Method and system for providing multi-SIM multi-active functionality

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a method and system for providing multi-SIM multi-active (MSMA) functionality for an electronic control unit (ECU). The MSMA device comprises a housing including at least one wireless network access device (NAD), at least one antenna, and an interface configured to communicatively couple the NAD to at least one external ECU, in particular an ECU of a vehicle, to provide at least one additional independent network access channel for the ECU.

Description

Area

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of telematics, in particular multi-SIM multi-active functionality for data communication. General state of the art

[0002] Advances in connected passenger cars and autonomous vehicles involve incorporating telematics control units (TCUs) into on-board systems of such vehicles. A TCU is an embedded wireless system that enables a vehicle to connect to cloud services or other vehicles via a cellular network, e.g., using V2X standards. The TCU can collect data such as vehicle speed, position, engine data, and the like from various subsystems within the vehicle. The TCU can also enable vehicle connectivity using Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

[0003] Multi-SIM Multi-Active (MSMA) is a cellular communication feature that allows multiple separate and independent communication channels to operate simultaneously. In the automotive context, MSMA enables, for example, original equipment manufacturer (OEM) data sharing of consumer data usage and data plans.

[0004] A common implementation for providing dual SIM dual active (DSDA) functionality for existing TCUs is the use of two network access devices (NADs), such as wireless modems, within a telematics control unit. However, this approach requires adapting existing TCU hardware and software to support DSDA functionality, requiring further development and recertification. Thus, this approach only offers a customized solution for the respective existing TCU architectures and embedding environments and is costly to implement.

[0005] Thus, there is a need to improve the implementation of MSMA functionality in existing TCU system architectures. Brief description

[0006] A first aspect of the invention relates to a multi-SIM multi-active (MSMA) device. The MSMA device includes a housing, comprises at least one wireless network access device (NAD), at least one antenna, and an interface configured to communicatively couple the NAD to at least one external electronic control unit (ECU), in particular an ECU of a vehicle, to provide at least one additional independent network access channel for the ECU.

[0007] The MSMA device may, for example, be a dual-SIM dual-active (DSDA) device. The device may be a portable add-on module that can be attached to and connected to existing ECUs, such as TCUs. The ECU provides a first NAD, while the MSMA device provides at least one additional NAD. Together, this enables MSMA functionality.

[0008] The network access channel provided by the MSMA device and the network access channel provided by the ECU can operate independently of each other, enabling independent communication at the same time.

[0009] Furthermore, the MSMA device can include at least one antenna, thus providing a space-saving solution.

[0010] The MSMA device can be pre-developed and certified for use before being installed and attached to an existing ECU. In other words, the MSMA device can be developed and certified once, rather than being a custom solution for adding MSMA functionality to existing ECUs that must be tailored to the existing conditions and individually certified.

[0011] Furthermore, no physical changes to the existing ECU are required to enable MSMA functionality, as the add-on MSMA device can allow quick and easy installation and cost-effective, fast, and efficient implementation in ECU.

[0012] Configuring the MSMA device as an add-on to the standard ECU allows for sharing the functions of the NADs. For example, one NAD can be assigned to communications related to autonomous driving, while another NAD can be assigned to communications related to infotainment.

[0013] In one embodiment, the ECU provides a first network access channel. The first network access channel can be provided by an NAD included in the ECU. This allows the existing configuration of an existing ECU to be used and combined with the MSMA device to provide MSMA functionality, thereby providing an efficient, particularly cost-effective, implementation of the MSMA functionality.

[0014] In another embodiment, a first network access channel provided by the ECU and the at least one additional independent network access channel are configured to exclusively provide communication with either original equipment manufacturer (OEM) data or consumer data. In other words, access to OEM and consumer data is shared. This ensures sufficient communication resources for critical OEM data. Furthermore, data streams for OEM- and consumer-generated data can be split and analyzed individually.

[0015] According to another embodiment, the at least one additional independent network access channel provides cellular connectivity, thereby enabling wireless communication and connectivity to other ECUs, cloud services, and the like.

[0016] In another embodiment, the interface comprises a wired, in particular an Ethernet, interface. Therefore, the MSMA device has a high degree of portability and can thus be positioned in a cost- and space-saving manner. Furthermore, high data throughput, such as 5G-capable data throughput, can be enabled for the MSMA device.

[0017] In one embodiment, the MSMA device is a portable device that is preferably detachably coupled to the vehicle and / or the ECU. This enables quick and easy installation of the add-on MSMA device. Furthermore, the MSMA device provides a space- and weight-saving solution for adding MSMA functionality to existing ECUs.

[0018] In another embodiment, the MSMA further comprises a processor and a computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the device to control communication between the NAD and the external ECU. In particular, the communication may be controlled using a software development kit (SDK) and an application programming interface (API). In other words, control software is included in the MSMA device that completes the add-on module. The SDK and API may be compatible with the existing ECU. This provides efficient control of the MSMA functionality.Incorporating the processor and computer-readable medium into the MSMA device further enables high compatibility with the external ECU and allows the MSMA device to be installed and implemented without any modification to the existing ECU.

[0019] According to another embodiment, the processor or SDK and API are configured to integrate the at least one additional network access channel into an in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) system. This allows the use of existing communication structures that make the additional MSMA device compatible with the external ECU and thus more efficient.

[0020] In one embodiment, the at least one antenna includes at least one integrated and / or external antenna. This allows the design or form factor of the MSMA device to be improved in terms of space and functionality. Incorporating antennas into the MSMA device has the advantage of saving both space and cost factors for cables and connectors.

[0021] In one embodiment, the MSMA device further comprises a WiFi module, e.g., included in the NAD, and configured to provide wireless local area network (WLAN) access to the at least one additional independent network access channel.

[0022] In this way, the MSMA device can act as a router between the additional network access channel, such as a 5G network access channel, and additional devices, such as the ECU or a client device (e.g., a portable driver device). The MSMA can thus directly provide a hotspot for using the additional network access, e.g., to access a 5G network, especially without connecting to (other) ECUs.

[0023] A second aspect of the invention relates to a method for providing multi-SIM multi-active (MSMA) functionality. The method comprises establishing communication between the MSMA device, as described above, and an engine control unit (ECU), and managing the communication via an interface. The communication may, for example, be established by the MSMA and / or by the ECU. The established communication may be managed by the MSMA and / or by the ECU.

[0024] The interface can be an application programming interface. This allows the add-on MSMA device to be implemented into an existing ECU without requiring any modifications to the ECU. In contrast, the MSMA device includes its own interface to provide connectivity to the ECU and manage communication with the ECU.

[0025] In one embodiment, the ECU is a telematics control unit (TCU). This enables wireless connectivity between, for example, a vehicle incorporating the TCU and a cloud service.

[0026] According to another embodiment, the method further comprises assigning original equipment manufacturer (OEM) data and consumer data to a respective, in particular different, NAD, the network access device, the MSMA device, and an external NAD included in the ECU. This step can also be performed by the MSMA and / or the ECU. This ensures sufficient communication resources for OEM data. Furthermore, data for OEM and consumer-generated data can be split and analyzed individually. This allows, for example, the cost factors to be split.

[0027] A third aspect of the invention relates to a computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium containing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the method described above. All features of the method of the present disclosure can also be applied to the computer program product. Short description of the drawings

[0028] The features, objects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the detailed description presented below when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements. Fig. 1 shows a block diagram of a system including an MSMA device according to one or more embodiments and an ECU communicatively coupled to the MSMA; Fig. 2 shows a flowchart of a method for providing MSMA functionality according to one or more embodiments. Detailed description of the preferred embodiments

[0029] Fig. Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a multi-SIM multi-active (MSMA) device 100. The MSMA device 100 includes a housing 102 containing at least one network access device (NAD) 104, at least one antenna 106, an interface 108, a processor 114, and a computer-readable medium (CRM) 116. The MSMA device 100 further requires a power supply.

[0030] The MSMA device 100 provides MSMA functionality to the external ECU 110. The ECU 110 may preferably be a telematics control unit, TCU, of a vehicle, such as a passenger car. The external ECU 110 provides a first network access channel using an NAD 112 of the ECU 110. The first network access channel is compatible with the MSMA device. The NAD 104 of the MSMA device 100 provides at least one additional network access channel. The one or more network access channels provided by the one or more NADs 104 and the first network access channel provided by the NAD 112 of the ECU 100 operate independently of each other. For example, the MSMA device 100 may include an additional NAD 104, thereby providing dual SIM dual active (DSDA) functionality. In this case, the MSMA device 100 is a DSDA device.For example, the NAD 112 of the ECU 110 may exclusively provide communication of OEM data and the NAD 104 of the MSMA device 100 may exclusively provide communication of consumer data, or vice versa.

[0031] The MSMA device 100 is a portable device. The housing 102 is configured to be releasably coupled to a vehicle, e.g., a passenger car, and / or to an external electronic control unit (ECU) 110. The MSMA device can be implemented anywhere on the vehicle, e.g., on the passenger car, without providing metallic shielding. The design of the MSMA device, in particular the design of the housing of the MSMA device, can follow the contours of the vehicle, in particular the passenger car.

[0032] The NAD 104 and / or NAD 114 may be a wireless modem. The NAD 104 provides an additional independent network access channel. This channel preferably provides cellular connectivity.

[0033] The interface 108 comprises a wired interface, preferably an Ethernet interface. The interface 108 may further comprise an interface to computing devices of the vehicle. The interface 108 may comprise a user interface displayed on a screen of the vehicle, e.g., on a screen used for vehicle infotainment. The interface communicatively couples the MSMA device 100, particularly the NAD 104 of the MSMA device 100, to the ECU 110.

[0034] The antenna 106 may be included in a transceiver. The at least one antenna 106 may include integrated antennas and, alternatively or additionally, external antennas. In particular, the MSMA device 100 may be configured like a Harman "Conformal Smart Antenna" without a shark fin.

[0035] The MSMA device 100 includes the processor 114 and the CRM 116. The processor 114 may be an application processor. The CRM 116 has instructions stored thereon that cause the MSMA device 100 to control communication between the NAD 104 and the ECU 110. The processor 114 may thereby integrate the additional network access channel provided by the NAD 104 into a vehicle infotainment system.

[0036] The MSMA device 100 is controlled using a software development kit (SDK) and an application programming interface (API). The SDK enables any ECU 110 to establish communication with the MSMA device 100. The SDK manages the MSMA device 100 via the API. The SDK can also manage other functions of the MSMA device 100, such as power supply. The SDK and API can be configured to integrate the additional network access channel provided by NAD 104 into a vehicle infotainment system. For example, the SDK can enable the implementation of an additional app.

[0037] Fig.2 describes a method 200 for providing MSMA functionality. In step 202, communication is established between the MSMA device 100 and the ECU 110. This may be enabled by the interface 108 and a software development kit. For example, the communication may be established via a wired connection, in particular an Ethernet connection. In step 204, communication between the MSMA device and the ECU is managed via the interface 108. In step 206, OEM data and consumer data are assigned to one of the NADs 104 or 114. For example, OEM data may be assigned to the NAD 104 of the MSMA device 100 and consumer data to the NAD 112 of the ECU 110, or vice versa. The data thus assigned is then processed using either the NAD 104 or 112. Reference symbol 100 Multi-SIM Multi-Active, MSMA, Device 102 housings 104 Network access device, NAD 106 Antenna 108 Interface 110 Electronic control unit, ECU 112 NAD of the ECU 114 processor 116 Computer-readable medium 200 Procedures for Providing MSMA Functionality 202-206 Steps of procedure 200

Claims

[1] Multi-SIM Multi-Active device (MSMA), comprising: a housing comprising: at least one wireless network access device (NAD); at least one antenna; and an interface configured to communicatively couple the NAD to at least one external electronic control unit (ECU), in particular an ECU of a vehicle, to provide at least one additional independent network access channel for the ECU. [2] The MSMA device of claim 1, wherein the ECU provides a first network access channel. [3] The MSMA device of claim 1 or 2, wherein a first network access channel provided by the ECU and the at least one additional independent network access channel are configured to exclusively provide communication with either original equipment manufacturer (OEM) data or consumer data. [4] The MSMA device of any preceding claim, wherein the at least one additional independent network access channel provides cellular connectivity. [5] MSMA device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the interface comprises a wired, in particular an Ethernet interface. [6] MSMA device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the MSMA device is a portable device, preferably detachably coupled to the vehicle and / or the ECU. [7] The MSMA device of any preceding claim, further comprising a processor and a computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the device to control communication between the NAD and the external ECU. [8] The MSMA device of any preceding claim, wherein the MSMA device is controlled using a software development kit (SDK) and an application programming interface (API). [9] The MSMA device of claim 7 or 8, wherein the processor or the SDK and the API are configured to integrate the at least one additional network access channel into an in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) system. [10] MSMA device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one antenna includes at least one integrated and / or external antenna. [11] MSMA device according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a WiFi module, in particular included in the NAD and configured to provide wireless local area network (WLAN) access to the at least one additional independent network access channel. [12] A method for providing multi-SIM multi-active, MSMA, functionality, the method comprising: Establishing communication between the MSMA device according to any one of claims 1-9 and an engine control unit (ECU); and Managing communication through an interface. [13] The method of claim 12, wherein the ECU is a telematics control unit (TCU). [14] The method of claim 12 or 13, further comprising assigning original equipment manufacturer, OEM, data and consumer data to a respective, in particular different, one of the network access device, NAD, the MSMA device and an external NAD included in the ECU. [15] A computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium including instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the method of claims 12 to 14.

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