Control system, control device and method for providing a control and / or regulating signal

Abstract

The invention relates to an integrated circuit (1000) for providing a control system (10) for providing control and / or regulating signals. The integrated circuit (1000) comprises a system bus (14) with a system controller (16) configured to execute a system function (18) of the control system (10). The control system is characterized in that the control system (10) further has a measurement bus (20) with at least one measurement controller (22) configured to execute a measurement function for acquiring and / or processing measurement data and / or an output function for adjusting and / or outputting control and / or regulating signals. Furthermore, the control system (10) has a bus interface (24) configured to provide a communication connection (26) between the system bus (14) and the measurement bus (20).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] A control system, a control device, a RISC processor as a measurement controller in a control system, and a method for providing control and / or regulation signals are provided. Therefore, these embodiments are particularly suitable for the field of control systems and control devices, especially for the automotive industry. Background Technology

[0002] Control systems can be complex integrated measurement systems used to acquire measurement signals and generate output data. The processing and control of the measurement section are typically performed by a microcontroller. In addition to processing measurement data and controlling the measurement section, the microcontroller is also usually responsible for system control functions. The large number of functions that must be performed by the microcontroller often leads to speed losses and makes it difficult to guarantee functional safety. Therefore, conventional microcontrollers often reach their limits when performing measurement and control functions other than system control.

[0003] US 10,108,168 B2 describes a monitoring network and a computer-executable method for an automated monitoring and control system.

[0004] US 2022 / 0028713 A1 describes a method for determining whether to provide manufacturing process formulation adjustments.

[0005] US 2022 / 0334988 A1 describes an input / output station for a fieldbus system, the input / output station having a fieldbus coupler having a system bus interface and a fieldbus interface.

[0006] US 2021 / 0135942A1 describes a method for automatically configuring computing devices in a computer environment. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In view of the background of the prior art, the purpose of this disclosure is to provide an improved operating unit suitable for improving the prior art. One specific embodiment of this disclosure can solve the problems of simplifying functional safety assurance and improving the speed of the control system.

[0008] In a first aspect, this disclosure includes an integrated circuit for providing a control system for providing control and / or regulation signals. The integrated circuit includes a system bus having a system controller configured to perform system functions of the control system. The integrated circuit also includes a measurement bus having at least one measurement controller configured to perform measurement and / or output functions, the measurement functions being for acquiring and / or processing measurement data, and the output functions being for adjusting and / or outputting control and / or regulation signals. Furthermore, the integrated circuit includes a bus interface configured to provide a communication connection between the system bus and the measurement bus.

[0009] On the other hand, a control system is provided, configured to provide control and / or regulation signals. The control system includes a system bus with a system controller configured to perform system functions of the control system. The control system is characterized in that it further includes a measurement bus with at least one measurement controller configured to perform measurement and / or output functions, the measurement functions being for acquiring and / or processing measurement data, and the output functions being for adjusting and / or outputting control and / or regulation signals, wherein the measurement controller is designed as a deterministic programmable finite state machine and configured such that the measurement and / or output functions that can be performed by the measurement controller can be fully simulated. Furthermore, the control system has a bus interface configured to provide a communication connection between the system bus and the measurement bus.

[0010] On the other hand, it provides the use of RISC processors as measurement controllers in control systems.

[0011] On the other hand, a control device for a motor vehicle is provided, the control device including a control system according to the present disclosure.

[0012] On the other hand, a method for providing control and / or regulation signals is provided. The method includes providing a system bus having a system controller configured to perform system functions of the control system. The method also includes providing a measurement bus having at least one measurement controller configured to perform measurement functions for acquiring and / or processing measurement data, wherein the measurement controller is designed as a deterministic programmable finite state machine and configured such that the measurement functions and / or output functions that can be performed by the measurement controller can be fully simulated. Furthermore, the method includes sending commands for performing the measurement functions from the system controller to the measurement controller via a bus interface that provides a communication connection between the system bus and the measurement bus. Additionally, the method includes having the measurement controller perform the measurement functions and preventing the system controller from accessing the measurement controller while it is performing the measurement functions, and providing output data generated during the performance of the measurement functions, wherein the output data is provided to the system controller via the bus interface.

[0013] A control system is a system used to control and / or regulate a related system or control loop. A control system may include several components, such as a system controller and one or more measurement controllers. Multiple components may exist as a whole and may optionally be housed together on a circuit board and / or in a housing. Alternatively, the components of the control system may exist independently of each other.

[0014] Control and / or regulation signals are those signals provided by the control system for controlling the measuring components of the connection and / or for controlling the control loop. Control and / or regulation may include the acquisition of measuring signals, the processing of measuring signals, and the control of the measuring components.

[0015] The term "bus" as used in this disclosure should be understood as a commonly used abbreviation of the English term "Binary Unit System." Therefore, a bus is a system for transmitting data between multiple participants via a common transmission path. Thus, a "system bus" is understood as a system for transmitting data between multiple participants who at least partially participate in the execution of system functions. The system controller is one of the participants in the system bus. The measurement bus is a system for transmitting data between several participants who at least partially participate in the execution of measurement and / or output functions. The measurement controller is one of the participants in the measurement bus. The system bus and the measurement bus are designed separately from each other, i.e., each is an independent bus. The system bus and the measurement bus are connected to each other via a bus interface, so that communication can occur between the participants of the system bus and the measurement bus. Data communication and / or exchange may be limited to a specific type of data and / or information, a specific direction of information flow, a specific participant, and / or a specific time period.

[0016] System functions are the functions used to control a control system. Therefore, system functions can form part of the control system's operating system and serve its basic functions. The operating system may include several system functions, which, together with the control system's hardware characteristics, form the basis of the control system's operation, especially the processing of control and monitoring programs and more specific functions. System functions are executed by the system controller. The system controller may include a microcontroller or be designed as a microcontroller.

[0017] A measurement function is a function used for a predetermined measurement. A single or different measurement functions may involve the acquisition and / or processing of measurement data. Measurement functions are executed by a measurement controller. The measurement controller may be designed to perform one or more measurement functions. Acquiring measurement data may include reading sensor data from one or more sensors participating in the measurement bus. Processing measurement data may include improving the quality of the measurement data, such as filtering and / or amplifying the measurement data and / or applying noise suppression.

[0018] Output functions are used to adjust control and / or regulate signals and / or output control and / or regulate signals to, for example, control loops and / or actuators. A measurement controller may be designed to perform one or more output functions and optionally one or more measurement functions. Adjusting control and / or regulate signals may include modifying predefined control and / or regulate signals, for example, based on instructions provided by a system controller and / or based on information determined by the measurement controller itself or another measurement controller. The output of control and / or regulate signals can typically represent providing control and / or regulate signals to an actuator, measurement section, or control loop.

[0019] An integrated circuit can refer to an electronic component in which all its components are integrated. Integrated circuits can optionally be provided as a monolithic device and / or arranged on a common board. Integrated circuits can optionally provide a control system as a "system-on-a-chip," i.e., a control system in which all related components are in the form of electronic chips and optionally semiconductor chips.

[0020] The fact that at least one measurement controller can be designed as a finite state machine means that at least one measurement controller can be in only one of a finite number of possible states. The fact that the finite state machine can be a deterministic finite state machine means that the finite state machine transitions from one state to another in a deterministic manner, i.e., in a predetermined manner, where the predetermined manner can depend on the initial state and the inputs provided to the finite state machine. The fact that the finite state machine is programmable means that the sequence of programs executed by the finite state machine can be specified and / or modified through programming, the sequence of programs being determined, for example, in a deterministic manner, in which the finite state machine transitions to another state according to the initial state and the provided inputs. Designing at least one measurement controller as a deterministic programmable finite state machine provides the advantage that the measurement functions and / or output functions that can be performed by the measurement controller can be fully simulated.

[0021] The advantages provided by this disclosure include the flexibility, speed, and ease of designing control systems, as components suitable for the respective applications can be assembled in a modular manner. For example, one or more measurement controllers can be combined with a system controller, depending on the intended function. Since the measurement tasks are performed by one or more corresponding measurement controllers, the system controller can primarily perform system functions without having to allocate most of its computing power to the measurement functions.

[0022] Furthermore, this disclosure provides the following advantages: the measurement controller can be programmed and optimized independently of the system controller, and vice versa. Optionally, the system controller can be used across platforms in various different control systems, and one or more different measurement controllers can be added to the control system according to its intended use. Additionally, this provides the advantage that the system controller can be adapted or programmed to meet customer-specific requirements, for example, by the manufacturer or the customer, while measurement controllers for hardware-related tasks such as measurement value acquisition can be provided in a manner that cannot be changed by the customer.

[0023] This disclosure also provides the following advantages: the measurement controller and the system controller can each be provided as self-contained systems, which simplifies the verification of the control system for functional safety. In particular, a clear separation of the system bus and the measurement bus can be achieved through a bus interface, thus separating hardware-related measurement signal acquisition and processing from both control and higher-level system functions performed by the system controller, which is beneficial for functional safety.

[0024] Measurement controllers, or optionally multiple measurement controllers, may each have one or more RISC processors. One or more RISC processors may represent the measurement controller's unique arithmetic logic unit (ALU), or, if multiple RISC processors are present, they may represent the measurement controller's only ALU. "RISC" stands for "Reduced Instruction Set Computer," and means that a RISC processor can have a reduced or even minimized instruction set compared to a system processor designed as a microcontroller. Due to the reduced or even minimized instruction set and low logic depth, a RISC processor has fewer possible alternatives to check when performing a function, and therefore requires less time. Thus, RISC processors can offer the advantage of providing high computing power in short bursts of time. Furthermore, RISC processors can consume less power than microcontrollers with higher logic depth and more detailed instruction sets. Given their low complexity, measurement controllers are often referred to as "nanocontrollers" rather than microcontrollers.

[0025] Traditionally, RISC processors have been used to achieve either exceptionally fast processing speeds or exceptionally low power consumption. Furthermore, RISC processors are not traditionally used in control systems; instead, to conserve hardware components, system functions and measurement functions are performed by a system controller, which may be designed as a microcontroller. According to this disclosure, a RISC processor can be used as a measurement controller and integrated into a measurement bus to perform small and compact functions related to the output of measurement data and control and regulation signals. This provides great flexibility for the modular design of measurement systems and offers module-based protection in terms of functional safety.

[0026] The measurement controller can operate using predefined program code. For this purpose, the measurement controller may have a ROM memory, in which the predefined program code can be provided. Optionally, the ROM memory may be wired.

[0027] This offers the following advantages: the program code provided in the ROM memory cannot be manipulated or altered, therefore functions and program code can only be changed in the context of hardware modifications. This also offers the following advantages: a high level of protection for functional safety can be achieved; in particular, accidental or unauthorized changes to the program code provided to the measurement controller by unauthorized personnel can be prevented or made more difficult.

[0028] The measurement controller can optionally be designed as a finite state machine. The measurement and / or output functions that can be performed by the measurement controller can be fully simulated. This offers the advantage that the measurement controller can be viewed as a finite state machine within a functional safety framework, especially when predefined program code is provided in ROM memory and the functionality of the measurement controller can be fully simulated. Therefore, the workload required to test and / or verify the functionality of the measurement controller within the functional safety framework can be reduced or even minimized. Furthermore, this offers the advantage that the functionality of the measurement controller can optionally be fully mapped in the simulation, further reducing the workload of testing and / or verification. Thus, the measurement controller can be fully simulated in the form of a finite state machine, and its compliance with safety rules can be checked using rule-based verification. This provides a significant advantage compared to more complex processors, such as microcontrollers, where simulation and rule-based verification are often impossible due to the large number of possible states.

[0029] The measurement controller can be configured to start executing each measurement function or output function that can be performed by the measurement controller from an initial state within a predetermined finite period, and return to the initial state after the predetermined finite period expires. This is advantageous in terms of functional safety, as the periodic reset of the measurement controller can prevent malfunctions due to prolonged interruptions in operation. The duration of the predetermined finite period can be, for example, 50 µs or less, and optionally 20 µs or less. This ensures that the measurement controller's functionality can be regained at the latest after the finite period ends.

[0030] The measurement controller can be optionally configured to execute up to 32 or even just 16 different commands. This makes it possible to implement the measurement controller using a RISC processor with particularly high efficiency, which also allows for particularly efficient verification of functional safety.

[0031] The measurement controller may also include a RAM memory and be configured to store output data generated during the execution of measurement functions in the RAM memory. The RAM memory may optionally be used solely for storage, particularly for temporary storage, of measurement data or output data to be transferred to the system controller via the bus interface. Therefore, specifically, the RAM memory may represent a portion of the interface from the measurement bus to the system bus and provide a suitable platform for data exchange between the measurement bus and the system bus. Thus, the control system may be configured such that the system controller can access the measurement controller's RAM memory via the bus interface and read output data from the measurement controller's RAM memory. Furthermore, the system controller may also have a RAM memory, wherein the control system may be configured to store output data in the system controller's RAM memory via the bus interface.

[0032] Optionally, predefined program code can be provided in RAM memory, and the measurement controller can operate in test mode using the predefined program code stored in RAM memory. For example, the RAM memory can be designed as flash memory within the measurement controller. This provides the possibility of providing predefined program code in a modifiable form during test operations, for example, to test adjustments and / or changes to the predefined program code during test operations, without requiring new ROM memory for each change. However, for functional operation, i.e., the expected operation during the regular use of the control system, it may be necessary to provide predefined program code in ROM memory, and the measurement controller needs to be able to operate exclusively in functional operation using the predefined program code stored in ROM memory. This could prevent manipulation of the predefined program code or make manipulation of the predefined program code more difficult.

[0033] Measurement and / or output functions that can be performed by the measurement controller can optionally be included in safety-related applications within the framework of functional safety. This enables separate verification of the measurement controller and the applications performed by it, without having to include more complex components, such as system controllers designed as microcontrollers.

[0034] The control system can be configured to prevent the system controller from accessing the measurement controller during the execution of measurement and / or output functions by the measurement controller. This provides the possibility of avoiding interference and / or other influences that could affect the operation of the measurement controller while performing measurement and / or output functions, thus improving functional safety. In particular, this can prevent unintended manipulation of the measurement controller's functionality through the intervention of the system controller.

[0035] The control system can be configured to provide a clock signal and synchronize the system controller and at least one measurement controller with the clock signal. This provides the advantage that the system controller and at least one measurement controller are operable in the same clock domain. It also provides the advantage that the operation of the system controller and the operation of at least one measurement controller can be synchronized. Furthermore, this facilitates the time adjustment and / or allocation of the working processes and / or results of the system controller and at least one measurement controller. The clock signal can optionally be provided by a clock generator of the control system.

[0036] The control system can be configured such that at least one measurement controller can operate independently of the system controller and / or the system controller can operate independently of at least one measurement controller. This offers the advantage of reducing or avoiding any undesirable effects of the system controller on the operation of the measurement controller, or vice versa. Furthermore, this offers the advantage of allowing the measurement controllers to be designed as self-contained components or systems separate from the system controller, and optionally designed to be fully analogous, without their operation depending on the functionality of the system controller.

[0037] The system controller, at least one measurement controller, and bus interface can optionally be integrated into the integrated circuit. Alternatively, all components of the control system can be integrated into the integrated circuit. This provides the advantage of providing the control system as a system-on-a-chip. This offers the advantage that the control system can be provided as a single component and, if desired, optionally mounted as a unit on a circuit board and / or other electrical system.

[0038] The control system may also include a RAM memory, wherein the control system can be configured to store output data generated by at least one measurement controller when performing a measurement function in the RAM memory, and to access and read the output data from the RAM memory via the system controller. The RAM memory may be integrated into an integrated circuit along with other components of the control system. The RAM memory may be formed as part of the system controller, or as part of the measurement controller, or formed separately from the system controller and at least one measurement controller.

[0039] Integrated circuits can be designed such that the measurement controller is designed as a deterministic programmable finite state machine and configured such that the measurement functions and / or output functions that can be performed by the measurement controller can be fully simulated.

[0040] The integrated circuit may also include a RAM memory and may be configured to store output data generated by at least one measurement controller when performing a measurement function in the RAM memory, and to access and read the output data from the RAM memory via a system controller. The RAM memory may optionally be designed to be separate from the system controller and separate from the at least one measurement controller.

[0041] The integrated circuit may also include a clock generator for providing a clock signal, wherein the integrated circuit can be configured to synchronize the system controller and at least one measurement controller via the clock signal. This provides the advantage that the system controller and at least one measurement controller are operable in the same clock domain. This, in turn, provides the advantage that synchronization of the operation of the system controller and the operation of at least one measurement controller can be achieved. This, further in turn, provides the advantage that the timing adjustment and / or allocation of the working processes and / or results of the system controller and at least one measurement controller can be facilitated.

[0042] Integrated circuits can be configured such that at least one measurement controller can operate independently of the system controller and / or the system controller can operate independently of at least one measurement controller. This provides the advantage of reducing or avoiding any undesirable effects of the system controller on the operation of the measurement controller, or vice versa. Furthermore, this provides the advantage of allowing the measurement controller and system controller to be designed as separate, self-contained components or systems, and optionally designed to be fully analogizable, without their operation depending on the functionality of the system controller.

[0043] All disclosures relating to control systems should also be considered as disclosures relating to integrated circuits and methods, and vice versa.

[0044] Furthermore, a control device for a motor vehicle is provided. The control device may include a control system according to this disclosure. Features disclosed for the control system are also considered to be features disclosed for the control device.

[0045] The features and implementations mentioned above and explained below are not only considered to be disclosed in the corresponding expressly mentioned combinations, but also covered by the disclosures in other technically meaningful combinations and implementations. Attached Figure Description

[0046] Further details and advantages will now be explained in more detail using the following embodiments and alternative implementations with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0047] In the attached diagram:

[0048] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a control system according to a first alternative embodiment is shown;

[0049] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a measurement controller according to an alternative implementation is shown;

[0050] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a control system according to another alternative implementation is shown;

[0051] Figure 4A control device according to an optional embodiment is shown;

[0052] Figure 5 A schematic diagram illustrating a method for providing control and / or regulation signals is shown; and

[0053] Figure 6 An integrated circuit according to an alternative implementation is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0054] In the accompanying drawings below, for the sake of simplicity, the same or similar elements in various embodiments are indicated by the same reference numerals.

[0055] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a control system 10 according to an alternative embodiment is shown. The control system 10 is configured to provide control and / or regulation signals for controlling a control section 12. The control system 10 includes a system bus 14 with a system controller 16 configured to perform system functions 18 of the control system 10. The control system 10 is characterized in that it further includes a measurement bus 20 with at least one measurement controller 22 configured to perform measurement and / or output functions, the measurement functions being for acquiring and / or processing measurement data, and the output functions being for adjusting and / or outputting control and / or regulation signals. According to the illustrated embodiment, the control system 10 has three measurement controllers 22 in the measurement bus 20. Furthermore, the control system 10 has a bus interface 24 configured to provide a communication connection 26 between the system bus 14 and the measurement bus 20.

[0056] The system controller 16 may include or be designed as a microcontroller 28. The system controller may also be configured to enable communication 19 between the measurement system 10 and other components not belonging to the measurement system 10.

[0057] The control unit 12 can be an analog system. Therefore, the control system may also include an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 30 at the input of the measurement bus 20 and a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) 32 at the output of the measurement bus 20. The control system 10 can be configured such that a measurement controller 22 directly following the ADC has exclusive access to the output of the ADC 30 and / or a measurement controller 22 directly preceding the DAC 32 has exclusive access to the data inputs entering the DAC 32.

[0058] Figure 2A schematic diagram of a measurement controller 22 according to an alternative embodiment is shown. The measurement controller 22 has an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) 34, which is designed as a RISC processor 36 in the illustrated embodiment. The RISC processor 36 represents the measurement controller 22's only ALU 34. Furthermore, the measurement controller 22 may have a ROM memory 38 and a RAM memory 40 connected to the ALU 34. The ALU 34, and consequently the RISC processor 36 and the measurement controller 22, operate using predefined program code, which is provided in the ROM memory 38. In other words, the ALU 34 can operate solely using the predefined program code provided in the ROM memory 38. By using the RISC processor 36, the complexity of the measurement controller 22 can be kept low. Given its low complexity, the measurement controller 22 can often be referred to as a "nanocontroller" compared to a microcontroller 28. Furthermore, this ensures that the measurement controller 22 can only execute those commands and functions required for the intended task. The measurement controller 22 may optionally be designed as a finite state machine. This provides the following advantages: the measurement functions and / or output functions that can be performed by the measurement controller 22 can be fully simulated, thereby facilitating the verification of the functionality of the measurement controller 22 in terms of functional safety.

[0059] The measurement controller 22 can be configured to execute each measurement function or output function that can be performed by the measurement controller 22 from an initial state within a predetermined finite period, and return to the initial state after the predetermined finite period expires. The duration of the predetermined finite period can be 50 µs or less. Furthermore, the measurement controller 22 can be configured to execute up to 32 different commands, thereby facilitating verification of the measurement controller 22 in terms of functional safety.

[0060] The measurement controller 22 may also include a RAM memory 40 and be configured to store output data generated during the execution of the measurement function in the RAM memory 40. Therefore, the control system may be configured such that the system controller 16 can access the RAM memory 40 of the measurement controller 22 via the bus interface 24 and read output data from the measurement controller's RAM memory. Furthermore, the system controller 16 may also have a RAM memory, wherein the control system 10 may be configured to store output data in the RAM memory of the system controller 16 via the bus interface 24. Additionally, the measurement controller 22 may have a connection 42 to the bus interface 24.

[0061] Optionally, predefined program code can be provided in RAM memory 40, allowing the measurement controller 22 to operate in test mode using the predefined program code stored in RAM memory 40. This could be advantageous for testing modified program code in test mode, without having to provide modified ROM memory 38 for each change. However, alternatively, predefined program code can be provided in ROM memory 38, allowing the measurement controller 22 to operate exclusively in functional mode using the predefined program code stored in ROM memory 38. This could be advantageous or necessary for functional safety. Measurement functions and / or output functions that can be performed by the measurement controller 22 can be included in safety-related applications within the framework of functional safety. The control system 10 can be configured to prevent the system controller 16 from accessing the measurement controller 22 during the performance of measurement functions and / or output functions by the measurement controller 22.

[0062] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a control system 10 according to another alternative embodiment is shown, which is used to control and / or regulate the control section 12 using an analog system. The control system 10 has a system bus 14 and a measurement bus 20. On the input side of the measurement bus 20 are a front-end 44, an ADC 30, and a control unit 46 for the ADC 30. Furthermore, the measurement bus 20 includes two measurement controllers 22 designed as nanocontrollers, as referenced above. Figure 2 A detailed explanation follows. On the output side, the measurement bus 20 includes the control unit 48 of the DAC 32, the DAC 32, and the driver 50 of the control section 12. The system bus 14 includes the system controller 16 and register 52, which is designed as a microcontroller 28. The register 52 provides the system controller 16 with data for particularly fast access.

[0063] System controller 16 may have its own ROM memory, RAM memory, and / or flash memory. System controller 16 can acquire measurement data collected and optionally processed and / or analyzed by one or more measurement controllers 22 via bus interface 24, and use them to control the system. For example, one of the measurement controllers 22 may be responsible for acquiring measured values ​​or measurement data, while other measurement controllers 22 are responsible for processing the measured values ​​or measurement data and controlling the DAC. Therefore, system controller 16 is decoupled from the components of the measurement bus, not only in terms of development but also in terms of the bus. Measurement controllers 22 may be designed in the same or different ways and may be adapted to their respective functions or tasks. For example, different measurement controllers may be provided for data acquisition, processing, and control. Furthermore, this provides the advantage that the measurement system (i.e., the components of the measurement bus in the control system) can be designed to be programmable while maintaining a consistent front end. For example, reprogramming can be accomplished by replacing the ROM memory, thereby adjusting the predefined program code of the measurement controllers.

[0064] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a control device 54 for a motor vehicle according to an alternative embodiment is shown. The control device 54 includes a control system 10 according to the present disclosure.

[0065] refer to Figure 5 The following section explains the method 500 for providing control and / or regulation signals.

[0066] Method 500 includes providing a system controller 16 for system bus 14 in step 502, wherein system controller 16 is configured to perform system functions 18 of control system 10.

[0067] In step 504, method 500 includes providing at least one measurement controller 22 for measurement bus 20, wherein the at least one measurement controller 22 is configured to perform measurement functions for acquiring and / or processing measurement data.

[0068] In step 506, method 500 includes sending commands for performing measurement functions from system controller 16 to measurement controller 22 via bus interface 24, thereby providing a communication connection 26 between system bus 14 and measurement bus 20.

[0069] In step 508, method 500 includes performing a measurement function by measurement controller 22 and preventing system controller 16 from accessing measurement controller 22 when the measurement function is performed by measurement controller 22.

[0070] In step 510, method 500 includes providing output data generated during the execution 508 of the measurement function, wherein the output data is provided to system controller 16 via bus interface 24.

[0071] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of an integrated circuit 1000 for providing a control system 10, according to an alternative embodiment, is shown. The control system 10 is used to provide control and / or regulation signals. The integrated circuit 1000 includes a system bus 14 with a system controller 16, wherein the system controller 14 is configured to perform system functions 18 of the control system 10 (see [link to documentation]). Figure 1 The integrated circuit 1000 also includes a measurement bus 20 having at least one measurement controller 22, wherein the at least one measurement controller 22 is configured to perform measurement functions and / or output functions, the measurement functions being used to acquire and / or process measurement data, and the output functions being used to adjust and / or output control and / or regulation signals. Furthermore, the integrated circuit 1000 includes a bus interface 24 configured to provide a communication connection 26 between the system bus 14 and the measurement bus 20.

[0072] The measurement controller 22 may be designed as a deterministic programmable finite state machine and configured such that the measurement functions and / or output functions that can be performed by the measurement controller 22 can be fully simulated.

[0073] The integrated circuit may also include RAM memory 40, wherein the integrated circuit 1000 is configured to store output data generated by at least one measurement controller 22 during the execution of a measurement function in RAM memory 40, and to access RAM memory 40 and read output data from RAM memory 40 via system controller 16.

[0074] The integrated circuit 1000 may also include a clock generator 1002 for providing a clock signal, wherein the integrated circuit may be configured to synchronize the system controller 16 and at least one measurement controller 22 via the clock signal.

[0075] The integrated circuit can be configured such that at least one measurement controller 22 can operate independently of the system controller 16 and / or the system controller 16 can operate independently of at least one measurement controller 22.

[0076] List of reference numerals

[0077] 10 Control System

[0078] 12 Control Section

[0079] 14 System Bus

[0080] 16 System Controllers

[0081] 18 System Functions

[0082] 19Communication

[0083] 20 Measurement Bus

[0084] 22 Measurement Controller

[0085] 24 bus interfaces

[0086] 26 Communication Connections

[0087] 28 microcontrollers

[0088] 30 Analog-to-Digital Converter

[0089] 32-digital-to-analog converter

[0090] 34 Arithmetic Logic Units (ALUs)

[0091] 36 RISC processor

[0092] 38 ROM memory

[0093] 40 RAM memory

[0094] 42 Connection to the bus interface

[0095] 44 front end

[0096] 46ADC control unit

[0097] 48DAC control unit

[0098] 50 drives

[0099] 52 registers

[0100] 54 control devices

[0101] 500 is a method for providing control and / or regulation signals.

[0102] 502-510 Method Steps

[0103] 1000 integrated circuits

[0104] 1002 clock generator

Claims

1. A control system (10) configured to provide control and / or regulation signals, the control system (10) comprising: - A system bus (14) having a system controller (16) configured to perform system functions (18) of the control system (10). The control system (10) is characterized in that it further includes: - A measurement bus (20) having at least one measurement controller (22), wherein the at least one measurement controller (22) is configured to perform measurement functions and / or output functions, the measurement functions being for acquiring and / or processing measurement data, and the output functions being for adjusting and / or outputting control and / or regulating signals, wherein the measurement controller (22) is designed as a deterministic programmable finite state machine and configured such that the measurement functions and / or the output functions that can be performed by the measurement controller (22) can be fully simulated, and wherein the measurement controller (22) is operable by predefined program code, the measurement controller (22) having a ROM memory (38), and the predefined program code being provided in the ROM memory (38); and - Bus interface (24), which is configured to provide a communication connection (26) between the system bus (14) and the measurement bus (20).

2. The control system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the system controller (16) comprises a microcontroller (28) or is designed to be a microcontroller (28).

3. The control system (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the measurement controller (22) includes a RISC processor (36).

4. The control system (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the measurement controller (22) is configured to start executing each measurement function or output function that can be performed by the measurement controller (22) from an initial state within a predetermined finite period, and return to the initial state after the predetermined finite period expires.

5. The control system (10) according to claim 4, wherein the duration of the predetermined finite cycle is 50 µs or less.

6. The control system (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the measurement controller (22) is configured to execute up to 32 different commands.

7. The control system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the measurement controller (22) further includes a RAM memory (40) and is configured to store output data generated when performing the measurement function in the RAM memory (40).

8. The control system (10) according to claim 7, wherein the control system (10) is configured to enable the system controller (16) to access the RAM memory (40) of the measurement controller (22) via the bus interface (24) and read the output data from the RAM memory (40) of the measurement controller (22).

9. The control system (10) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the system controller (16) has a RAM memory, and wherein the control system (10) is configured to store the output data in the RAM memory of the system controller (16) via the bus interface (24).

10. The control system (10) according to claim 7, wherein - Additionally, the predefined program code is provided in the RAM memory (40), and the measurement controller (22) can operate in test mode using the predefined program code stored in the RAM memory (40); and The measurement controller (22) can operate exclusively in functional mode via the predefined program code stored in the ROM memory (38).

11. The control system (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the measurement function and / or the output function that can be performed by the measurement controller (22) include safety-related applications within the framework of functional safety.

12. The control system (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control system (10) is configured to prevent the system controller (16) from accessing the measurement controller (22) during the execution of the measurement function and / or the output function by the measurement controller (22).

13. The control system (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control system (10) is configured to provide a clock signal and synchronize the system controller (16) and the at least one measurement controller (22) with the clock signal.

14. The control system (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control system (10) is configured such that the at least one measurement controller (22) can operate independently of the system controller (16) and / or the system controller (16) can operate independently of the at least one measurement controller (22).

15. The control system (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the system controller (16), the at least one measurement controller (22) and the bus interface (24) are integrated into an integrated circuit.

16. The control system (10) according to claim 1 or 2 further includes a RAM memory (40), wherein the control system (10) is configured to store output data generated by the at least one measurement controller (22) during the execution of the measurement function in the RAM memory (40), and to access the RAM memory (40) and read the output data from the RAM memory (40) by the system controller (16).

17. A control device (54) for a motor vehicle, the control device (54) comprising a control system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

18. A method (500) for providing control and / or regulation signals, the method comprising: - Provide (502) a system bus (14) having a system controller (16), wherein the system controller (16) is configured to perform system functions (18) of the control system (10); - Provides (504) a measurement bus (20) having at least one measurement controller (22), wherein the at least one measurement controller (22) is configured to perform measurement functions and / or output functions, the measurement functions being used to acquire and / or process measurement data, the output functions being used to adjust and / or output control and / or regulation signals, the measurement controller (22) being designed as a deterministic programmable finite state machine and configured such that the measurement functions and / or output functions that can be performed by the measurement controller (22) can be fully simulated, and wherein the measurement controller (22) is operable by predefined program code, the measurement controller (22) having a ROM memory (38), and the predefined program code being provided in the ROM memory (38); - Commands for performing the measurement function are sent (506) from the system controller (16) to the measurement controller (22) via the bus interface (24), thereby providing a communication connection (26) between the system bus (14) and the measurement bus (20). - The measurement function (508) is performed by the measurement controller (22) and the system controller (16) is prevented from accessing the measurement controller (22) during the execution of the measurement function by the measurement controller (22); and - Provide (510) the output data generated during the execution of the measurement function, wherein the output data is provided to the system controller (16) via the bus interface (24).

Images