 7 corresponds to the power supply, the slave ECU 3 corresponds to the first control device, the CAN frame corresponds to the communication frame, and the master ECU 2 corresponds to the second control device and the electronic control device.

[0104] In addition, S60 corresponds to the process as the current detection unit, the CAN communication unit 12 corresponds to the management frame acquisition unit, S70 to S100 correspond to the process as the cutoff determination unit, S110 corresponds to the process as the power supply cutoff unit, and S150 to S170 correspond to the process as the power supply conduction unit.

[0105] [Second embodiment]

[0106] The second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the second embodiment, the parts different from the first embodiment will be described. The same reference numerals are given to the common structures.

[0107] like Figure 5 As shown, the communication system 1 of the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a smart sensor 501 , a smart actuator 502 , a wireless device 503 , and electronic fuses 504 , 505 are added.

[0108] The smart sensor 501 is a sensor having a communication function and is connected to the communication bus 8 .

[0109] The smart actuator 502 is an actuator having a communication function and is connected to the communication bus 8 .

[0110] The wireless device 503 is a wireless communication device for wirelessly communicating with an external communication device installed outside the vehicle. The wireless device 503 is, for example, a DCM. DCM is an abbreviation of Data Communication Module.

[0111] The electronic fuse 504 is arranged on the power supply path between the battery 7 and the smart sensor 501. The electronic fuse 505 is arranged on the power supply path between the battery 7 and the smart actuator 502.

[0112] The electronic fuses 504 and 505 are each configured to switch to either an on state for conducting the power supply path or an off state for interrupting the power supply path in response to a command from the control unit 11 .

[0113] Hereinafter, the master ECU 2 , the slave ECUs 3 to 6 , the smart sensor 501 , and the smart actuator 502 are collectively referred to as nodes.

[0114] (Prerequisites)

[0115] The master ECU 2 and the slave ECU 6 are always powered by the battery 7 without relays, and can be switched to the awake state or the sleep state by themselves. Hereinafter, the master ECU 2 and the slave ECU 6 are also referred to as NM-equipped nodes. NM-equipped nodes are nodes that have the function of generating NM frames.

[0116] The slave ECUs 3, 4, 5, smart sensors 501, and smart actuators 502 are powered via the electronic fuse, and cannot be switched to the awake state or the sleep state by the node alone. That is, the awake state is achieved with the electronic fuse being turned on, and the sleep state is achieved with the electronic fuse being turned off. Hereinafter, the slave ECUs 3, 4, 5, smart sensors 501, and smart actuators 502 are also referred to as NM non-equipped nodes. NM non-equipped nodes refer to nodes that do not have the function of generating and interpreting NM frames.

[0117] The NM non-mounted node includes at least one of an actuator and a sensor in addition to the ECU having a control function.

[0118] The power supply path of the NM non-mounted node is connected to the electronic fuses 15 , 16 , 17 , 504 , and 505 of the main ECU 2 , respectively.

[0119] The NM non-mounted nodes and the electronic fuses may be connected one-to-one, or a plurality of NM non-mounted nodes belonging to the same cluster (ie, a group started simultaneously) may be connected under one electronic fuse.

[0120] The main ECU 2 and the NM-mounted node have a communication function and can transmit and receive NM frames.

[0121] The NM-equipped node determines whether the node is in the awake state or the sleep state based on the NM frame sent and received via the communication bus.

[0122] The main ECU 2 turns on or off the electronic fuses 15 , 16 , 17 , 504 , and 505 to which the NM non-mounted nodes are connected, based on the NM frames transmitted and received via the communication bus.

[0123] In the payload (ie, data area) of the NM frame transmitted and received between the main ECU 2 and the NM-equipped node, one or more bits of information indicating which cluster is to be activated are stored.

[0124] One or more master ECUs (ie, ECUs having built-in electronic fuses) are mounted on a vehicle.

[0125] like Figure 6 As shown, one or more nodes belonging to each cluster are determined in advance by the system developer. Clusters can also be assigned to each node, but multiple nodes can be registered in one cluster. When the bit corresponding to each cluster is activated (i.e., bit = 1), the cluster wakes up. In the case of the main ECU, waking up means turning the electronic fuse on.

[0126] (First startup example)

[0127] The first activation case is an operation example of performing a failure diagnosis of the slave ECU 3 using a request from the cloud.

[0128] First, a connection request is issued from the base station (ie, cloud) side to the wireless device 503 of the vehicle.

[0129] Next, when the wireless device 503 determines that the connection is valid, it transmits the event received from the cloud to the main ECU 2 .

[0130] Next, the master ECU 2 determines a service called “failure diagnosis of the slave ECU 3 ” based on the event, and generates an NM frame that enables only the bit of the third cluster to which the slave ECU 3 belongs, in order to activate the slave ECU 3 .

[0131] Then, the main ECU 2 sends the generated NM frame to the communication buses 8 , 9 .

[0132] Since there are no NM-equipped nodes belonging to the third cluster on the communication buses 8 and 9, there is no change in the devices on the communication buses.

[0133] Next, in the main ECU 2 , as a part of receiving the NM frame in which the bit of the third cluster is validated simultaneously with the above, the control unit 11 executes processing based on the NM frame.

[0134] Next, when the control unit 11 of the main ECU 2 determines to issue a wake-up instruction to the third cluster based on the NM frame, since the electronic fuse 15 is included in the third cluster, the electronic fuse 15 is turned on.

[0135] When the electronic fuse 15 is turned on, power is supplied to the downstream slave ECU 3 to start up.

[0136] The master ECU 2 waits for the slave ECU 3 to be activated, requests the slave ECU 3 to provide a diagnostic code, and transmits the response result from the slave ECU 3 to the base station via the wireless device 503 .

[0137] (Second startup example)

[0138] The second activation example is an operation example of performing a failure diagnosis of the slave ECU 6 using a request from the cloud.

[0139] First, a connection request is issued from the base station (ie, cloud) side to the wireless device 503 of the vehicle.

[0140] Next, when the wireless device 503 determines that the connection is valid, it transmits the event received from the cloud to the main ECU 2 .

[0141] Next, the master ECU 2 determines a service called “failure diagnosis of the slave ECU 6 ” based on the event, and generates an NM frame that enables only the bit of the fourth cluster to which the slave ECU 6 belongs, in order to activate the slave ECU 6 .

[0142] Then, the main ECU 2 sends the generated NM frame to the communication buses 8 , 9 .

[0143] As a node belonging to the fourth cluster, there is a slave ECU 6 on the communication bus 9 , and therefore the slave ECU 6 wakes up.

[0144] Next, in the main ECU 2 , as a part of receiving the NM frame in which the bit of the fourth cluster is validated simultaneously with the above, the control unit 11 executes processing based on the NM frame.

[0145] Next, even if the control unit 11 of the main ECU 2 determines to issue a wake-up instruction to the fourth cluster based on the NM frame, the instruction is ignored because the corresponding electronic fuse is not included in the fourth cluster.

[0146] When the slave ECU 6 is activated, the master ECU 2 requests a diagnostic code from the slave ECU 6 via the communication bus 9 , and transmits a response result from the slave ECU 6 to the base station via the wireless device 503 .

[0147] (Third startup example)

[0148] The third activation example is an action example in which a user activates a remote air conditioner using a smartphone.

[0149] First, the user instructs to turn on the vehicle air conditioner from the smartphone.

[0150] The wireless device 503 receives the instruction signal from the smartphone, and if the wireless device 503 determines that the instruction signal is valid, it transmits the event (ie, instruction signal) received from the cloud to the main ECU 2 .

[0151] The main ECU 2 determines the "air conditioning service" based on the event, and generates an NM frame for activating the second cluster as a cluster for air conditioning.

[0152] The main ECU 2 needs to continue to send NM frames periodically if it wants to continue the active state, which means periodically sending the generated NM frames to the communication buses 8 and 9 until the air conditioner stop instruction is issued. At the same time, the control unit 11 of the main ECU 2 executes processing based on the NM frames.

[0153] When an NM frame for activating the second cluster is generated on the communication bus 9 , the slave ECU 6 (ie, the air-conditioning ECU) belonging to the second cluster receives the NM frame and wakes up according to the received NM frame.

[0154] When the control unit 11 of the main ECU 2 detects that the second cluster is activated, the control unit 11 turns on the electronic fuses 504 and 505 belonging to the second cluster.

[0155] When the electronic fuse 504 and the electronic fuse 505 are turned on, power is supplied to the smart sensor 501 (ie, the temperature sensor) and the smart actuator 502 (ie, the compressor).

[0156] Based on the above, it is possible to start supplying power to the air-conditioning ECU, the smart sensor 501 , and the smart actuator 502 , and turn on the vehicle air-conditioning.

[0157] When the user instructs the vehicle air conditioner to be turned off from the smartphone, the main ECU 2 stops the periodic transmission of the NM frame.

[0158] When the NM frame is interrupted, the slave ECU 6 shifts to the sleep state, and the master ECU 2 disconnects the electronic fuse 504 and the electronic fuse 505. As a result, the vehicle air conditioner stops.

[0159] (Fourth startup example)

[0160] The fourth activation example is an operation example in which the slave ECU 6 activates the vehicle air conditioner.

[0161] The slave ECU 6 is always supplied with electric power even when the vehicle is stopped, and therefore can detect input of a signal indicating that a start switch connected to the slave ECU 6 is turned on and wake up even when the slave ECU 6 is in sleep mode.

[0162] When the awakened slave ECU 6 confirms the input to start the vehicle air conditioner, it generates an NM frame that turns on the bit corresponding to the second cluster.

[0163] The slave ECU 6 transmits the generated NM frame via the CAN communication unit 32. When the master ECU 2 receives the NM frame, the master ECU 2 turns on the electronic fuses 504 and 505 belonging to the second cluster.

[0164] When the start switch of the vehicle air conditioner is turned off, the slave ECU 6 stops transmitting the NM frame and temporarily shifts to the sleep state.

[0165] When the NM frame is interrupted, the main ECU 2 temporarily opens the electronic fuses 504 and 505 to terminate the control.

[0166] When the master ECU 2 determines that the control needs to be continued even after the transmission of the NM frame stops, the master ECU 2 transmits the NM frame with the bit corresponding to the second cluster enabled. Thus, the slave ECU 6 and the electronic fuses 504 and 505 can also maintain the activated state until the transmission of the NM frame generated by the master ECU 2 stops.

[0167] [Third Embodiment]

[0168] The third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the following. In the third embodiment, the parts different from the first embodiment will be described.

[0169] The communication system 100 of the third embodiment is installed in a vehicle. Figure 7 As shown, the central ECU 101, upstream power distribution units 102, 103, regional ECUs 104, 105, 106, 107, slave ECUs 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, a battery 117, and a slave ECU 118 are provided. Hereinafter, the central ECU 101, the regional ECUs 104 to 107, and the slave ECUs 108 to 116, 118 are also collectively referred to as nodes. Here, the regional ECU may be an ECU that integrates slave ECUs located in a predetermined area in the vehicle, or may be an ECU that integrates slave ECUs belonging to a predetermined area.

[0170] The battery 117 supplies power to various parts of the vehicle using a DC battery voltage (eg, 12 V). The central ECU 101 , the upstream power distribution units 102 , 103 , the area ECUs 104 to 107 , and the slave ECUs 108 to 116 , 118 receive power from the battery 117 and operate.

[0171] The upstream power distribution unit 102 receives power supply from the battery 117 through a power supply path 121 between the battery 117 and the upstream power distribution unit 102 .

[0172] The upstream power distribution unit 103 receives power supply from the battery 117 through a power supply path 122 between the battery 117 and the upstream power distribution unit 103 .

[0173] The regional ECUs 104 and 105 receive power supply from the battery 117 through power supply paths 123 and 124 between the upstream power distribution unit 102 and the regional ECUs 104 and 105 , respectively.

[0174] The regional ECUs 106 and 107 receive power supply from the battery 117 through power supply paths 125 and 126 between the upstream power distribution unit 103 and the regional ECUs 106 and 107 , respectively.

[0175] The slave ECUs 108 and 109 receive electric power from the battery 117 through power supply paths 127 and 128 between the area ECU 104 and the slave ECUs 108 and 109 , respectively.

[0176] The slave ECUs 110 and 111 are supplied with electric power from the battery 117 through power supply paths 129 and 130 between the region ECU 105 and the slave ECUs 110 and 111 , respectively.

[0177] The slave ECUs 112 , 113 , 114 receive electric power from a battery 117 through power supply paths 131 , 132 , 133 between the area ECU 106 and the slave ECUs 112 , 113 , 114 , respectively.

[0178] The slave ECUs 115 and 116 receive electric power from a battery 117 through power supply paths 134 and 135 between the area ECU 107 and the slave ECUs 115 and 116 , respectively.

[0179] The slave ECU 118 receives electric power from the battery 117 via the power supply path 136 .

[0180] The central ECU 101 and the upstream power distribution unit 102 are connected via a communication line 141 so as to be able to perform data communication with each other.

[0181] The central ECU 101 and the upstream power distribution unit 103 are connected via a communication line 142 so as to be able to perform data communication with each other.

[0182] The central ECU 101 and the regional ECUs 104 , 105 , 106 , and 107 are connected via communication lines 143 , 144 , 145 , and 146 , respectively, so as to be able to perform data communication with each other.

[0183] The area ECU 104 and the slave ECUs 108 , 109 , 118 are connected via a communication bus 147 so as to be able to communicate data with each other.

[0184] The area ECU 105 and the slave ECUs 110 and 111 are connected via a communication bus 148 so as to be able to communicate data with each other.

[0185] The area ECU 106 and the slave ECUs 112 , 113 , 114 are connected via a communication bus 149 so as to be able to communicate data with each other.

[0186] The area ECU 107 and the slave ECUs 115 and 116 are connected via a communication bus 150 so as to be able to communicate data with each other.

[0187] like Figure 8 As shown, the central ECU 101 includes a control unit 151 , communication units 152 , 153 , 154 , 155 , 156 , 157 , and a storage unit 158 ​​.

[0188] The control unit 151 is an electronic control device centered around a microcomputer having a CPU 161, a ROM 162, and a RAM 163. The various functions of the microcomputer are realized by the CPU 161 executing a program stored in a non-migrating physical recording medium. In this example, the ROM 162 is equivalent to a non-migrating physical recording medium storing the program. In addition, by executing the program, a method corresponding to the program is executed. In addition, part or all of the functions executed by the CPU 161 may also be constituted by one or more ICs in hardware. In addition, the number of microcomputers constituting the control unit 151 may be one or more.

[0189] The communication unit 152 communicates with the upstream power distribution unit 102 connected to the communication line 141 by transmitting and receiving communication frames based on, for example, the Ethernet communication protocol. Ethernet is a registered trademark.

[0190] The communication unit 153 communicates with the upstream power distribution unit 103 connected to the communication line 142 by transmitting and receiving communication frames based on, for example, the Ethernet communication protocol.

[0191] The communication unit 154 performs communication with the zone ECU 104 connected to the communication line 143 by transmitting and receiving communication frames based on, for example, the Ethernet communication protocol.

[0192] The communication unit 155 performs communication with the zone ECU 105 connected to the communication line 144 by transmitting and receiving communication frames based on, for example, the Ethernet communication protocol.

[0193] The communication unit 156 performs communication with the zone ECU 106 connected to the communication line 145 by transmitting and receiving communication frames based on, for example, the Ethernet communication protocol.

[0194] The communication unit 157 performs communication with the zone ECU 107 connected to the communication line 145 by transmitting and receiving communication frames based on, for example, the Ethernet communication protocol.

[0195] The storage unit 158 ​​is a storage device for storing various data. The storage unit 158 ​​stores a startup table 165 described later.

[0196] The upstream power distribution unit 102 includes a control circuit 171 , a communication unit 172 , and electronic fuses 173 and 174 .

[0197] The control circuit 171 performs control to switch the electronic fuses 173 and 174 between the on state and the off state based on the instruction acquired from the central ECU 101 via the communication unit 172 .

[0198] The communication unit 172 performs communication with the central ECU 101 connected to the communication line 141 by transmitting and receiving communication frames based on, for example, the Ethernet communication protocol.

[0199] The electronic fuse 173 is disposed between the power supply path 121 and the power supply path 123. The electronic fuse 174 is disposed between the power supply path 121 and the power supply path 124.

[0200] The upstream power distribution unit 103 includes a control circuit 181 , a communication unit 182 , and electronic fuses 183 and 184 .

[0201] The control circuit 181 performs control to switch the electronic fuses 183 and 184 between the on state and the off state based on the instruction acquired from the central ECU 101 via the communication unit 182 .

[0202] The communication unit 182 performs communication with the central ECU 101 connected to the communication line 142 by transmitting and receiving communication frames based on, for example, the Ethernet communication protocol.

[0203] The electronic fuse 183 is disposed between the power supply path 122 and the power supply path 125. The electronic fuse 184 is disposed between the power supply path 122 and the power supply path 126.

[0204] like Fig. 9 As shown, the zone ECU 104 includes a control unit 191 , a communication unit 192 , a CAN communication unit 193 , a storage unit 194 , and electronic fuses 195 and 196 .

[0205] The control unit 191 is an electronic control device centered on a microcomputer having a CPU 201, a ROM 202, and a RAM 203. The various functions of the microcomputer are realized by the CPU 201 executing a program stored in a non-migrating physical recording medium. In this example, the ROM 202 is equivalent to a non-migrating physical recording medium storing the program. In addition, by executing the program, a method corresponding to the program is executed. In addition, part or all of the functions executed by the CPU 201 may also be constituted by one or more ICs in hardware. In addition, the number of microcomputers constituting the control unit 191 may be one or more.

[0206] The communication unit 192 performs communication with the central ECU 101 connected to the communication line 143 by transmitting and receiving communication frames based on, for example, the Ethernet communication protocol.

[0207] The CAN communication unit 193 performs communication with the slave ECUs 108 and 109 connected to the communication bus 147 by transmitting and receiving communication frames based on the CAN communication protocol.

[0208] The storage unit 194 is a storage device for storing various data.

[0209] The electronic fuse 195 is disposed between the power supply path 123 and the power supply path 127. The electronic fuse 196 is disposed between the power supply path 123 and the power supply path 128.

[0210] The zone ECU 105 includes a control unit 211 , a communication unit 212 , a CAN communication unit 213 , a storage unit 214 , and electronic fuses 215 and 216 .

[0211] The control unit 211 is an electronic control device centered on a microcomputer having a CPU 221, a ROM 222, and a RAM 223. The various functions of the microcomputer are realized by the CPU 221 executing a program stored in a non-migrating physical recording medium. In this example, the ROM 222 is equivalent to a non-migrating physical recording medium storing the program. In addition, by executing the program, a method corresponding to the program is executed. In addition, part or all of the functions executed by the CPU 221 may also be constituted by one or more ICs in hardware. In addition, the number of microcomputers constituting the control unit 211 may be one or more.

[0212] The communication unit 212 performs communication with the central ECU 101 connected to the communication line 144 by transmitting and receiving communication frames based on, for example, the Ethernet communication protocol.

[0213] The CAN communication unit 213 performs communication with the slave ECUs 110 and 111 connected to the communication bus 148 by transmitting and receiving communication frames based on the CAN communication protocol.

[0214] The storage unit 214 is a storage device for storing various data.

[0215] The electronic fuse 215 is disposed between the power supply path 124 and the power supply path 129. The electronic fuse 216 is disposed between the power supply path 124 and the power supply path 130.

[0216] like Fig.10 As shown, the zone ECU 106 includes a control unit 231 , a communication unit 232 , a CAN communication unit 233 , a storage unit 234 , and electronic fuses 235 , 236 , and 237 .

[0217] The control unit 231 is an electronic control device centered around a microcomputer having a CPU 241, a ROM 242, and a RAM 243. The various functions of the microcomputer are realized by the CPU 241 executing a program stored in a non-migrating physical recording medium. In this example, the ROM 242 is equivalent to a non-migrating physical recording medium storing the program. In addition, by executing the program, a method corresponding to the program is executed. In addition, part or all of the functions executed by the CPU 241 may also be constituted by one or more ICs in hardware. In addition, the number of microcomputers constituting the control unit 231 may be one or more.

[0218] The communication unit 232 performs communication with the central ECU 101 connected to the communication line 145 by transmitting and receiving communication frames based on, for example, the Ethernet communication protocol.

[0219] The CAN communication unit 233 performs communication with the slave ECUs 112 , 113 , and 114 connected to the communication bus 149 by transmitting and receiving communication frames based on the CAN communication protocol.

[0220] The storage unit 234 is a storage device for storing various data.

[0221] The electronic fuse 235 is disposed between the power supply path 125 and the power supply path 131. The electronic fuse 236 is disposed between the power supply path 125 and the power supply path 132. The electronic fuse 237 is disposed between the power supply path 125 and the power supply path 133.

[0222] The zone ECU 107 includes a control unit 251 , a communication unit 252 , a CAN communication unit 253 , a storage unit 254 , and electronic fuses 255 and 256 .

[0223] The control unit 251 is an electronic control device centered on a microcomputer having a CPU 261, a ROM 262, and a RAM 263. The various functions of the microcomputer are realized by the CPU 261 executing a program stored in a non-migrating physical recording medium. In this example, the ROM 262 is equivalent to a non-migrating physical recording medium storing the program. In addition, by executing the program, a method corresponding to the program is executed. In addition, part or all of the functions executed by the CPU 261 may also be constituted by one or more ICs in hardware. In addition, the number of microcomputers constituting the control unit 251 may be one or more.

[0224] The communication unit 252 performs communication with the central ECU 101 connected to the communication line 146 by transmitting and receiving communication frames based on, for example, the Ethernet communication protocol.

[0225] The CAN communication unit 253 performs communication with the slave ECUs 115 and 116 connected to the communication bus 150 by transmitting and receiving communication frames based on the CAN communication protocol.

[0226] The storage unit 254 is a storage device for storing various data.

[0227] The electronic fuse 255 is disposed between the power supply path 126 and the power supply path 134. The electronic fuse 256 is disposed between the power supply path 126 and the power supply path 135.

[0228] like Fig.11 As shown, the slave ECUs 108 , 109 , and 118 include a control unit 271 , a CAN communication unit 272 , and a storage unit 273 .

[0229] The control unit 271 is an electronic control device centered on a microcomputer having a CPU 281, a ROM 282, and a RAM 283. The various functions of the microcomputer are realized by the CPU 281 executing a program stored in a non-migrating physical recording medium. In this example, the ROM 282 is equivalent to a non-migrating physical recording medium storing the program. In addition, by executing the program, a method corresponding to the program is executed. In addition, part or all of the functions executed by the CPU 281 can also be constituted by one or more ICs in hardware. In addition, the number of microcomputers constituting the control unit 271 can be one or more.

[0230] CAN communication unit 272 communicates with area ECU 104 connected to communication bus 147 based on the CAN communication protocol.

[0231] The storage unit 273 is a storage device for storing various data.

[0232] The slave ECUs 110 and 111 include a control unit 291 , a CAN communication unit 292 , and a storage unit 293 .

[0233] The control unit 291 is an electronic control device centered on a microcomputer having a CPU 301, a ROM 302, and a RAM 303. The various functions of the microcomputer are realized by the CPU 301 executing a program stored in a non-migrating physical recording medium. In this example, the ROM 302 is equivalent to a non-migrating physical recording medium storing the program. In addition, by executing the program, a method corresponding to the program is executed. In addition, part or all of the functions executed by the CPU 301 can also be constituted by one or more ICs in a hardware manner. In addition, the number of microcomputers constituting the control unit 291 can be one or more.

[0234] CAN communication unit 292 communicates with area ECU 105 connected to communication bus 148 based on the CAN communication protocol.

[0235] The storage unit 293 is a storage device for storing various data.

[0236] The slave ECUs 112 , 113 , and 114 include a control unit 311 , a CAN communication unit 312 , and a storage unit 313 .

[0237] The control unit 311 is an electronic control device centered on a microcomputer having a CPU 321, a ROM 322, and a RAM 323. The various functions of the microcomputer are realized by the CPU 321 executing a program stored in a non-migrating physical recording medium. In this example, the ROM 322 is equivalent to a non-migrating physical recording medium storing the program. In addition, the method corresponding to the program is executed by executing the program. In addition, part or all of the functions executed by the CPU 321 can also be constituted by one or more ICs in hardware. In addition, the number of microcomputers constituting the control unit 311 can be one or more.

[0238] CAN communication unit 312 communicates with area ECU 106 connected to communication bus 149 based on the CAN communication protocol.

[0239] The storage unit 313 is a storage device for storing various data.

[0240] The slave ECUs 115 and 116 include a control unit 331 , a CAN communication unit 332 , and a storage unit 333 .

[0241] The control unit 331 is an electronic control device centered on a microcomputer having a CPU 341, a ROM 342, and a RAM 343. The various functions of the microcomputer are realized by the CPU 341 executing a program stored in a non-migrating physical recording medium. In this example, the ROM 342 is equivalent to a non-migrating physical recording medium storing the program. In addition, the method corresponding to the program is executed by executing the program. In addition, part or all of the functions executed by the CPU 341 can also be constituted by one or more ICs in a hardware manner. In addition, the number of microcomputers constituting the control unit 331 can be one or more.

[0242] The CAN communication unit 332 communicates with the area ECU 107 connected to the communication bus 150 based on the CAN communication protocol.

[0243] The storage unit 333 is a storage device for storing various data.

[0244] In the activation table 165 of the central ECU 101, a communication group to be activated (i.e., activation group) is set for each event. In the activation table 165, a correspondence between the activation group and the slave ECU to be awakened is also set. In the activation table 165, a correspondence between the slave ECU and the electronic fuse connected to the slave ECU is also set.

[0245] Furthermore, the central ECU 101 , the area ECUs 104 to 107 , and the slave ECUs 108 to 116 , 118 are configured to generate and transmit an NM frame including information indicating a communication group related to the corresponding event as the above-mentioned activation information when detecting that a start condition of the event is satisfied for each of the plurality of events.

[0246] Next, the sequence of the area management process executed by the control units 191, 211, 231, 251 of the area ECUs 104, 105, 106, 107 will be described. The area management process is a process repeatedly executed during activation of the area ECUs 104 to 107. The sequence of the area management process will be described below using the area ECU 104 as a representative.

[0247] If regional management processing is performed, Fig.12 As shown, the CPU 201 of the control unit 191 of the area ECU 104 determines whether an NM frame has been received in S210. When the NM frame is generated and transmitted by the area ECU 104, the CPU 201 also determines that the NM frame has been received.

[0248] Here, if the NM frame is not received, the CPU 201 transfers to S230. On the other hand, if the NM frame is received, the CPU 201 determines the state (hereinafter, the device state) of the subordinate slave ECUs 108 and 109 of the regional ECU 104 in S220, similarly to S20, based on the startup information included in the received NM frame, and transfers to S230. In addition, the regional ECUs 104 to 107 store the following table, which sets the correspondence between the communication group and one or more subordinate slave ECUs belonging to the corresponding communication group for each of the plurality of communication groups.

[0249] When the process moves to S230 , the CPU 201 selects, from among the slave ECUs 108 and 109 connected to the area ECU 104 , a slave ECU that has not been selected in S230 of the area management process currently being executed as a first determination target ECU.

[0250] In S240 , the CPU 201 determines whether the first determination target ECU has switched from the awake state to the sleep state, similarly to S40 .

[0251] Here, when the first determination target ECU has not switched from the awake state to the sleep state, the CPU 201 transfers to S330. On the other hand, when the first determination target ECU has switched from the awake state to the sleep state, the CPU 201 determines in S250, similarly to S50, whether a predetermined determination standby time has passed after it was determined in S210 that the NM frame was received. The determination standby time is set individually for each of the slave ECUs 108 and 109.

[0252] Here, if the determination standby time has not passed, the CPU 201 waits until the determination standby time has passed by repeatedly performing the process of S250. If the determination standby time has passed, the CPU 201 obtains the current value information from the electronic fuse connected to the first determination object ECU in S260. For example, if the first determination object ECU is the slave ECU 108, the CPU 201 obtains the current value information from the electronic fuse 195.

[0253] In S270, CPU 201 determines whether the current value indicated by the current value information acquired in S260 exceeds the preset abnormality determination value, as in S70. Here, if the current value is below the abnormality determination value, CPU 201 resets the abnormality continuation counter set in RAM 203 in S280 and transfers to S330.

[0254] On the other hand, when the current value exceeds the abnormality determination value, the CPU 201 increments the abnormality continuation counter by 1 in S290 .

[0255] In S300 , the CPU 201 determines whether the abnormality determination time has elapsed, similarly to S100 .

[0256] Here, if the abnormality determination time has not elapsed, the CPU 201 proceeds to S260 . On the other hand, if the abnormality determination time has elapsed, the CPU 201 turns off the electronic fuse connected to the first determination target ECU in S310 .

[0257] In S320 , the CPU 201 resets the abnormality continuation counter and moves to S330 .

[0258] When the process proceeds to S330, the CPU 21 determines whether all of the slave ECUs 108 and 109 connected to the area ECU 104 have been selected in S230. Here, when there are slave ECUs that have not been selected in S230, the CPU 201 proceeds to S230.

[0259] On the other hand, when all the slave ECUs connected to the regional ECU 104 are selected in S230, as shown in FIG. Fig.13 As shown, in S340 , the CPU 201 selects, from among the slave ECUs connected to the zone ECU 104 , the slave ECU that was not selected in S340 of the zone management process that is currently being executed, as the second determination target ECU.

[0260] In S350 , the CPU 201 determines whether the device state of the second determination target ECU is in the awake state based on the determination result of S220 . Here, if the device state of the second determination target ECU is not in the awake state, the CPU 201 shifts to S380 .

[0261] On the other hand, when the device state of the second determination target ECU is the awake state, the CPU 201 determines whether the electronic fuse connected to the second determination target ECU is in the open state in S360. Here, when the electronic fuse connected to the second determination target ECU is in the open state, the CPU 201 transfers to S380.

[0262] On the other hand, when the electronic fuse connected to the second determination target ECU is in the open state, the CPU 201 turns the electronic fuse connected to the second determination target ECU into the open state in S370 , and then moves to S380 .

[0263] After the process moves to S380, the CPU 201 determines whether all the slave ECUs connected to the regional ECU 104 have been selected in S340. Here, if there are slave ECUs that have not been selected in S340, the CPU 201 moves to S340. On the other hand, if all the slave ECUs connected to the regional ECU 104 have been selected in S340, the CPU 201 ends the regional management process.

[0264] The communication system 100 configured as above includes the slave ECU 108 , the regional ECU 104 configured to control the operation of the electronic fuse 195 by being connected to the slave ECU 108 for data communication, and the central ECU 101 connected to the regional ECU 104 for data communication.

[0265] The area ECU 104 includes a control unit 191 , a communication unit 192 , and a CAN communication unit 193 .

[0266] The control unit 191 is configured to repeatedly detect a consumption current value, which is a value of current consumed by the slave ECU 108 .

[0267] The communication unit 192 and the CAN communication unit 193 are configured to acquire an NM frame including activation information related to activation of the slave ECU 108 .

[0268] The control unit 191 is configured to determine whether a preset shutdown determination condition is satisfied, based on the current consumption value and the activation information, the shutdown determination condition indicating that a high current consumption state in the slave ECU 108 continues despite the slave ECU 108 being in the sleep state.

[0269] The control unit 191 is configured to put the electronic fuse 195 into a cut-off state when it is determined that the cut-off determination condition is satisfied.

[0270] Such a communication system 100 can cut off the power supply to the slave ECU 108 based on the current consumption value and the startup information when the slave ECU 108 consumes power unnecessarily even though the slave ECU 108 should be in the sleep state. Thus, the communication system 100 can suppress the occurrence of the situation where the slave ECU 108 consumes power unnecessarily, and reduce the power consumption in the communication system 100.

[0271] In the above-described embodiment, the electronic fuse 195 corresponds to the power supply switching unit, the battery 117 corresponds to the power supply, the slave ECU 108 corresponds to the first control device, and the central ECU 101 and the zone ECU 104 correspond to the second control device.

[0272] The slave ECU 108 corresponds to a slave control device, the regional ECU 104 corresponds to a regional control device, and the central ECU 101 corresponds to a central control device.

[0273] In addition, S260 corresponds to the process as the current detection unit, the communication unit 192 and the CAN communication unit 193 correspond to the management frame acquisition unit, S270 to S300 correspond to the process as the cutoff determination unit, and S310 corresponds to the process as the power supply cutoff unit.

[0274] [Fourth Embodiment]

[0275] The following and attached Figure 1 The fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described together. In the fourth embodiment, the parts different from the third embodiment will be described.

[0276] The communication system 100 of the fourth embodiment is different from the third embodiment in that a central management process is executed instead of a regional management process.

[0277] Next, the procedure of the central management process executed by the control unit 151 of the central ECU 101 will be described. The central management process is a process that is repeatedly executed when the central ECU 101 is activated.

[0278] If central management processing is performed, Fig.14As shown, the CPU 161 of the control unit 151 determines whether an NM frame has been received in S410. Even when the central ECU 101 generates and transmits an NM frame, the CPU 161 determines in S410 that an NM frame has been received.

[0279] Here, if the NM frame is not received, the CPU 161 transfers to S430. On the other hand, if the NM frame is received, the CPU 161 determines the state (hereinafter, the device state) of the slave ECU (i.e., slave ECUs 108 to 116) connected to the electronic fuse in S420, similarly to S20, based on the startup information included in the received NM frame, and transfers to S430.

[0280] When the process moves to S430 , the CPU 161 selects, from among the slave ECUs connected to the electronic fuse, a slave ECU that was not selected in S430 of the central management process currently being executed, as a first determination target ECU.

[0281] In S440 , the CPU 161 determines whether the first determination target ECU has switched from the awake state to the sleep state.

[0282] Here, if the first determination target ECU has not switched from the awake state to the sleep state, the CPU 161 transfers to S530. On the other hand, if the first determination target ECU has switched from the awake state to the sleep state, the CPU 161 determines in S450 whether a predetermined determination standby time has passed since it was determined in S410 that an NM frame was received. The determination standby time is set individually for each of the slave ECUs 108 to 116.

[0283] Here, if the determination standby time has not passed, the CPU 161 waits until the determination standby time has passed by repeatedly performing the process of S450. If the determination standby time has passed, the CPU 161 obtains the current value information from the electronic fuse connected to the first determination object ECU in S460. For example, if the first determination object ECU is the slave ECU 109, the CPU 161 obtains the current value information from the electronic fuse 196.

[0284] In S470, the CPU 161 determines whether the current value indicated by the current value information acquired in S460 exceeds a preset abnormality determination value. If the current value is below the abnormality determination value, the CPU 161 resets the abnormality continuation counter set in the RAM 163 in S480 and moves to S530.

[0285] On the other hand, when the current value exceeds the abnormality determination value, the CPU 161 increments the abnormality continuation counter by 1 in S490 .

[0286] In S500, the CPU 161 determines whether the abnormality determination time has passed. Here, if the abnormality determination time has not passed, the CPU 161 transfers to S460. On the other hand, if the abnormality determination time has passed, the CPU 161 in S510 turns off the electronic fuse connected to the first determination target ECU.

[0287] In S520 , the CPU 161 resets the abnormality continuation counter, and moves to S530 .

[0288] When the process moves to S530, the CPU 161 determines whether all the slave ECUs connected to the electronic fuses have been selected in S430. If there are any slave ECUs that have not been selected in S430, the CPU 161 moves to S430.

[0289] On the other hand, when all the slave ECUs connected to the electronic fuse are selected in S430, as shown in FIG. Fig.15 As shown, in S540 , the CPU 161 selects, from among the slave ECUs connected to the electronic fuse, the slave ECU that was not selected in S540 of the central management process that is currently being executed, as the second determination target ECU.

[0290] In S550 , the CPU 161 determines whether the device state of the second determination target ECU is the awake state based on the determination result of S420 . Here, if the device state of the second determination target ECU is not the awake state, the CPU 161 shifts to S580 .

[0291] On the other hand, when the device state of the second determination target ECU is the awake state, the CPU 161 determines whether the electronic fuse connected to the second determination target ECU is in the open state in S560. Here, when the electronic fuse connected to the second determination target ECU is in the open state, the CPU 161 transfers to S580.

[0292] On the other hand, when the electronic fuse connected to the second determination target ECU is in the open state, the CPU 161 turns the electronic fuse connected to the second determination target ECU into the open state in S570 , and then shifts to S580 .

[0293] If the process moves to S580, the CPU 161 determines whether all the slave ECUs connected to the electronic fuse are selected in S540. Here, if there are slave ECUs that are not selected in S540, the CPU 161 moves to S540. On the other hand, if all the slave ECUs connected to the electronic fuse are selected in S540, the CPU 161 ends the central management process.

[0294] The communication system 100 configured as above includes the slave ECU 108 , the regional ECU 104 configured to control the operation of the electronic fuse 195 by being connected to the slave ECU 108 for data communication, and the central ECU 101 connected to the regional ECU 104 for data communication.

[0295] The central ECU 101 includes a control unit 151 and a communication unit 154 .

[0296] The control unit 151 is configured to repeatedly detect a consumption current value that is a value of current consumed by the slave ECU 108 .

[0297] The communication unit 154 is configured to acquire an NM frame including activation information related to activation of the slave ECU 108 .

[0298] The control unit 151 is configured to determine whether a preset shutdown determination condition is satisfied, based on the current consumption value and the activation information, the shutdown determination condition indicating that a high current consumption state in the slave ECU 108 continues despite the slave ECU 108 being in the sleep state.

[0299] The control unit 151 is configured to put the electronic fuse 195 into a cut-off state when it is determined that the cut-off determination condition is satisfied.

[0300] Such a communication system 100 can cut off the power supply to the slave ECU 108 based on the current consumption value and the startup information when the slave ECU 108 consumes power unnecessarily even though the slave ECU 108 should be in the sleep state. Thus, the communication system 100 can suppress the occurrence of the situation where the slave ECU 108 consumes power unnecessarily, and reduce the power consumption in the communication system 100.

[0301] The area ECU 104 is configured to receive power from the battery 117 via the electronic fuse 173, which is configured to switch between an on state and an off state in the power supply path 123 provided between the electronic fuse 195 and the battery 117. The communication system 100 further includes an upstream power distribution unit 102 having the electronic fuse 173.

[0302] The central ECU 101 is configured not to execute control for switching the electronic fuse 173 to the cut-off state.

[0303] In the above-described embodiment, S460 corresponds to the process as the current detection unit, the communication unit 154 corresponds to the management frame acquisition unit, S470 to S500 correspond to the process as the cutoff determination unit, and S510 corresponds to the process as the power supply cutoff unit.

[0304] In addition, the electronic fuse 195 corresponds to the first power supply switching unit, and the electronic fuse 173 corresponds to the second power supply switching unit.

[0305] [Fifth Embodiment]

[0306] Hereinafter, a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, in the fifth embodiment, portions different from the third embodiment will be described.

[0307] The communication system 100 of the fifth embodiment is different from the third embodiment in that the central ECU 101 executes the central upstream management process.

[0308] Next, the procedure of the central upstream management process executed by the control unit 151 of the central ECU 101 will be described. The central upstream management process is a process that is repeatedly executed when the central ECU 101 is activated.

[0309] If central upstream management processing is performed, then Fig.16 As shown, the CPU 161 of the control unit 151 determines whether an NM frame has been received in S610. When the central ECU 101 generates and transmits an NM frame, the CPU 161 determines that an NM frame has been received in S610.

[0310] Here, if the NM frame is not received, the CPU 161 transfers to S630. On the other hand, if the NM frame is received, the CPU 161 determines the state (hereinafter, the device state) of the slave ECU (i.e., slave ECUs 108 to 116) connected to the electronic fuse in S620, similarly to S20, based on the startup information included in the received NM frame, and transfers to S630.

[0311] When the process moves to S630 , the CPU 161 selects, as the determination target fuse, the electronic fuse that was not selected in S630 of the central upstream management process executed this time, from among the electronic fuses 173 , 174 , 183 , and 184 built in the upstream power distribution units 102 , 103 .

[0312] At S640 , the CPU 161 sets an abnormality determination value based on the device states of the zone ECU and the slave ECU connected to the determination target fuse.

[0313] For example, the zone ECU 104 and the slave ECUs 108 and 109 are connected to the electronic fuse 173 .

[0314] For the regional ECU 104 , an awake abnormality determination value when the device state of the regional ECU 104 is in the awake state and a sleep abnormality determination value when the device state of the regional ECU 104 is in the sleep state are set.

[0315] Similarly, for the slave ECU 108, an awakening abnormality determination value when the device state of the slave ECU 108 is awake and a sleeping abnormality determination value when the device state of the slave ECU 108 is sleeping are set. In addition, for the slave ECU 109, an awakening abnormality determination value when the device state of the slave ECU 109 is awake and a sleeping abnormality determination value when the device state of the slave ECU 109 is sleeping are set.

[0316] Therefore, for example, when the device states of the regional ECU 104 and the slave ECUs 108 and 109 are all in the awake state, the sum of the awakening abnormality judgment value of the regional ECU 104, the awakening abnormality judgment value of the slave ECU 108, and the awakening abnormality judgment value of the slave ECU 109 is set as the abnormality judgment value.

[0317] In addition, for example, when the device state of the regional ECU 104 is the awake state and the device state of the slave ECUs 108 and 109 is the sleep state, the sum of the awake abnormality judgment value of the regional ECU 104, the slave abnormality judgment value of the slave ECU 108, and the slave abnormality judgment value of the slave ECU 109 is set as the abnormality judgment value.

[0318] The awakening abnormality determination value and the sleeping abnormality determination value are also set for the area ECUs 105 to 107 and the slave ECUs 110 to 116 .

[0319] In S650 , CPU 161 acquires current value information from the fuse to be determined. For example, when the fuse to be determined is electronic fuse 173 , CPU 161 acquires current value information from electronic fuse 173 .

[0320] In S660 , the CPU 161 compares the abnormality determination value set in S640 with the current value indicated by the current value information acquired in S650 .

[0321] In S670, the CPU 161 determines whether all the slave ECUs connected to the fuse to be determined are normal based on the comparison result in S660. For example, when the fuse to be determined is the electronic fuse 173, the slave ECUs connected to the fuse to be determined are the slave ECUs 108 and 109. When the fuse to be determined is the electronic fuse 183, the slave ECUs connected to the fuse to be determined are the slave ECUs 112, 113, and 114.

[0322] Here, when all the slave ECUs connected to the fuse to be determined are normal, the CPU 161 transfers to S700. On the other hand, when at least one of the slave ECUs connected to the fuse to be determined is abnormal, the CPU 161 determines in S680 whether at least one of the normal slave ECUs is in the awake state.

[0323] Here, when at least one of the normal slave ECUs is in the awake state, the CPU 161 proceeds to S700 . On the other hand, when all the normal slave ECUs are in the sleep state, the CPU 161 turns the determination target fuse to the open state in S690 and proceeds to S700 .

[0324] If the process moves to S700, the CPU 161 determines whether all of the electronic fuses 173, 174, 183, and 184 built into the upstream power distribution units 102 and 103 have been selected in S630. Here, if there are electronic fuses that have not been selected in S630, the CPU 161 moves to S630. On the other hand, if all of the electronic fuses 173, 174, 183, and 184 built into the upstream power distribution units 102 and 103 have been selected in S630, the CPU 161 ends the central upstream management process.

[0325] In addition, for example Fig.17 As shown, even when the zone ECU 104 does not include the electronic fuse 196 and the slave ECU 109 is connected to the electronic fuse 173 via the power supply path 123 and the power supply path 128 , the central upstream management process of the present embodiment can be applied.

[0326] For example, when the device state of the regional ECU 104 is the awake state and the device state of the slave ECUs 108 and 109 is the sleep state, in S640, the sum of the awake abnormality judgment value of the regional ECU 104, the slave abnormality judgment value of the slave ECU 108, and the slave abnormality judgment value of the slave ECU 109 is set as the abnormality judgment value.

[0327] Moreover, in S660, the result of comparing the abnormal judgment value set in S640 with the current value represented by the current value information obtained in S650 is that when the current value exceeds the abnormal judgment value, it is determined that the slave ECU 109 is abnormal and the device state of both the slave ECU 108 and the slave ECU 109 is in the sleep state, so in S690, the electronic fuse 173 is turned to the disconnected state.

[0328] The communication system 100 configured in this way further includes an upstream power distribution unit 102 having an electronic fuse 173. The central ECU 101 is configured to set an abnormality determination value based on the activation information included in the NM frame. The central ECU 101 is configured to repeatedly detect the value of the current flowing through the electronic fuse 173 (hereinafter, the second switching current value). The central ECU 101 is configured to make the electronic fuse 173 in the on state or the off state based on the comparison result of comparing the second switching current value with the abnormality determination value.

[0329] Such a communication system 100 can cut off the power supply to the slave ECU 108 based on the second switching current value and the startup information when the slave ECU 108 consumes power unnecessarily even though the slave ECU 108 should be in the sleep state. As a result, the communication system 100 can suppress the occurrence of the situation where the slave ECU 108 consumes power unnecessarily, and reduce the power consumption in the communication system 100.

[0330] The communication system 100 also includes the slave ECU 109 that receives power supply from the battery 117 via the electronic fuse 173. The NM frame includes activation information of the slave ECU 108 and activation information of the slave ECU 109.

[0331] The central ECU 101 is configured to set the electronic fuse 173 to a cut-off state when the second switching current value is large even though the slave ECUs 108 and 109 are in the sleep state.

[0332] Such a communication system 100 can cut off the power supply to the slave ECU 109 when the slave ECU 109 consumes power unnecessarily even though the slave ECU 109 should be in the sleep state, based on the second switching current value and the startup information. As a result, the communication system 100 can suppress the occurrence of the situation where the slave ECU 109 consumes power unnecessarily, and reduce the power consumption in the communication system 100.

[0333] In the above-described embodiment, the electronic fuse 195 corresponds to the first power supply switching unit, the electronic fuse 173 corresponds to the second power supply switching unit, the slave ECU 108 corresponds to the first slave control device, and the slave ECU 109 corresponds to the second slave control device.

[0334] In addition, S640 corresponds to the process as the determination value setting unit, S650 corresponds to the process as the second switching current detection unit, and S660 to S690 correspond to the process as the second switching control unit.

[0335] As mentioned above, although one embodiment of the present disclosure has been described, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be implemented in various modified forms.

[0336] [Modification 1]

[0337] In the above embodiment, the electronic fuses 15 to 17 are used to control the power supply, but relays may be used instead of the electronic fuses 15 to 17. Since relays do not have a current detection function, the communication system 1 needs to have a current detection circuit that detects the value of the current flowing through the power supply paths 18 to 20.

[0338] [Modification 2]

[0339] In the above embodiment, the communication system 1 is shown to have one master ECU. The master ECU is an ECU that is configured to have an electronic fuse and can control the operation of the electronic fuse. However, the communication system 1 may also have multiple master ECUs. In addition, it may also have other master ECUs that receive power supply from the battery 7 via the electronic fuses provided by one master ECU. That is, multiple master ECUs may also be provided in multiple stages.

[0340] The control unit 11 and the method thereof described in the present disclosure may also be implemented by a special-purpose computer, which is provided by constituting a processor and a memory programmed to execute one or more functions embodied by a computer program. Alternatively, the control unit 11 and the method thereof described in the present disclosure may also be implemented by a special-purpose computer, which is provided by constituting a processor composed of one or more special-purpose hardware logic circuits. Alternatively, the control unit 11 and the method thereof described in the present disclosure may also be implemented by one or more special-purpose computers, which are constituted by a combination of a processor and a memory programmed to execute one or more functions and a processor composed of one or more hardware logic circuits. In addition, a computer program may also be stored as an instruction executed by a computer in a non-migratable tangible recording medium that can be read by a computer. The method for realizing the functions of each unit included in the control unit 11 does not necessarily need to include software, and all of the functions may also be implemented using one or more hardware.

[0341] It is also possible to realize multiple functions of one constituent element of the above-mentioned embodiment by multiple constituent elements, or realize one function of one constituent element by multiple constituent elements. In addition, it is also possible to realize multiple functions of multiple constituent elements by one constituent element, or realize one function realized by multiple constituent elements by one constituent element. In addition, it is also possible to omit a part of the structure of the above-mentioned embodiment. In addition, it is also possible to add or replace at least a part of the structure of the above-mentioned embodiment relative to the structure of other above-mentioned embodiments.

[0342] In addition to the above-mentioned ECU2~5, 101~116, 118, the present disclosure can also be implemented in various ways such as a system with the ECU2~5, 101~116, 118 as a constituent element, a program for enabling a computer to function as the ECU2~5, 101~116, 118, a non-migrating physical recording medium such as a semiconductor memory recording the program, a management method, etc.

Claims

1. A communication system, wherein: have: a first control device receiving power supply from a power supply via a power supply switching unit configured to switch between an on state for conducting a power supply path and an off state for cutting off the power supply path; as well as a second control device connected to the first control device so as to be capable of data communication and transmitting and receiving communication frames, and configured to control the operation of the power supply switching unit, The second control device comprises: a current detection unit configured to repeatedly detect a consumption current value, the consumption current value being a value of current consumed by the first control device; a management frame acquisition unit configured to acquire a management frame, wherein the management frame is the communication frame including activation information related to activation of the first control device; a cutoff determination unit configured to determine whether a preset cutoff determination condition is satisfied based on the current consumption value and the startup information, the cutoff determination condition indicating that a high current consumption state continues in the first control device despite the first control device being in a sleep state; as well as The power supply cutoff unit is configured to place the power supply switching unit in the cutoff state when the cutoff determination unit determines that the cutoff determination condition is satisfied.

2. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein: The second control device further includes a power supply conduction unit configured to, after the power supply cutoff unit has put the power supply switching unit into the cutoff state, put the power supply switching unit into the conduction state when the startup information included in the management frame acquired by the management frame acquisition unit indicates that the first control device is to be started.

3. The communication system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The shutdown determination condition is that the state in which the consumption current value exceeds a preset abnormality determination value continues for a preset abnormality determination time.

4. The communication system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The power supply switching unit is an electronic fuse, The current detection unit is configured to detect the consumption current value by acquiring current value information indicating a value of a current flowing through the electronic fuse from the electronic fuse.

5. The communication system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The communication system includes: a regional control device, which includes the first control device as a slave control device and is connected to the slave control device so as to enable data communication to control the operation of the power supply switching unit; and a central control device, which is connected to the regional control device so as to enable data communication. The central control device or the regional control device includes the current detection unit, the management frame acquisition unit, the cutoff determination unit, and the power supply cutoff unit.

6. The communication system according to claim 5, wherein: The communication system includes the power supply switching unit as a first power supply switching unit, The zone control device is configured to receive power supply from the power supply via a second power supply switching unit, the second power supply switching unit being configured to switch between the on state and the off state in the power supply path provided between the first power supply switching unit and the power supply, The communication system further includes an upstream power distribution unit having the second power supply switching unit, The central control device is configured not to execute control to switch the second power supply switching unit to the cutoff state.

7. The communication system according to claim 5, wherein: The communication system includes the power supply switching unit as a first power supply switching unit, The zone control device is configured to receive power supply from the power supply via a second power supply switching unit, the second power supply switching unit being configured to switch between the on state and the off state in the power supply path provided between the first power supply switching unit and the power supply, The communication system further includes an upstream power distribution unit having the second power supply switching unit, The central control device comprises: The determination value setting unit is configured to set an abnormality determination value based on the startup information included in the management frame; The second switching current detection unit is configured to repeatedly detect a second switching current value, the second switching current value being a value of a current flowing through the second power supply switching unit; as well as The second switching control unit is configured to set the second power supply switching unit to the on state or the off state based on a comparison result of the second switching current value and the abnormality determination value.

8. The communication system according to claim 7, wherein: The communication system includes the slave control device connected to the first power supply switching unit as a first slave control device, and includes a second slave control device that receives power supply from the power supply via the second power supply switching unit. The second switching control unit of the central control device is configured to place the second power supply switching unit in the cutoff state when the second switching current value is large even though the first slave control device and the second slave control device are in the sleep state.

9. An electronic control device, functioning as the second control device of a communication system, the communication system comprising: a first control device receiving power supply from a power supply via a power supply switching unit, the power supply switching unit being configured to switch between an on state for conducting a power supply path and an off state for cutting off the power supply path; and a second control device, which is connected to the first control device so as to be capable of data communication and to send and receive communication frames, and is configured to control the operation of the power supply switching unit, wherein the electronic control device comprises: a current detection unit configured to repeatedly detect a consumption current value, wherein the consumption current value is a value of current consumed by the first control device; a management frame acquisition unit configured to acquire a management frame, wherein the management frame is the communication frame including activation information related to activation of the first control device; a cutoff determination unit configured to determine whether a preset cutoff determination condition is satisfied based on the current consumption value and the startup information, the cutoff determination condition indicating that a high current consumption state continues in the first control device despite the first control device being in a sleep state; and The power supply cutoff unit is configured to place the power supply switching unit in the cutoff state when the cutoff determination unit determines that the cutoff determination condition is satisfied.

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