CONTROL UNIT

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a control unit for a vehicle and a method for adjusting at least one parameter of a data transmission of the control unit. State of the art

[0002] In current technology, data exchange with a vehicle's control unit is permanently pre-configured.

[0003] The patent application EP 1 858 206 A1 discloses a method and a device for controlling network segments of a network in a motor vehicle. Disclosure of the invention

[0004] One object of the invention is to provide a control unit with increased flexibility in data exchange and a method for setting at least one parameter of a data transmission of a control unit for a vehicle.

[0005] The object of the invention is achieved by the independent claims. Further embodiments of the control unit and the method are described in the dependent claims.

[0006] One advantage of the described control unit is that its data memory contains an initial list of reference numbers. Each reference number is associated with at least one data point from a sensor or actuator, either a measured or controlled value. The data memory also contains a second list of reference numbers. Each reference number is associated with at least one data transmission parameter. The first reference number can be reassigned to a second reference number. Furthermore, the control unit is designed to receive and / or send data from the first reference number according to the data transmission parameter of the second reference number. This allows for easy modification of the data transmission method.

[0007] This provides increased flexibility for the control unit to exchange data with other control units, sensors, and / or actuators. For example, the control unit can be configured for data exchange with another control unit that uses a different data transmission method by mapping the first reference number to a corresponding second reference number. This is particularly advantageous when a control unit needs to be adapted for data exchange with various other control units. Furthermore, the control unit's data communication can be adjusted later by a user of the control unit or the vehicle, even after series production has begun and the control unit has been sold.This approach is particularly advantageous in markets where a high degree of adaptability in the control unit's data communication is beneficial, especially when a wide variety of vehicles with low production volumes are desired. This allows for a simple and individual configuration of the control unit's data exchange.

[0008] In one embodiment, the control unit is configured to change a defined assignment between a first reference number and a second reference number upon receiving predefined control data. For example, a first reference number can be assigned to a second reference number for the first time. Furthermore, an existing assignment of a first reference number to a second reference number can be changed, and the first reference number can be assigned to a different second reference number. With this configuration, the control unit can be externally configured by specifying appropriate control data in such a way that at least one desired parameter of the data transmission of the data for a first reference number can be easily defined or changed.

[0009] In another embodiment, the control unit is configured to establish and / or modify the mapping between a first reference number and a second reference number by receiving a diagnostic signal. Thus, for example, during a workshop visit, the control unit's data communication can be modified using a processing unit that performs a diagnostic service on the control unit. Depending on the chosen embodiment, the control unit can have a separate connection for the processing unit used for the diagnostic service. In this way, the control unit's data communication for sending and / or receiving data can be easily modified or adjusted during a workshop visit, for example, during customer service.

[0010] In another embodiment, the second reference number has at least one of the following parameters for the specified data transmission: network frame type, data frame start bit, network type, and network resolution. These data transmission parameters are not exhaustive; other data transmission parameters can also be assigned to a second reference number. By specifying at least one data transmission parameter, the method of data transmission for the data of a correspondingly assigned first reference number can be determined. The type of parameter used also depends on the type of network used.

[0011] In one embodiment, a first reference number has at least one of the following features: transmission direction, data type, data name, data precision. These features are not exhaustive but exemplary. These features allow for a more precise description of the data associated with the first reference number.

[0012] In another embodiment, the first reference numbers and their associated data are stored in a modification-protected area of ​​the data storage, preventing them from being altered by an external control command. Specifically, the first reference numbers and their associated data are protected against modification by a control command from a diagnostic service's processing unit. In contrast, the second reference numbers are stored in a memory area that can be modified by external control signals. Therefore, both the second reference numbers and the data transmission parameters associated with them can be modified by an external control signal.In particular, the second reference numbers and the data transmission parameters assigned to them can be changed via external control signals from a processing unit that performs a diagnostic service for the control unit. This allows for easy modification and adaptation of the control unit's data communication method.

[0013] In one embodiment, at least some of the first reference numbers are assigned to a data port of a data protocol. The control unit is configured to receive the data of a first reference number via the assigned data port of the data protocol and / or to send the data of a first reference number via the assigned data port of the data protocol. In this way, simple adaptation of the data transmission of data from a specified data port of a data protocol can be achieved.

[0014] A method for setting at least one parameter of a data transmission from a vehicle control unit is proposed. The control unit has an interface for exchanging data from a sensor or actuator with a processing unit, in particular another control unit. The control unit's data memory contains a first list with several first reference numbers. Each first reference number is also assigned at least one piece of data from a sensor or actuator. Additionally, the data memory contains a second list with second reference numbers. Each second reference number is assigned at least one parameter of a predefined data transmission.

[0015] Upon receiving a predefined control command, a reference number is assigned to a second reference number. The data of the first reference number is then received and / or sent according to the data transmission parameters of the assigned second reference number. This provides a simple and practical method for modifying the data transmission of the control unit.

[0016] In one embodiment, the method of monitoring data transmission can also be modified. Not only the actual data transmission, but also its monitoring can be reconfigured. Monitoring mechanisms for data and / or signals from different control units can lead to incompatibilities in the vehicle bus. For example, if the output period of a signal has been changed due to the use of a new sensor, an unadapted monitoring system can regularly lead to error entries in control units, which then degrade their function or shut down completely. Similarly, aging of sensors or actuators can necessitate relaxing certain monitoring thresholds.

[0017] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the following figures. They show Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a vehicle with an internal control unit and an external control unit, Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a first list of first reference numbers and a second list of second reference numbers, Figure 3 is a schematic program flow for configuring a data transmission of a control unit, and Figure 4 is a further embodiment of a method in which parameters for receiving and / or sending data by the control unit are changed.

[0018] Figure 1Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a vehicle 1, which has a control unit 2. The control unit 2 is connected via data and control lines 3, 4 to at least one sensor 5 and / or at least one actuator 6. The sensor 5 can, for example, be a speed sensor for detecting the vehicle's speed. The actuator 6 can, for example, be used to actuate a brake of the vehicle. The term "vehicle" refers to any type of vehicle, in particular vehicles moving on water, on land, or in the air. For example, the term "vehicle" includes aircraft, cars, but also mobile construction machinery or agricultural machinery that has its own propulsion system.

[0019] Furthermore, the control unit 2 has a data storage device 7. Data and / or programs required by the control unit 2 to perform its assigned tasks can be stored in the data storage device 7. In particular, the control unit 2 can be configured to control the actuator 6 according to the operating state of the vehicle 1 or a drive system of the vehicle 1. The control unit 2 can also be configured to acquire and store measured values ​​from the sensor 5. The control unit 2 also has an interface 8 through which data is exchanged with a processing unit, in particular with another control unit 9 of the vehicle 1 or an external control unit. The interface 8 is also configured to exchange data with a processing unit in the form of a test device 10 for diagnostic purposes of the control unit 2.The test device 10 for diagnosing the control unit is located outside the vehicle 1 and is usually used during customer service of the vehicle 1 to read data from the control unit 2, in particular to exchange data with the control unit 2.

[0020] Depending on the chosen embodiment, at least one sensor and / or at least one actuator can communicate with the control unit 2 via interface 8. A data protocol, in particular a network protocol, is used for communication via interface 8. For example, the data protocol can be a CAN bus data protocol. However, other data protocols can also be used. Other networks, such as Ethernet, can also be used for communication between two control units of a vehicle via interface 8. Networks such as LIN, MOST, or FlexRay can also be used. Network protocols can be employed that are structured according to the so-called TCP / IP reference model in four successive layers. For example, Ethernet can be used as the hardware protocol, DOIP (ISO 13400) as the transport protocol, and UDS (ISO 14229) as the diagnostic protocol.Furthermore, for example, a CAN bus can be used as the network, ISO-TP (according to ISO standard 15765-2) as the transmission protocol, and ISO-OBD (according to ISO standard 15031) as the diagnostic protocol. Each of these data protocols can have a different data structure, in particular different network frames, a different position of the start bit for the data signal, a different network type and resolution, and different data ports for specific data.

[0021] The proposed control unit 2 has the advantage that the type of data transmission can be changed. This can be done, for example, using a test device 10 for diagnosing control unit 2.

[0022] Control unit 2, for example, shows, as in Figure 2The diagram shows an initial list of 100. In this initial list of 100, the first column contains 110 reference numbers. For example, in the Figure 2The first column, 110, contains the first reference numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and so on, sequentially. Each reference number is associated with at least one parameter of the data. Specifically, these reference numbers represent the data ports through which control unit 2 transmits the corresponding data in the data protocol. For example, the first list, 100, contains a second column, 120; a third column, 130; a fourth column, 140; and a fifth column, 150. The second column, 120, specifies the transmission direction. The transmission direction determines whether the data is sent or received. In the proposed example, RX indicates that the data is received, while TX indicates that the data is sent. The third column, 130, contains the data itself. N1 represents, for example, vehicle speed, N2 represents steering wheel angle, and N3 represents yaw rate.N4, for example, means sensor status. N5 means Zone 1, and N6 means Zone 2. The fourth column, 140, describes the data type used to transmit the data. For example, T1 means unsigned word. T2 means signed long word. T3 means unsigned short word.

[0023] The fifth column (150) contains values ​​for resolving the date. The first row of the fifth column (150) contains the value 0.01. The second row of the fifth column (150) contains the value 0.1, and so on. The first list (100) is stored in data memory 7 of control unit 2.

[0024] In addition to the first list 100, data storage 7 has a second list 200. The second list 200 is also structured in rows and columns. In the first column 210 of the second list 200, second reference numbers are specified. For each of these second reference numbers, the row corresponding to that second reference number contains further information about at least one parameter of a data protocol. For example, the second column 220 of the second list 200 contains information about the network frame. Specifically, the first row of the second column 220 contains the network frame 0x305. The second row of the second column 220 contains the network frame 0x520. The network frame describes the structure of the data protocol. The third column 230 of the second list 200 specifies the data bits at which the frame starts for user data transmission.The first row of the third column, number 230, contains the start bit 8. The second row of the third column, number 230, of the second list, number 200, contains the start bit 22.

[0025] The fourth column, 240, contains information about the network type. For example, the first row of the fourth column, 240, contains the network type signed 12 bit (s12b). The second row of the fourth column, 240, contains the network type unsigned 8 bit (us8b). Thus, the network type is uniquely defined. The fifth column, 250, of the second list, 200, contains information about the network resolution. For example, the first row of the fifth column, 250, contains the value 0.25. The second row of the fifth column, 250, contains the value 1.

[0026] Between the lines of the first list 100 and the second list 200, assignment arrows 510 and 520 are shown. These arrows symbolize the type of data transmission used to transfer the data of the first reference number in the first list 100. For example, the first reference number 1 is assigned to the top second reference number in the second list 200. Therefore, the data for the first reference number 1 is received and / or sent by control unit 2 using the data transmission method specified by the line of the top second reference number in the second list 200.

[0027] The second assignment arrow 520 assigns the first reference number 4, that is, in this case, the data of the fourth line of the first list 100, to the second reference number 4, i.e., the second line of the second list 200. Thus, the data of the first reference number 4 is received and / or sent by the control unit 2 via data transmission, which is determined by the values ​​of the second line of the second list 200.

[0028] Depending on the chosen embodiment, both the first list 100 and the second list 200 can have more or fewer columns and / or rows. The assignment, which is graphically represented by the assignment arrows 510, 520, can be changed via external control commands received by the control unit 2. Furthermore, the second list 200 can be configured such that the values ​​of the columns in the second list 200 can be changed by receiving external control commands. Depending on the chosen embodiment, the first list 100 is locked against changes by external control commands.

[0029] In this way, it is possible not only to change the assignment of data transmission to the reference numbers and thus to the data in the first list 100 during the operation of control unit 2, but also to insert new parameters for data transmission, in particular a data transmission protocol, into the second list 200. Furthermore, existing values ​​in the second list 200 can be modified.

[0030] In another embodiment, the second list includes at least one of the following parameters for the specified data transmission: network frame type, data frame start bit, network type, and network resolution. These data transmission parameters are not exhaustive; other data transmission parameters can also be assigned to a second reference number. By specifying at least one data transmission parameter, the method of data transmission for the data of a correspondingly assigned first reference number can be determined. The type of parameter used also depends on the type of network used.

[0031] All parameters that would be needed during pre-configuration can be set. Depending on the protocol type, the parameters may vary slightly. Using a CAN bus protocol as an example, the following parameters can be changed: Mapping between first and second reference number Endianness Startbit Length Signed / Unsigned Bus Factor Bus Offset Internal Norming Factor Signal Conversion Factor Direction (RX / TX) Period Validity Range Validity Monitoring Timeout Frame ID

[0032] Furthermore, the type of data transmission monitoring can also be specified in the second list. This allows the data transmission monitoring to be reconfigured.

[0033] The values ​​of the first reference numbers in the first column 110 of the first list 100 correspond, for example, to a defined data port used by control unit 2 for receiving and sending data. Depending on the selected configuration, the speed of vehicle 1 can be received via data port 1. Additionally, a sensor status can be transmitted from control unit 2 to another control unit 9 or to an external processing unit, such as a diagnostic test device, via data port 4.

[0034] Figure 3Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an example of a procedure for setting at least one parameter of a data transmission of control unit 2 for a vehicle. At program point 300, the diagnostic test device 10 sends a request signal via interface 8 to start a diagnostic service. After receiving the request, control unit 2 responds at program point 310 with an authorization signal to start the diagnostics. At a subsequent program point 320, the diagnostic test device 10 receives the authorization signal and then sends a control command to create an assignment between the first reference number of the second row of the first column 110 of the first list 100 and the top second reference number of the first column 210 of the second list 200. At a subsequent program point 330, control unit 2 receives the new assignment and saves it.In the future, the control unit 2 will receive and / or send the data of the first reference number of the second line of the first list 100 using the data protocol defined by the second reference number 1 of the first column 210 of the second list 200.

[0035] Figure 4Figure 1 shows a further embodiment of a method in which parameters for receiving and / or sending data by the control unit 2 are modified. At program point 400, the control unit 2 receives a control command to change at least one value in the second list 200. At a subsequent program point 410, the test device 10 transmits the reference number of the data to be changed in the second list 200, as well as the column whose date is to be changed, and furthermore the new value that is to be used in the second list 200 instead of the previous value for data transmission. For example, for the second reference number of the second row, which has the value 4, the value 0.5 for the fifth column 250 is transmitted from the test device 10 to the control unit 2.Consequently, control unit 2 overwrites the value 1 with the value 0.5 and will henceforth use the network resolution of 0.5 for the data transmission of the second reference number of the second line instead of the previous network resolution 1. In this way, any individual parameters of the data transmission of the second list 200 can be changed.

[0036] Furthermore, depending on the chosen embodiment, a new second reference number for the first column 210, along with associated data for the second, third, fourth, and / or fifth columns 220, 230, 240, 250, can be transmitted from the test device 10 to the control unit 2. In this embodiment, the control unit 2 stores the newly received data, along with the corresponding second reference number and the assigned values, in the second list 200 as a new row.

[0037] Using the described method and device, a highly flexible configuration can be selected and / or defined, in particular free assignment, free choice of data width, free choice of data protocol resolution, and free choice of the position of the user data within the data protocol. This allows for dynamic adjustment of the data protocol used, for example, by means of diagnostic commands from a test device for diagnostic purposes.

[0038] Furthermore, depending on the chosen design, a change and / or the specification of new data for a data transmission to be used can also be determined by a second control unit of the vehicle.

[0039] Although the invention has been described in detail by means of the preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited to the disclosed examples and other variations can be derived from them by a person skilled in the art without leaving the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

1. Control unit (2) for a vehicle (1), having an interface for interchanging data with a sensor, an actuator and / or a computing unit, having a data memory (7), the data memory storing a first list (100) comprising multiple first reference numbers, a first reference number having at least one associated datum of a sensor or actuator, the data memory storing a second list (200) comprising second reference numbers, at least one parameter of a data transmission or of a monitoring of the data transmission being stored for each second reference number, a first reference number being associated with a second reference number by way of a modifiable association, the control unit being configured to receive and / or send the data of a first reference number according to the parameter of the data transmission of the second reference number.

2. Control unit (2) according to Claim 1, the control unit being configured to respond to receipt of predetermined control data by changing a defined association between a first reference number and a second reference number.

3. Control unit (2) according to either of the preceding claims, the control unit being configured to define and / or change an association between a first reference number and a second reference number after a diagnostic control command is received.

4. Control unit (2) according to one of the preceding claims, the predetermined data transmission of a second reference number having at least one of the following parameters: network frame ID, frame start bit, network type, network resolution.

5. Control unit (2) according to one of the preceding claims, a first reference number having at least one of the following features: transmission direction, data type, data name, data accuracy.

6. Control unit (2) according to one of the preceding claims, the first reference numbers being stored in a protected area of the memory, and the second reference numbers being stored in an area of the memory that can be modified by way of external control signals.

7. Control unit (2) according to one of the preceding claims, each of at least some of the first reference numbers being associated with a data port of a data protocol, and the control unit being configured to receive and / or send the data of a first reference number via the associated data port of the data protocol.

8. Method for adjusting at least one parameter of a data transmission of a control unit (2) for a vehicle (1), the control unit having an interface for interchanging data of a sensor or actuator with a computing unit, a data memory (7) of the control unit storing a first list (100) comprising multiple first reference numbers, a first reference number having at least one associated datum of a sensor and / or an actuator, the data memory storing a second list (200) comprising second reference numbers, at least one parameter of a predetermined data transmission or of a data monitoring being associated with the second reference numbers, receipt of a predetermined control command resulting in a first reference number being assigned to a second reference number, the data of the first reference number being received and / or sent according to the predetermined data transmission of the associated second reference number.

9. Method according to Claim 8, receipt of a control command in the form of a predetermined diagnostic command resulting in an association between a first reference number and a second reference number being made or changed.

10. Method according to either of Claims 8 and 9, the predetermined data transmission of a second reference number having at least one of the following features: network frame ID, frame start bit, network type, network resolution.

11. Method according to one of Claims 8 to 10, a first reference number having at least one of the following features: transmission direction, data type, data name, data accuracy.

12. Method according to one of Claims 8 to 11, the first reference numbers and the data and / or signals associated with the first reference numbers being stored so as to be unmodifiable by way of received control commands, and the second reference numbers being stored so as to be modifiable by way of received control signals.

13. Method according to one of Claims 8 to 12, each of at least some of the first reference numbers being associated with a data port of a data protocol, and the data and / or signals of a first reference number being received and / or sent via the associated data port of the data protocol.

14. Computer program product comprising instructions that, when the program is executed by a control unit, cause said control unit to carry out the method according to one of Claims 8 to 13.