ECU controller ground maintenance method compatible with multiple communication modes

Abstract

The invention belongs to the technical field of aviation electromechanical communication, and relates to an ECU controller ground maintenance method compatible with multiple communication modes. According to the method, a monitoring interface can be quickly constructed, key maintenance parameters can be monitored in real time, a control instruction can be sent, important communication data can be conveniently checked and displayed in a curve mode, and a large amount of communication data can be stored for a long time through combination design of software and hardware and simple port and protocol configuration of an upper computer. The offline data can be conveniently loaded by the upper computer, historical data can be displayed in a curve form, important data can be amplified or reduced, historical numerical values of the data can be observed, and developers can conveniently carry out ground maintenance data analysis and carry out troubleshooting work; for a ground data downloading function frequently needed by ground maintenance, a protocol can be simply converted, so that a data downloading interface is quickly constructed, and storage parameters in the flash of the controller are downloaded.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of aviation electromechanical communications and relates to a ground maintenance method for an ECU controller compatible with multiple communication modes. Background Art

[0002] With the rapid development of information technology, embedded devices, featuring both information technology and intelligence, are ubiquitous in our daily lives. They have become a vital component of various sectors, including defense, scientific research, and industry, playing a crucial role. As a core component of these devices, embedded software plays a crucial role in ensuring their energy efficiency. Ground maintenance functionality is a crucial requirement for all software. It enables parameter monitoring, data upgrades, and data downloads for aircraft system ECU controllers on the ground, facilitating system maintenance and troubleshooting for design and maintenance personnel. Currently, many systems in the aviation sector incorporate ground maintenance functionality, but these capabilities are often lacking in standardized communication interfaces, with host computers overly customized and unable to adapt to diverse protocol requirements. Furthermore, these systems lack rich functionality and lack effective integration between software monitoring and data processing. This results in significant human and material resources being consumed in developing and maintaining the host software for each system, resulting in a waste of resources. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Purpose of the Invention

[0004] A ground maintenance method for an ECU controller compatible with multiple communication modes is provided. The host computer software of the present invention includes communication interface configuration, real-time data monitoring, data curve display, data storage, data analysis, and protocol configuration functions. This allows for rapid configuration and monitoring of the host computer, enabling functions such as ground maintenance data transmission, real-time maintenance data monitoring, real-time data storage, maintenance data reception, and data curve analysis. This improves efficiency and facilitates ground maintenance operations, saving significant manpower and material resources and avoiding significant waste of resources.

[0005] Technical Solution

[0006] A ground maintenance method for an ECU controller compatible with multiple communication modes includes the following steps:

[0007] Step 1: For different ground maintenance bus interfaces of the controller, convert the interfaces into RS422 bus mode and configure the serial port and protocol on the host computer to realize data monitoring function;

[0008] Step 2: After the host computer software is opened, load the port configuration, which includes the baud rate, serial port number, parity check, and data bits. The port configuration can be modified and saved online. When the software is reopened, the last configuration will be loaded by default.

[0009] Step 3: Load the communication protocol configuration information, including the bus frame header, check bit, and data information. The data information also includes the byte position, byte length, data name, data precision, data range, and offset in the frame. The protocol configuration can be modified and saved online. Reopening the software will load the last configuration by default.

[0010] Step 4: Based on the port configuration, determine whether to open the target port. If the port needs to be opened to receive data, open the configured target port. If the port does not need to be opened to receive data, determine whether to enable the historical data analysis function. If historical data analysis is required, open the historical data file, load the data into the display interface, perform curve analysis on the data, view the curve trend, data for each time period, and zoom in and out on the data segment.

[0011] Step 5: The host computer software verifies the received communication data according to the protocol requirements and parses the data if the verification passes;

[0012] Step 6: Parse the received data according to the protocol configuration, automatically connect the configured signal name, and refresh the displayed data in real time through text;

[0013] Step 7: Determine whether to store data. If yes, start storing data and display the data curve. The stored data format can generate a format recognized by this software, so that all data curves can be refreshed and displayed in real time.

[0014] Step 8: Determine whether to send, if yes, send the set control instruction content.

[0015] Furthermore, in step one:

[0016] (1) If the maintenance interface of the controller is an RS422 serial port, connect it directly to the RS422 transceiver, and the other end of the USB interface is directly connected to the PC;

[0017] (2) The host computer software configures the serial port and the communication protocol;

[0018] (3) The controller is powered on, and the host computer opens the receiving port to check whether there is communication data that has passed the verification.

[0019] Furthermore, if the verification fails, the data receiving phase is skipped and the data sending logic phase is entered;

[0020] Furthermore, when the data transmission is completed, the communication returns to receiving data and the next cycle begins again.

[0021] Furthermore, in step seven, if the storage is no, the data storage and curve display functions are directly skipped and the data sending function is entered;

[0022] Furthermore, this method is applicable to the maintenance interface of the controller that has a serial communication interface, and can change the hardware settings and configure the relevant protocols to support serial communication protocols such as RS422, RS232, RS485, and CAN;

[0023] Furthermore, if the maintenance interface of the controller is a CAN bus interface, it is first connected to the CAN converter, then to the RS422 transceiver, and the other end of the USB interface is connected to the PC; the conversion mode of the CAN converter is configured using configuration instructions.

[0024] Furthermore, if the data that has not been verified in step 1 (3) passes, the data receiving stage is skipped and the data sending logic stage is entered;

[0025] Furthermore, the communication protocol configuration information in step 3 includes a ground maintenance protocol or a data loading protocol;

[0026] Furthermore, in step 4, if the serial port fails to be opened, the host computer monitoring function is terminated; if the port is opened successfully, communication and data reception are started;

[0027] Furthermore, a system employing this method for signal processing is included. The system comprises a host computer, implemented in conjunction with a communication and conversion module, comprising an RS422 transceiver, a CAN bus converter, and C# host computer monitoring software. The host computer software architecture is divided into three layers: application layer, middle layer, and driver layer. Application layer functions include port configuration, protocol configuration, text display, curve display, transmission, data storage, and data analysis; middle layer functions include serial communication data parsing; and driver layer functions include timers, serial port drivers, and storage drivers.

[0028] The beneficial effects of this application are:

[0029] The present invention provides an ECU controller ground maintenance method compatible with multiple communication modes. This method reduces the bus format requirements for ground maintenance communication through a combination of software and hardware design. It is adaptable to buses such as RS422, RS485, RS232, and CAN, covering all existing ground maintenance communication interfaces. Through simple port and protocol configuration of the host computer, a monitoring interface can be quickly constructed to monitor key maintenance parameters and send control instructions in real time. Important communication data can be easily selected and displayed in curve form, and large amounts of communication data can be stored for a long time. For these offline data, the host computer can easily load historical data and display them in curve form, zoom in or out on important data, and observe the historical values of the data, making it convenient for developers to analyze ground maintenance data and carry out troubleshooting. For the ground data download function often required for ground maintenance, the protocol can also be simply converted to quickly construct a data download interface and download the stored parameters in the controller flash memory. The implementation of these functions provides a full-featured solution for ground maintenance of the controller with complete functions and outstanding compatibility. The technical solution is mature and stable, and has great application and promotion value. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Figure 1 A hardware connection diagram maintained by the controller of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 2 This is a functional architecture diagram of the host computer software of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 3 This is the software flow chart of the host computer of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the implementation of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail below in conjunction with the embodiments of the present invention. In the examples, the same or similar reference numerals throughout represent the same or similar originals or elements with the same or similar functions. The described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. The embodiments described below by reference are illustrative and intended to be used to explain the present invention, and should not be understood as limiting the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention. The following is a detailed description in conjunction with the embodiments of the present invention.

[0034] In order to more intuitively and clearly describe the structural principles and working methods in the examples of the present invention, the embodiments will be introduced below in conjunction with the relevant drawings. The present invention provides a ground maintenance method for an ECU controller that is compatible with multiple communication methods. The maintenance method is implemented by a host computer in combination with a communication and conversion module, including an RS422 transceiver, a CAN bus converter, and a set of C# host computer monitoring software. If the controller maintenance interface is an RS422 bus, the RS422 transceiver is directly connected, and the PC is connected to the host computer via USB for data communication; if the controller maintenance interface is a CAN bus, it is first converted through a CAN converter, and then connected to the RS422 transceiver for data communication with the host computer. The host computer opens the serial port, sends and receives data, and performs protocol processing, display, storage, and data analysis functions on the data.

[0035] See the following Figure 1 The specific physical connection process of the present invention is described in detail with reference to the implementation case;

[0036] The specific implementation steps of the present invention are as follows:

[0037] Example 1

[0038] Step 1: If the maintenance interface of the controller is RS422, connect it directly to the RS422 transceiver, and connect the other end of the USB interface directly to the PC; if the maintenance interface of the controller is CAN, connect it to the CAN converter first, then to the RS422 transceiver, and connect the other end of the USB interface to the PC;

[0039] Step 2: If a CAN converter is used, use the configuration command to configure the conversion method of the CAN converter;

[0040] Step 3: Configure the serial port and communication protocol on the host computer software;

[0041] Step 4: Power on the controller, open the receiving port on the host computer, and check whether there is communication data that has passed the verification.

[0042] See the following attachment Figure 2 The specific software implementation process of the present invention is described in detail in conjunction with the implementation case;

[0043] The specific software implementation steps of the present invention are as follows:

[0044] Step 1: After the host computer software is opened, load the last port configuration, and you can also modify and save the port configuration; load the last communication protocol configuration, and you can also modify and save the protocol configuration;

[0045] Step 2: Open the target port according to the port configuration. If the port is opened successfully, a success prompt will be returned. Otherwise, the port will fail.

[0046] Step 3: The host computer software verifies the received communication data according to the protocol requirements and parses the data if the verification passes;

[0047] Step 4: Refresh and display the parsed data in real time;

[0048] Step 5: Determine whether to store data. If yes, start storing data and display the data curve.

[0049] Step 6: If the port is not open, determine whether to perform historical data analysis. If so, load local data and analyze the data.

[0050] Step 7: Determine whether to send, if yes, send the set control instruction content.

[0051] The system includes a host computer, a communication and conversion module, an RS422 transceiver, a CAN bus converter, and a set of C# host computer monitoring software. The host computer software architecture is divided into three layers: application layer, middle layer, and driver layer. Figure 3 The application layer functions include port configuration, protocol configuration, text display, curve display, sending function, data storage, and data analysis; the middle layer functions include serial communication data analysis; the driver layer functions include timer, serial port driver, and storage driver.

[0052] In a certain implementation case of the present invention, based on the above maintenance method, the RS422 transceiver is responsible for information data interaction with the host computer.

[0053] In a certain embodiment of the present invention, in the above maintenance method, if the controller maintenance is a CAN interface, it is necessary to use a CAN bus converter to convert the CAN bus into an RS422 bus and connect it to the RS422 transceiver to complete data communication.

[0054] In a certain embodiment of the present invention, in the above maintenance method, the host computer completes the RS422 port configuration, opening, and communication data transmission and reception processing through the serial communication API function.

[0055] In an embodiment of the present invention, in the above maintenance method, the host computer checks the data frame header, verifies the data, and unpacks the data through the protocol configured in the protocol configuration tool.

[0056] In a certain embodiment of the present invention, in the above maintenance method, the host computer updates and displays the interface text and curves of the parsed data in real time.

[0057] In a certain embodiment of the present invention, in the above maintenance method, the host computer has a data storage function, which can store data in local files and import stored historical data to perform offline analysis on the data.

[0058] In an embodiment of the present invention, in the above maintenance method, the host computer has an instruction sending function, and sends the maintenance instruction through the RS422 bus.

[0059] Example 2

[0060] ECU controller ground maintenance method compatible with multiple communication methods,

[0061] Step 1: For different ground maintenance bus interfaces of the controller, convert the interfaces into RS422 bus mode and configure the serial port and protocol on the host computer to realize data monitoring function;

[0062] (1) If the maintenance interface of the controller is an RS422 serial port, connect it directly to the RS422 transceiver, and the other end of the USB interface is directly connected to the PC;

[0063] (2) The host computer software configures the serial port and the communication protocol;

[0064] (3) The controller is powered on, and the host computer opens the receiving port to check whether there is communication data that has passed the verification.

[0065] Step 2: After the host computer software is opened, load the port configuration, which includes the baud rate, serial port number, parity check, and data bits. The port configuration can be modified and saved online. When the software is reopened, the last configuration is loaded by default. (The configuration content can be modified intuitively through the software port configuration interface. The interface is simple and clear, and it is saved in the configuration file on the computer to ensure accurate and correct configuration.)

[0066] Step 3: Load the communication protocol configuration information, including the bus frame header, check bit, and data information. The data information includes the byte position, byte length, data name, data precision, data range, and offset in the frame. The protocol configuration can be modified and saved online. Reopening the software will load the last configuration by default. (The software protocol configuration interface allows you to intuitively modify the protocol content. The interface is simple and clear, and you can quickly configure the protocol parsing method in the project, truly achieving data parsing and calibration without changing the underlying code.)

[0067] Step 4: Based on the port configuration, determine whether to open the target port. If the port needs to be opened to receive data, open the configured target port. If not, determine whether to enable the historical data analysis function. If historical data analysis is required, open the historical data file, load the data into the display interface, perform curve analysis on the data, view the curve trend, data for each time period, and zoom in and out on the data segment. (The online data monitoring and historical data analysis functions share a host computer interface, which is concise and highly reusable. It integrates the content previously implemented by multiple applets, is easy to use, and greatly reduces host computer development time.)

[0068] Step 5: The host computer software verifies the received communication data according to the protocol requirements and parses the data if the verification passes;

[0069] In a certain embodiment of the present invention, if the verification fails, the data receiving phase is skipped and the data sending logic phase is entered;

[0070] Step 6: Parse the received data according to the protocol configuration, automatically connect the configured signal names, and refresh the displayed data in real time through text. (The display content is directly spliced with data through the protocol configuration content, quickly generating text display content without the need for tedious configuration of display controls, greatly shortening interface display development time. The generated text display content is beautifully and compactly arranged, greatly facilitating ground maintenance work for embedded system designers.)

[0071] Step 7: Determine whether to store data. If so, start storing data and display the data curve. The data storage format can be generated in a format recognized by this software, or in a txt format that can be easily opened in Excel or Origin, facilitating data sharing and analysis. Curves can be configured with different colors, and all data curves can be refreshed and displayed in real time. (The offline files generated by the data storage function can facilitate offline analysis and support long-term data storage, greatly facilitating long-term product copy verification. The real-time curve display makes it easy to observe data trends, detect abnormal data fluctuations in advance, and facilitate early detection of faults.)

[0072] In a certain embodiment of the present invention, if the storage is no, the data storage and curve display functions are directly skipped and the data sending function is entered;

[0073] Step 8: Determine whether to send, if yes, send the set control instruction content.

[0074] In a certain embodiment of the present invention, after data transmission is completed, the process returns to the communication receiving data and restarts the next cycle.

[0075] In one embodiment of the present invention, this method is applicable to a controller maintenance interface having a serial communication interface. Hardware settings can be modified and related protocols configured to support serial communication protocols such as RS422, RS232, RS485, and CAN. (Supporting multiple communication modes, the protocol is easy to configure, supporting multiple interface adaptations on the controller side, and ensuring a unified interface on the host computer side, reducing development difficulty.)

[0076] In one embodiment of the present invention, if the controller's maintenance interface is a CAN bus interface, it is first connected to a CAN converter, then to an RS422 transceiver, and the other end of the USB interface is connected to a PC. Configuration instructions are used to configure the CAN converter's conversion mode (configuring the serial port baud rate, stop bit, and parity bit, configuring the CAN bus baud rate and frame type, configuring the conversion direction, and setting the conversion parameters to transparent mode) so that multiple mailbox data in the CAN bus protocol are spliced into a single frame of serial port data. (Transparently converting the CAN bus protocol to the serial port protocol increases the convenience of protocol parsing.)

[0077] In a certain embodiment of the present invention, if the data that has not been verified in step 1 (3) passes, the data receiving stage is skipped and the data sending logic stage is entered;

[0078] In one embodiment of the present invention, the communication protocol configuration information in step 3 includes a ground maintenance protocol or a data loading protocol;

[0079] In a certain embodiment of the present invention, in step 4, if the serial port fails to be opened, the host computer monitoring function is terminated; if the port is opened successfully, communication and data reception are started;

[0080] In one embodiment of the present invention, a system is also included. The system uses the present method to perform signal processing. The system includes a host computer, which is implemented in conjunction with a communication and conversion module and includes an RS422 transceiver, a CAN bus converter, and a set of C# host computer monitoring software. The host computer software architecture is divided into three layers: application layer, middle layer, and driver layer. See the attached Figure 3 The application layer functions include port configuration, protocol configuration, text display, curve display, sending function, data storage, and data analysis; the middle layer functions include serial communication data analysis; the driver layer functions include timer, serial port driver, and storage driver.

[0081] In a certain implementation case of the present invention, based on the above maintenance method, the RS422 transceiver is responsible for information data interaction with the host computer.

[0082] In a certain embodiment of the present invention, in the above maintenance method, if the controller maintenance is a CAN interface, it is necessary to use a CAN bus converter to convert the CAN bus into an RS422 bus and connect it to the RS422 transceiver to complete data communication.

[0083] In a certain embodiment of the present invention, in the above maintenance method, the host computer completes the RS422 port configuration, opening, and communication data transmission and reception processing through the serial communication API function.

[0084] In an embodiment of the present invention, in the above maintenance method, the host computer checks the data frame header, verifies the data, and unpacks the data through the protocol configured in the protocol configuration tool.

[0085] In a certain embodiment of the present invention, in the above maintenance method, the host computer updates and displays the interface text and curves of the parsed data in real time.

[0086] In a certain embodiment of the present invention, in the above maintenance method, the host computer has a data storage function, which can store data in local files and import stored historical data to perform offline analysis on the data.

[0087] In an embodiment of the present invention, in the above maintenance method, the host computer has an instruction sending function, and sends the maintenance instruction through the RS422 bus.

[0088] In addition, unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used in the description of this application should have the ordinary meanings understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. The words "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "center," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer" used in the description of this application are only used to indicate relative directions or positional relationships, and do not imply that the device or component must have a specific orientation, be constructed, or operate in a specific orientation. When the absolute position of the described object changes, its relative positional relationship may also change accordingly. Therefore, they should not be understood as limitations on this application. The words "first," "second," "third," and similar terms used in the description of this application are used only for descriptive purposes to distinguish different components and should not be understood to indicate or imply relative importance. The words "one," "an," or "the" used in the description of this application should not be understood as absolute limitations on quantity, but should be understood as meaning the presence of at least one. The words "include" or "comprises" used in the description of this application mean that the element or object listed before the word includes the elements or objects listed after the word and their equivalents, but does not exclude other elements or objects.

[0089] In addition, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly stipulated and limited, the words "install", "connect", "connect" and similar terms used in the description of this application should be understood in a broad sense. For example, the connection can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection, an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or a connection between two components. Technical personnel in the field can understand their specific meanings in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0090] The above description is only a specific embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Within the spirit and principles of the present invention, any technician familiar with the profession may use the technical content disclosed above to change or modify it into an equivalent embodiment with equivalent changes and apply it to other fields. However, any simple modification, equivalent change and modification made to the above embodiment based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the content of the technical solution of the present invention, any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A ground maintenance method for an ECU controller compatible with multiple communication modes, characterized in that: Here are the steps: Step 1: Convert different ground maintenance bus interfaces into RS422 bus mode, and configure the serial port and protocol on the host computer to realize data monitoring function; Step 2: After the host computer software is opened, load the port configuration, which includes the baud rate, serial port number, parity check, and data bits. The port configuration can be modified and saved online. When the software is reopened, the last configuration will be loaded by default. Step 3: Load the communication protocol configuration information, including the bus frame header, check bit, and data information. The data information also includes the byte position, byte length, data name, data precision, data range, and offset in the frame. The protocol configuration can be modified and saved online. Reopening the software will load the last configuration by default. Step 4: Determine whether to open the target port based on the port configuration. If the port needs to be opened to receive data, open the target port in the configuration. If the port does not need to be opened to receive data, determine whether to open the historical data analysis function; If you need to analyze historical data, open the historical data file, load the data into the display interface, perform curve analysis on the data, view the curve trend, data for each time period, and zoom in and out on the data segment; Step 5: The host computer software verifies the received communication data according to the protocol requirements and parses the data if the verification passes; Step 6: Parse the received data according to the protocol configuration, automatically connect the configured signal name, and refresh the displayed data in real time through text; Step 7: Determine whether to store data. If so, start storing data and display the data curve. The stored data format can generate a format recognized by this software, so that the curve of all data can be refreshed and displayed in real time. Step 8: Determine whether to send, if yes, send the set control instruction content.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that In step one: (1) If the maintenance interface of the controller is an RS422 serial port, connect it directly to the RS422 transceiver, and the other end of the USB interface is directly connected to the PC; (2) The host computer software configures the serial port and the communication protocol; (3) The controller is powered on, and the host computer opens the receiving port to check whether there is communication data that has passed the verification.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that If the verification fails, the data receiving phase is skipped and the data sending logic phase is entered.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein When data transmission is completed, the communication returns to receiving data and restarts the next cycle.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein In step seven, if the storage is no, the data storage and curve display functions are directly skipped and the data sending function is entered.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that This method is applicable to the maintenance interface of the controller with serial communication interface, which can change the hardware settings and configure related protocols to support RS422, RS232, RS485, and CAN serial communication protocols.

7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that If the maintenance interface of the controller is a CAN bus interface, first connect it to the CAN converter, then to the RS422 transceiver, and connect the other end of the USB interface to the PC; use the configuration command to configure the conversion mode of the CAN converter.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein If the data that has not been verified in step (3) passes, the data receiving stage is skipped and the data sending logic stage is entered; the communication protocol configuration information in step three includes the ground maintenance protocol or the data loading protocol; In step 4, if the serial port opening fails, the host computer monitoring function ends; if the port opening succeeds, communication and data reception begin.

9. An ECU controller ground maintenance system implementing the method of claim 1, characterized in that: The system includes a host computer, a communication and conversion module, an RS422 transceiver, a CAN bus converter, and a set of C# host computer monitoring software. The host computer software architecture is divided into three layers: application layer, middle layer, and driver layer. The application layer functions include port configuration, protocol configuration, text display, curve display, sending function, data storage, and data analysis; the middle layer functions include serial communication data parsing; the driver layer functions include timer, serial port driver, and storage driver.

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