System and device for providing communications and method for training the device

Abstract

Device for providing communication between a first bus (202) and a second bus (208), wherein a plurality of first communication nodes (158, 159) is connected to the first bus (202) and a plurality of second communication nodes (152, 153) is connected to the second bus (208), and the plurality of first communication nodes (158, 159) and the plurality of second communication nodes (152, 153) can be operated in a power-saving mode and in a second mode in which the communication node (152, 153, 158, 159) consumes more power than in the power-saving mode, wherein the device comprises: a transfer component (204) having a first terminal (216) configured to be connected to the first bus (202), a second terminal (218) configured to be connected to the second bus (208), and a switching circuit (206) connected between the first terminal (216) and the second terminal (218); wherein the transfer component (204) can be operated in a first operating mode in which the switching circuit (206) is closed, so that signals received via the first terminal (216) are coupled to the second terminal (218) and output at the second terminal (218); and the transfer component (204) can be operated in a second operating mode in which the switching circuit (206) is open, so that signals received via the first terminal (216) from the second terminal (218) are isolated and therefore signals received via the first terminal (216) are not coupled to the second terminal (218) and are not output at the second terminal (218); characterized by the fact that The device further comprises a control unit (210) which is communicatively coupled to the transfer component (204) and is configured to receive at least one message from the transfer component (204) which is received via the first connection (216); wherein the control unit (210) is configured to cause the transfer component (204) to operate in the first operating mode in response to the receipt of at least one first message, and the control unit (210) is configured to cause the transfer component (204) to operate in the second operating mode in response to the receipt of at least one second message.

Description

Background of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for providing communications, a method for constructing a device for providing communications, and a system for providing communications. The present invention generally relates to communication networks and, in particular, to the partitioning of network elements.

[0002] For example, US patent 2010 / 042858 A1 discloses a device for providing communications according to the preamble of claim 1, a method for constructing a device for providing communications according to the preamble of claim 4, and a system for providing communications according to the preamble of claim 9. German patent DE 602 21 325 T2 describes a similar device, a similar method, and a similar system.

[0003] In a communication system with numerous communication nodes connected by a bus, all nodes typically monitor messages on the bus. Some of these communication nodes may operate in a primary "normal" mode and a secondary power-saving mode, sometimes called "sleep mode," to conserve power. When operating in power-saving mode, whenever a message is transmitted over the bus, all communication nodes must typically "wake up" from power-saving mode to process the message—even if the message is intended for only a subset (or even just one) of the communication nodes. Each time each node wakes up from power-saving mode, the network's power consumption increases.Since all nodes connected to the bus normally need to wake up when a message is transmitted over the bus, some (or many) of the nodes wake up unnecessarily from sleep mode (since the messages are not intended for such communication nodes), thus unnecessarily increasing the network's power consumption.

[0004] Therefore, an object of the invention is to provide a device, a system and a method for reducing the number of nodes that are woken up from sleep mode to process messages intended for other communication nodes, thereby consuming less power.

[0005] The aforementioned problem is solved by the features of independent claims 1, 4 and 9. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims, the description and the drawings. Brief description of the drawings

[0006] The invention is further described in the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings and by means of exemplary embodiments of the invention, wherein similar reference numerals denote similar parts in the drawings. Fig. Figure 1 is a block diagram of a network according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Fig. Figure 2 is a block diagram of a communication node according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Fig. Figure 3 is a block diagram of a communication network according to a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Fig. Figure 4 shows an enlarged top view of a semiconductor device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. Figure 5 shows a method for forming a communication node according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0007] For the sake of simplicity and clarity, elements in the drawings are not necessarily to scale and are merely schematic. The same reference symbols in the different drawings denote the same elements unless otherwise noted. Furthermore, descriptions and details of well-known steps and elements are omitted for the sake of clarity. As used here, the term "current-carrying electrode" refers to an element of a device that conducts current through the device, such as the source or drain of a MOS transistor, the emitter or collector of a bipolar transistor, or the cathode or anode of a diode. A "control electrode" refers to an element of the device that controls the current flow through the device, such as the gate of a MOS transistor or the base of a bipolar transistor.The person skilled in the art will understand that the words "during," "whereby," and "when," as used here and relating to a circuit operation, are not exact terms meaning that an action begins immediately upon initiation of another action, but rather that there is a small but reasonable delay, such as a propagation delay, between the response initiated by the initial action and the response itself. Furthermore, the term "during" means that a particular action occurs at least within a certain portion of the duration of the initiating action. The use of the words "approximately" or "essentially" means that a value of an element has a parameter that is expected to be close to a specified value or position.However, as is well known in the prior art, there are always slight deviations that prevent the values ​​or positions from being as exact as specified. According to the prior art, deviations of up to at least ten percent (10%) (and up to twenty percent (20%) for semiconductor doping concentrations) are permissible deviations from the precisely described ideal target. When used in relation to the state of a signal, the term "confirmed" denotes an active state of the signal and "denied" an inactive state. The actual voltage value or logic state (such as a "1" or a "0") of the signal depends on whether positive or negative logic is used.Thus, "confirmed" can mean either a high voltage or a high logic, or a low voltage or a low logic, depending on whether a positive or negative logic is used, and "negated" can mean either a low voltage or a low state, or a high voltage and a high logic, depending on whether a positive or negative logic is used. Here, a positive logic convention is used, although the person skilled in the art understands that a negative logic convention could also be used. The terms "first," "second," "third," and the like, as used in the claims or the detailed description, distinguish between similar elements and do not necessarily describe a sequence, whether temporal, spatial, hierarchical, or any other kind.It is understood that the terms used in this way are interchangeable under suitable circumstances, and that the embodiments described here are suitable for operation in sequences other than those described and illustrated here. For the sake of clarity in the drawings, doped areas of device structures may be depicted as having essentially straight edges and precise angled corners. However, those skilled in the art understand that, as a result of the diffusion and activation of dopants, the edges of doped areas generally cannot be straight, and the corners cannot have precise angles.

[0008] Furthermore, the description explains a cellular structure (where the body regions can be a multitude of cellular regions) rather than a single-body structure (where the body region can consist of a single region arranged in an elongated pattern, usually a serpentine pattern). However, it is intended that the description be applicable to both a cellular and a single-body application. Detailed description

[0009] For the purposes of explanation, the following description will explain specific details such as special signals, circuits, circuit arrangements, thresholds, components, operating modes, techniques, protocols, hardware arrangements, nodes, either internal or external, etc., in order to provide a comprehensive understanding of the present invention.

[0010] However, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the present invention can be implemented in practice in other embodiments that differ from these specific details. Detailed descriptions of well-known signals, circuits, thresholds, components, operating modes, nodes, techniques, protocols, and hardware arrangements, either internal or external, etc., are omitted to avoid obfuscation.

[0011] Embodiments of the present invention can selectively connect and disconnect at least two communication buses in order to selectively transmit messages between the different buses. Communication nodes connected to a disconnected bus can be woken up from a power-saving mode (standby mode) less frequently than if such nodes received all messages transmitted over all buses of the network. Such a connection or disconnection of a bus can be accomplished by a transfer communication node that is coupled to two (or more) communication buses and selectively transmits messages between these two.The transfer communication node can respond to the receipt of at least one control message in order to switch between a first state in which messages are transmitted between the two (or more) buses and a second state in which messages are not transmitted between the buses.

[0012] The transfer communication node, which optionally connects the buses of an exemplary embodiment, comprises a transfer component and a control unit. The transfer component can have a first port configured to connect to a first bus and a second port configured to connect to a second bus. The transfer component can operate in a first mode in which a signal, which may contain a message, received at the first port is transmitted to (and output by) the second port (and vice versa). The transfer component can operate in a second mode in which a signal, which may contain a message, received at the first port is not transmitted to the second port for output (and vice versa).The control unit, which may contain a processor and memory, can be communicatively coupled to the transfer component and configured to receive messages transmitted via the first bus and received via the first port, and messages transmitted via the second bus and received via the second port. The control unit can be configured to process the received messages and, based on this processing, switch the transfer component between the first and second operating modes.

[0013] Fig. Figure 1 is a block diagram of a network 150 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Communication nodes 158 and 159 are connected to a first bus 102. Communication nodes 152 and 153 are connected to a second bus 108. The transfer communication node 164 (sometimes referred to herein as the "transfer node") has a first port connected to the first bus 102 and a second port connected to the second bus 108. Communication node 159 may include a transceiver 104 connected to a control unit 110 (which may include a processor and memory) to send and / or receive a signal, such as a CAN signal (CAN - Controller Area Network), over the first bus 102. Communication nodes 152, 153, and 158 may have the same functional blocks and structure as communication node 159.The communication nodes 152, 153, 158, and 159 can operate in a first, "normal" operating mode and in a second power-saving mode, sometimes referred to as "standby" mode (or sleep mode), to reduce power consumption. When operating in power-saving mode, whenever a message is transmitted over the bus, all communication nodes must normally "wake up" from power-saving mode to process the message. The transfer nodes and the communication nodes described here can be configured to transmit CAN signals (or messages) and / or LIN (Local Interconnect Network) signals (or messages). The physical CAN signals can be converted into digital signals by the transceivers of each node and are then provided to the control unit.One or both of the nodes may also have additional communication nodes that are identical to communication node 159.

[0014] The transfer node 164 can have two additional operating modes. In the first operating mode, signals received at the first port are transmitted to the second port and output there (and vice versa), so that the first bus 102 is communicatively coupled or actually "connected" to the second bus 108. In the second operating mode, signals received at the first port are not output to the second port (and vice versa), so that the first bus 102 is not communicatively coupled to the second bus 108 or actually "disconnected" or isolated from it. While the transfer node 164 is operating in the second mode, a message 154 transmitted via the first bus 102 (e.g.,A message transmitted via the second bus 108 (e.g., sent by communication node 158 or 159) would not reach the second bus 108 and would therefore not wake communication nodes 152 and 153 from power-saving mode (assuming each node was operating in power-saving mode). Similarly, while transfer node 164 is operating in the second mode, a message transmitted via the second bus 108 (e.g., sent by communication node 152 or 153) would not reach the first communication node 102 and would therefore not wake communication nodes 158 or 159 from power-saving mode (assuming each node was operating in power-saving mode).

[0015] While transfer node 164 is operating in the first mode, a message 154 transmitted via the first bus 102 (e.g., sent by communication node 158 or 159) would reach the second bus 108 and be received by communication nodes 152 and 153 (and would wake them from a power-saving mode, provided that nodes 152 or 153 were operating in a power-saving mode). Similarly, while transfer node 164 is operating in the first mode, a message transmitted via the second bus 108 (e.g., sent by communication node 152 or 153) would reach the first bus 102 and be received by communication nodes 158 and 159 (and wake them from a power-saving mode, provided that nodes 158 or 159 were operating in a power-saving mode).

[0016] The transfer node 200, which is located in Fig. Figure 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of the transfer node 164, consisting of Fig. 1, as described above. The transfer communication node 200 is connected to a first bus 202 via a first port 216 and to a second bus 208 via a second port 218. The transfer node 200 may include a transfer component 204 comprising a first transceiver 240 connected to the first port 216 and a second transceiver 242 connected to the second port 218. This exemplary embodiment of the transfer component 204 includes a switching circuit 206 that connects (and disconnects) the transceivers 240 and 242, although other embodiments may include a repeater circuit instead.

[0017] The transfer node 200 also contains a control unit 210, which is functionally coupled to the transfer component 204 (to control the operating mode of the transfer component 2049) and communicatively coupled to the transmitter-receiver to receive messages from the buses 202 and 208 via the transfer component 204 and to send messages via these buses.

[0018] The transfer component 204 can be operated to transmit signals (e.g., messages) between terminals 216 and 218 in a first operating mode of the transfer node 200 (and the transfer component 204) and to isolate the first terminal 216 and the second terminal 218 in a second operating mode of the transfer node 200 (and the transfer component 204). The control unit 210 receives at least one message from the first bus and / or the second bus 208 via the transfer component 204 and, based on and in response to these messages, switches the transfer component 204 between the first and second operating modes in order to connect the two buses 202 and 208 (in the first operating mode) and (in the second operating mode) to disconnect or isolate them.The messages 212, which are received and interpreted by the control unit 210, can contain CAN signals (or alternatively LIN messages (LIN - Local Interconnect Network)), and a signal from the controller 210 to the transfer component 204 can contain a control signal 214 to switch the transfer component 204 between operating modes. These signals 212 and 214 can be bidirectional. However... Fig. 2 where signals 212 and 214 are shown separately, in some embodiments signals 212 and 214 can be transmitted via the same communication path (or part thereof).

[0019] At least one communication node 220 can be connected to the first bus 202 (although only one is shown), and at least one communication node 222 can be connected to the second bus 208, although only one is shown. The communication nodes 220 and 222 can have the form of communication node 159. Fig. 1. They accept and have a transceiver and a control unit and may furthermore be configured to operate in a power-saving mode (standby mode) and a normal mode, as described here.

[0020] As explained, this exemplary embodiment of the transfer component 204 includes a switching circuit 206 (e.g., a transistor circuit, gate, etc.), although other embodiments may include a repeater circuit. In this exemplary embodiment, opening the switching circuit 206 (to operate the transfer node 200 in the second operating mode), which can be carried out in response to the transfer component 204 receiving at least one first control signal 214, can cause the first bus 202 and the second bus 208 to be isolated from each other such that communication nodes 222 connected to the second bus 208 do not receive signals transmitted via the first bus 202. Similarly, when operating in the second operating mode, communication nodes 202 connected to the first bus 202 do not receive signals transmitted via the second bus 208.As will be understandable to the person skilled in the art, for at least part of the time period during which the transfer node 200 operates in the second operating mode, at least one bus of the network will normally contain communication nodes operating in a power-saving mode, while at least one other bus will contain communication nodes operating in the normal operating mode.

[0021] The closing of the switching circuit 206, which can be carried out in response to the transfer component 204 receiving at least one second control signal 214, can cause the first bus 202 and the second bus 208 to be communicatively coupled with each other (e.g. via the transmitter-receivers 240 and 242), so that communication node 222 receives signals that are sent via the first bus 202, and communication node 220 receives signals that are sent via the second bus 208.

[0022] In an embodiment where a repeater circuit is used instead of a switching circuit 206, the repeater circuit can comprise a bidirectional repeater or two unidirectional repeater circuits (e.g., possibly with additional peripheral circuits such as switches, gates, or the like), wherein the repeater circuit is deactivated upon receiving at least one first control signal 214 and activated upon receiving at least one second control signal 214. In a further embodiment, the transmitter-receivers 240 and 242 are more directly coupled communicatively (to allow an exchange of signals between them), wherein the transmitter-receivers 240 and 242 are deactivated upon receiving at least one first control signal 214 (e.g.,(The transmission via each bus is overridden) and is activated in response to the reception of at least one second control signal 214 (e.g., signals received by one transceiver are transmitted to the other transceiver). Other embodiments may include a transfer circuit (or circuits) that differs from the switching circuit, the repeater circuit, and the transceivers described herein.

[0023] Fig. Figure 3 is a block diagram of a network according to a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which several transfer nodes are used to selectively connect (and partition) a plurality of buses of a network 300. In the network 300, a first transfer node 336 and communication nodes 318 and 320 are connected to a first bus 370. Transfer nodes 336, 338, and 340 and communication node 334 are connected to a second bus 372. Communication node 342 and transfer node 340 are connected to a third bus 376. Communication nodes 324, 326, 328, and 330 and transfer node 338 are connected to a fourth bus 378.

[0024] The first transfer node 336 can have a first port 382 and a second port 384. Similarly, the other transfer nodes can have similar first and second ports, which are not labeled for the sake of simplicity and clarity. Each of the transfer nodes 336, 338, and 340 can have the form of transfer node 200. Fig. 2. They assume and operate in a manner essentially identical to that of transfer node 200, and therefore operate in a first mode in which the transfer node communicatively couples its corresponding buses, and in a second mode in which the transfer node isolates its corresponding buses. Thus, transfer node 336 optionally performs communicative coupling and isolation of buses 370 and 372. Transfer node 338 optionally performs communicative coupling and isolation of buses 372 and 378. Transfer node 340 optionally performs communicative coupling and isolation of buses 376 and 378.

[0025] Each of the transfer nodes 336, 338, and 340 can operate individually such that at least one of the transfer nodes can operate in the first or second operating mode independently of the operating mode in which any of the other transfer nodes is operating. The operating modes of transfer nodes 336, 338, and 340 can, of course, be coordinated by the messages transmitted over the buses (to which the control units of the transfer nodes respond) in order to allow the communication nodes connected to at least one bus to remain in a power-saving operating mode, while communication over and / or between other buses is enabled by other communication nodes operating in the normal (high-performance) operating mode.

[0026] In an example scenario where transfer node 336 operates in the first operating mode and transfer nodes 338 and 340 operate in the second operating mode, messages transmitted via communication nodes 318 and 320 are isolated from buses 376 and 378. This prevents the messages from (unnecessarily) waking communication nodes 324, 326, 328, and 330, which are connected to bus 378, or communication node 342, which is connected to bus 376, from a power-saving mode. However, these messages, transmitted via the first bus 370, are transferred by transfer node 336 to the second bus 372 and received by communication node 334. Communication node 334 can also send messages via the second bus 372, which are then transferred from transfer node 336 to the first bus 370 and received by communication nodes 318 and 320.

[0027] In another exemplary scenario, where all transfer nodes operate in the first mode, messages transmitted by any communication node are passed through the transfer nodes to all other buses. It is worth noting that in such a scenario, a message sent to the first bus 370 is passed through transfer nodes 336 and 340 to the third bus 376, and then through transfer nodes 336 and 338 to the fourth bus 378. Thus, some messages can be subject to multiple transmissions through multiple transfer nodes and traverse two, three, or more buses.

[0028] Networks and transfer nodes of some embodiments of the present invention can be designed as a semiconductor device. Fig. Figure 4 shows an enlarged top view of a semiconductor device, which is an embodiment of the transfer node 200. Fig. 2 and / or of the network 300 from Fig. 3, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. A semiconductor chip 400 can include a transfer node 404 (and in some embodiments the surrounding buses and communication nodes). The semiconductor chip 400 can also include other circuits, which for the sake of simplicity of the drawing are shown in Fig. 4 are not shown.

[0029] Fig. Figure 5 shows a method 500 for producing a transfer node according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As in Fig.As shown in Figure 5, an exemplary embodiment of a method for forming a device, such as a transfer node 200 for providing communication between multiple buses, may, at Figure 502, include providing a transfer component having a first port configured to be connected to a first bus and a second port configured to be connected to a second bus. At Figure 504, the operation may include configuring the transfer component so that it can operate in a first mode in which signals received by one port are transferred to (and output by) the other port. At Figure 506, the operation may include configuring the transfer component so that it operates in a second mode in which signals received by one port are not output to the other port.

[0030] Procedure 500 can also include the communicative coupling of a control unit with the transfer component 508. In procedure 510, the operation can include configuring the control unit to receive messages from the transfer component via the first port (and / or the second port), and configuring the control unit to respond to the receipt of at least one first message by causing the transfer component to operate in the first mode, as described in procedure 512. In procedure 514, the operation can also include configuring the control unit to respond to the receipt of at least one second message by causing the transfer component to operate in the second mode.

[0031] In method 500, the first terminal may contain (or be connected to) a first transceiver configured to communicate over the first bus, and the second terminal may contain (or be connected to) a second transceiver configured to communicate over the second bus, the first transceiver and the second transceiver being configured for bidirectional communication with each other in the first operating mode.

[0032] Furthermore, in method 500, the transfer component can include a repeater that communicatively couples the first port with the second port, and the method can further include activating the repeater in the first operating mode and deactivating the repeater in the second operating mode. The repeater can also include a CAN repeater (CAN - Controller Area Network). The aforementioned method can further include connecting the CAN repeater to the control unit, wherein the control unit can be configured to process at least one CAN signal and at least one CAN repeater control signal.

[0033] Procedure 500 may further include configuring the control unit so that it interprets and responds to at least a first and a second message, which may contain CAN messages or LIN messages (LIN - Local Interconnect Network).

[0034] Although the embodiments of the transfer nodes described above include two ports, other embodiments may include three ports, each port being configured to connect to a different bus, and the transfer component being configured, optionally in response to receiving control signals from the control unit, to connect all three buses or any two buses, or to isolate all three buses from each other. Other embodiments may include four, five, or more ports for connecting to four, five, or more buses and optionally communicatively couple any combination (or all) of the buses. Different references are used here to describe how signals received via one port are transferred to and output from another port (one, two, or more ports).Such references are understood to include the renewal and output of the signal, the amplification and output of the signal, the routing of the signal output, and / or the other transmission of at least some of the received information from the other port. In the above description, the control unit and the transfer component of a transfer node are described as separate components. In practice, however, the functionality of these components may be (fully or partially) integrated into the same physical component. Thus, the description of the control unit and the transfer component of the transfer nodes contained herein is understood to explain functions that may or may not be separate physical components.

[0035] The "wake-up" messages (e.g., CAN, LIN, etc.) received by the control unit of the transfer node from one bus can be sent to the other bus to wake up the communication nodes connected to that bus. Alternatively, other information can be sent over the other bus in response to receiving the message(s).

[0036] The "idle" messages (e.g., CAN, LIN, etc.) received by the control unit of the transfer node from one bus can be sent to the other bus to cause the communication nodes connected to the other bus to enter power-saving mode. Alternatively, other information can be sent over the other bus in response to receiving the message(s).

[0037] An exemplary embodiment comprises a device for providing communication between a first bus and a second bus, wherein a plurality of first communication nodes are connected to the first bus and a plurality of second communication devices are connected to the second bus, and the plurality of first communication devices as well as the plurality of second communication devices can be operated in a first power-saving mode and a second mode in which the communication node consumes more power than in the first power-saving mode. The device may include a transfer component having a first terminal configured to connect to the first bus and a second terminal configured to connect to the second bus.The transfer component can be operated in a first mode in which signals received via the first terminal are output at the second terminal, and in a second mode in which signals received via the first terminal are not output at the second terminal. The device can include a control unit that is communicatively coupled to the transfer component and configured to receive at least one message from the transfer component received via the first terminal. The control unit can be configured to cause the transfer component to operate in the first mode in response to the receipt of at least one first message; and to cause the transfer component to operate in the second mode in response to the receipt of at least one second message.The transfer component can include a switching circuit or a repeater circuit (which can be activated in the first operating mode and deactivated in the second operating mode) located between the first and second terminals. Alternatively or additionally, the transfer component can include a first transceiver communicatively coupled to the first terminal for communication over the first bus, and a second transceiver communicatively coupled to the second terminal for communication over the second bus, with the first and second transceivers configured for bidirectional communication with each other in the first operating mode. The at least one first message can contain at least one CAN message or at least one LIN message (LIN - Local Interconnect Network).

[0038] In a further embodiment, a method for forming a device for providing communications comprises providing a transfer component having a first port configured to be connected to a first bus and a second port configured to be connected to a second bus; configuring the transfer component so that it can be operated in a first operating mode in which the first port is communicatively coupled to the second port; configuring the transfer component so that it can be operated in a second operating mode in which the first port is communicatively isolated from the second port; communicatively coupling a control unit to the transfer component; and configuring the control unit so that it receives messages from the transfer component via the first port and / or the second port.Configuring the control unit to respond to the receipt of at least one first message by causing the transfer component to operate in the first mode; and configuring the control unit to respond to the receipt of at least one second message by causing the transfer component to operate in the second mode. The first terminal may contain a first transceiver configured to communicate over the first bus, and the second terminal may include a second transceiver configured to communicate over the second bus.wherein the first transceiver and the second transceiver are configured for bidirectional communication with each other in the first operating mode. The transfer component may include a repeater circuit that communicatively couples the first port with the second port, the method further comprising activating the repeater circuit in the first operating mode and deactivating the repeater circuit in the second operating mode.

[0039] In a further embodiment, a communication system may comprise: a first bus; a plurality of first communication nodes connected to the first bus; a second bus; and a plurality of second communication nodes connected to the second bus. Each of the plurality of first and second communication nodes may be configured to operate in at least one first state and one power-saving state, wherein operation in the power-saving state consumes less power than operation in the first state. The system may include a transfer component connected to both the first and second buses. The transfer component may operate in a first mode in which the first bus is communicatively coupled to the second bus. The transfer component may operate in a second mode in which the first bus is communicatively isolated from the second bus.The system can operate in a first operating mode in which: (a) at least two of the plurality of first communication nodes communicate via the first bus while operating in the first operating state, while simultaneously (b) the plurality of second communication nodes operate in power-saving mode and the transfer component operates in the second operating mode. The system can operate in a second operating mode in which one of the plurality of first communication nodes communicates via the first bus and the second bus with one of the plurality of second communication nodes, while the transfer component operates in the first operating mode.

[0040] As reflected in the following claims, inventive aspects may lie in fewer than all features of a single preceding disclosed embodiment. Therefore, the following formulated claims are expressly included in this detailed description, each claim constituting a separate embodiment of the invention. While some embodiments described herein may include, but not all, features contained in other embodiments, combinations of features from different embodiments are intended to fall within the scope of the invention and constitute other embodiments, as a person skilled in the art would understand.

Claims

[1] Device for providing communication between a first bus (202) and a second bus (208), wherein a plurality of first communication nodes (158, 159) is connected to the first bus (202) and a plurality of second communication nodes (152, 153) is connected to the second bus (208), and the plurality of first communication nodes (158, 159) and the plurality of second communication nodes (152, 153) can be operated in a power-saving mode and in a second mode in which the communication node (152, 153, 158, 159) consumes more power than in the power-saving mode, wherein the device comprises: a transfer component (204) having a first terminal (216) configured to be connected to the first bus (202), a second terminal (218) configured to be connected to the second bus (208), and a switching circuit (206) connected between the first terminal (216) and the second terminal (218); wherein the transfer component (204) can be operated in a first operating mode in which the switching circuit (206) is closed, so that signals received via the first terminal (216) are coupled to the second terminal (218) and output at the second terminal (218); and the transfer component (204) can be operated in a second operating mode in which the switching circuit (206) is open, so that signals received via the first terminal (216) from the second terminal (218) are isolated and therefore signals received via the first terminal (216) are not coupled to the second terminal (218) and are not output at the second terminal (218); characterized by , that The device further comprises a control unit (210) which is communicatively coupled to the transfer component (204) and is configured to receive at least one message from the transfer component (204) which is received via the first connection (216); wherein the control unit (210) is configured to cause the transfer component (204) to operate in the first operating mode in response to the receipt of at least one first message, and the control unit (210) is configured to cause the transfer component (204) to operate in the second operating mode in response to the receipt of at least one second message. [2] Device according to claim 1, wherein the transfer component (204) comprises: a first transceiver (240) that is communicatively coupled to the first terminal (216) to communicate via the first bus (202), and a second transceiver (242) that is communicatively coupled to the second terminal (218) to communicate via the second bus (208); wherein the first transceiver (240) and the second transceiver (242) are configured for bidirectional communication with each other in the first operating mode. [3] Device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first message contains at least one CAN message or one LIN message (LIN - Local Interconnect Network). [4] Method for forming a device for providing communications, comprising: Providing a transfer component (204) which has a first port (216) configured to be connected to a first bus (202) and a second port (218) configured to be connected to a second bus (208); Configure the transfer component (204) so ​​that it can be operated in a first operating mode in which the first port (216) is communicatively coupled with the second port (218); Configuring the transfer component (204) so ​​that it can be operated in a second operating mode in which the first port (216) is communicatively isolated from the second port (218), with no messages being coupled from the first port (216) to the second port (218); characterized by , that the procedure further includes: communicative coupling of a control unit (210) with the transfer component (204); Configuring the control unit (210) so that it receives messages from the transfer component (204) received via the first port (216) and / or the second port (218); Configuring the control unit (210) so that it responds to the receipt of at least one initial message by causing the transfer component (204) to operate in the first operating mode; and Configuring the control unit (210) so that it responds to the receipt of at least a second message by causing the transfer component (204) to operate in the second mode. [5] Method according to claim 4, wherein the transfer component (204) comprises a repeater circuit arranged between the first and the second terminal (216, 218). [6] Method according to claim 4, wherein the first connection (216) comprises a first transceiver (240) configured to communicate via the first bus (202), and the second connection (218) comprises a second transceiver (242) configured to communicate via the second bus (208); wherein the first transceiver (240) and the second transceiver (242) are configured for bidirectional communication with each other in the first operating mode. [7] Method according to claim 4, wherein the transfer component (204) comprises a repeater circuit that communicatively couples the first terminal (216) and the second terminal (218); wherein the method further comprises: Activation of the repeater circuit in the first operating mode; and Disabling the repeater circuit in the second operating mode. [8] Method according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the at least one message contains a CAN signal or a LIN message (LIN - Local Interconnect Network). [9] System for providing communications, comprising: a first bus (202); a multitude of first communication nodes (158, 159) connected to the first bus (202); a second bus (208); a multitude of second communication nodes (152, 153) connected to the second bus (208); wherein each of the multitude of first and second communication nodes (152, 153) is configured to operate in a first state and / or a power-saving state; and The operation in power-saving mode consumes less electricity than the operation in the first mode; a transfer component (204) that is connected to the first bus (202) and the second bus (208); wherein the transfer component (204) can be operated in a first operating mode in which the first bus (202) is communicatively coupled with the second bus (208); wherein the transfer component (204) can be operated in a second operating mode in which the first bus (202) is communicatively isolated from the second bus (208), and all signals received on the first bus (202) are not transmitted to the second bus (208); characterized by , that The system further comprises a control unit (210) which is communicatively coupled to the transfer component (204) and is configured to receive at least one message from the transfer component (204) received via the first connection (216), wherein the control unit (210) is configured to cause the transfer component (204) to operate in the first operating mode in response to the receipt of at least one first message, and the control unit (210) is configured to cause the transfer component (204) to operate in the second mode in response to the receipt of at least one second message, the system can be operated in the first operating mode, in which: (a) at least two of the plurality of first communication nodes (158, 159) communicate via the first bus (202) while work is being carried out in the first state, and simultaneously (b) the multiple second communication nodes (152, 153) operate in power-saving mode and the control unit (210) controls the transfer component (204) so ​​that it operates in the second operating mode; the system can be operated in the second operating mode, in which one of the multitude of first communication nodes (158, 159) communicates via the first bus (202) and the second bus (208) with one of the multitude of second communication nodes (152, 153), while the control unit (210) controls the transfer component (204) so ​​that it operates in the first operating mode.

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