Transceiver, communication system and transceiver startup method

Abstract

Transceiver, communication system, and method for starting a transceiver. The transceiver is included in a plurality of nodes connected to an in-vehicle communication line, and has a start signal detection section. The start signal detection section detects identification information of a start signal transmitted to the in-vehicle communication line by any one of the plurality of nodes, the start signal being given the identification information that identifies the nodes of the in-vehicle communication line. The transceiver is started when the identification information detected by the start signal detection section corresponds to the transceiver.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to techniques for communication between nodes in an onboard communication line. Background Technology

[0002] The vehicle system described in Patent Document 1 includes multiple vehicle ECUs and a vehicle device connected to a vehicle communication line. The multiple vehicle ECUs are connected to the vehicle communication line via a communication disconnection unit. The vehicle device outputs a disconnection signal to the communication disconnection unit corresponding to a vehicle ECU that does not need to be started, disconnecting the vehicle ECU from the vehicle communication line. Then, the vehicle device sends a start signal to the vehicle ECU that needs to be started, causing the vehicle ECU to start. Thus, the vehicle system suppresses the starting of vehicle ECUs that do not need to be started, thereby reducing power consumption.

[0003] Existing technical documents Patent documents Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2024-18509 Summary of the Invention

[0004] The aforementioned vehicle system, apart from the onboard devices, cannot disconnect onboard ECUs that do not need to be started from the onboard communication line. Therefore, multiple onboard ECUs cannot be started individually based on start requests from other onboard ECUs.

[0005] This disclosure provides a communication technology in which a node of an in-vehicle communication line can be started independently upon request from other nodes.

[0006] One aspect of this disclosure involves a transceiver comprising multiple nodes connected to an in-vehicle communication line, and includes a start signal detection unit. The start signal detection unit detects identification information of a start signal transmitted by any one of the multiple nodes to the in-vehicle communication line, which is assigned identification information for identifying a node in the in-vehicle communication line. The transceiver starts when the identification information detected by the start signal detection unit corresponds to the transceiver.

[0007] One aspect of this disclosure involves a transceiver receiving a start signal sent by other nodes to the vehicular communication line. The transceiver detects the identification information of the start signal and starts if the identification information matches its own. Nodes not connected to the vehicular communication line that receive the start signal do not start because their identification information does not match their own. Therefore, the transceiver can start independently based on start requests from other nodes connected to the vehicular communication line.

[0008] Another aspect of this disclosure describes a communication system comprising a first communication device and a second communication device included in a plurality of nodes connected to an in-vehicle Ethernet communication line. The first communication device includes a start signal detection unit. The start signal detection unit detects identification information of a start signal sent to the in-vehicle Ethernet communication line, which is assigned identification information for identifying nodes of the in-vehicle Ethernet communication line. The first communication device starts when the detected identification information corresponds to the first communication device and notifies the second communication device that it has started. The second communication device starts upon receiving a start message from the in-vehicle Ethernet communication line after receiving notification from the first communication device.

[0009] The second communication device can be started when the first communication device is started and a start message is received.

[0010] Another aspect of this disclosure is a method for activating a transceiver connected to a vehicle communication line. This activation method receives an activation signal sent to the vehicle communication line, which is equipped with identification information for identifying nodes of the vehicle communication line; detects the identification information in the received activation signal; and activates the transceiver if the detected identification information corresponds to the transceiver.

[0011] It achieves the same effect as the transceiver mentioned above. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the structure of the communication system according to this embodiment.

[0013] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the structure of the ECU included in the communication system of this embodiment.

[0014] Figure 3 This is a block diagram illustrating a first example of the functional structure of the transceiver in this embodiment.

[0015] Figure 4 This is a block diagram illustrating a second example of the functional structure of the transceiver in this embodiment.

[0016] Figure 5 This is a block diagram illustrating a third example of the functional structure of the transceiver in this embodiment.

[0017] Figure 6 This is a block diagram showing another example of the start-up control unit of the transceiver in this embodiment.

[0018] Figure 7 This diagram shows an example of a table stored in the storage unit of the transceiver in this embodiment.

[0019] Figure 8A This is a diagram representing the start signal of this embodiment.

[0020] Figure 8B This is a diagram representing the start signal of this embodiment.

[0021] Figure 8C This is a diagram representing the start signal of this embodiment.

[0022] Figure 8D This is a diagram representing the start signal of this embodiment.

[0023] Figure 8E This is a diagram representing the start signal of this embodiment.

[0024] Figure 9 This diagram illustrates the state transitions of the controllers and transceivers of the first and second ECUs when the first ECU is started, causing the second ECU to start as well. Detailed Implementation

[0025] (Implementation Method) <1. Structure of Vehicle-Mounted Communication System> Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The structure of the vehicle communication system 100 according to this embodiment will be described. The vehicle communication system 100 is mounted on a vehicle and includes a vehicle communication line 5 and multiple nodes connected to the vehicle communication line 5.

[0026] The vehicle communication line 5 consists of Ethernet signal lines corresponding to the Ethernet (registered trademark) protocol. Specifically, the vehicle communication line 5 is a bus-type Ethernet communication line. More specifically, the vehicle communication line 5 is an Ethernet communication line specified by 10BASE-T1S. In another embodiment, the vehicle communication line 5 is not limited to a bus-type Ethernet communication line, but can also be a star-type Ethernet communication line such as 10BASE-T1. Alternatively, the vehicle communication line 5 can also be a communication line corresponding to a protocol other than Ethernet. For example, the vehicle communication line 5 can be a CAN communication line corresponding to the Controller Area Network (CAN) protocol, or a FlexRay communication line corresponding to the FlexRay protocol.

[0027] The multiple nodes include a first electronic control unit (ECU) 10, a second ECU 20, a sensor 40, and an actuator 50. The first ECU 10 is, for example, the right front door ECU of the vehicle, controlling the locking / unlocking of the right front door and the opening / closing of the power window. The second ECU 20 is, for example, the left front door ECU of the vehicle, controlling the locking / unlocking of the left front door and the opening / closing of the power window. The sensor 40 is, for example, a door sensor that detects the opening and closing of the door. The actuator 50 is, for example, a motor that generates the driving force for opening and closing the power window. In another embodiment, the first ECU 10 can be an Ethernet switch or connected to other ECUs (e.g., a domain ECU, a region ECU) not shown. Furthermore, the multiple nodes can be any combination of ECUs, sensors, actuators, etc.

[0028] The first ECU 10, the second ECU 20, the sensor 40, and the actuator 50 each include a controller 3 and a transceiver 4. The controller 3 includes a processor 31 and a memory 32. The processor 31 performs various processes by executing various programs stored in the memory 32. For example, the controller 3 performs processes related to communication via the vehicle communication line 5. The memory 32 includes, for example, random access memory (RAM) and flash memory. The RAM is used as a working area when the processor 31 performs processing. The flash memory stores the programs. In this embodiment, the controller 3 corresponds to the control unit and the second communication device of this disclosure.

[0029] Transceiver 4 is an interface installed at the physical layer in the OSI reference model. Specifically, transceiver 4 is a physical layer transceiver (specifically, a PHY) conforming to the Ethernet protocol specified by 10BASE-T1S. Transceiver 4 is directly connected to the vehicle communication line 5. Controller 3 is connected to transceiver 4 via signal lines, and is connected to the vehicle communication line 5 via transceiver 4. Transceiver 4 communicates with other transceivers 4 via the vehicle communication line 5. Transceiver 4 sends various data to and receives various data from the vehicle communication line 5. In this embodiment, transceiver 4 corresponds to the first communication device of this disclosure.

[0030] <2. Transceiver Structure> Reference Figure 3The first example of the functional structure of transceiver 4 will be described. Transceiver 4 has a Media Independent Interface (MII) 41, a Physical Layer Collision Avoidance (PLCA) 42, a startup control unit 43, a Physical Coding Sublayer (PCS) 44, a Physical Media Attachment (PMA) 45, and a startup signal detection unit 51.

[0031] MII41, PLCA42, start control unit 43, PCS44, and PMA45 are arranged in sequence, with MII41 directly connected to the controller 3. The start signal detection unit 51 is connected in parallel with MII41 to PMA45 between the controller 3 and the vehicle communication line 5.

[0032] The start signal detection unit 51 receives start signals sent from other nodes to the vehicle communication line 5 and detects the identification information of the start signal. The start signal is used to transition the transceiver 4 from a sleep state to a normal state. The sleep state is a state in which all functions of the transceiver 4 are stopped. Specifically, the sleep state is a state in which the start signal detection unit 51 is activated while other functions of the transceiver 4 are stopped. The normal state is a state in which all functions of the transceiver 4 are activated. In the sleep state, power is supplied only to the start signal detection unit 51, and no power is supplied to other functions. Therefore, the sleep state corresponds to a power-saving state with lower power consumption than the normal state.

[0033] The start signal is an extended version of the Wake-Up Pulse (WUP) or Wake-Up Request (WUR) format corresponding to the TC10 (Technical Committee 10) specification defined by the OPEN Alliance (One-Pair Ether-Net Alliance). More specifically, the start signal includes the identification information of the node to be started in the WUP / WUR. The WUP / WUR corresponding to the TC10 specification does not include the identification information of the node to be started. When the WUP / WUR is sent to the one-to-one communication line, only the node to be started receives the WUP / WUR, and only the node to be started initiates the connection.

[0034] However, the vehicle communication line 5 is a bus-type Ethernet communication line. Therefore, when WUP / WUR is sent to the vehicle communication line 5, all nodes connected to the vehicle communication line 5 receive the WUP / WUR and all nodes start up. Consequently, even unnecessary nodes start up and consume power, thus increasing unnecessary power consumption.

[0035] Therefore, in the vehicle communication system 100, the start signal is assigned identification information of the start object. The identification information is one or any combination of Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) information, Network Management (NM) start information, and node information.

[0036] VLAN information includes VLAN IDs. Vehicle communication line 5 is segmented into multiple VLANs, and each node of vehicle communication line 5 belongs to one of these VLANs. VLAN IDs correspond to the nodes belonging to each VLAN. NM startup information includes partial network clusters (PNCs) used in User Datagram Protocol Network Management (UDPNM) as defined by the Automotive Open System Architecture (AUTOSAR), a global development collaboration for the automotive industry. Nodes of vehicle communication line 5 belong to one or more PNCs. PNCs correspond to the nodes belonging to each cluster. Node information includes node IDs or MAC addresses. Node IDs are assigned to each node of vehicle communication line 5. MAC addresses are unique identifiers specific to each node's device.

[0037] The start signal detection unit 51 converts the start signal into a receive code, decodes the receive code, and generates receive data corresponding to the start signal. The start signal is a physical layer signal, i.e., an electrical signal. The receive code is bit data. The start signal detection unit 51 detects the identification information contained in the receive data. Furthermore, if the detected identification information corresponds to this node, the transceiver 4 transitions from a sleep state to a normal state and starts up. If the detected identification information does not correspond to this node, the transceiver 4 remains in a sleep state. That is, all nodes connected to the vehicle communication system 100 receive the start signal, but only the node corresponding to the identification information among all nodes starts up.

[0038] In detail, when the activation signal detection unit 51 identifies a node that corresponds to its current node, it energizes the supply path from the power circuit to the functional units in the stopped state. This activates all functional units of the transceiver 4. Conversely, when the activation signal detection unit 51 identifies a node that does not correspond to its current node, it continues to disconnect the power supply path from the power circuit to the functional units in the stopped state. This suppresses unnecessary power consumption.

[0039] MII41 is the interface between the physical layer and the Media Access Control (MAC) layer. The MAC is based on the Ethernet standard IEEE 802.3 and is installed in the data link layer of the OSI reference model. The MAC is configured in controller 3. MII41 receives Ethernet MII format transmission data from the MAC, i.e., controller 3, and transmits the data to PLCA42.

[0040] The transmitted data includes NM messages, identification information of the target node, startup information, and startup conditions. NM messages are transmitted via Ethernet frames using UDP NM as defined by AUTOSAR. NM messages are primarily used for transitions related to the node's power-saving mode. Additionally, MII41 transmits received data from PLCA42 to the MAC in Ethernet MII format.

[0041] PLCA42 prevents data transmission from transceiver 4 to the vehicle communication line 5 from conflicting with data transmission from transceivers 4 at other nodes. The vehicle communication line 5 is a bus-type network; therefore, when multiple transceivers 4 want to start communication simultaneously, the data transmission from multiple transceivers 4 will conflict with each other. To avoid frame conflicts, PLCA42 determines the transmission timing allocated to its node and sends the transmission timing and transmission data to the start control unit 43. Additionally, PLCA42 sends the received data from the start control unit 43 to MII41.

[0042] The startup control unit 43 generates a startup signal containing identification information corresponding to the node to be started. Specifically, the startup control unit 43 includes a setting / storage unit 431 and a startup signal generation unit 432.

[0043] The setting / storage unit 431 receives identification information from the controller 3 via the MII 41 and PLCA 42, and stores the identification information. Furthermore, the setting / storage unit 431 sends the identification information to the start signal generation unit 432 based on the transmission timing determined by the PLCA 42.

[0044] Additionally, the setting / storage unit 431 receives startup information or startup conditions from the controller 3 via the MII 41 and PLCA, and sets identification information based on the startup information or startup conditions. The startup information corresponds to one or more combinations of NM startup information, VLAN information, MAC address, and node ID. The setting / storage unit 431 has a startup information setting table. The startup information setting table shows the correspondence between the input signals from the controller 3 that represent startup information and one or more combinations of NM startup information, VLAN information, MAC address, and node ID. Figure 7This is an example of a startup information setting table. The startup information setting table can be updated at any time via an in-vehicle wireless device. The setting unit / storage unit 431 uses the startup information setting table to set identification information corresponding to the received startup information.

[0045] The startup condition indicates the condition for starting the node, such as "nodes belonging to group A must be started". However, it is not limited to group A; it can also be a condition for starting nodes belonging to other groups. The setting / storage unit 431 sets the identification information of the node corresponding to the received startup condition. The setting / storage unit 431 sends the set identification information to the startup signal generation unit 432. The setting / storage unit 431 may also receive only one or two of the identification information, startup information, and startup condition from the controller 3. If the setting / storage unit 431 does not receive startup information from the controller 3, it may not have a startup information setting table.

[0046] The start signal generation unit 432 generates a start signal that is assigned to any position of the WUP / WUR by the identification information received from the setting unit / storage unit 431. The arbitrary position is the boundary of the multiple segments contained in the WUP / WUR, the beginning of the WUP / WUR, or the end of the WUP / WUR. The start signal generation unit 432 transmits the generated start signal to the PCS as transmission data. Figure 8A This indicates the start signal that provides identification information at the beginning of the WUP, specifically before the SUSPEND (pause segment). The WUP consists of four segments: SUSPEND, Wake-Up Tone (WUT), COMMIT, and EOF (End of Frame). SUSPEND is the first segment, consisting of six T symbols that have undergone Differential Manchester Encoding (DME). WUT is the second segment, consisting of 12 cycles of a 625kHz tone that can be distinguished from the DME signal and can be used as a wake-up signal. COMMIT is the third segment, consisting of 24–26 J symbols that have undergone Differential Manchester Encoding (DME). EOF is the fourth segment, indicating the end of the frame. Figure 8B This indicates a start signal that provides identification information in the middle of WUP, specifically between SUSPEND and WUT. Figure 8C This indicates a start signal that provides identification information in the middle of WUP, specifically between WUT and COMMIT. Figure 8D This indicates a start signal that provides identification information in the middle of WUP, specifically between COMMIT and EOF. Figure 8E This indicates the start signal that provides identification information at the end of WUP, specifically after EOF.

[0047] The optimal location for the identification information is at the beginning of WUP / WUR. When the identification information is assigned to the beginning of WUP / WUR, nodes other than the target node do not need to detect the remaining part of the startup signal after detecting the identification information. That is, when the identification information is assigned to the beginning of WUP / WUR, nodes other than the target node can keep the amount of information they need to detect to a minimum.

[0048] PCS44 encodes the transmission data received from the start-up control unit 43 to generate a transmission code, and then sends the transmission code to PMA45. For example, PCS44 performs 4B / 3B conversion and scrambling on the transmission data to generate the transmission code. In addition, PCS44 decodes the reception code received from PMA45 to generate reception data, and then sends the reception data to the start-up control unit 43.

[0049] The PMA45 converts the transmit code (i.e., bit data) received from the PCS44 into a physical layer signal (i.e., an electrical signal), and transmits the physical layer signal to the physical medium for transmission via a Medium Dependent Interface (hereinafter referred to as MDI). The physical medium for transmission is equivalent to the Ethernet signal line constituting the vehicle communication line 5. Additionally, the PMA45 converts the physical layer signal (i.e., electrical signal) received from the physical medium for transmission via the MDI into a receive code (i.e., bit data), and transmits the receive code to the PCS44. In this embodiment, the PMA45 is equivalent to the transmitting unit of this disclosure.

[0050] Next, refer to Figure 4 The second example of the functional structure of transceiver 4 will be described. The difference between the transceiver 4 in the second example and the transceiver 4 in the first example is that it has a serial peripheral interface (SPI) 61 and a MAC 62 instead of MII41.

[0051] In the second example, transceiver 4 integrates a MAC. SPI61 receives transmit data in Ethernet SPI format from controller 3 and sends the transmit data to MAC62. Additionally, SPI61 sends receive data received from MAC62 back to controller 3 in Ethernet SPI format.

[0052] MAC62 adds control information to the transmit data received from SPI61 to form a transmit frame, which is then sent to PLCA42. Additionally, MAC62 decomposes the receive frame received from PLCA42, extracts only the receive data, and sends the extracted receive data to SPI61.

[0053] Next, refer to Figure 5A third example of the functional structure of transceiver 4 will be described. In this third example, transceiver 4 has TX / RX / ED63 and a PMA digital layer (PMAdigital) 64 instead of MII41 and PLCA42. Furthermore, this third example of transceiver 4 has a PMA analog layer (PMAanalog) 65 instead of PCS44 and PMA45. MAC, PLCA, and PCS are configured in controller 3. This third example of transceiver 4 only has an analog PMA installed.

[0054] TX / RX / ED63 receives physical layer signals from controller 3 and sends physical layer signals to PMA digital layer (PMAdigital) 64. Additionally, TX / RX / ED63 receives physical layer signals from PMA digital layer (PMAdigital) 64 and sends physical layer signals to controller 3.

[0055] The PMA digital layer (PMAdigital) 64 converts the physical layer signals received from the TX / RX / ED63 into digital signals and sends the digital signals to the startup control unit 43. Additionally, the PMA digital layer (PMAdigital) 64 converts the digital signals received from the startup control unit 43 into physical layer signals and sends the physical layer signals to the TX / RX / ED63.

[0056] The PMA analog layer 65 converts the digital signal sent from the startup control unit 43 into a physical layer signal, and transmits the physical layer signal to the physical medium for transmission via MDI. Additionally, the PMA analog layer 65 converts the physical layer signal received from the physical medium for transmission via MDI into a receive code, and transmits the receive code to the startup control unit 43. In this embodiment, the PMA analog layer 65 corresponds to the transmitting unit of this disclosure.

[0057] Next, refer to Figure 6 Another example of the functional structure of transceiver 4 will be described. In this other example, the transceiver 4 integrates the start signal detection unit 51 into the start control unit 43. That is, the start signal detection unit 51, the setting / storage unit 431, and the start signal generation unit 432 are arranged side by side between the PMA 42 and the PCS 44. The PMA 45 receives the start signal and converts it into a receive code, which is then sent to the PCS 44. The PCS 44 receives the receive code from the PMA 45, decodes it, and generates receive data corresponding to the start signal. The PCS 44 sends the generated receive data to the start signal detection unit 51. The start signal detection unit 51 receives the receive data from the PCS 44 and detects the identification information contained in the receive data.

[0058] Alternatively, the start signal detection unit 51, setting / storage unit 431, and start signal generation unit 432 are arranged side-by-side between the PMA digital layer 64 and the PMA analog layer 65. The PMA analog layer 65 receives the start signal, converts it into a receive code, and sends the receive code to the start signal detection unit 51. The start signal detection unit 51 receives the receive code from the PMA analog layer 65, decodes the receive code, and generates receive data corresponding to the start signal. The start signal detection unit 51 detects the identification information contained in the generated receive data.

[0059] <3. State Transition> Next, refer to Figure 9 The following describes the state transitions of the first ECU 10 and the second ECU 20 when the first ECU 10 is started by its own application and the started first ECU 10 causes the second ECU 20 to start. Specifically, it can be assumed that the first ECU 10 is the right front door ECU and the second ECU 20 is the left front door ECU. The first ECU 10 is started when the right front door lock is released, and the first ECU 10 causes the second ECU 20 to start.

[0060] The controller 3 of the first ECU 10 (hereinafter referred to as the first controller 3A) and the controller 3 of the second ECU 20 (hereinafter referred to as the second controller 3B) have bus sleep mode, sleep mode, pre-bus sleep mode and network mode as operating modes. The network mode includes repeat message mode, sleep preparation mode and normal operating mode.

[0061] Hibernation mode is a state in which most functions, except for a few, are stopped. Bus hibernation mode is an action mode that performs the necessary processing to stop some functions. Ready-to-hibernate mode is a hibernation standby state, which is canceled upon receiving a start request from the application or an NM message. Repeat message mode is a state in which NM messages are repeatedly sent for a certain period of time to notify other nodes to start. Hibernation ready mode is a ready state to enter hibernation after stopping message sending. Normal action mode is a state in which all functions are started.

[0062] The transceiver 4 of the first ECU 10 (hereinafter referred to as the first transceiver 4A) and the transceiver 4 of the second ECU 20 (hereinafter referred to as the second transceiver 4B) have a sleep state, a sleep handshake state, and a normal state as their operating states. The sleep state is a state in which many functions are stopped except for a few. The sleep handshake state is a state in which the first transceiver 4A and the second transceiver 4B communicate and respond to each other regarding entering the sleep state. The normal state is a state in which all functions are activated.

[0063] The first controller 3A does not require communication during operation and is therefore in bus sleep mode. The first controller 3A receives a startup request from its own application, sends a startup request to the first transceiver 4A, and enters repeat message mode. In repeat message mode, the first controller 3A repeatedly sends NM messages to the vehicle communication line 5 via the first transceiver 4A for a certain period, then enters normal operation mode and starts up. In this embodiment, the NM message is the startup message of this disclosure.

[0064] The first transceiver 4A receives a start request from the first controller 3A and starts up from its dormant state to its normal state. Additionally, the first transceiver 4A generates a start signal imbued with the identification information of the second ECU 20 and sends it to the vehicle communication line 5. The second transceiver 4B receives the start signal from the vehicle communication line 5 and detects the identification information corresponding to itself. Furthermore, the second transceiver 4B starts up from its dormant state to its normal state and notifies the second controller 3B that it has started.

[0065] The second controller 3B receives a startup notification from the second transceiver 4B and enters repeat message mode from bus sleep mode. Furthermore, upon receiving the startup notification, the second controller 3B, in response to receiving an NM message from the first controller 3A, enters normal operation mode from repeat message mode and starts up.

[0066] After the application processing is completed, the first controller 3A enters the sleep preparation mode from the normal operation mode, and then enters the bus sleep mode from the sleep preparation mode. The first controller 3A enters the bus sleep mode from the bus sleep mode and sends a sleep request to the first transceiver 4A.

[0067] The first transceiver 4A receives a sleep request from the first controller 3A, enters a sleep handshake state from the normal state, and sends a sleep signal to the second transceiver 4B via the vehicle communication line 5.

[0068] The second transceiver 4B receives the sleep signal, enters the sleep handshake state from the normal state, and notifies the second controller 3B that the sleep signal has been received. If the second transceiver 4B can enter sleep mode, it sends a sleep response to the first transceiver 4A via the vehicle communication line 5.

[0069] The second controller 3B receives notification from the second transceiver 4B that a sleep signal has been received, enters the sleep preparation mode from the normal operating mode, and then enters the standby bus mode from the sleep preparation mode.

[0070] The first transceiver 4A receives a sleep response, requests the first controller 3A to cut off power, and enters sleep mode from the sleep handshake state. The first controller 3A accepts the power cut-off request, cuts off power, and enters sleep mode from bus sleep mode.

[0071] Additionally, after sending a sleep response, the second transceiver 4B requests the second controller 3B to cut off power and enters sleep mode from the sleep handshake state. The second controller 3B accepts the power-off request and enters bus sleep mode from the ready bus mode. Then, the second controller 3B cuts off power and enters sleep mode from bus sleep mode.

[0072] <4. Effects> According to the detailed implementation method described above, the following effects are achieved.

[0073] (1) Transceiver 4 receives start signals sent by other nodes to the vehicle communication line 5. Furthermore, transceiver 4 detects the identification information of the start signal and starts if the identification information matches its own. Nodes other than those connected to the vehicle communication line 5 receive the start signal but do not start because their identification information does not match their own. Therefore, transceiver 4 can start independently based on start requests from other nodes connected to the vehicle communication line 5.

[0074] (2) Transceiver 4 generates a start signal containing identification information corresponding to the node to be started, and sends it to the vehicle communication line 5. Thus, transceiver 4 enables the node to be started individually among multiple nodes.

[0075] (3) The transceiver 4 can use the identification information received from the controller 3 to generate a start signal that identifies the target node to be started.

[0076] (4) The transceiver 4 can determine the target node to be started based on the start information or start conditions received from the controller 3 and generate a start signal that has determined the target node to be started.

[0077] (5) Transceiver 4 can generate a start signal containing identification information at any location.

[0078] (6) When the identification information is given at the beginning of the start signal, nodes other than the start target can detect that the identification information does not correspond to themselves, so they can continue to sleep without detecting the information after the identification information of the start signal.

[0079] (7) The controller 3 can be started when the transceiver 4 directly connected to the controller 3 is started and the NM message is received via the vehicle communication line 5.

[0080] (Other implementation methods) The embodiments of this disclosure have been described above, but this disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments and can be implemented in various ways.

[0081] Multiple constituent elements can be used to achieve multiple functions of one constituent element in the above embodiments, or multiple constituent elements can be used to achieve one function of one constituent element. Alternatively, one constituent element can be used to achieve multiple functions of multiple constituent elements, or one constituent element can be used to achieve one function implemented by multiple constituent elements. Furthermore, a portion of the configuration of the above embodiments can be omitted. Additionally, at least a portion of the configuration of the above embodiments can be added to or replaced with other configurations of the above embodiments.

Claims

1. A transceiver comprising multiple nodes connected to an onboard communication line, characterized in that, The transceiver includes a start signal detection unit configured to detect the identification information of a start signal transmitted by any one of the plurality of nodes to the vehicle communication line, which is assigned identification information for identifying a node of the vehicle communication line. The transceiver is configured to start when the identification information detected by the start signal detection unit corresponds to the transceiver.

2. The transceiver according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also has: A startup signal generation unit is configured to generate a startup signal containing identification information corresponding to a startup object among the plurality of nodes; and The transmitting unit is configured to transmit the start signal generated by the start signal generating unit to the vehicle communication line.

3. The transceiver according to claim 2, characterized in that, The transceiver also includes a storage unit configured to store the identification information received from the control unit and send the identification information to the start signal generation unit. The control unit is configured to perform processing related to communication with the plurality of nodes.

4. The transceiver according to claim 2, characterized in that, The transceiver also includes a setting unit configured to set the identification information based on startup information or startup conditions received from the control unit, and send the set identification information to the startup signal generation unit. The control unit is configured to perform processing related to communication with the nodes of the vehicle communication line.

5. The transceiver according to claim 3, characterized in that, The start signal detection unit, the start signal generation unit, and the storage unit are integrated together.

6. The transceiver according to claim 4, characterized in that, The start signal detection unit, the start signal generation unit, and the setting unit are integrated together.

7. The transceiver according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The identification information is assigned to the beginning, middle, or end of the activation signal.

8. The transceiver according to claim 7, characterized in that, The identification information is assigned to the beginning of the activation signal.

9. A communication system, characterized in that, The communication system includes a first communication device and a second communication device comprising multiple nodes connected to an in-vehicle Ethernet communication line. The first communication device includes a start signal detection unit configured to detect the identification information of a start signal sent to the vehicle Ethernet communication line, which is assigned identification information for identifying nodes of the vehicle Ethernet communication line. The first communication device is configured to activate upon detecting that the identification information corresponds to the first communication device, and to notify the second communication device that it has been activated. The second communication device is configured to start upon receiving a start message from the vehicle Ethernet communication line after receiving the notification from the first communication device.

10. The communication system according to claim 9, characterized in that, The first communication device also includes: A startup signal generation unit is configured to generate the startup signal by assigning the identification information corresponding to the startup object among the plurality of nodes; and The transmitting unit is configured to transmit the start signal generated by the start signal generating unit to the vehicle Ethernet communication line.

11. The communication system according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, The identification information is assigned to the beginning, middle, or end of the activation signal.

12. The communication system according to claim 11, characterized in that, The identification information is assigned to the beginning of the activation signal.

13. A method for starting a transceiver, which is a method for starting a transceiver connected to a vehicle-mounted communication line, characterized in that, Receive a start signal sent to the vehicle communication line, which is equipped with identification information for identifying nodes of the vehicle communication line. The identification information received from the activation signal is detected. Start-up is initiated when the detected identification information corresponds to the transceiver.

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