How to change communication settings during network system and network updates

Abstract

This invention provides a communication network system that can suppress the increase in communication load caused by network updates. [Solution] When the network is updated in the communication network system, the receiving electronic control unit 20B sends a request message MG1 to the first communication bus (S11). When the electronic control unit 20 receives the request message MG1 which includes a service identifier SID corresponding to a service that the electronic control unit 20 can provide (S20: YES), it sends a response message MG2 to the first communication bus as the providing electronic control unit 20A (S22). Subsequently, the providing electronic control unit 20A starts providing the service by sending a service message MG3 to the first communication bus (S24). The receiving electronic control unit 20B, having received the response message MG2, changes its settings to receive the service message MG3 (S12).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a communication network system and a method for changing communication settings during network update.

Background Art

[0002] The communication network system disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a plurality of subscriber stations, and each subscriber station is connected to each other. An identifier is assigned to a message transmitted by a subscriber station in the communication network system. When a new subscriber station is connected and the network is updated, the communication network system assigns an identifier reserved as a resource for dynamic communication to a message transmitted by the new subscriber station. Therefore, the network system can perform communications that were not assumed in the design stage.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a dynamic network capable of network update, there may be an increase in communications that were not assumed in the design stage of the network system, so there is a risk of imposing a communication load exceeding the assumptions at the time of designing the network system.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] A communication network system for solving the above problems is a communication network system in which a plurality of electronic control devices are connected by a communication bus, and each of the electronic control devices selects a communication message to receive from among a plurality of communication messages transmitted on the communication bus by checking a first identifier contained in the communication message, and an application stored in the electronic control device uses the data contained in the received communication message. When the network is updated, the communication network system sends a request message to the communication bus in which a receiving electronic control device among the plurality of electronic control devices that requests a service includes a service identifier unique to the requested service and is accompanied by the first identifier that is received by all of the electronic control devices. The communication network system determines whether or not it has received a request message containing the service identifier corresponding to the service that the electronic control device can provide by checking the service identifier contained in the received request message. The communication network system, as a providing electronic control device, sends a response message to the communication bus in which the service identifier contained in the received request message is included and is accompanied by the first identifier that is received by all of the electronic control devices. Subsequently, the communication network system starts providing the service by transmitting the communication message for the service to the communication bus, to which the provider-side electronic control unit has attached a value generated from the value of the service identifier contained in the received request message based on a specific rule, as the first identifier. The communication network system then changes the settings of the receiving-side electronic control unit, which has received the response message, to receive the communication message for the service to which the value generated from the value of the service identifier contained in the received response message based on the specific rule, as the first identifier.

[0006] A method for changing communication settings during network updates to solve the above problems is a method for changing communication settings during network updates in a communication network system in which a plurality of electronic control devices are connected by a communication bus, and each of the electronic control devices selects a communication message to receive from among a plurality of communication messages transmitted on the communication bus by checking a first identifier contained in the communication message, and an application stored in the electronic control device uses the data contained in the received communication message. This method for changing communication settings during network updates includes the step that, when the network is updated, the processing circuit of a receiving electronic control device among the plurality of electronic control devices that requests a service sends a request message to the communication bus that includes a service identifier unique to the requested service and is attached to the first identifier that is received by all of the electronic control devices. This method for changing communication settings during network updates includes the step that the processing circuit of each of the plurality of electronic control devices checks the service identifier contained in the received request message to determine whether or not it has received a request message that includes the service identifier corresponding to the service that the electronic control device can provide. The method for changing communication settings during network updates includes the step of a processing circuit of an electronic control unit, among the plurality of electronic control units, that receives a request message containing the service identifier corresponding to the service that can be provided, and, as the processing circuit of the providing electronic control unit, performs the process of sending a response message to the communication bus that includes the service identifier contained in the received request message and is accompanied by the first identifier that is received by all of the electronic control units. The method for changing communication settings during network updates also includes the step of the providing electronic control unit's processing circuit starting to provide the service by sending a communication message to the communication bus that is accompanied by the first identifier, which is a value generated from the value of the service identifier contained in the received request message based on a specific rule.The method for changing communication settings during network updates includes the step of changing the settings of the processing circuit of the receiving electronic control unit that receives the response message so that it receives the communication message for the service to which a value generated from the value of the service identifier contained in the response message based on the specific rule is attached as the first identifier. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the above-described communication network system and method for changing communication settings during network updates, it is possible to suppress the increase in communication load on the said communication network system. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating the schematic of the communication network system according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing performed by a communication network system. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the data structure of a request message and a response message. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the data structure of a service message. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Below, one embodiment of the communication network system will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. <Configuration of Communication Network System 10> Figure 1 shows a communication network system 10 installed in a vehicle. The communication network system 10 comprises a plurality of electronic control units 20. Each of the plurality of electronic control units 20 is connected by a first communication bus 11. The first communication bus 11 transmits communication messages based on the CAN protocol, which is a communication protocol defined in CAN (controller area network). Communication messages transmitted based on the CAN protocol include data indicating a CAN-ID as a first identifier. The CAN-ID is data used to identify the content of the communication message.

[0010] The communication network system 10 comprises a plurality of electronic control devices 21. Each of the plurality of electronic control devices 21 is connected by a second communication bus 12. The second communication bus 12 transmits communication messages based on the Ethernet protocol, which is a communication protocol defined in Ethernet®. Communication messages transmitted based on the Ethernet protocol have identifiers for IP (Internet protocol) communication.

[0011] The communication network system 10 includes an electronic control unit 22. The electronic control unit 22 is a gateway device connected to both the first communication bus 11 and the second communication bus 12. The electronic control unit 22 relays communication messages between the first communication bus 11 and the second communication bus 12. When relaying communication messages, the electronic control unit 22 has the function of converting a first identifier contained in the communication message to an identifier for IP communication.

[0012] <Configuration of the electronic control unit 20> Multiple electronic control units 20 connected to the first communication bus 11 each have a processing circuit 30, a storage device 40, and a communication device 50. The storage device 40 stores an application APL, middleware MW, and basic software BSW. The electronic control unit 20 provides services corresponding to the application APL by having the processing circuit 30 execute the application APL stored in the storage device 40. The application APL is software that runs on middleware MW. Middleware MW is software that runs on basic software BSW.

[0013] Application APL is software that enables each of the electronic control units 20 to perform a specific function. Application APL utilizes data contained in communication messages received by the electronic control unit 20. The specific functions that the electronic control unit 20 performs include functions for detecting vehicle speed and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Basic software BSW is software that performs basic control of the hardware that makes up the electronic control unit 20. Middleware MW is software that mediates between the basic software BSW and application APL, enabling each of the electronic control units 20 to perform a specific function according to the application APL stored in the electronic control unit 20.

[0014] The communication device 50 outputs a communication message to the first communication bus 11. The communication device 50 receives a communication message from the first communication bus 11. The electronic control unit 20 receives the communication messages that contain data used by the application APL from among the input communication messages. Specifically, the electronic control unit 20 selects whether or not to receive the communication message by having the basic software BSW verify the first identifier contained in the communication message.

[0015] <Processing during network updates> The communication network system 10 is a dynamic network that can be updated. As shown in Figure 2, the communication network system 10 changes the network's communication settings when the network is updated.

[0016] When the network is updated, the electronic control unit 20 first executes the process in step S10. In the process in step S10, the electronic control unit 20 generates a request message MG1 as the receiving electronic control unit 20B.

[0017] As shown in Figure 3, the request message MG1 includes a header area HD and a data area DT. The header area HD stores data indicating the CAN-ID as the first identifier. The value of the first identifier in the request message MG1 is "0x0001". Communication messages containing "0x0001" as the value of the first identifier are received by all electronic control devices 20 connected to the first communication bus 11. Therefore, the request message MG1 is received by all electronic control devices 20 connected to the first communication bus 11. The data area DT stores data indicating the service identifier SID. The service identifier SID is an identifier unique to the service requested by the application APL stored in the receiving electronic control device 20B. The middleware MW of the electronic control device 20 stores the combination of the service and the service identifier SID corresponding to that service. The service requested by the application APL is determined during the design of the communication network system 10 or during network updates.

[0018] In this embodiment, the service requested by the receiving electronic control unit 20B is "Service A". The value of the service identifier SID corresponding to "Service A" is "0x1123". Therefore, the value of the service identifier SID in the request message MG1 generated by the receiving electronic control unit 20B is "0x1123". After generating the request message MG1 with the first identifier attached, the receiving electronic control unit 20B proceeds to step S11.

[0019] In the process of step S11, the receiving-side electronic control device 20B transmits a request message MG1 with a first identifier attached thereto to the first communication bus 11. Then, the receiving-side electronic control device 20B shifts to a standby state where it can receive a response message MG2 described later from the first communication bus 11.

[0020] The plurality of electronic control devices 20 that have received the request message MG1 execute the process of step S20. In the process of step S20, each of the electronic control devices 20 checks the service identifier SID included in the received request message MG1. Thereby, the electronic control device 20 determines whether or not it has received a request message MG1 including the service identifier SID corresponding to the service that the electronic control device 20 can provide. Specifically, when the middleware MW of the electronic control device 20 receives a request message MG1 including the service identifier SID corresponding to the service that the application APL can provide, it determines that it has received a request message MG1 including the service identifier SID corresponding to the service that the electronic control device 20 can provide. The services that the application APL can provide are determined at the time of designing the communication network system 10 or when the network is updated.

[0021] In the example shown in FIG. 2, the request message MG1 includes, in the data area DT, the value "0x1123" of the service identifier SID indicating "Service A". Therefore, when an electronic control device 20 that can provide "Service A" receives the request message MG1 (S20: YES), the electronic control device 20 determines to generate a response message MG2 as the providing-side electronic control device 20A. Then, the process proceeds to step S21.

[0022] In step S21, the providing electronic control unit 20A generates a response message MG2. As shown in Figure 3, the response message MG2 includes a header area HD and a data area DT. The header area HD stores data indicating the CAN-ID as the first identifier. The value of the first identifier in the response message MG2 is "0x0001". Therefore, the response message MG2 is received by all electronic control units 20 connected to the first communication bus 11. The data area DT of the response message MG2 stores data indicating the service identifier SID. The service identifier SID stored in the data area DT of the response message MG2 is the same as the service identifier SID stored in the data area DT of the request message MG1 received by the providing electronic control unit 20A in step S20. Therefore, the value of the service identifier SID in the response message MG2 is "0x1123". After generating the response message MG2, the providing electronic control unit 20A proceeds to step S22. In step S22, the providing electronic control unit 20A sends a response message MG2 with a first identifier to the first communication bus 11.

[0023] When the receiving electronic control unit 20B receives a response message MG2 that includes the service identifier SID included in the request message MG1 transmitted by the receiving electronic control unit 20B, it executes the process in step S12.

[0024] In step S12, the receiving electronic control unit 20B modifies the settings of the basic software BSW. Specifically, the middleware MW modifies the settings of the basic software BSW so that it can receive a communication message in which a value GSID, generated based on a specific rule from the value of the service identifier SID contained in the response message MG2, is attached as the first identifier.

[0025] The electronic control unit 20 uses the last two digits of the service identifier SID value as a GSID value generated from the service identifier SID value based on a specific rule. If the service identifier SID value contained in response message MG2 is "0x1123", the GSID value generated from the service identifier SID value based on a specific rule is "0x0023". By changing the settings of the basic software BSW, the middleware MW selects the communication message with a first identifier value of "0x0023" as the communication message to be received. As a result, the receiving electronic control unit 20B becomes able to receive the communication message with a first identifier value of "0x0023".

[0026] After sending the response message MG2, the provider-side electronic control unit 20A executes the process in step S23. In the process in step S23, the provider-side electronic control unit 20A generates a service message MG3. The service message MG3 is a communication message about the service provided by the provider-side electronic control unit 20A.

[0027] As shown in Figure 4, service message MG3 includes a header area HD and a data area DT. Service message MG3 includes a value GSID as the first identifier in the header area HD, which is generated by the provider-side electronic control unit 20A from the value of the service identifier SID contained in the request message MG1 received by the provider-side electronic control unit 20A based on a specific rule. The electronic control unit 20 uses the last two digits of the value of the service identifier SID as the value GSID generated from the value of the service identifier SID based on a specific rule. If the value of the service identifier SID is "0x1123", then the value GSID generated from the value of the service identifier SID based on a specific rule is "0x0023". Therefore, the value of the first identifier stored in the header area HD of service message MG3 is "0x0023".

[0028] The service message MG3 contains data in the data area DT related to the service provided by the provider-side electronic control unit 20A. Specifically, the data area DT of the service message MG3 stores data for "Service A". After the provider-side electronic control unit 20A generates the service message MG3, the process proceeds to step S24.

[0029] In step S24, the provider-side electronic control unit 20A initiates service provision by sending a service message MG3, which is a communication message about the service, to the first communication bus 11. The service message MG3 is a communication message to which the provider-side electronic control unit 20A has attached a value GSID, which is generated based on a specific rule from the value of the service identifier SID contained in the request message MG1 received by the provider-side electronic control unit 20A, as the first identifier.

[0030] In step S12, the receiving electronic control unit 20B, whose basic software BSW settings have been changed, is able to receive a communication message in which the value of the first identifier is "0x0023". Therefore, the receiving electronic control unit 20B is able to receive a service message MG3 in which the value of the first identifier is "0x0023". Upon receiving the service message MG3, the receiving electronic control unit 20B uses the service provided by the providing electronic control unit 20A as the processing in step S13.

[0031] If the electronic control unit 20 does not receive a request message MG1 containing a service identifier SID corresponding to a service that the electronic control unit 20 can provide (step S20: NO), it does not generate a response message MG2 as part of the process in step S25. In other words, the electronic control unit 20 that does not receive a request message MG1 containing a service identifier SID corresponding to a service that it can provide does not function as a provider-side electronic control unit 20A. If the receiving-side electronic control unit 20B does not receive a response message MG2 containing the service identifier SID included in the request message MG1 sent by the receiving-side electronic control unit 20B within a predetermined time, it releases the standby state as part of the process in step S14. Even if the receiving-side electronic control unit 20B that has released the standby state receives a response message MG2, it does not perform the change in the settings of the basic software BSW in the process in step S12.

[0032] <Operation of this embodiment> An electronic control unit 20 constituting the communication network system 10 will start providing services as a providing electronic control unit 20A if it confirms that there is a receiving electronic control unit 20B that is requesting a service that the electronic control unit 20 can provide. In other words, if the electronic control unit 20 has not confirmed that there is a receiving electronic control unit 20B that is requesting a service that the electronic control unit 20 can provide, it will not send a service message MG3 to the first communication bus 11 as a providing electronic control unit 20A.

[0033] <Effects of this embodiment> (1) The communication network system 10 can suppress the transmission of unnecessary communication messages to the first communication bus 11. This allows the communication network system 10 to suppress an increase in the communication load on the communication network system 10.

[0034] (2) The providing electronic control unit 20A, which has sent response message MG2 to the first communication bus 11, sends service message MG3 to the first communication bus 11. The receiving electronic control unit 20B, which has sent request message MG1 and received response message MG2, changes the settings of the basic software BSW to receive service message MG3. As a result, the communication network system 10 can reduce the load on the electronic control unit 20 compared to a communication network system that requires the electronic control unit 20 to determine whether or not a communication message is necessary each time it is received.

[0035] (3) The communication network system 10 has an electronic control unit 20 that stores middleware MW and basic software BSW. The basic software BSW stored in the electronic control unit 20 selects the communication messages to be received. Therefore, the communication network system 10 does not need to implement a function to select the communication messages to be received for each different type of application APL.

[0036] (4) The electronic control unit 20 connected to the first communication bus 11 in the communication network system 10 transmits communication messages using the CAN protocol as the communication protocol. The communication network system 10 can establish a dynamic network in which the increase in communication load on the communication network system 10 is suppressed while using the conventional CAN protocol.

[0037] (5) The communication network system 10 comprises a first communication bus 11 and a second communication bus 12. The first communication bus 11 transmits communication messages using the CAN protocol as its communication protocol. The second communication bus 12 transmits communication messages using the Ethernet protocol as its communication protocol. The electronic control unit 22 is a gateway device connected to both the first communication bus 11 and the second communication bus 12. The electronic control unit 22 relays communication messages between the first communication bus 11 and the second communication bus 12. Furthermore, the electronic control unit 22 has a function to convert a first identifier contained in a communication message to an identifier for IP communication when relaying a communication message. As a result, the communication network system 10 can establish a dynamic network in which the increase in communication load is suppressed even between multiple communication buses with different communication protocols.

[0038] (6) The method for changing communication settings during network updates performed by the communication network system 10 includes the step (step S11) in which, when the network is updated, the processing circuit 30 of the receiving electronic control device 20B, which is one of the multiple electronic control devices 20 that requests a service, sends a request message MG1 to the first communication bus 11, which includes a service identifier SID unique to the requested service and is attached to a first identifier that is received by all electronic control devices 20. The method for changing communication settings during network updates performed by the communication network system 10 includes the step (step S20) in which the processing circuit 30 of each of the multiple electronic control devices 20 checks the service identifier SID included in the received request message MG1 to determine whether or not the electronic control device 20 has received a request message MG1 that includes a service identifier SID corresponding to a service that the electronic control device 20 can provide. The method for changing communication settings during network updates performed by the communication network system 10 includes the step (step S22) in which the processing circuit 30 of an electronic control unit 20 that has received a request message MG1 containing a service identifier SID corresponding to a service that can be provided, acts as the processing circuit 30 of the providing electronic control unit 20A and transmits a response message MG2 to the first communication bus 11, which includes the service identifier SID contained in the received request message MG1 and is accompanied by a first identifier that is received by all electronic control units 20. The method for changing communication settings during network updates performed by the communication network system 10 also includes the step (step S24) in which the processing circuit 30 of the providing electronic control unit 20A transmits a service message MG3 to the first communication bus 11, which is a communication message about a service, with a value generated from the value of the service identifier SID contained in the received request message MG1 based on a specific rule as the first identifier, thereby initiating the provision of the service.The method for changing communication settings during network updates performed by the communication network system 10 includes a step (step S12) in which the processing circuit 30 of the receiving electronic control unit 20B, which has received the response message MG2, changes its settings to receive a service message MG3, which is a communication message for a service to which a value generated from the value of the service identifier SID contained in the response message MG2 based on a specific rule is attached as the first identifier. By executing the above method for changing communication settings during network updates, the communication network system 10 causes the electronic control unit 20 to start providing a service as a providing electronic control unit 20A when it can confirm that there is a receiving electronic control unit 20B that is requesting a service that the electronic control unit 20 can provide. In other words, by executing the above method for changing communication settings during network updates, the communication network system 10 does not allow the electronic control unit 20 to send a service message MG3 to the first communication bus 11 as a providing electronic control unit 20A if it cannot confirm that there is a receiving electronic control unit 20B that is requesting a service that the electronic control unit 20 can provide. As a result, the method of changing communication settings during network updates described above can suppress the increase in communication load on the communication network system 10.

[0039] <Example of changes> This embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that they do not contradict each other technically.

[0040] The service identifier SID and the GSID, a value generated from the service identifier SID based on a specific rule, may be the same value. In this case, the specific rule is to output the same value.

[0041] The electronic control unit 20 does not need to store the middleware MW and the basic software BSW. In that case, the electronic control unit 20 only needs to select the communication message to be received from among the multiple communication messages transmitted on the first communication bus 11 by the application APL.

[0042] In each of the above embodiments, the combination of communication protocols for the multiple communication buses constituting the communication network system is not limited to the combination of CAN and Ethernet®. For example, a combination of CAN and FlexRay® may also be used.

[0043] The electronic control unit 20 may be configured as a circuit including one or more processors that execute various processes according to a computer program (software). Alternatively, the electronic control unit 20 may be configured as a circuit including one or more dedicated hardware circuits, such as application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or a combination thereof, that execute at least some of the various processes. The processor includes a CPU and memory such as RAM and ROM. The memory stores program code or instructions configured to cause the CPU to execute processes. Memory, or computer-readable media, includes any available media accessible by a general-purpose or dedicated computer. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0044] 10...Communication network system, 11...First communication bus, 12...Second communication bus, 20, 21, 22...Electronic control unit, 30...Processing circuit, 20A...Provider-side electronic control unit, 20B...Receive-side electronic control unit, APL...Application, MW...Middleware, BSW...Basic software, MG1...Request message, MG2...Response message, SID...Service identifier

Claims

1. A communication network system in which multiple electronic control units are connected by a communication bus, and each of the electronic control units selects a communication message to receive from among multiple communication messages transmitted on the communication bus by checking a first identifier contained in the communication message, and an application stored in the electronic control unit utilizes the data contained in the received communication message. When the network is updated, Among the plurality of electronic control devices, the receiving electronic control device requesting the service transmits a request message to the communication bus that includes a service identifier unique to the requested service and is accompanied by the first identifier that is received by all of the electronic control devices. Each of the plurality of electronic control devices determines whether or not it has received a request message containing the service identifier corresponding to the service that the electronic control device can provide, by checking the service identifier contained in the received request message. Among the plurality of electronic control devices, the electronic control device that receives the request message containing the service identifier corresponding to the service that can be provided transmits a response message to the communication bus, which includes the service identifier contained in the received request message and is accompanied by a first identifier that is received by all of the electronic control devices, and thereafter transmits a communication message to the communication bus, which has a value generated from the value of the service identifier contained in the received request message based on a specific rule as the first identifier, thereby commencing the provision of the service. Upon receiving the response message, the receiving electronic control unit changes its settings to receive the communication message for the service to which a value generated from the value of the service identifier contained in the received response message, based on the specific rule, is attached as the first identifier. Communication network system.

2. The aforementioned electronic control unit stores middleware and basic software. The application runs on the middleware, and the middleware runs on the basic software. The basic software selects the communication message to be received from among the multiple communication messages being transmitted on the communication bus. The communication network system according to claim 1.

3. The CAN protocol is used as the communication protocol to transmit the aforementioned communication message. The communication network system according to claim 1.

4. The communication bus comprises a first communication bus and a second communication bus, wherein the first communication bus transmits the communication message using the CAN protocol as the communication protocol, and the second communication bus transmits the communication message using the Ethernet protocol as the communication protocol. Of the plurality of electronic control devices, at least one electronic control device is a gateway device connected to both the first communication bus and the second communication bus. The gateway device has a function to relay the communication messages between the first communication bus and the second communication bus, and to convert the first identifier contained in the communication message to an IP communication identifier during the relay process. The communication network system according to claim 1.

5. A method for changing communication settings during network updates in a communication network system in which multiple electronic control devices are connected by a communication bus, and each of the electronic control devices selects a communication message to receive from among multiple communication messages transmitted on the communication bus by checking a first identifier contained in the communication message, and an application stored in the electronic control device uses the data contained in the received communication message. When the network is updated, The process includes the step of sending a request message to the communication bus, which includes a service identifier unique to the requested service and is accompanied by the first identifier that is received by all of the aforementioned electronic control devices, among the plurality of aforementioned electronic control devices, in the form of a processing circuit of a receiving electronic control device requesting a service, and which includes a service identifier unique to the requested service. The processing circuit of each of the plurality of electronic control devices determines whether or not it has received a request message containing the service identifier corresponding to the service that the electronic control device can provide, by checking the service identifier contained in the received request message. The processing circuit of the electronic control unit that receives the request message containing the service identifier corresponding to the service that can be provided, as the processing circuit of the providing electronic control unit, performs the process of sending a response message to the communication bus containing the service identifier included in the received request message and bearing the first identifier that is received by all of the electronic control units. The steps include: the processing circuit of the provider-side electronic control unit starting the provision of the service by transmitting the communication message for the service, to the communication bus, to which a value generated from the value of the service identifier contained in the received request message based on a specific rule has been attached as the first identifier; The processing circuit of the receiving electronic control unit that has received the response message has changed its settings to receive the communication message for the service to which a value generated from the value of the service identifier contained in the response message based on the specific rule has been assigned as the first identifier. How to change communication settings during network updates.

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