Communication network system and method for changing communication settings at time of network update
By confirming and selecting identifiers in the communication network system and adjusting the communication settings after the network update, the problem of excessive communication load in dynamic networks is solved, and load suppression and balance between protocols are achieved.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-15
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-13
AI Technical Summary
In dynamic networks, network updates may increase the communication load beyond the design specifications, causing the communication system to be overburdened.
By using electronic control devices in the communication network system to confirm and select identifiers in communication messages, and adjusting the communication settings after network updates, it is ensured that only necessary service messages are received, reducing unnecessary communication traffic.
It effectively suppressed the increase in communication load, reduced the processing burden of electronic control devices, and achieved load balance between different communication protocols.
Smart Images
Figure CN121664646A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to a communication network system and a method for changing communication settings during network updates. Background Technology
[0002] The communication network system disclosed in Patent Document 1 has multiple user stations interconnected. Messages sent by the user stations in this communication network system are assigned identifiers. When a new user station is connected and the network is updated, the messages sent by the new user station are assigned identifiers reserved as resources for dynamic communication. Therefore, this network system is capable of communication not conceived during the design phase.
[0003] Prior technology
[0004] Patent documents
[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2018-522487 Summary of the Invention
[0006] The problem to be solved by the present invention
[0007] In dynamic networks that are capable of being updated, the communication load may exceed what was envisioned during the design phase of the network system because communication may sometimes be added that was not anticipated during the design phase of the network system.
[0008] Methods for solving problems
[0009] A communication network system for solving the above-mentioned problems is a communication network system in which multiple electronic control devices are connected via a communication bus, and each electronic control device selects a received communication message from among multiple communication messages transmitted on the communication bus by confirming a first identifier contained in the communication message, and the application program stored in the electronic control device utilizes data contained in the received communication message. When the network is updated, the providing electronic control device among the multiple electronic control devices sends a provision message containing a unique service identifier of the provided service and appending the first identifier received by all the electronic control devices to the communication bus. In the communication network system, each of the multiple electronic control devices selects whether to receive the communication message regarding the service provided by the providing electronic control device by confirming the service identifier contained in the received provision message. The communication network system is configured to allow a receiving electronic control device among the plurality of electronic control devices, which has been selected to receive communication messages regarding the service provided by the providing electronic control device, to receive the communication messages. These communication messages are first identifiers appended to a value generated from the service identifier contained in the received providing message based on a specific rule. In the communication network system, the receiving electronic control device sends a subscription message to the communication bus containing the service identifier contained in the received providing message and appending the first identifier received by all the electronic control devices. In the communication network system, when the providing electronic control device receives the subscription message containing the service identifier included in the providing message sent by that providing electronic control device, the providing electronic control device begins providing the service based on a communication message that appends the first identifier to a value generated from the service identifier contained in the providing message based on the specific rule.
[0010] A method for changing communication settings during network updates to address the aforementioned issues is described below: In a communication network system, multiple electronic control devices are connected via a communication bus. Each electronic control device selects a received communication message from among multiple communication messages transmitted on the communication bus by confirming a first identifier contained in the communication message. An application stored in the electronic control device utilizes data contained in the received communication message. This method includes the following steps: when the network is updated, the processing circuit of the providing electronic control device (the one providing the service) executes a step of sending a provision message containing a unique service identifier for the provided service, appended with the first identifier received by all the electronic control devices, to the communication bus. The method also includes the following step: the processing circuit of each of the multiple electronic control devices confirms the service identifier contained in the received provision message, thereby selecting whether to receive the communication message regarding the service provided by the providing electronic control device. The method for changing communication settings during network updates includes the following steps: The processing circuit of the receiving-side electronic control device, selected from among the plurality of electronic control devices, which is selected to receive communication messages regarding the services provided by the providing-side electronic control device, changes the settings by receiving a communication message in which a value generated based on a specific rule from the value of the service identifier contained in the received provision message is appended as a first identifier. The method for changing communication settings during network updates includes the following steps: The processing circuit of the receiving-side electronic control device executes a process of sending a subscription message containing the service identifier contained in the received provision message and appending the first identifier received by all the electronic control devices to the communication bus. The method for changing communication settings during network updates includes the following steps: When the processing circuit of the providing-side electronic control device receives the subscription message containing the service identifier contained in the provision message sent by the providing-side electronic control device, the providing-side electronic control device begins the step of providing the service based on the communication message, whereby the communication message appends a value generated based on the specific rule from the value of the service identifier contained in the provision message as the first identifier.
[0011] Invention Effects
[0012] Based on the aforementioned communication network system and the method for changing communication settings during network updates, it is possible to suppress the increase in communication load imposed on the communication network system. Attached Figure Description
[0013] Figure 1 A block diagram illustrating the general outline of a communication network system according to an implementation method.
[0014] Figure 2 A sequence diagram to represent the processing flow performed by a communication network system.
[0015] Figure 3 A diagram illustrating an example of a data structure for providing and subscribing to messages.
[0016] Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure for representing a service message. Detailed Implementation
[0017] The following is for reference Figures 1 to 4 This paper describes one implementation method of a communication network system.
[0018] <Structure of Communication Network System 10>
[0019] Figure 1 Let represent a communication network system 10 mounted on a vehicle. The communication network system 10 includes multiple electronic control devices 20. These multiple electronic control devices 20 are connected via a first communication bus 11. The first communication bus 11 transmits communication messages based on the CAN (Controller Area Network) protocol. In the communication messages transmitted based on the CAN protocol, data representing a CAN-ID is included as a first identifier. The CAN-ID is data used to identify the content of the communication message.
[0020] The communication network system 10 includes multiple electronic control devices 21. These multiple electronic control devices 21 are connected via a second communication bus 12. The second communication bus 12 transmits communication messages based on the Ethernet protocol (registered trademark). Communication messages transmitted based on the Ethernet protocol have identifiers used for IP (Internet Protocol) communication.
[0021] The communication network system 10 includes an electronic control device 22. The electronic control device 22 is a gateway device connected to both the first communication bus 11 and the second communication bus 12. The electronic control device 22 relays communication messages between the first communication bus 11 and the second communication bus 12. The electronic control device 22 has the function of converting a first identifier contained in the communication message to an IP communication identifier during message relay.
[0022] <Structure of Electronic Control Device 20>
[0023] Multiple electronic control devices 20 connected to the first communication bus 11 each have a processing circuit 30, a storage device 40, and a communication device 50. The storage device 40 stores the application program APL, middleware MW, and base software BSW. The electronic control devices 20 provide services corresponding to the application program APL by executing the application program APL stored in the storage device 40 through the processing circuit 30. The application program APL is software that runs on the middleware MW. The middleware MW is software that runs on the base software BSW.
[0024] The application program (APL) is software used to enable each electronic control unit 20 to perform specific functions. The application program APL utilizes data contained in communication messages received by the electronic control unit 20. Specific functions performed by the electronic control unit 20 include detecting vehicle speed or acting as an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS). The base software (BSW) is software used for basic control of the hardware constituting the electronic control unit 20. The middleware (MW) is software that interacts with the base software (BSW) and the application program APL to enable each electronic control unit 20 to perform specific functions corresponding to the application program APL stored in the electronic control unit 20.
[0025] The communication device 50 outputs communication messages to the first communication bus 11. Communication messages are input from the first communication bus 11 to the communication device 50. The electronic control device 20 receives the input communication messages, including data used by the application program APL. Specifically, the electronic control device 20 verifies the first identifier contained in the communication message through the basic software BWS, thereby selecting whether to receive the communication message.
[0026] <Handling during network updates>
[0027] Communication network system 10 is a dynamic network capable of network updates. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the communication network system 10 changes the network's communication settings when the network is updated.
[0028] When the network is updated, the electronic control device 20 first executes the processing in step S10. In the processing in step S10, the electronic control device 20, as the providing side electronic control device 20A, generates a providing message MG1.
[0029] like Figure 3 As shown, the provision message MG1 includes a header area HD and a data area DT. In the header area HD, data representing the CAN-ID is stored as a first identifier. The value of the first identifier in the provision message MG1 is "0x0001". Communication messages with the first identifier value including "0x0001" are received by all electronic control devices 20 connected to the first communication bus 11. Therefore, the provision message MG1 is received by all electronic control devices 20 connected to the first communication bus 11. Data representing the service identifier SID is stored in the data area DT. The service identifier SID is a unique identifier for the service provided by the providing electronic control device 20A. In this embodiment, the service provided by the providing electronic control device 20A is "Service A". The value of the service identifier SID corresponding to "Service A" is "0x1123". Therefore, the value of the service identifier SID in the provision message MG1 generated by the providing electronic control device 20A is "0x1123". After generating the provision message MG1 with the first identifier appended, the providing electronic control device 20A proceeds to step S11.
[0030] In step S11, the providing electronic control device 20A sends a providing message MG1 with a first identifier attached to the first communication bus 11. Thereafter, the providing electronic control device 20A switches to a standby state, enabling it to receive the subscription message MG2 (described later) from the first communication bus 11.
[0031] The electronic control device 20, which receives the provision message MG1, acts as the receiving-side electronic control device 20B and executes the processing in step S20. In step S20, the receiving-side electronic control device 20B selects whether to receive a communication message regarding the service provided by the providing-side electronic control device 20A by confirming the service identifier SID contained in the received provision message MG1. Specifically, the middleware MW of the receiving-side electronic control device 20B decides to receive a communication message regarding the service provided by the providing-side electronic control device 20A when the application program APL receives the provision message MG1, which includes the service identifier SID indicating the service to be used.
[0032] The services that application APL wishes to utilize are determined during the design of the communication network system 10 or during network updates. Figure 2In the example shown, the application APL stored in the receiving electronic control unit 20B requests to utilize "Service A". Therefore, the middleware MW determines whether it has received a provision message MG1 containing the value "0x1123" as the service identifier SID representing "Service A" in the data area DT. If the receiving electronic control unit 20B receives the provision message MG1 containing "0x1123" (S20: Yes), the receiving electronic control unit 20B decides to receive the communication message regarding the service provided by the providing electronic control unit 20A. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S21.
[0033] In step S21, the receiving-side electronic control device 20B modifies the settings of the basic software BSW. Specifically, the middleware MW modifies the settings of the basic software BSW to receive communication messages that append the value GSID, which is generated based on a specific rule from the value of the service identifier SID representing "service A", as the first identifier.
[0034] The electronic control device 20 uses the last two digits of the Service Identifier (SID) value as the GSID value generated from the SID value based on a specific rule. That is, if the value of the Service Identifier (SID) is "0x1123", the GSID value generated from that Service Identifier (SID) value based on a specific rule is "0x0023".
[0035] The settings of the base software BSW are modified by the middleware MW, causing the base software BSW to select a communication message with a first identifier value of "0x0023" as the received communication message. Therefore, the receiving-side electronic control device 20B can receive the communication message with a first identifier value of "0x0023". In step S21, after the settings of the base software BSW are changed, the process proceeds to step S22.
[0036] In step S22, the receiving-side electronic control device 20B generates a subscription message MG2. For example... Figure 3As shown, the subscription message MG2 includes a header area HD and a data area DT. In the header area HD, data representing the CAN-ID is stored as a first identifier. The value of the first identifier in the subscription message MG2 is "0x0001". Therefore, the subscription message MG2 is received by all electronic control devices 20 connected to the first communication bus 11. In the data area DT of the subscription message MG2, data representing the service identifier SID is stored. The service identifier SID stored in the data area DT of the subscription message MG2 is the same as the service identifier SID stored in the data area DT of the provision message MG1 received by the receiving electronic control device 20B in step S20. Therefore, the value of the service identifier SID in the subscription message MG2 is "0x1123". After generating the subscription message MG2, the receiving electronic control device 20B proceeds to step S23. In step S23, the receiving electronic control device 20B sends the subscription message MG2 with the first identifier appended to it to the first communication bus 11.
[0037] Upon receiving a subscription message MG2 containing the service identifier SID included in the provision message MG1 sent by the providing electronic control device 20A, the providing electronic control device 20A executes step S12. In step S12, the providing electronic control device 20A generates a service message MG3. Service message MG3 is a communication message regarding the service provided by the providing electronic control device 20A.
[0038] like Figure 4 As shown, service message MG3 includes a header area HD and a data area DT. In service message MG3, the first identifier in the header area HD contains a value GSID generated by the providing electronic control device 20A from the service identifier SID contained in the providing message MG1 based on a specific rule. The electronic control device 20 uses the last two digits of the service identifier SID value as the value GSID generated from the service identifier SID value based on the specific rule. If the service identifier SID value is “0x1123”, the value GSID generated from the service identifier SID value based on the specific rule is “0x0023”. Therefore, the value of the first identifier stored in the header area HD of service message MG3 is “0x0023”.
[0039] Service message MG3 contains data related to the service provided by the providing electronic control device 20A in the data area DT. That is, the data for "Service A" is stored in the data area DT of service message MG3. After the providing electronic control device 20A generates service message MG3, the process proceeds to step S13.
[0040] In step S13, the providing electronic control device 20A sends a service message MG3 to the first communication bus 11. Thus, the providing electronic control device 20A begins providing a service based on a communication message in which the providing electronic control device 20A appends a value GSID, generated by the providing electronic control device 20A from the service identifier SID contained in the providing message MG1 according to a specific rule, as a first identifier.
[0041] The receiving-side electronic control device 20B, whose basic software BSW settings were changed in step S21, is able to receive a communication message with a first identifier value of "0x0023". Therefore, the receiving-side electronic control device 20B is able to receive service message MG3 with a first identifier value of "0x0023". As part of the processing in step S24, the receiving-side electronic control device 20B, having received the service message MG3, utilizes the service provided by the providing-side electronic control device 20A.
[0042] If no message MG1 is received that provides the service identifier SID of the service to be used (step S20: No), as part of the processing in step S25, the receiving side electronic control device 20B maintains the settings of the basic software BSW.
[0043] If the providing electronic control device 20A does not receive a subscription message MG2 containing the service identifier SID included in the providing message MG1 sent by the providing electronic control device 20A within a predetermined time, it will release the standby state as a step S14. In this case, even if the providing electronic control device 20A receives the subscription message MG2 containing the service identifier SID included in the providing message MG1 sent by the providing electronic control device 20A, it will not send the service message MG3.
[0044] <The function of this implementation method>
[0045] When the providing electronic control device 20A receives the subscription message MG2 and can confirm the existence of a receiving electronic control device 20B that has selected to receive communication messages regarding the services provided by the providing electronic control device 20A, it begins to provide the service. That is, if the providing electronic control device 20A cannot confirm the existence of a receiving electronic control device 20B that has selected to receive communication messages regarding the services provided by the providing electronic control device 20A, it will not send communication messages regarding the service to the first communication bus 11.
[0046] <Effects of this implementation method>
[0047] (1) The communication network system 10 can suppress unwanted communication messages from flowing to the first communication bus 11. As a result, the communication network system 10 can suppress the increase in communication load applied to the communication network system 10.
[0048] (2) The receiving-side electronic control unit 20B, which selects to receive service message MG3, modifies the settings of the basic software BSW in order to receive service message MG3. Therefore, compared with a communication network system in which the electronic control unit 20 determines whether a communication message is needed whenever it is received, the communication network system 10 can reduce the load on the electronic control unit 20.
[0049] (3) In the communication network system 10, the electronic control unit 20 stores the middleware MW and the basic software BSW. The basic software BSW stored in the electronic control unit 20 selects the received communication messages. Therefore, the communication network system 10 does not need to implement the function of selecting the received communication messages for different types of application programs APL.
[0050] (4) The electronic control device 20, which is connected to the first communication bus 11 in the communication network system 10, uses the CAN protocol as the communication protocol to transmit communication messages. The communication network system 10 is able to establish a dynamic network that suppresses the increase in communication load imposed on the communication network system 10 while using the conventional CAN protocol.
[0051] (5) The communication network system 10 includes a first communication bus 11 and a second communication bus 12. The first communication bus 11 uses the CAN protocol as the communication protocol to transmit communication messages. The second communication bus 12 uses the Ethernet protocol as the communication protocol to transmit communication messages. The electronic control device 22 is a gateway device connected to both the first communication bus 11 and the second communication bus 12. The electronic control device 22 relays communication messages between the first communication bus 11 and the second communication bus 12. Furthermore, the electronic control device 22 has the function of converting a first identifier contained in the communication message and an identifier used for IP communication during the relay of communication messages. Thus, the communication network system 1 can establish a dynamic network that suppresses the increase of communication load even between multiple communication buses with different communication protocols.
[0052] (6) The method for changing communication settings during a network update performed by the communication network system 10 includes the following steps (step S11): when the network is updated, the processing circuit 30 of the providing electronic control device 20A among the multiple electronic control devices 20 sends a provision message MG1 to the first communication bus 11, wherein the provision message MG1 contains a unique service identifier SID for the provided service and is appended with a first identifier received by all electronic control devices 20. The method for changing communication settings during a network update performed by the communication network system 10 includes the following steps (step S20): each of the multiple electronic control devices 20, through its processing circuit 30, confirms the service identifier SID contained in the received provision message MG1 and selects whether to receive a communication message regarding the service provided by the providing electronic control device 20A. The method for changing communication settings during a network update performed by the communication network system 10 includes the following steps (step S21): The processing circuit 30 of the receiving-side electronic control device 20B, selected from among the multiple electronic control devices 20 to receive communication messages regarding the service provided by the providing-side electronic control device 20A, changes its settings to receive a communication message in which a value GSID, generated based on a specific rule from the service identifier SID contained in the received provision message MG1, is appended as a first identifier. The method for changing communication settings during a network update performed by the communication network system 10 includes the following steps (step S23): The processing circuit 30 of the receiving-side electronic control device 20B performs the process of sending a subscription message MG2 to the first communication bus 11, wherein the subscription message MG2 contains the service identifier SID contained in the received provision message MG1, and is appended with a first identifier received by all electronic control devices 20. The method for changing communication settings during network updates performed by the communication network system 10 includes the following steps (step S13): when the processing circuit 30 of the providing electronic control device 20A receives a subscription message MG2 containing the service identifier SID included in the providing message MG1 sent by the providing electronic control device 20A, the providing electronic control device 20A starts a service provisioning step based on the service message MG3, wherein the service message MG3 is a communication message that appends a value GSID generated from the value of the service identifier SID included in the providing message MG1 based on a specific rule as a first identifier.By executing the aforementioned method for changing communication settings during network updates, the communication network system 10 enables the providing electronic control device 20A to begin providing services when the providing electronic control device 20A receives the subscription message MG2 and can confirm the existence of a receiving electronic control device 20B that has selected to receive communication messages regarding the services provided by the providing electronic control device 20A. In other words, by executing the aforementioned method for changing communication settings during network updates, the communication network system 10 prevents the providing electronic control device 20A from sending communication messages regarding the service to the first communication bus 11 if it cannot confirm the existence of a receiving electronic control device 20B that has selected to receive communication messages regarding the services provided by the providing electronic control device 20A. The aforementioned method for changing communication settings during network updates also suppresses unwanted communication messages from flowing to the communication bus. Therefore, the aforementioned method for changing communication settings during network updates can suppress the increase in communication load imposed on the communication network system 10.
[0053] <Example of Change>
[0054] This embodiment can be modified and implemented in the following ways. This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined and implemented with each other without technical inconsistencies.
[0055] • The Service Identifier (SID) and the value GSID generated from the SID based on a specific rule can also be the same. That is, in this case, the specific rule is to output the same value.
[0056] • The electronic control unit 20 may also not store the middleware MW and the basic software BSW. In this case, the electronic control unit 20 only needs to select the received communication message from the multiple communication messages transmitted in the first communication bus 11 by the application program APL.
[0057] In the various embodiments described above, the combination of communication protocols of the multiple communication buses constituting the communication network system is not limited to a combination of CAN and Ethernet (registered trademark). For example, it could also be a combination of CAN and FlexRay (registered trademark).
[0058] The electronic control device 20 may also be configured as a circuit including one or more processors that execute various processes according to a computer program (software). Alternatively, the electronic control device 20 may also be configured as one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or combinations thereof that execute at least a portion of the various processes. The processor includes a CPU and memories such as RAM and ROM. The memories store program code or instructions configured to cause the CPU to execute processes. Memory, or computer-readable medium, includes all general-purpose or special-purpose media accessible to a computer.
[0059] Symbol Explanation
[0060] 10…Communication network system; 11…First communication bus; 12…Second communication bus; 20, 21, 22…Electronic control device; 30…Processing circuit; 20A…Providing side electronic control device; 20B…Receiving side electronic control device; APL…Application program; MW…Middleware; BSW…Base software; MG1…Providing message; MG2…Subscribing to message; SID…Service identifier.
Claims
1. A communication network system, wherein, Multiple electronic control devices are connected via a communication bus. Each electronic control device selects a received communication message from among multiple communication messages transmitted on the communication bus by confirming a first identifier contained in the communication message. The application program stored in each electronic control device uses data contained in the received communication message. In the communication network system, when the network is updated, the providing electronic control device sends a provision message containing a unique service identifier for the provided service, appended with the first identifier received by all the electronic control devices, to the communication bus. Each of the multiple electronic control devices selects whether to receive the communication message regarding the service provided by the providing electronic control device by confirming the service identifier contained in the received provision message, thus changing the settings to allow the selecting electronic control device to... A receiving-side electronic control device receives a communication message regarding the service provided by the providing-side electronic control device. The communication message is a message in which a value generated from the value of the service identifier contained in the received providing message, based on a specific rule, is appended as a first identifier. The receiving-side electronic control device sends a subscription message containing the service identifier contained in the received providing message and appended with the first identifier received by all the electronic control devices to the communication bus. Upon receiving the subscription message containing the service identifier contained in the providing message sent by the providing-side electronic control device, the providing-side electronic control device begins providing the service based on a communication message in which a value generated from the value of the service identifier contained in the providing message, based on the specific rule, is appended as the first identifier.
2. The communication network system as described in claim 1, wherein, The electronic control device stores middleware and base software, the application runs on the middleware, and the middleware runs on the base software, which selects the received communication message from among the plurality of communication messages transmitted in the communication bus.
3. The communication network system as described in claim 1, wherein, The communication message is transmitted using the Controller Area Network Protocol (CAN).
4. The communication network system as described in claim 1, wherein, The communication bus includes a first communication bus and a second communication bus. The first communication bus uses a Controller Area Network Protocol (CAN) as the communication protocol to transmit the communication messages, and the second communication bus uses an Ethernet protocol as the communication protocol to transmit the communication messages. At least one of the plurality of electronic control devices is a gateway device connected to both the first communication bus and the second communication bus. The gateway device relays the communication messages between the first communication bus and the second communication bus and has the function of converting the first identifier contained in the communication message to an identifier used for Internet Protocol (IP) communication during the relay.
5. A method for changing communication settings during a network update, wherein in a communication network system, multiple electronic control devices are connected via a communication bus, and each electronic control device selects a received communication message from among multiple communication messages transmitted on the communication bus by confirming a first identifier contained in a communication message, and an application program stored in the electronic control device utilizes data contained in the received communication message. The method for changing communication settings during network updates includes the following steps: When the network is updated, the processing circuit of the providing electronic control device among the plurality of electronic control devices performs the step of sending a provision message containing a unique service identifier of the provided service and appending the first identifier received by all the electronic control devices to the communication bus; the processing circuit of each of the plurality of electronic control devices selects whether to receive the communication message regarding the service provided by the providing electronic control device by confirming the service identifier contained in the received provision message; the processing circuit of the receiving electronic control device among the plurality of electronic control devices that selects to receive the communication message regarding the service provided by the providing electronic control device changes the settings by receiving the communication message in a manner that generates a value based on a specific rule from the value of the service identifier contained in the received provision message as the first identifier. The processing circuit of the receiving-side electronic control device performs the step of sending a subscription message containing the service identifier included in the received provision message and appended with the first identifier received by all the electronic control devices to the communication bus. When the processing circuit of the providing-side electronic control device receives the subscription message containing the service identifier included in the providing message sent by the providing-side electronic control device, the providing-side electronic control device begins the step of providing the service based on a communication message in which a value generated from the value of the service identifier included in the providing message based on the specific rule is appended as the first identifier.
Citation Information
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Bus systems, subscriber stations for bus systems, how to configure static bus systems for dynamic communication
JP2018522487A