Method for energy-efficient control of a control circuit and a bus connected to the control circuit, control circuit and vehicle

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for implementation by a control circuit for controlling a bus. The method comprises obtaining control data indicative of a power state of the bus and a power state of the control circuit. The power state of the bus is configured to transmit data via the bus. The power state of the bus prevents deactivation of the bus. The power state of the control circuit is configured to process data received via the bus. Furthermore, the method comprises setting an operating mode of the control circuit based on the control data and controlling an operating mode of the bus based on the control data. The controlling comprises setting the power state for transmitting data via the bus.

Description

In on-board power supply systems of modern vehicles, various electronic control units (processors) are connected to one another via special bus systems, so-called buses. These bus systems are used for communication between the various electronic control units in the vehicle.The on-board power supply system can be controlled by a terminal disconnection according to requirements. That is, electrical loads not required can be turned off when they are not in use. This can be effected by demand-controlled terminal disconnection, in which non-essential loads, for example an unused bus and / or a control device, are temporarily deactivated in order to save energy. However, by the terminal disconnection according to requirements, a start-up time of the on-board power supply system can be increased.There is therefore a need to improve a method for controlling a bus. This need is addressed by the method, computer program, control circuitry and vehicle of the independent claims.Embodiments are based on the core idea that an operating mode of a bus and a control circuit can be controlled based on control data indicative of a power state of the bus and a power state of the control circuit. Thereby, power management of a distributed system including a control circuit and a bus can be improved. In particular, power consumption of the bus and the control circuit can be synchronized. Further, a start-up time may be decreased and / or a function may be performed without delay.Embodiments relate to a method for execution by a control circuit for controlling a bus. The method includes obtaining control data indicative of a power state of the bus and a power state of the control circuit. The power state of the bus is configured to transfer data via the bus. The power state of the bus prevents bus deactivation. The power state of the control circuit is configured to process data received via the bus. Further, the method includes setting an operation mode of the control circuit based on the control data and controlling an operation mode of the bus based on the control data. The controlling includes adjusting the power state for transferring data via the bus. That is, the control circuit may control an operation mode of the bus and itself based on the control data. That is, a power state of the bus and a power state of the control circuit may be controlled by the control circuit, so that operation modes of the bus and the control circuit may be synchronized with each other. Accordingly, the control circuit may control an available communication speed and related power consumption of the bus so that it may be adapted to an operation mode of the control circuit.In one embodiment, the power state may be a reduced power state. The reduced energy state may be a minimum energy state. The minimum energy state may allow a data rate for transmission of data such that the data rate is only sufficient for transmission of a heartbeat signal or an extended heartbeat signal. That is, the reduced power state may correspond to an operating mode of the bus with a minimum power consumption. In particular, the reduced power state can only serve to maintain a connection between the bus and the control circuit or a further control circuit.In an embodiment, obtaining the control data may further comprise determining a load of the control circuit with respect to a communication with the bus and / or receiving function control data indicative of a power state of the control circuit. Furthermore, obtaining the control data can comprise determining the control data based on the determined load and / or the received function control data. By determining the load and / or receiving the function control data, an operating mode of the bus can advantageously be adapted to a current demand situation.In an embodiment, obtaining the control data may further comprise obtaining load data indicative of a load of the bus and / or receiving function control data indicative of a power state of the bus. Furthermore, obtaining the control data can comprise determining the control data based on the load data and / or the function control data. Based on the load data and / or the function control data of the bus, an operating mode of the bus can be advantageously adapted to a current demand situation.In one embodiment, obtaining the control data may include receiving from a central control unit. Thereby, an operating state of the bus can be controlled by a central control unit.In an embodiment, the method may further include obtaining trigger data indicative of a trigger event and determining the control data based on the trigger data. This allows a determination of the control data to be triggered. For example, a trigger event can be detected, for example at a sensor which is integrated in a door handle or assigned to the latter. To perform a function connected to the door handle, a certain operating state of the bus may be required. Based on the trigger event, control data may be determined to appropriately set an operating state of the bus and / or the control circuit.In one embodiment, obtaining the trigger data may include receiving, at a central control unit. Further, the determining of the control data may include a determining by the central control unit and the obtaining of the control data may include a receiving from the central control unit. That is to say, a central control unit can be responsible for controlling an on-board power supply system of a vehicle. In this case, the central control unit can determine the control data and send it to a bus and / or the control circuit. That is, the control circuit may be a central control unit in one example.Embodiments also provide a computer program for carrying out one of the methods described herein when the computer program runs on a computer, a processor, or a programmable hardware component.Another embodiment is a control circuit for a vehicle. The control circuit comprises an interface for communication with a bus and a data processing circuit configured to perform at least one of the methods described herein. Embodiments also provide a vehicle having a control circuit as described herein.Exemplary embodiments are explained in more detail below with reference to the enclosed figures. The following are shown: FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a method for execution by a control circuit for controlling a bus and the control circuit; FIGS. 2 a- 2 d show schematic representations of a controller for an on-board power supply system; FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of a distributed computing system for an on-board power supply system; FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a function by an on-board power supply system of a vehicle; and FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of a control circuit, e.g. as part of a vehicle.FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a method 100 for execution by a control circuit for controlling a bus and the control circuit. The method 100 comprises obtaining 110 control data indicative of a power state of the bus and a power state of the control circuit. The control data can be received by a central control unit. Optionally or alternatively, the control data may be determined as described in detail below.The power state is configured to transfer data via the bus. That is, the power state may enable data to be transferred between various components, such as processors, sensors, actuators, buses. Accordingly, for the power state, data transmission between a first component and a second component can be enabled through the bus. That is, the bus may be in a power state that allows the bus to be used to perform a function of the vehicle.Alternatively, the power state of the bus may prevent disabling of the bus. That is, as long as the bus is in the power state, the bus may be configured to transfer data. Accordingly, an activation process of the bus can be bypassed because the bus is not deactivated. In particular, the energy state can serve to bring the bus into a required operating state so that a function of the vehicle can be carried out and an energy consumption of the vehicle or of the on-board power supply system of the vehicle can be reduced for carrying out this function. In particular, an energy consumption of the vehicle or of the on-board power supply system of the vehicle can be adapted to a function to be processed. That is, by means of the control data, an operating mode of the bus can be adapted to the execution of a function of the vehicle.Further, as described above, the control data is indicative of a power state of the control circuit. The power state of the control circuit is configured to process data received via the bus. That is, the control data can likewise be used to adapt an operating mode of the control circuit to a function of the vehicle. Thereby, synchronization can be performed between the bus and the control circuit. Thus, the method 100 may be employed for synchronizing the control circuit and a bus communicatively connected to the control circuit. As a result, the operating modes of the control circuit and of the bus can be matched to one another. The bus can be controlled by the control circuit on the basis of the control data, that is to say on the basis of a required energy state of the bus, with the result that the bus is in a required operating mode for transmitting data for carrying out a function. Furthermore, the control circuit can set an operating mode for the control circuit on the basis of the control data, that is to say the power state for the control circuit. As a result, the control circuit can be designed to execute a function on the basis of data received via the bus. That is, the control circuit may control a dedicated operation mode based on the control data, setting and control the operation mode of the bus based on the control data. As a result, the operating modes of the control circuit and bus can be coordinated or synchronized with one another by the control circuit.A tuning of the operating modes of the control circuit and the bus by the control circuit can mean, in particular, that if the bus is configured, for example, to transmit only one heartbeat signal, the control circuit is substantially configured only to process the data of the heartbeat signal. That is, an operation mode of the control circuit may be configured only for executing processes for processing the data received via the bus, e.g., the heartbeat signal. As a result, a power consumption of the control circuit can be adapted to a power consumption of the bus. That is, the operating modes of the control circuit and the bus can be synchronized. As a result, power consumption of a distributed system comprising control circuit and bus can be reduced.Accordingly, the method 100 further comprises setting 120 an operating mode of the control circuit based on the control data and controlling 120 an operating mode of the bus based on the control data. The controller 120 includes adjusting the power state for transferring data via the bus. By adjusting the power state, an operation mode of the bus can be adjusted. Generally, the power state refers to the current power consumption or power saving settings of a processor and the mode of operation refers to the current state or function of the processor during execution of tasks. That is, by setting a power state, an operation mode for executing a task can be set. Accordingly, the power state for transferring data may correspond to an operating state of the bus. That is, by setting the power state, an operation mode of the bus can be set. The power state of the bus may affect an available data communication rate and / or power consumption of the bus. Accordingly, by adjusting the power state, a data communication rate and / or power consumption of the bus can be adjusted.The control circuit can thus control a power state or an operating mode of the bus on the basis of the control data. As a result, an energy state of the bus can be adapted to a current case of use, for example a function to be executed currently. In particular, the control circuit may prevent a deactivation of the bus based on the control data. As a result, a start-up time of the bus can be reduced or avoided in an advantageous manner. Accordingly, a response time of the on-board power supply system including the bus can be reduced. Further, the control circuit may adjust power consumption of the bus based on the control data. This advantageously allows a power consumption of the bus to be reduced.Furthermore, by the interaction of the operating state of the control circuit with the operating state of the bus, energy management of an on-board power supply system of a vehicle can be improved. In particular, a control of a power consumption of a distributed system consisting of a control circuit, e.g. comprising a microprocessor, and a bus can take place in vehicles. By controlling the energy consumption of the distributed system, an energy consumption of the vehicle, for example of an on-board power supply system of the vehicle, can be reduced. In particular, the energy consumption can be adapted to a function of the vehicle to be executed.For example, the method 100 may be used for idle power matching of the bus and / or the control circuit. That is, if the bus is not transmitting data, it may enter an energy efficient idle mode to reduce energy consumption. Accordingly, the control circuit may set the power state of the bus to an idle mode. In the idle mode, the power supply may be reduced and / or partially turned off. Accordingly, the control circuit can also switch to an energy efficient idle mode. That is, the control circuit may be set to an idle mode synchronized with the idle mode of the bus.For example, the method 100 may be used to set a sleep mode of the bus. For example, if the bus does not have to perform a communication task for a certain period of time, its power state can be controlled 130 or set to the sleep mode by the control circuit. In the sleep mode, not necessarily required portions of the hardware may be disabled or communication may be partially paused to further reduce power consumption. In particular, the sleep mode may correspond to a minimum power state of the bus. Nevertheless, the bus can quickly wake up from sleep mode when data transfer is needed for a communication task. This can reduce a start-up time and power consumption for the bus. Likewise, the control circuit may also be set 120 in a sleep mode. That is, the control circuit may be set in a sleep mode synchronized with the sleep mode of the bus.The method 100 may be used for power management of a bus in connection with a control circuit. For example, the method 100 may be used to adjust a data rate of the bus. The power state may determine an available data rate of the bus. For example, a data rate of a bus can be varied from 100% data rate to a slow heartbeat signal by means of the method 100. For example, a first power state may correspond to a data rate of 100% and a second power state may correspond to a minimum data rate sufficient to transmit a heartbeat signal. For example, the method 100 may include setting a retained mode for a bus via ISO / OSI layer 1- 5... 7. In particular, the retained mode can be set as high as possible. Further, the method 100 may enable maintaining com stacks. Optionally, the power management for the bus can be controlled as a function of a load on the bus. That is, the control circuit may set a power state of the bus based on a load of the bus. Based on the control data, on which the power state or operating mode of the bus is controlled 130 by the control circuit, the control circuit can set 120 its own operating mode based on the control data. For example, if the bus in the first power state allows for 100% data transfer, the control circuitry may allow for execution of a task with 100% computational capacity. That is, when the bus is in normal operation, the control circuit may also be in normal operation. Alternatively, if the second power state bus allows data transfer from only one heartbeat signal, the control circuit may be in an operating mode that allows only processing of the heartbeat signal. As a result, a power consumption of the control circuit can be adapted to a power consumption of the bus. In particular, this allows an energy consumption to be adapted for a function to be executed. By adjusting power consumption, improved power management may be provided in a distributed system. In particular, energy consumption of an on-board power supply system of a vehicle can be reduced.In one embodiment, the power state may be a reduced power state. The reduced energy state may be a minimum energy state. The minimum energy state may allow a data rate for transmission of data such that the data rate is only sufficient for transmission of a heartbeat signal or an extended heartbeat signal. That is, the reduced power state may be an operating mode of the bus in which an available data rate is minimum. Accordingly, the reduced power mode of the bus may be configured to transmit only a heartbeat signal. Further data transmission, i.e. data transmission beyond information transmission of a heartbeat signal, may be impossible in the reduced power mode. The reduced energy state can therefore in particular only serve for maintaining a communication connection between different components, as a result of which a start-up time is reduced. In particular, deactivation of the bus can be prevented. In this case, as described above, the power state of the control circuit may also be a minimum power state. That is, the control circuit may be in a minimum power consumption mode of operation.Possible energy states of the bus and / or of the control circuit are not limited to a minimum operating mode and a normal operation, i.e. a maximum operating mode. The bus and / or the control circuit can also be set in any intermediate state based on the control data. In an intermediate state, in particular the bus and / or the control circuit can be designed to maintain a function. For example, the bus can be designed to transmit a wake-up event and the control circuit can be designed to evaluate the path event. That is, the bus may be in an operating mode in which a function to unlock the vehicle may be performed. Accordingly, the control circuit may find itself in an operating mode in which the function for unlocking the vehicle may be executed. That is, the bus and the control circuit may be configured in operation modes, so that execution of a function for unlocking the vehicle may be performed without deceleration. Other functions, such as charging the vehicle, for example, may not be enabled in these operating modes, on the other hand. As a result, an energy consumption of an on-board power supply system of a vehicle can be suitably adapted to a required functionality of a vehicle.Optionally, the control data may be indicative of a plurality of reduced energy states. The plurality of reduced energy states can serve in particular for maintaining a communication connection between different components. An energy state of the plurality of reduced energy states may correspond to the reduced energy state as described above. That is, this energy state is configured only for the information transmission of a heartbeat signal. This is at the same time the minimum power state, i.e. the power state with the lowest power consumption of the bus. Further reduced energy states, for example the extended heartbeat signal, can be configured for the information transmission of a heartbeat signal and further information, for example for the transmission of a wake-up event. For example, a further reduced energy state can be configured for transmitting the extended heartbeat signal. In the case of the extended heartbeat signal, an information transmission of a heartbeat signal and of function control data, for example indicative of a wake-up event or tasks to be carried out, can take place. The function control data can be in particular indicative of tasks to be carried out, i.e. computing operations and / or communication operations, of a control circuit and / or of a bus of an on-board power supply system of the vehicle. That is, the further reduced energy state may maintain data communication and simultaneously enable data exchange for performing a function of the vehicle. For example, the further reduced energy state can also be configured for transmitting trigger data, for example indicative of a trigger event in the form of a wake-up event. The further reduced energy state may be a second lowest energy state. That is to say that the operating mode for transmitting the extended heartbeat signal can in particular only enable transmission of information which is necessary for carrying out a function.In an embodiment, obtaining 110 the control data may further comprise determining a load of the control circuit with respect to a communication with the bus and / or receiving function control data indicative of a power state of the control circuit. Furthermore, obtaining 110 the control data can comprise determining the control data based on the determined load and / or the function control data. The function control data can be function-related control data, in particular. The function control data may be indicative of an arithmetic operation to be performed. In particular, the arithmetic operation can be associated with a function to be executed. That is, the function control data may be indicative of a function to be processed by the control circuit. Accordingly, the control circuit may determine the control data for setting 120 the operating mode of the control circuit and for controlling 130 the operating mode of the bus based on the function control data. The function control data can thus be determined decentrally by the control circuit.Optionally or alternatively, the control circuit can determine, for example, whether data packets which are to be transmitted by means of the bus are accepted by the bus. That is, the control circuit may determine, for example, how many data packets to be sent by the control circuit are waiting for handling or acceptance by the bus. For example, the control circuit may determine a load of a transmit buffer (also referred to as buffer TX) of the control circuit. Accordingly, the method 100 may determine a load of a communication link between the control circuit and the bus. Depending on the load, a power state of the bus may be adjusted.For example, at a communication link load of 80%, a power state of the bus may be increased, so that an available data rate for communication may be increased to 100%.Optionally or alternatively, the control circuit can receive the function control data indicative of an operating mode of the control circuit, for example from a central control unit. Based on the function control data, the control circuit can determine a required data rate for communication. For example, the control circuit may perform a function for which an operating mode with a higher computing capacity and / or a higher required data rate may be necessary for communication via the bus. That is, the method 100 may include determining a required data rate for communication with the bus based on an operating mode of the control circuit and / or determining an operating mode of the control circuit. Based on the required data rate, a power state of the bus and / or the control circuit may be adjusted. This can ensure that a sufficient data rate can be provided by the bus and computing capacity can be provided by the control circuit. The function control data can therefore be in particular indicative of a function to be executed by the control circuit. That is, the function control data may be the control data for a function to be executed by the control circuit. Depending on the function, the control circuit can have a communication requirement and / or a computing requirement. Based on this communication requirement, a required data rate of the bus can be determined. The control circuit may then determine the control data based on the communication demand. As a result, an operating mode of a bus can be adapted to a current operating mode of the control circuit. Optionally, a required operating mode of the control circuit can be determined depending on the function. The control circuit can therefore determine the control data on the basis of the required operating mode of the control circuit. Thereby, the operation mode of the control circuit can be adjusted based on the function control data. That is, the operation mode of the bus and the operation mode of the control circuit may be set or controlled based on a load of the control circuit and / or the function control data. This allows the bus to be synchronized with the control circuit. This can reduce energy consumption of a distributed system.In an embodiment, obtaining 110 the control data may further comprise obtaining load data indicative of a load of the bus and / or receiving function control data indicative of an operating mode of the bus. Furthermore, obtaining 110 the control data can comprise determining the control data based on the load data and / or the function data. The control circuit can determine, for example, whether data packets which are to be transmitted by means of the bus are transmitted through the bus or how many data packets in a waiting loop the bus wait for transmission. That is, the control circuit may determine, for example, how many data packets to be sent by the bus are waiting to be sent by the bus. Accordingly, the method 100 may determine a load of a communication link of the bus. Depending on the load, a power state of the bus may be adjusted. For example, if a number of data packets exceeds a threshold, a power state of the bus may be increased so that an available data rate for communication may be increased. This allows the data packets to be sent more quickly.Optionally or alternatively, the control circuit can receive function control data indicative of an operating mode of the bus, for example from a central control unit. Based on the function control data of the bus, the control circuit may determine a required data rate for the bus. For example, the bus may require a data rate with another control circuit that requires a data rate of 100% to be adjusted. Accordingly, the control circuit may control a power state of the bus based on the operation mode of the bus. That is, the method 100 may include determining a required data rate of the bus based on an operating mode of the bus. Based on the required data rate, a power state of the bus may be adjusted. This can ensure that a sufficient data rate is available for the bus or can be provided by the bus. That is, the control circuit may also control an operation mode of the bus depending on communication of the bus with another control circuit. Accordingly, the control circuit may control a power state of the bus depending on a power state of another control circuit.In an embodiment, obtaining 110 the control data may include receiving from a central control unit. Thereby, an operating state of the bus can be controlled by a central control unit. The central control unit may be a master unit. The master unit can be designed, in particular, to carry out or adopt power management of the bus.The central control unit can be designed in particular for managing the functions of the vehicle. That is, the central control unit can take over management of the functions of the vehicle. Accordingly, the central control unit can send the function control data to the control circuit. The management of the functions of the vehicle and the management of the energy management can thus be carried out completely by the central control unit.Alternatively, the energy management can take place decentrally by the control circuit. That is, the control circuit may determine or generate the control data for setting 120 the operating mode of the control circuit and for controlling 130 the bus. In this case, the central control unit can only take over the management of the functions of the vehicle.In an embodiment, the method 100 may further include obtaining trigger data indicative of a trigger event and determining the control data based on the trigger data. A trigger event can be, for example, a step of an accelerator pedal, a pulling of a door handle, an opening of a tailgate. Based on the trigger event, execution of a function may be triggered. For example, pulling a door handle may trigger unlocking of the vehicle. The pulling of the door handle can also be referred to in this context as a wake-up event. To unlock the vehicle, a function can be carried out in the on-board power supply system of the vehicle. Based on the function to be performed, a power state of the bus may be adjusted. For example, as described above, a power state or an operating mode of the bus and of the control circuit can be designed to execute the function for unlocking the vehicle instantaneously, that is to say without starting up the function. As a result, a distributed system can be brought into an energy-favorable state, which makes it possible to carry out individual functions and to reduce an overall energy consumption of an on-board power supply system of a vehicle.In one embodiment, obtaining the trigger data may include receiving, at a central control unit. Furthermore, the determination of the control data can comprise a determination by the central control unit and the obtaining 110 of the control data can comprise a reception from the central control unit. That is to say, a central control unit can be responsible for controlling an on-board power supply system of a vehicle. In this case, the central control unit can determine the control data and send it to a bus. That is, the control circuit may be a central control unit. That is, the central control unit can take over both the management of the functions of the vehicle and the energy management of the vehicle.Further details and aspects are mentioned in connection with the exemplary embodiments described below. The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 may comprise one or more optional additional features corresponding to one or more aspects mentioned in connection with the proposed concept or one or more embodiments described below (e.g. FIGS. 2 - 5 ).FIGS. 2 a- 2 d show schematic representations of a controller for an on-board power supply system 200 a, 200 b, 200 c, 200 d. As can be seen in FIG. 2 a, the on-board power supply system 200 acan comprise a control circuit N 210 (also referred to as processor N), a bus 220 and a control circuit N+1230 (also referred to as processor N+1).The control circuit N 210 and the control circuit N+1 230 include a transmit buffer 218, 238 (buffer RX) and a receive buffer 219, 239 (buffer TX). The two control circuits N 210, N+1 230 are communicatively connected via a bus 220. That is, communication between the control circuit N 210 and the control circuit N+1 230 may be performed via the bus 220. The control circuit N+1 230 may be configured, for example, to perform a method as described with reference to FIG. 1. Accordingly, control circuit N+1 230 may set a power state of bus 220. Thereby, the control circuit N+1 230 may adjust a data rate of the bus to a required data rate, for example, for communication with the control circuit N 210.For example, a function 232 on the control circuit N+1 230 may be activated. Function 232 may be processed by control circuit N+1 230. Processing of function 232 may include sending data over bus 220. For example, a plurality of functions may be activated on the control circuit N+1 230. As a result, a load on the transmission buffer 238 can be increased. Depending on the load of the transmit buffer 238, the control circuit N+1 230 may determine control data indicative of a power state of the bus 220. Based on the control data, the control circuit N+1 230 may set the power state of the bus 220. This allows the power state of bus 220 to be matched to a demand for a data rate of control circuit N+1 230. Optionally or alternatively, as described with reference to FIG. 1, the control data can also be received by a central control unit or determined on the basis of other parameters, such as the plurality of activated functions.FIG. 2 bshows a superimposed control for a distributed system of an on-board power supply system 200 b. According to a user request, e.g., a trigger event, functions of the control circuit N 210 and the control circuit N+1 230 may be activated and / or deactivated. This results in a load on processors, a system on a chip and / or a communication by means of the bus 220. Activation and / or deactivation may be performed by the individual components, i.e., control circuit N 210 and control circuit N+1 230. In particular, control circuit N+1 230 may be responsible for enabling a function of bus 220.As shown in FIGS. 2 cand 2 d, a control of control circuit N 210 and of control circuit N+1 230 can take place centrally (FIG. 3 c ) or decentrally (FIG. 3 d ). In a central control, a central control unit 250 may be responsible for enabling and / or disabling functions of the control circuit N 210 and the control circuit N+1 230 and the bus 220. The central control unit 250 can be configured in particular to carry out a method as described with reference to FIG. 1.In the case of decentralized control, a plurality of control circuits can take over control of the on-board power supply system 200 d. For example, the control circuit N 210 and the control circuit N+1 230 may assume their own control. Optionally, the control circuit N+1 230 may also take over control of the bus 220.Further details and aspects are mentioned in connection with the exemplary embodiments described below and / or above. The embodiment shown in FIG. 2 may comprise one or more optional additional features corresponding to one or more aspects mentioned in connection with the proposed concept or one or more embodiments described above (e.g. FIG. 1 ) and / or below (e.g. FIGS. 3 - 5 ).FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of a distributed computing system for an on-board power supply system. The on-board power supply system can comprise a number of N processors (or control circuits). Furthermore, the on-board power supply system can be designed to carry out or process a number of M functions. Each function can be assigned different processors. For example, function 2 may be activated. Processors 2, 5 and N-2 may be responsible for processing function 2. Accordingly, a need for data transmission may arise for the processors 2, 5, N-2. At least one processor of the N processors or a central control unit can carry out the method as described with reference to FIG. 1 in order to enable communication of the processors 2, 5, N- 2 for carrying out the functions. Fig. 4 shows an example of such a function.Further details and aspects are mentioned in connection with the exemplary embodiments described below and / or above. The embodiment shown in FIG. 4 may comprise one or more optional additional features corresponding to one or more aspects mentioned in connection with the proposed concept or one or more embodiments described above (e.g. FIGS. 1-2 ) and / or below (e.g. FIGS. 4-5 ).FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a function by an on-board power supply system of a vehicle. The on-board power supply system comprises an actuator 411 comprising a processor, a control device A 410, a control circuit 401 comprising a processor, a control device B 420 and an actuator 2 421 comprising a processor. The controller A 410 and / or the controller B 420 may be a bus. For example, a power state of the controller A 410 may be adjusted by the actuator 411. For example, a power state of the controller B 420 may be adjusted by the actuator 2 421.The components of the on-board power supply system can be in different operating modes in an initial state. For example, the control circuit 401 may be in a performance mode of operation (optimized for processing of tasks or codes). For example, the control circuit 401 may be a central control unit. In this case, control circuit 401 may orchestrate execution of the function. The actuator 411, for example part of an accelerator pedal, may be in a economy mode of operation (optimized to reduce power consumption). The actuator 2 421, for example part of an electric machine, can likewise be in a economy operating mode. The controller A 410 may be in a low performance mode of operation. The controllerB 420 may be in a low performance mode of operation.The function shown in FIG. 4 can be started by a trigger event. For example, a user of the vehicle can step the accelerator pedal. As a result, the actuator 1 411 can detect a trigger event and send trigger data to the control circuit 401 via the control device A 410. The control circuit 401 may determine a torque for the actuator 2 based on the trigger data. That is, the control circuit 401 may determine control data based on the trigger data. The control circuit 401 can transmit the determined torque, i.e. the control data, to the actuator 2 121 via the control device B 420. The actuator 2 421 may cause torque to be output by an electric machine. To perform this function, the control circuit 401 may send control data to the actuator 1 411 and / or the actuator 2 421 to adjust a power state of the controller A 410 and / or the controller B 420.Further details and aspects are mentioned in connection with the exemplary embodiments described below and / or above. The embodiment shown in FIG. 4 may comprise one or more optional additional features corresponding to one or more aspects mentioned in connection with the proposed concept or one or more embodiments described above (e.g. FIGS. 1 - 3 ) and / or below (e.g. FIG. 5 ).FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a control circuit 30 for a vehicle 40. The control circuit 30 further comprises a data processing circuit 34 configured to perform at least one of the methods described herein, for example the method described with reference to FIG. 1.The interface 32 shown in FIG. 5 may correspond to, for example, one or more inputs and / or one or more outputs for receiving and / or transmitting information, such as in digital bit values based on code, within a module, between modules, or between modules of different entities. The interface 32 can be designed, for example, to communicate with other network components via a (radio) network or a local connection network.In embodiments, the data processing circuit 34 may correspond to any controller or processor or programmable hardware component. For example, the data processing circuit 34 can also be realized as software that is programmed for a corresponding hardware component. In this respect, the data processing circuit 34 can be implemented as programmable hardware with correspondingly adapted software. Any processors, such as digital signal processors (DSPs), may be used. Embodiments are not limited to a specific type of processor. Any processors or even a plurality of processors are conceivable for implementing the data processing circuit 34.As shown in FIG. 5, the interface 32 may be coupled to the respective data processing circuit 34 of the control circuit 30. In examples, the control circuit 30 may be implemented by one or more processing units, one or more processing devices, any means for processing, such as a processor, a computer, or a programmable hardware component that may be operated with appropriately adapted software. Likewise, the described functions of data processing circuit 34 may also be implemented in software, which is then executed on one or more programmable hardware components. Such hardware components may be a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a microcontroller, etc. The data processing circuit 34 may be capable of controlling the interface 32 such that any data transfer occurring via the interface 32 and / or any interaction in which the interface 32 may be involved may be controlled by the data processing circuit 34.In one embodiment, control circuit 30 may include a memory and at least one data processing circuit 34 operatively coupled to the memory and configured to perform the method described below.In examples, the interface 32 may correspond to any means for obtaining, receiving, transmitting, or providing analog or digital signals or information, e.g., any terminal, contact, pin, register, input terminal, output terminal, conductor, trace, etc., that enables the provision or obtaining of a signal or information. The interface 32 may be wireless or wired and may be configured to communicate with other internal or external components, e.g., transmit or receive signals or information.The control circuit 30, the control device and / or the central control unit may be a computer, a processor, a control unit, a (field) programmable logic array ((F)PLA), a (field) programmable gate array ((F)PGA), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an integrated circuit (IC) or a system-on-a-chip system (SoC).In at least some exemplary embodiments, the vehicle may correspond, for example, to a land vehicle, a watercraft, an aircraft, a rail vehicle, a road vehicle, a car, a bus, a motorcycle, an off-road vehicle, a motor vehicle, or a truck. The control circuit 30 can be, for example, a part of a control unit of the vehicle 40.Further exemplary embodiments are a vehicle having vehicle electronics 500. In at least some exemplary embodiments, the vehicle may correspond, for example, to a land vehicle, a watercraft, an aircraft, a rail vehicle, a road vehicle, a car, a bus, a motorcycle, an off-road vehicle, a motor vehicle, or a truck.Further details and aspects are mentioned in connection with the exemplary embodiments described above. The embodiment shown in FIG. 5 may comprise one or more optional additional features corresponding to one or more aspects mentioned in connection with the proposed concept or one or more embodiments described above (e.g. FIGS. 1-4 ).Further exemplary embodiments are computer programs for carrying out one of the methods described herein when the computer program runs on a computer, a processor, or a programmable hardware component. Depending on certain implementation requirements, embodiments of the invention may be implemented in hardware or in software. The implementation can be carried out using a digital storage medium, for example a floppy disk, a DVD, a Blu-ray disk, a CD, a ROM, a PROM, an EPROM, an EEPROM or a FLASH memory, a hard disk or another magnetic or optical memory, on which electronically readable control signals are stored, which can cooperate or cooperate with a programmable hardware component such that the respective method is carried out.A programmable hardware component may be formed by a processor, a computer processor (CPU= C Processing Unit), a graphics processor (GPU= Graph Processing Unit), a computer, a computer system, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC= Appli-Specific Integrated Circuit), an integrated circuit (IC= Integr Circuit), a system-on-chip (SOC=System on Chip), a programmable logic element, or a field programmable gate array including a microprocessor (FPGA=Field Programmable Gate Array).The digital storage medium can therefore be machine- or computer-readable. Some exemplary embodiments thus comprise a data carrier having electronically readable control signals which are capable of interacting with a programmable computer system or a programmable hardware component in such a way that one of the methods described herein is carried out. An embodiment is thus a data carrier (or a digital storage medium or a computer-readable medium) on which the program for carrying out one of the methods described herein is recorded.In general, embodiments of the present invention can be implemented as a program, firmware, computer program or computer program product having a program code or as data, wherein the program code or the data is operative to perform one of the methods when the program runs on a processor or a programmable hardware component. The program code or the data can, for example, also be stored on a machine-readable carrier or data carrier. The program code or the data can be present, inter alia, as source code, machine code or bytecode and as another intermediate code.List of reference characters30 Control circuit 32 Interface 34 Data processing circuit 40 Vehicle 100 Method for controlling a bus 110 Obtaining control data 120 Setting an operating mode of the control circuit 130 Controlling an operating mode of the bus 200 a, 200 b, 200 c, 200 d Bordnetz 210 Processor 218 Transmit buffer 219 Receive buffer 220 Bus 230 Processor 232 Function 238 Transmit buffer 239 Receive buffer 401 Control circuit 410 Control deviceA 411 Actuator 1 420 Control deviceB 421 Actuator 2

Claims

A method (100) for execution by a control circuit for energy efficient control of the control circuit and a bus connected to the control circuit, comprising: obtaining (110) control data indicative of a power state of the bus and a power state of the control circuit, wherein the power state of the bus is configured to transfer data via the bus, such that the power state of the bus prevents deactivation of the bus and wherein the power state of the control circuit is configured to process data received via the bus; setting an operating mode of the control circuit based on the control data; and controlling (120) an operating mode of the bus based on the control data, wherein the controlling comprises setting the power state to transfer data via the bus.The method (100) of claim 1, wherein the power state is a reduced power state, the reduced power state is a minimum power state, the minimum power state allowing a data rate for transmission of data such that the data rate is only sufficient for transmission of a heartbeat signal or an extended heartbeat signal.The method (100) of any preceding claim, wherein obtaining (110) the control data comprises: at least one of determining a load of the control circuit related to communication with the bus and receiving function control data indicative of a power state of the control circuit; and determining the control data based on at least one of the determined load and the function control data.The method (100) of any preceding claim, further comprising: obtaining (110) the control data comprises: at least one of obtaining load data indicative of a load of the bus and receiving function control data indicative of a power state of the bus, and obtaining the control data comprises determining the control data based on at least one of the load data and the function control data.The method (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein obtaining (110) the control data comprises receiving from a central control unit.The method (100) of any preceding claim, further comprising obtaining trigger data indicative of a trigger event; and determining the control data based on the trigger data.The method (100) of claim 6, wherein obtaining the trigger data comprises receiving, at a central control unit; determining the control data comprises determining, by the central control unit; and obtaining the control data comprises receiving, from the central control unit.A computer program for performing one of the methods (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, when the computer program runs on a computer, a processor, or a programmable hardware component.A control circuit (30) for a vehicle, comprising: an interface (32) for communication with at least one bus; and a data processing circuit (34) configured to perform at least one of the methods (100) according to any one of claims 1-7.Vehicle (40) comprising a control circuit (30) according to claim 9.

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