Obtaining measurements of electronic equipment from a system via an internal gateway

Abstract

A system (SY) comprises: - a communication module (CM) coupled to a wireless communication network (W2), - at least two electronic devices (E1-E3) that produce a measurable physical quantity during operation, - measuring devices (D1-D3) each measuring the physical quantity produced by one of the electronic devices (E1-E3), and - a gateway (PS) coupled to the communication module (CM) and measuring devices (D1-D3), collecting and storing the measurements, and transmitting these stored measurements to the communication module (CM) for transmission to a communication device (CD) for analysis. Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: OBTAINING MEASUREMENTS OF ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT OF A SYSTEM VIA AN INTERNAL GATEWAY Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to systems comprising at least two electronic devices producing in operation a measurable physical quantity, and more precisely to obtaining measurements of this physical quantity. State of the art

[0002] As is known to those skilled in the art, certain systems, such as for example certain vehicles (possibly automobiles) comprise at least two electronic devices producing in operation a measurable physical quantity, such as for example a current or a temperature.

[0003] When these electronic devices are in operation in their system, at least one of their elements (or components) may reach, or even exceed, its limits in terms of electrothermal dimensioning (capacity to pass a certain level of current without causing heating likely to degrade it). To avoid accelerated aging and / or temporary malfunctions, one solution consists of using electronic devices that are at least partly oversized.

[0004] For example, certain circuits or certain electronic components can be oversized.

[0005] A disadvantage of this solution lies in the fact that it induces a significant additional cost. Moreover, in the case, in particular, of production vehicles, the choice of oversizing is based on overall theoretical design hypotheses (and therefore determined for different models and different versions of models). However, in practice, such a choice may prove suitable for certain models but not for certain other models or for certain versions of a model but not for certain other versions of the same model.

[0006] The invention therefore aims in particular to improve the situation by making it possible to obtain measurements of a physical quantity produced by electronic equipment of a system. Presentation of the invention

[0007] For this purpose, it proposes in particular a system comprising a communication module coupled to a radio communication network and at least two electronic devices producing a physical quantity in operation. measurable.

[0008] This system is characterized by the fact:

[0009] - that it also comprises, on the one hand, measuring devices each measuring the physical quantity produced by one of the electronic devices, and, on the other hand, a gateway coupled to the communication module and the measuring devices, collecting the measurements in order to store them, and transmitting these stored measurements to the communication module, and

[0010] - that its communication module is arranged to transmit the measurements received to communication equipment, via the radio communication network, for analysis.

[0011] Thanks to the invention, we thus obtain for the system that we want to analyze the measurements of the physical quantity produced by all the electronic equipment monitored even while they are in operation, possibly together (if desired), thus making it possible to determine the correct sizing of each of these electronic equipments.

[0012] The system according to the invention may include other characteristics which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

[0013] - it may comprise an additional measuring device measuring the quantity physical produced by the gateway. In this case, its gateway can also store its measurement and can transmit the latter with the other stored measurements to the communication module for transmission with the other measurements to the communication equipment;

[0014] - the additional measuring device may be an integral part of an element of the gateway or can be reported in the gateway;

[0015] - at least one of the measuring devices may be an integral part of an element of associated electronic equipment;

[0016] - at least one of the measuring devices can be reported in an electrical equipment associated electronics;

[0017] - the physical quantity can be a temperature;

[0018] - it can constitute a vehicle.

[0019] The invention also proposes a method for obtaining measurements intended to be implemented in a system comprising a communication module coupled to a radio communication network and at least two electronic devices producing a measurable physical quantity in operation.

[0020] This method is characterized by the fact that it comprises:

[0021] - a first step in which the realization of a measurement of the physical quantity produced by each electronic device, then a transmission of each measurement is triggered to a gateway, equipping the system and coupled to the communication module, so that it stores it, and

[0022] - a second step in which a transmission is triggered by the gateway of these stored measurements to the communication module so that it can transmit them to communication equipment for analysis.

[0023] The invention also proposes a computer program product comprising a set of instructions which, when executed by processing means, is capable of implementing a method for obtaining measurements of the type presented above to obtain measurements of a physical quantity produced at least by at least two electronic devices of a system also comprising a communication module coupled to a radio communication network. Brief description of the figures

[0024] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description below, and the appended drawings, in which:

[0025] [Fig-1] schematically and functionally illustrates an example of the embodiment of a system according to the invention, constituting a motor vehicle, and comprising a radio communication module coupled to an internal gateway and to a radio communication network to which communication equipment is also coupled,

[0026] [Fig.2] schematically and functionally illustrates an example of embodiment of the gateway of the system of [Fig.l], and

[0027] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates an example of an algorithm implementing a method for obtaining measurements according to the invention. Detailed description of the invention

[0028] The invention aims in particular to propose a system SY comprising at least two electronic devices Ej producing in operation a measurable physical quantity and a gateway PS participating in obtaining measurements of this physical quantity, and an associated method for obtaining measurements.

[0029] In the following, it is considered, by way of non-limiting example, that the system SY is a vehicle of the automobile type. This is for example a car, as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig.l]. But the invention is not limited to this type of system. It in fact concerns any system comprising at least two electronic devices Ej producing in operation a measurable physical quantity. Consequently, the invention concerns vehicles (land, sea (or river), and air (including flying taxis and space shuttles)), installations (possibly of the industrial type), appliances (possibly household appliances), and buildings.

[0030] [Fig.l] schematically shows an example of a SY system (here a motor vehicle) comprising at least two electronic devices Ej, measuring devices Dj, a communication module MC, and an internal gateway PS.

[0031] In the example illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig.l], the vehicle V comprises three electronic equipments E1 to E3 (j = 1 to 3). But the number of electronic equipments Ej of a system SY can take any value greater than or equal to two (2).

[0032] An electronic device Ej may, for example, be a computer or a microcontroller or a switch comprising power components, or comprise at least one computer or a microcontroller or a switch comprising power components. In the second alternative, it may be, for example, a control box or an environmental analysis camera or a power distribution module or a display unit (possibly with a human / machine interface).

[0033] It will also be noted that in the example illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig.l], the electronic equipment Ej are all connected to an internal communication network RC1, possibly of the multiplexed type (such as for example a CAN (“Controller Area Network”) or LIN (“Local Interconnect Network”) network or Flexray), in order to be able to transmit and / or receive messages. But it is not essential for an electronic equipment Ej to be communicating (and therefore capable of transmitting and / or receiving messages via an internal communication network RC1), for a reason that will be understood later. What is essential is that an electronic equipment Ej produces in operation a measurable physical quantity, such as for example and non-limitingly a current or a temperature or a luminous intensity (candelas) or even a pressure (bars).

[0034] Each piece of electronic equipment Ej is associated with a dedicated measuring device Dj.

[0035] The communication module MC is arranged to couple to at least one external communication network RC2, at least partly wireless, in order to exchange messages with it via radio waves. This external communication network RC2 is preferably a mobile telephone network (for example 4G or 5G type).

[0036] The PS gateway (internal) is coupled to the communication module MC and the measuring devices Dj. Here, the coupling between the PS gateway and the measuring devices Dj is done via the internal communication network RC1. But this is not mandatory.

[0037] It will be noted that at least one of the measuring devices Dj may be an integral part of an element of an associated electronic equipment Ej. This is particularly the case of the measuring devices DI and D3 which are respectively an integral part of elements of the electronic equipment E1 and E3. But at least one of the measuring devices Dj may be added to an associated electronic equipment Ej. This is particularly the case of the measuring device D2 which is reported in the electronic equipment E2.

[0038] By way of non-limiting example, a measuring device Dj may be an integral part of a computer or a microcontroller or even a processor. Also by way of non-limiting example, an added measuring device Dj may be a sensor or a probe, for example a temperature sensor.

[0039] Consequently, a measuring device Dj can provide each measurement of the physical quantity produced by the associated electronic equipment Ej either directly if it is communicating, or via the communication module of this associated electronic equipment Ej. It is for this reason that it is not obligatory for an electronic equipment Ej to be communicating.

[0040] The gateway PS is arranged to collect the measurements of the physical quantity which have been carried out by the measuring devices Dj in order to store them in a mass memory MM, and to transmit these stored measurements to the communication module MC. The communication module MC is arranged to transmit the measurements which it receives from the gateway PS to a communication device EC, via the external communication network RC2, for the purpose of analyzing them.

[0041] Thus, for each system SY that we want to analyze, we obtain the measurements of the physical quantity produced by the electronic equipment Ej monitored even while they are in operation, possibly together (if desired). For example, in the case of a vehicle, we can now have all the measurements during different driving phases (or more generally life). We can therefore now determine the correct sizing of each electronic equipment Ej of a system SY, possibly for different models and / or different versions of the same model.

[0042] The gateway PS can collect the measurements of the physical quantity either by requesting them from the measuring devices Dj, possibly periodically, or by means of automatic transmission by the measuring devices Dj, possibly periodically.

[0043] Furthermore, and preferably, the gateway PS temporarily stores the measurements in the mass memory MM in order to have them all collected in a chosen time interval, and thus to be able to transmit them all substantially at the same time to the communication module MC. This transmission of the stored measurements can be done automatically and possibly periodically, or at the request of the communication equipment EC. The communication module MC can then transmit together the measurements received to the communication equipment EC (via the external communication network RC2), hence the advantage of the latter (RC2) being high-speed when the number of measurements transmitted is high.

[0044] For example, the EC communication equipment may be a server or an or diner (fixed or portable) or a smart mobile phone (or “smartphone”) or a communicating electronic tablet or even a connected watch.

[0045] It will be noted, as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig. 1], that the system SY can also comprise an additional measuring device DM arranged so as to measure the physical quantity produced by the gateway PS. In this case, the gateway PS is arranged so as to store its measurement (determined by the associated additional measuring device DM) and to transmit this stored measurement with the other stored measurements to the communication module MC with a view to its transmission with the other measurements to the communication equipment EC.

[0046] For example, the additional measuring device DM may be an integral part of an element of the gateway PS or may be added to the gateway PS. As in the case of electronic equipment Ej, the additional measuring device DM may be an integral part of a computer or a microcontroller or even a processor of the gateway PS, or may be an added sensor or probe, for example a temperature sensor.

[0047] In order to carry out its functions (or operations), the PS gateway may comprise, as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig. 2], at least one PR processor, for example a digital signal processor (or DSP ("Digital Signal Processor")), and at least one MD memory performing the aforementioned operations. The PR processor may comprise integrated (or printed) circuits, or several integrated (or printed) circuits connected by wired or wireless connections. An integrated (or printed) circuit is understood to mean any type of device capable of carrying out at least one electrical or electronic operation. The MD memory is RAM in order to store instructions allowing the PR processor to carry out operations to implement at least part of the control method described below. The PS gateway may therefore be produced in the form of a combination of electrical or electronic circuits or components (or "hardware") and software modules (or "software").

[0048] It will also be noted that the mass memory MM of the gateway PS can also be used, possibly to store intermediate data involved in at least some of its calculations and processing, and in particular those relating to obtaining measurements.

[0049] It will also be noted, as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig. 2], that the gateway PS can also comprise (in addition to its RAM MD, its processor PR and its mass memory MM), an input interface IE for receiving at least the measurements, to then store them in the mass memory MM, possibly after having used them in calculations or processing and / or after having formatted and / or demodulated and / or amplified them, in a manner known per se, by means of a digital signal processor PR'. In addition, the gateway PS can also include an IS output interface, in particular to deliver its messages containing the measurements for the MC communication module.

[0050] The invention can also be considered in the form of a method for obtaining measurements intended to be implemented in the SY system and comprising first 10-20 and second 30-40 steps.

[0051] In the first step 10-20, the measurement of the physical quantity produced by each electronic device Ej is triggered, then the transmission of each measurement to the gateway PS is triggered, so that it can store it.

[0052] In the second step 30-40, the transmission by the PS gateway of the stored measurements to the MC communication module is triggered so that it can transmit them to the EC communication equipment for analysis.

[0053] An example of an algorithm implementing a method for obtaining measurements according to the invention is schematically illustrated in [Fig. 3].

[0054] The algorithm comprises a sub-step 10 in which the (measuring devices Dj and the possible additional measuring device DM) measure(s) the physical quantity produced by each electronic equipment Ej (and possibly the gateway PS).

[0055] Then, in a sub-step 20, each measurement is transmitted (by the measuring devices Dj and the possible additional measuring device DM) to the gateway PS, so that it can store it.

[0056] Sub-steps 10 and 20 constitute the first step 10-20.

[0057] Then, in a sub-step 30, the PS gateway transmits all the stored measurements to the MC communication module.

[0058] Then, in a sub-step 40, the communication module MC transmits all the measurements received to the communication equipment EC which then stores them for analysis.

[0059] Sub-steps 30 and 40 constitute the second step 30-40.

[0060] It will also be noted that the invention also proposes a computer program product (or computer program) comprising a set of instructions which, when executed by processing means of the electronic circuit (or hardware) type, such as for example the processor PR, is capable of implementing the method for obtaining measurements described above to obtain measurements of a physical quantity produced by at least two electronic devices Ej of the system S Y.

[0061] It will also be noted that one or more sub-steps of at least one of the first 10-20 and second 30-40 steps of the method for obtaining measurements can be carried out by different components. Thus, the method for obtaining measurements can be implemented by a plurality of digital signal processors, random access memory, mass memory, input interface, output interface.

Claims

Claims

1. System (SY) comprising a communication module (MC) coupled to a radio communication network (RC2) and at least two electronic devices (Ej) producing in operation a measurable physical quantity, characterized in that it further comprises i) measuring devices (Dj) each measuring the physical quantity produced by one of said electronic devices (Ej), and ii) a gateway (PS) coupled to said communication module (MC) and measuring devices (Dj), collecting said measurements in order to store them, and transmitting said stored measurements to said communication module (MC), and in that said communication module (MC) is arranged to transmit said received measurements to a communication device (EC), via said radio communication network (RC2), for the purpose of analyzing them and in that it comprises an additional measuring device (DM) measuring said physical quantity produced by said gateway (PS),and in that said gateway (PS) also stores its measurement and transmits the latter with the other stored measurements to said communication module (MC) for transmission with the other measurements to said communication equipment (EC).,

2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that said additional measuring device (DM) is an integral part of an element of said gateway (PS) or is added to said gateway (PS).

3. System according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that at least one of said measuring devices (Dj) is an integral part of an element of associated electronic equipment (Ej).

4. System according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least one of said measuring devices (Dj) is reported in associated electronic equipment (Ej).

5. System according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said physical quantity is a temperature.

6. System according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it constitutes a vehicle.

7. Method for obtaining measurements for a system (SY) comprising a communication module (MC) coupled to a radio communication network (RC2) and at least two electronic devices (Ej) producing in operation a measurable physical quantity, characterized in that it comprises i) a first step (10-20) in in which a measurement of said physical quantity produced by each electronic device (Ej) is triggered, then a transmission of each measurement is triggered to a gateway (PS), equipping said system (SY) and coupled to said communication module (MC), so that it stores it, and ii) a second step (30-40) in which a transmission by said gateway (PS) of said stored measurements is triggered to said communication module (MC) so that it transmits them to a communication device (EC) for analysis.

8. Computer program product comprising a set of instructions which, when executed by processing means, is capable of implementing the method for obtaining measurements according to claim 7 to obtain measurements of a physical quantity produced at least by at least two electronic devices (Ej) of a system (SY) also comprising a communication module (MC) coupled to a radio communication network (RC2).

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