On-board device, on-board communication system, and time synchronization method

Abstract

To synchronize time between in-vehicle devices more accurately.SOLUTION: An in-vehicle device stores delay time information including a first set of first transmission delay time from the outside to a measurement reference position for a data reception time in the device and a second transmission delay time from the outside to the measurement reference position for the data reception time in another device, or a second set of third transmission delay time from a measurement reference position for a data transmission time in the device and a fourth transmission delay time from the measurement reference position for the data transmission time in the other device, transmits / receives information for time synchronization to / from the other device to measure transmission delay time between the device and the other device, corrects the measured transmission delay time on the basis of the stored delay time information, and synchronizes time between the device and the other device on the basis of the corrected transmission delay time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an in-vehicle device, an in-vehicle communication system, and a time synchronization method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a technology related to time synchronization between multiple devices has been developed. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-5214 (Patent Document 1) discloses the following network system. That is, the network system configures a time synchronization network whose network configuration does not change dynamically, and includes multiple nodes including a node that functions as a master, and each of the multiple nodes includes a storage means for storing synchronization information including master information indicating the master and topology information indicating the logical topology of the time synchronization network, and a control means for controlling the node itself, and the control means forms the time synchronization network by starting the node itself using the synchronization information stored in the storage means as the synchronization information of the node itself in the time synchronization network.

[0003] In addition, a technology for performing time synchronization processing has been developed in consideration of the fact that the time required for MAC processing performed by a specific device when synchronizing time information with another device varies depending on the state of the system. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2016-219870 (Patent Document 2) discloses the following time synchronization control device. That is, the time synchronization control device includes a storage unit that stores current time information output from a time output unit as second time information when an input signal including first time information received from an external device is received, and an update unit that updates the current time information output by the time output unit based on third time information, the first time information, and the second time information stored in the storage unit, which is current time information output from the time output unit when a signal processing unit that performs predetermined signal processing on the input signal ends the signal processing on the input signal. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-5214 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2016-219870 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Each in-vehicle device in the in-vehicle network periodically calculates the average value of the propagation delay time of data in both directions between the in-vehicle devices as a theoretical value, for example, in accordance with a protocol defined by the IEEE (registered trademark) 802.1 standard, and performs time synchronization between the in-vehicle devices using the newly calculated theoretical value of the propagation delay time.

[0006] However, the propagation delay time of data in one direction between on-board devices may differ from the propagation delay time of data in the other direction. In such cases, the actual value of the propagation delay time differs from the theoretical value of the propagation delay time, resulting in problems such as a decrease in the accuracy of time synchronization.

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide an in-vehicle device, an in-vehicle communication system, and a time synchronization method that can perform time synchronization between in-vehicle devices more accurately. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The vehicle-mounted device of the present disclosure includes a memory unit that stores delay time information including a first set of a first transmission delay time from the outside to a measurement reference position of the reception time of data in the own device, which is the vehicle-mounted device itself, and a second transmission delay time from the outside to a measurement reference position of the reception time of data in the other device, which is the other vehicle-mounted device, or a second set of a third transmission delay time from the measurement reference position of the transmission time of data in the own device to the outside and a fourth transmission delay time from the measurement reference position of the transmission time of data in the other device to the outside, a processing unit that measures a propagation delay time between the own device and the other device by transmitting and receiving information for time synchronization between the own device and the other device, a correction unit that corrects the propagation delay time measured by the processing unit based on the delay time information stored in the memory unit, and a time synchronization unit that performs time synchronization between the own device and the other device based on the propagation delay time corrected by the correction unit.

[0009] The in-vehicle communication system of the present disclosure includes a first in-vehicle device and a second in-vehicle device, and the first in-vehicle device stores delay time information including a first set of a first transmission delay time from the outside to a measurement reference position of the reception time of data in the first in-vehicle device and a second transmission delay time from the outside to a measurement reference position of the reception time of data in the second in-vehicle device, or a second set of a third transmission delay time from the measurement reference position of the transmission time of data in the first in-vehicle device to the outside and a fourth transmission delay time from the measurement reference position of the transmission time of data in the second in-vehicle device to the outside, and the first in-vehicle device measures a propagation delay time of data between the first in-vehicle device and the second in-vehicle device by transmitting and receiving information for time synchronization between the first in-vehicle device and the second in-vehicle device, corrects the measured propagation delay time based on the stored delay time information, and performs time synchronization with the second in-vehicle device based on the corrected propagation delay time.

[0010] The time synchronization method disclosed herein is a time synchronization method in an in-vehicle device, in which the in-vehicle device stores delay time information including a first set of a first transmission delay time from the outside to a measurement reference position of the reception time of data in the own device, which is the in-vehicle device itself, and a second transmission delay time from the outside to the measurement reference position of the reception time of data in the other device, which is the other in-vehicle device, or a second set of a third transmission delay time from the measurement reference position of the transmission time of data in the own device to the outside and a fourth transmission delay time from the measurement reference position of the transmission time of data in the other device to the outside, and includes a step of measuring a propagation delay time between the own device and the other device by transmitting and receiving information for time synchronization between the own device and the other device, a step of correcting the measured propagation delay time based on the stored delay time information, and a step of performing time synchronization between the own device and the other device based on the corrected propagation delay time.

[0011] One aspect of the present disclosure may be realized not only as an in-vehicle device having such a characteristic processing unit, but also as a program for causing a computer to execute such characteristic processing, or as a semiconductor integrated circuit that realizes a part or all of the in-vehicle device.

[0012] In addition, one aspect of the present disclosure may be realized not only as an in-vehicle communication system including such a characteristic processing unit, but also as a time synchronization method having such characteristic processing steps, or as a program for causing a computer to execute such steps. In addition, one aspect of the present disclosure may be realized as a semiconductor integrated circuit that realizes part or all of the in-vehicle communication system. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the present disclosure, time synchronization between in-vehicle devices can be performed more accurately. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an in-vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a switch device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a functional unit on the master side according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a method of calculating a data propagation delay time between a master-side functional unit and a switch device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining data transmission delay times in the switch device and the master-side functional units according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of delay time information stored in a storage unit in a switch device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of functional units on the slave side according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining data transmission delay times in each of the slave-side functional units and the switch device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of delay time information stored in a storage unit in a slave side functional unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart that defines an operation procedure when an in-vehicle device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure performs time synchronization with another in-vehicle device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] First, the contents of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. (1) An in-vehicle device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a memory unit that stores delay time information including a first set of a first transmission delay time from the outside to a measurement reference position of a data reception time in the own device, which is the in-vehicle device itself, and a second transmission delay time from the outside to a measurement reference position of a data reception time in the other device, which is another in-vehicle device, or a second set of a third transmission delay time from the measurement reference position of a data transmission time in the own device to the outside and a fourth transmission delay time from the measurement reference position of a data transmission time in the other device to the outside; a processing unit that measures a propagation delay time between the own device and the other device by transmitting and receiving information for time synchronization between the own device and the other device; a correction unit that corrects the propagation delay time measured by the processing unit based on the delay time information stored in the memory unit; and a time synchronization unit that performs time synchronization between the own device and the other device based on the propagation delay time corrected by the correction unit.

[0016] In this way, by using the first and second transmission delay times included in the first set, or the third and fourth transmission delay times included in the second set, the propagation delay time can be calculated more accurately even if the propagation delay time of data in one direction between the vehicle-mounted devices is different from the propagation delay time of data in the other direction. Therefore, the time synchronization between the vehicle-mounted devices can be performed more accurately.

[0017] (2) The delay time information may include both the first set and the second set.

[0018] With this configuration, the propagation delay time can be corrected using the transmission delay times on both the data sending side and the data receiving side, so that a more accurate propagation delay time can be calculated.

[0019] (3) Each of the measurement reference positions may be located between a Medium Access Control (MAC) processing unit that performs processing of a MAC layer and a Physical (PHY) processing unit that performs processing of a PHY layer.

[0020] With this configuration, it is possible to more appropriately correct the propagation delay time by taking into consideration the time required for PHY processing of the data when the data is transmitted or received in each vehicle-mounted device.

[0021] (4) The vehicle-mounted device may further include a relay unit capable of relaying data between three or more communication ports, and the memory unit may store the delay time information for each of the communication ports, the delay time information being for a portion of the three or more communication ports.

[0022] Here, between two on-board devices, it is sufficient that one of the devices performs time correction based on the propagation delay time, and the one on-board device stores delay time information. As described above, by configuring the on-board device to store delay time information for some of the three or more communication ports, for example, a configuration can be adopted in which the on-board device performs time correction with the communication partner when transmitting and receiving data using the some communication ports, and the communication partner of the on-board device performs time correction with the on-board device when transmitting and receiving data using the other communication ports, so that an on-board network having a function of performing time correction can be more efficiently realized.

[0023] (5) An in-vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first in-vehicle device and a second in-vehicle device, and the first in-vehicle device stores delay time information including a first set of a first transmission delay time from the outside to a measurement reference position of the reception time of data in the first in-vehicle device and a second transmission delay time from the outside to a measurement reference position of the reception time of data in the second in-vehicle device, or a second set of a third transmission delay time from the measurement reference position of the transmission time of data in the first in-vehicle device to the outside and a fourth transmission delay time from the measurement reference position of the transmission time of data in the second in-vehicle device to the outside, and the first in-vehicle device measures a propagation delay time of data between the first in-vehicle device and the second in-vehicle device by transmitting and receiving information for time synchronization between the first in-vehicle device and the second in-vehicle device, corrects the measured propagation delay time based on the stored delay time information, and performs time synchronization with the second in-vehicle device based on the corrected propagation delay time.

[0024] In this way, by using the first and second transmission delay times included in the first set, or the third and fourth transmission delay times included in the second set, the propagation delay time can be calculated more accurately even if the propagation delay time of data in one direction between the vehicle-mounted devices is different from the propagation delay time of data in the other direction. Therefore, the time synchronization between the vehicle-mounted devices can be performed more accurately.

[0025] (6) A time synchronization method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a time synchronization method in an in-vehicle device, in which the in-vehicle device stores delay time information including a first set of a first transmission delay time from the outside to a measurement reference position of a data reception time in the in-vehicle device itself and a second transmission delay time from the outside to a measurement reference position of a data reception time in the other device, which is another in-vehicle device, or a second set of a third transmission delay time from the measurement reference position of a data transmission time in the in-vehicle device to the outside and a fourth transmission delay time from the measurement reference position of a data transmission time in the other device to the outside, and includes a step of measuring a propagation delay time between the in-vehicle device itself and the other device by transmitting and receiving information for time synchronization between the in-vehicle device and the other device, a step of correcting the measured propagation delay time based on the stored delay time information, and a step of performing time synchronization between the in-vehicle device and the other device based on the corrected propagation delay time.

[0026] In this way, by using the first and second transmission delay times included in the first set, or the third and fourth transmission delay times included in the second set, it is possible to calculate a more accurate propagation delay time even when the propagation delay time of data in one direction between the vehicle-mounted devices is different from the propagation delay time of data in the other direction. Therefore, it is possible to perform more accurate time synchronization between the vehicle-mounted devices.

[0027] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated. In addition, at least some of the embodiments described below may be arbitrarily combined.

[0028] <Configuration and basic operation> [Overall configuration] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an in-vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Fig. 1, an in-vehicle communication system 301 is mounted on a vehicle 1, and includes one or more switch devices 101 and multiple functional units 111. Fig. 1 shows, as an example, two switch devices 101A and 101B that are the switch devices 101, and six functional units 111A, 111B, 111C, 111D, 111E, and 111F that are the functional units 111. Each switch device 101 and each functional unit 111 is an in-vehicle device, for example, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit).

[0029] The switch device 101 is connected to a plurality of in-vehicle devices by, for example, an Ethernet (registered trademark) cable 10, and is capable of communicating with the plurality of in-vehicle devices connected to the switch device 101 itself.

[0030] 1, functional units 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D and a switch device 101B are connected to a switch device 101A. Furthermore, functional units 111E and 111F are connected to the switch device 101B.

[0031] For example, the switch device 101 performs a relay process for relaying data from a functional unit 111 to another functional unit 111. Between the in-vehicle devices, information is exchanged using, for example, Ethernet frames in which IP packets are stored.

[0032] The functional unit 111 includes an external vehicle communication ECU, a sensor, a camera, a navigation device, an autonomous driving processing ECU, an ADAS (Advanced Driving Assistant System) ECU, an engine control device, an AT (Automatic Transmission) control device, an HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) control device, a brake control device, a chassis control device, a steering control device, and an instrument display control device.

[0033] [Switch device and master side functional parts] (Switch device configuration) 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a switch device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the configuration of the switch device 101A will be described. The configuration of the switch device 101B is similar to the configuration of the switch device 101A.

[0034] 2, the switch device 101A includes a relay unit 51, a time synchronization unit 52, a storage unit 53, and communication ports 54A to 54E. The relay unit 51 and the time synchronization unit 52 are realized by a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a DSP (Digital Signal processor). The storage unit 53 is, for example, a non-volatile memory.

[0035] The relay unit 51 includes a switch unit 61 and a control unit 62. The time synchronization unit 52 includes a processing unit 63 and a correction unit 64. Hereinafter, each of the communication ports 54A to 54E will also be simply referred to as a "communication port 54."

[0036] (Relay processing by switch device) The communication ports 54 correspond to the input and output ends of the switch device 101A, and are terminals to which, for example, an Ethernet cable 10 can be connected. The communication ports 54 may be terminals of an integrated circuit. Each communication port 54 is connected to one of a plurality of in-vehicle devices via the Ethernet cable 10. In this example, the communication port 54A is connected to the functional unit 111A, the communication port 54B is connected to the functional unit 111B, the communication port 54C is connected to the functional unit 111C, the communication port 54D is connected to the functional unit 111D, and the communication port 54E is connected to the switch device 101B.

[0037] The storage unit 53 stores an address table At that indicates the correspondence between the port number of the communication port 54 and the MAC (Media Access Control) address of the connection destination device.

[0038] The switch unit 61 relays data between other in-vehicle devices through the communication ports 54A to 54E. That is, when the switch unit 61 receives an Ethernet frame transmitted from another in-vehicle device via the communication port 54 corresponding to the in-vehicle device, the switch unit 61 performs a relay process on the received Ethernet frame.

[0039] More specifically, the switch unit 61 refers to the address table At stored in the storage unit 53, and identifies the port number corresponding to the destination MAC address included in the received Ethernet frame. Then, the switch unit 61 transmits the received Ethernet frame from the communication port 54 of the identified port number.

[0040] (Configuration of the master side functional section) Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a master-side functional unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Of the functional units 111A to 111F shown in Fig. 1, the functional unit 111A is assumed to be the master-side functional unit 111 that holds a reference time in the in-vehicle communication system 301. The other functional units 111B to 111F are assumed to be slave-side functional units 111.

[0041] 3, the master side functional unit 111A includes a communication unit 81A, a time synchronization unit 82A, a storage unit 83A, and a communication port 84A. The communication unit 81A and the time synchronization unit 82A are realized by a processor such as a CPU and a DSP. The storage unit 83A is, for example, a non-volatile memory.

[0042] The communication port 84A corresponds to an input end and an output end of the functional unit 111A, and is, for example, a terminal to which an Ethernet cable 10 can be connected. The communication port 84A may be a terminal of an integrated circuit, etc. The communication port 84A is connected to the switch device 101A via the Ethernet cable 10.

[0043] (Calculation of data propagation delay time between the master function unit and the switch device) FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a method of calculating a data propagation delay time between a master-side functional unit and a switch device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0044] 2 to 4, the switch device 101A measures a data propagation delay time between the functional unit 111A and the switch device 101A by transmitting and receiving information for time synchronization with the master functional unit 111A according to the IEEE802.1 standard, for example. Then, the switch device 101A performs time synchronization with the functional unit 111A based on the measured propagation delay time.

[0045] Between the two in-vehicle devices, one device that performs time correction based on the propagation delay time is also referred to as the “Initiator,” and the other device is also referred to as the “Responder.” Here, between the switch device 101A and the functional unit 111A, the switch device 101A is the Initiator, and the functional unit 111A is the Responder.

[0046] In detail, the switch device 101A periodically or irregularly calculates a propagation delay time Td1 of data between the functional unit 111A and the switch device 101A, and updates the already held propagation delay time Td1 to the newly calculated propagation delay time Td1.

[0047] More specifically, the processing unit 63 in the switch device 101A transmits request information (Pdelay_Req) ​​for requesting time information used to update the propagation delay time Td1 to the functional unit 111A via the relay unit 51 and the communication port 54A. Hereinafter, the request information is also referred to as a "request message." Furthermore, the control unit 62 in the relay unit 51 stores the transmission time t1 of the request message in the storage unit 53 as a timestamp.

[0048] The communication unit 81A in the functional unit 111A receives the request message transmitted from the switch device 101A via the communication port 84A, and outputs the received request message to the time synchronization unit 82A. The communication unit 81A also stores the reception time t2 of the request message as a timestamp in the storage unit 83A.

[0049] The time synchronization unit 82A receives a request message from the communication unit 81A and outputs time information (Pdelay_Resp) for the request message to the communication unit 81A. The communication unit 81A transmits the time information received from the time synchronization unit 82A to the switch device 101A via the communication port 84A. At this time, the time synchronization unit 82A transmits the time information including the reception time t2 of the request message stored in the storage unit 83A. Hereinafter, the time information is also referred to as a "response message." In addition, the communication unit 81A stores the transmission time t3 of the response message in the storage unit 83A as a timestamp.

[0050] After transmitting the response message, the time synchronizer 82A outputs the response message transmission time t3 stored in the memory 83A to the communication unit 81A by including the response message transmission time t3 in a follow-up message (Pdelay_Resp_Follow_Up). The communication unit 81A transmits the follow-up message received from the time synchronizer 82A to the switch device 101A via the communication port 84A.

[0051] The control unit 62 in the switch device 101A receives the response message and the follow-up message transmitted from the functional unit 111A via the communication port 54A. Then, the control unit 62 stores the reception time t4 of the response message as a timestamp in the storage unit 53. The control unit 62 also notifies the time synchronization unit 52 of the time t2 included in the response message and the time t3 included in the follow-up message.

[0052] The processing unit 63 in the time synchronization unit 52 calculates a data propagation delay time Td1 between the functional unit 111A and the switch device 101A based on the times t2 and t3 notified from the control unit 62 and the times t1 and t4 stored in the storage unit 53. More specifically, the processing unit 63 calculates the average value of the data propagation delay times in both directions between the switch device 101A and the functional unit 111A as the propagation delay time Td1.

[0053] Specifically, the processing unit 63 calculates the propagation delay time Td1 as the average of the time from the sending time t1 at the switch device 101A to the receiving time t2 at the functional unit 111A of the request message and the time from the sending time t3 at the functional unit 111A to the receiving time t4 at the switch device 101A of the response message using the following formula (1).Then, the processing unit 63 updates the propagation delay time Td1 stored in the storage unit 53 to the newly calculated propagation delay time Td1. Td1=((t4-t1)-(t3-t2)) / 2 ···(1)

[0054] (Time correction in switch device) The time synchronization unit 82A in the functional unit 111A periodically or irregularly outputs a Sync message to the communication unit 81A. The communication unit 81A transmits the Sync message received from the time synchronization unit 82A to the switch device 101A via the communication port 84A. The communication unit 81A also stores the transmission time tm1 of the Sync message as a timestamp in the storage unit 83A.

[0055] After transmitting the Sync message, the time synchronizer 82A outputs the time tm1 stored in the memory 83A to the communication unit 81A by including it in a follow-up message (Follow_Up). The communication unit 81A transmits the follow-up message received from the time synchronizer 82A to the switch device 101A via the communication port 84A.

[0056] The control unit 62 in the switch device 101A receives the Sync message and the follow-up message transmitted from the functional unit 111A via the communication port 54A. Then, the control unit 62 stores the reception time ty1 of the Sync message as a timestamp in the storage unit 53. The control unit 62 also notifies the time synchronizer 52 of the time tm1 included in the follow-up message.

[0057] The processing unit 63 in the time synchronization unit 52 performs time synchronization with the functional unit 111A based on the time tm1 notified from the control unit 62, and the time ty1 and the propagation delay time Td1 stored in the storage unit 53.

[0058] Here, it is assumed that the processing unit 63 uses times tm1, ty1 and a propagation delay time Td1 to calculate a time difference D1=tm1+Td1-ty1, which is the difference between the time of the functional unit 111A and the time of the switch device 101. Then, the processing unit 63 uses the calculated time difference D1 to correct the time of its own switch device 101A, thereby establishing time synchronization with the functional unit 111A.

[0059] [Problem description] In each of the on-board devices of the switch device 101A and the functional unit 111A, when data is transmitted or received, for example, an IC (Integrated Circuit) chip that performs PHY (Physical) layer processing such as A / D conversion, or an IC chip that performs MAC layer processing such as processing of MAC addresses stored in Ethernet frames, stores the transmission time or reception time as a timestamp for the data. The position that is the reference for measuring the timestamp is hereinafter also referred to simply as the "measurement reference position."

[0060] The data transmission delay time between the measurement reference position in the vehicle-mounted device and the outside of the vehicle-mounted device may differ depending on the vendor and type of the vehicle-mounted device, etc. Hereinafter, a more detailed explanation will be given with reference to the drawings.

[0061] (When sending data from the Initiator to the Responder) FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining data transmission delay times in the switch device and the master-side functional units according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0062] 5, the switch device 101A on the initiator side includes a MAC processing unit M11 and a PHY processing unit P11 corresponding to the communication port 54A. The MAC processing unit M11 includes an IC chip CM11 that performs MAC layer processing. The PHY processing unit P11 includes an IC chip CP11 that performs PHY layer processing. The IC chip CM11 further assumes, for example, a part of the functions of the control unit 62 shown in FIG. 2.

[0063] The measurement reference position X1 corresponding to the communication port 54A in the switch device 101A is located near the boundary between the IC chip CM11 and the IC chip CP11, specifically, between the IC chip CM11 and the IC chip CP11, between the IC chip CM11 and the IC chip CP11, and a data transmission path L1 such as wiring on a printed circuit board.

[0064] The functional unit 111A on the responder side includes a MAC processing unit M12 and a PHY processing unit P12. The MAC processing unit M12 includes an IC chip CM12 that performs MAC layer processing. The PHY processing unit P12 includes an IC chip CP12 that performs PHY layer processing. The IC chip CM12 further performs, for example, a part of the function of the communication unit 81A shown in FIG. 3.

[0065] The measurement reference position X2 in the functional unit 111A is located near the boundary between the IC chip CM12 and the IC chip CP12, specifically, between the IC chip CM12 and the IC chip CP12, and a data transmission path L2, such as wiring on a printed circuit board.

[0066] When the switch device 101A transmits data to the functional unit 111A, the IC chip CM11 stores the time when the data passes through the measurement reference position X1, i.e., the transmission time when the data is output to the IC chip CP11, as a timestamp in the storage unit 53. Then, the IC chip CP11 performs PHY layer processing on the data received from the IC chip CM11, and outputs the data to the outside of the switch device 101A via the communication port 54A. The transmission delay time from when the IC chip CM11 stores the transmission time of the data to when the data is output to the outside of the switch device 101A, i.e., when the data is output from the output end of the switch device 101A, is defined as "T11."

[0067] When the functional unit 111A receives data from the switch device 101A, the IC chip CP12 performs PHY layer processing on the data received from the outside via the communication port 84A and outputs it to the IC chip CM12. The IC chip CM12 stores the time when the data from the IC chip CP12 passes the measurement reference position X2, that is, the reception time when the data is received from the IC chip CP12, in the storage unit 83A as a timestamp. The transmission delay time from when the functional unit 111A receives data from the outside at the input end to when the IC chip CM12 stores the reception time of the data is "T21".

[0068] (When sending data from the Responder to the Initiator) When the functional unit 111A transmits data to the switch device 101A, the IC chip CM12 stores the time when the data passes through the measurement reference position X2, i.e., the transmission time when the data is output to the IC chip CP12, as a timestamp in the storage unit 83A. Then, the IC chip CP12 performs PHY layer processing on the data received from the IC chip CM12, and outputs the data to the outside of the functional unit 111A via the communication port 84A. The transmission delay time from when the IC chip CM12 stores the transmission time of the data to when the data is output to the outside of the functional unit 111A, i.e., when the data is output from the output terminal of the functional unit 111A, is set to "T22".

[0069] When the switch device 101A receives data from the functional unit 111A, the IC chip CP11 performs PHY layer processing on the data received from the outside via the communication port 54A and outputs the data to the IC chip CM11. The IC chip CM11 stores the time when the data from the IC chip CP11 passes through the measurement reference position X1, that is, the reception time when the data is received from the IC chip CP11, as a timestamp in the storage unit 53. The transmission delay time from when the switch device 101A receives data from the outside at the input end to when the IC chip CM11 stores the reception time of the data is set to "T12".

[0070] In the switch device 101A, the IC chip CM11 is configured to store the transmission time or reception time of data, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the IC chip CP11 may be configured to store the transmission time or reception time of data. In this case, the measurement reference position X1 is located near the boundary between the IC chip CP11 and the Ethernet cable 10.

[0071] In addition, in the functional unit 111A, the IC chip CM12 is configured to store the transmission time or reception time of data, but the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and the IC chip CP12 may be configured to store the transmission time or reception time of data. In this case, the measurement reference position X2 is located near the boundary between the IC chip CP12 and the Ethernet cable 10.

[0072] (Relationship between the theoretical value of propagation delay time Td1 and the transmission delay time considering the measurement reference position) The propagation time required for data to pass through the Ethernet cable 10 between the functional unit 111A and the switch device 101A is denoted as Tk1. In this case, the time from the transmission time of data in the switch device 101A to the reception time of the data in the functional unit 111A, that is, the propagation delay time Ttx of the data from the switch device 101A to the functional unit 111A, taking into account the transmission delay time between the measurement reference positions X1, X2 in each device and the outside, is expressed as in the following formula (2). Ttx = T11 + Tk1 + T21 (2)

[0073] In addition, the propagation delay time Ttr, which takes into account the time from the transmission time of data in the functional unit 111A to the reception time of the data in the switch device 101A, that is, the transmission delay time between the measurement reference positions X1, X2 in each device and the outside for the data from the functional unit 111A to the switch device 101A, is expressed as follows: Ttr = T22 + Tk1 + T12 (3)

[0074] As explained using Figure 4, the processing unit 63 in the switch device 101A calculates the average value of the propagation delay time of data in both directions between the switch device 101A and the functional unit 111A as the theoretical value of the propagation delay time Td1 of data between the functional unit 111A and the switch device 101A.

[0075] That is, if the above-mentioned times T11, T12, T21, T22, and Tk1 are used instead of times t1, t2, t3, and t4 shown in FIG. 4, the theoretical value of the propagation delay time Td1 calculated by the processing unit 63 is expressed by the following equation (4). Td1=(Ttx+Ttr) / 2 ={(T11+Tk1+T21)+(T22+Tk1+T12)} / 2 ···(4)

[0076] Here, the data transmission delay time between the measurement reference position in the vehicle-mounted device and the outside of the vehicle-mounted device may differ depending on the vendor and type of the vehicle-mounted device, etc. Specifically, the transmission delay times T11, T12, T21, and T22 shown in Fig. 5 may differ depending on the vendor of the switch device 101A and the functional unit 111A, etc.

[0077] In such a case, the propagation delay times Ttx, Ttr of data in both directions between the switch device 101A and the functional unit 111A are different from each other (Ttx ≠ Ttr), and each of the propagation delay times Ttx, Ttr is different from the theoretical value of the propagation delay time Td1, which is the average value of these propagation delay times Ttx, Ttr (Td1 ≠ Ttx, Td1 ≠ Ttr). In response to this, each of the in-vehicle devices in the in-vehicle communication system 301 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is configured as follows to enable more accurate calculation of the propagation delay time.

[0078] [Maintaining a transmission time table and correcting propagation delay time in a switch device] (Maintaining transmission time table) FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of delay time information stored in a storage unit in a switch device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0079] 2 and 6, the memory unit 53 in the switch device 101A stores a table Sta showing delay time information including the above-mentioned transmission delay times T11, T12 when the switch device 101A itself is the Initiator, and the above-mentioned transmission delay times T21, T22 in the functional unit 111A that is the Responder.

[0080] That is, the delay time information includes a transmission delay time (third transmission delay time) T11 from the measurement reference position X1 of switch device 101A to the outside, i.e., the output terminal of switch device 101A, a transmission delay time (first transmission delay time) T12 from the outside of switch device 101A, i.e., the input terminal of switch device 101A to the measurement reference position X1 of switch device 101A, a transmission delay time (second transmission delay time) T21 from the outside of functional unit 111A, i.e., the input terminal of functional unit 111A to the measurement reference position X2 of functional unit 111A, and a transmission delay time (fourth transmission delay time) T22 from the measurement reference position X2 of functional unit 111A to the outside, i.e., the output terminal of functional unit 111A.

[0081] 1, between the functional unit 111B and the switch device 101A, the functional unit 111B is the initiator, and the switch device 101A is the responder. Between the functional unit 111C and the switch device 101A, the functional unit 111C is the initiator, and the switch device 101A is the responder. Between the functional unit 111D and the switch device 101A, the functional unit 111D is the initiator, and the switch device 101A is the responder.

[0082] Moreover, between the switch device 101B and the switch device 101A, the switch device 101B is the initiator and the switch device 101A is the responder. Moreover, between the functional unit 111E and the switch device 101B, the functional unit 111E is the initiator and the switch device 101B is the responder. Moreover, between the functional unit 111F and the switch device 101B, the functional unit 111F is the initiator and the switch device 101B is the responder.

[0083] In this way, the switch device 101A serves as an initiator in transmitting and receiving data to and from the functional unit 111A via the communication port 54A. The switch device 101A serves as a responder in transmitting and receiving data to and from the functional units 111B-111D via the communication ports 54B-54D, respectively, and in transmitting and receiving data to and from the switch device 101B via the communication port 54E.

[0084] Table Sta shown in FIG. 6 shows delay time information of the communication port 54A used when the switch device 101A serves as the initiator among the five communication ports 54A to 54E in the switch device 101A, that is, delay time information related to sending and receiving data via the communication port 54A.

[0085] (Propagation delay time Td1 correction) The correction unit 64 in the switch device 101A, for example, refers to the delay time information indicated in the table Sta stored in the storage unit 53, and corrects the propagation delay time Td1 calculated by the processing unit 63.

[0086] More specifically, as shown in the following formula (5), the value obtained by subtracting the correction value Cv from the propagation delay time Td1 is the propagation delay time Ttx when a message is transmitted from the switch device 101A to the functional unit 111A. Also, as shown in the following formula (6), the value obtained by adding the correction value Cv to the propagation delay time Td1 is the propagation delay time Ttr when a message is transmitted from the functional unit 111A to the switch device 101A. Ttx = Td1 - Cv (5) Ttr = Td1 + Cv (6)

[0087] In this case, the correction value Cv is expressed by the following equation (7). Cv = Td1 - Ttx ={(T11+Tk1+T21)+(T22+Tk1+T12)} / 2-(T11+Tk1+T21) ={(T22-T11)+(T12-T21)} / 2 ···(7)

[0088] The correction unit 64 calculates the correction value Cv using, for example, equation (7), and subtracts the correction value Cv from the propagation delay time Td1 as a correction of the propagation delay time Td1. Then, the correction unit 64 notifies the processing unit 63 of the propagation delay time Ttx, which is the corrected propagation delay time (Td1-Cv), as the propagation delay time when transmitting data to the functional unit 111A.

[0089] Moreover, the correction unit 64 adds a correction value Cv to the propagation delay time Td1 as a correction of the propagation delay time Td1. Then, the correction unit 64 notifies the processing unit 63 of the propagation delay time Ttr, which is the corrected propagation delay time (Td1+Cv), as the propagation delay time when receiving data from the functional unit 111A.

[0090] The processing unit 63 stores the propagation delay times Ttx and Ttr notified by the correction unit 64 in the storage unit 53. The processing unit 63 also calculates a time difference D1 between the time of the functional unit 111A and the time of the switch device 101A, for example, by using the transmission time tm1 of the Sync message at the functional unit 111A notified by the control unit 62 and the reception time ty1 of the Sync message stored in the storage unit 53, as well as the propagation delay time Ttr stored in the storage unit 53, as shown in FIG.

[0091] Specifically, the processing unit 63 calculates the time difference D1=tm1+Ttr-ty1. Then, the processing unit 63 corrects the time in its own switching device 101A using the calculated time difference D1, thereby establishing time synchronization with the functional unit 111A.

[0092] The processing unit 63 may perform time synchronization using the propagation delay time Ttx instead of the propagation delay time Ttr. For example, the processing unit 63 may calculate the time difference D1 between the time of the functional unit 111A and the time of the switching device 101A using the transmission time of the message from the switching device 101A to the functional unit 111A at the switching device 101A, the reception time of the message at the functional unit 111A, and the propagation delay time Ttx stored in the storage unit 53.

[0093] Furthermore, the delay time information is not limited to a configuration including the transmission delay times T11, T12, T21, and T22. For example, the delay time information may include a first set of transmission delay times T12 and T21 when the switch device 101A and the functional unit 111A receive data, and may not include a second set of transmission delay times T11 and T22 when the switch device 101A and the functional unit 111A transmit data. For example, the delay time information may include the second set and not include the first set.

[0094] In the on-board device, the transmission delay time when receiving data is often longer than the transmission delay time when transmitting data. That is, the transmission delay times T12 and T21 included in the first set may have a greater effect on the length of the propagation delay time than the transmission delay times T11 and T22 included in the second set. In this case, it is preferable that the delay time information includes the first set.

[0095] [Slave side function] 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of a functional unit on the slave side according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the configuration of functional unit 111B will be described. The configurations of functional units 111C to 111F are similar to the configuration of functional unit 111B.

[0096] 7, the slave side functional unit 111B includes a communication unit 81B, a time synchronization unit 82B, a storage unit 83B, and a communication port 84B. The communication unit 81B and the time synchronization unit 82B are realized by a processor such as a CPU and a DSP. The storage unit 83B is, for example, a non-volatile memory.

[0097] The time synchronization unit 82B includes a processing unit 91B and a correction unit 92B. The communication port 84B corresponds to an input end and an output end of the functional unit 111B, and is, for example, a terminal to which an Ethernet cable 10 can be connected. The communication port 84B may be a terminal of an integrated circuit or the like. The communication port 84B is connected to the switch device 101A via the Ethernet cable 10.

[0098] (Calculation of data propagation delay time between the switch device and the slave side functional unit) The functional unit 111B measures the data propagation delay time Td2 between the switch device 101A and the functional unit 111B.

[0099] More specifically, the processing unit 91B in the functional unit 111B periodically or irregularly calculates a propagation delay time Td2 of data between the switch device 101A and the functional unit 111B, and updates the propagation delay time Td2 stored in the storage unit 83B to the newly calculated propagation delay time Td2. The method of calculating the propagation delay time Td2 by the processing unit 91B is the same as the method of calculating the propagation delay time Td1 by the processing unit 63 in the switch device 101A described with reference to FIG.

[0100] (Data transmission delay between the slave function unit and the switch device) (a) When sending data from the Initiator to the Responder FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining data transmission delay times in each of the slave-side functional units and the switch device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0101] 8, the function unit 111B on the initiator side includes a MAC processing unit M21 and a PHY processing unit P21. The MAC processing unit M21 includes an IC chip CM21 that performs MAC layer processing. The PHY processing unit P21 includes an IC chip CP21 that performs PHY layer processing. The IC chip CM21 further assumes, for example, a part of the functions of the communication unit 81B shown in FIG. 7.

[0102] The measurement reference position X3 in the functional unit 111B is located between the IC chips CM21 and CP21, specifically, near the boundary between the IC chip CM21 and the data transmission path L3, such as wiring on a printed circuit board, between the IC chips CM21 and CP21.

[0103] The switch device 101A on the responder side includes a MAC processing unit M22 and a PHY processing unit P22 corresponding to the communication port 54B. The MAC processing unit M22 includes an IC chip CM22 that performs MAC layer processing. The PHY processing unit P22 includes an IC chip CP22 that performs PHY layer processing. The IC chip CM22 further performs, for example, part of the functions of the control unit 62 shown in FIG. 2.

[0104] The measurement reference position X4 corresponding to the communication port 54B in the switch device 101A is located near the boundary between the IC chip CM22 and the IC chip CP22, specifically, between the IC chip CM22 and the IC chip CP22, between the IC chip CM22 and the IC chip CP22, and a data transmission path L4 such as wiring on a printed circuit board.

[0105] When the functional unit 111B transmits data to the switch device 101A, the IC chip CM21 stores the time when the data passes through the measurement reference position X3, i.e., the transmission time when the data is output to the IC chip CP21, as a timestamp in the storage unit 83B. Then, the IC chip CP21 performs PHY layer processing on the data received from the IC chip CM21, and outputs the data to the outside of the functional unit 111B via the communication port 84B. The transmission delay time from when the IC chip CM21 stores the transmission time of the data to when the data is output to the outside of the functional unit 111B, i.e., when the data is output from the output terminal of the functional unit 111B, is defined as "T31".

[0106] When the switch device 101A receives data from the functional unit 111B, the IC chip CP22 performs PHY layer processing on the data received from the outside via the communication port 54B and outputs the data to the IC chip CM22. The IC chip CM22 stores the time when the data from the IC chip CP22 passes through the measurement reference position X4, that is, the reception time when the data is received from the IC chip CP22, as a timestamp in the storage unit 53. The transmission delay time from when the switch device 101A receives data from the outside at the input end to when the IC chip CM22 stores the reception time of the data is "T41".

[0107] (b) When sending data from the Responder to the Initiator When the switch device 101A transmits data to the functional unit 111B, the IC chip CM22 stores the time when the data passes through the measurement reference position X4, i.e., the transmission time when the data is output to the IC chip CP22, as a timestamp in the storage unit 53. Then, the IC chip CP22 performs PHY layer processing on the data received from the IC chip CM22, and outputs the data to the outside of the switch device 101A via the communication port 54B. The transmission delay time from when the IC chip CM22 stores the transmission time of the data to when the data is output to the outside of the switch device 101A, i.e., when the data is output from the output end of the switch device 101A, is set to "T42".

[0108] When the functional unit 111B receives data from the switch device 101A, the IC chip CP21 performs PHY layer processing on the data received from the outside via the communication port 84B and outputs the data to the IC chip CM21. The IC chip CM21 stores the time when the data from the IC chip CP21 passes through the measurement reference position X3, that is, the reception time when the data is received from the IC chip CP21, as a timestamp in the storage unit 83B. The transmission delay time from when the functional unit 111B receives data from the outside at the input end to when the IC chip CM21 stores the reception time of the data is "T32".

[0109] (Maintaining transmission time table) FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of delay time information stored in a storage unit in a slave side functional unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0110] 7 to 9, the memory unit 83B in the functional unit 111B stores a table Stb showing delay time information including the above-mentioned transmission delay times T31, T32 when the functional unit 111B itself is the Initiator, and the above-mentioned transmission delay times T41, T42 in the switch device 101A that is the Responder.

[0111] (Propagation delay time Td2 correction) A correcting unit 92B in the functional unit 111B, for example, refers to the delay time information indicated by the table Stb stored in the storage unit 83B and corrects the propagation delay time Td2 calculated by the processing unit 91B.

[0112] More specifically, the correction unit 92B calculates a correction value Cv, similar to the correction unit 64 in the switch device 101A, and subtracts the correction value Cv from the propagation delay time Td2 as a correction of the propagation delay time Td2. Then, the correction unit 92B notifies the processing unit 91B of the propagation delay time Ttx, which is the corrected propagation delay time (Td2-Cv), as the propagation delay time at the time of transmitting the message to the switch device 101A.

[0113] Moreover, the correction unit 92B adds the correction value Cv to the propagation delay time Td2 as a correction of the propagation delay time Td2. Then, the correction unit 64 notifies the processing unit 91B of the propagation delay time Ttr, which is the corrected propagation delay time (Td2+Cv), as the propagation delay time at the time of receiving the message from the switch device 101A.

[0114] The processing unit 91B stores the propagation delay times Ttx and Ttr notified by the correction unit 92B in the storage unit 83B. The processing unit 91B also calculates a time difference D2 between the time of the switching device 101A and the time of the functional unit 111B, for example, using the transmission time tm2 of the Sync message in the switching device 101A and the reception time ty2 of the Sync message, as well as the propagation delay time Ttr.

[0115] Specifically, the processing unit 91B calculates the time difference D2=tm2+Ttr-ty2, and corrects the time in its own functional unit 111B using the calculated time difference D2, thereby establishing time synchronization with the switch device 101A.

[0116] Here, when time synchronization is established between the master functional unit 111A and the switch device 101A, the time included in the follow-up message transmitted from the switch device 101A to the functional unit 111B is the time synchronized with the functional unit 111A. Therefore, the processing unit 91B in the functional unit 111B corrects the time, thereby establishing time synchronization between the functional unit 111B and the switch device 101A, and as a result, time synchronization is established between the functional units 111B and 111A.

[0117] 1, at least one of the initiator and the responder is the switch device 101, but the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. In other words, both the initiator and the responder may be the functional unit 111.

[0118] In addition, in the in-vehicle communication system 301, the master functional unit 111A does not hold delay time information because it is not an initiator in relation to other in-vehicle devices. However, the functional unit 111A is not limited to such a configuration, and may hold, for example, delay time information of the communication port 84A.

[0119] <Operation flow> Next, an operation of an in-vehicle device acting as an initiator in the in-vehicle communication system 301 when performing time synchronization with an in-vehicle device acting as a responder will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0120] Each device in the in-vehicle communication system 301 includes a computer including a memory, and a processor such as a CPU in the computer reads out a program including some or all of the steps in the following flowcharts from the memory and executes it. Each of the programs for the multiple devices can be installed from the outside. Each of the programs for the multiple devices is distributed in a state stored in a recording medium or via a communication line.

[0121] 10 is a flowchart that defines an operation procedure when an in-vehicle device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure performs time synchronization with another in-vehicle device. Here, as an example, an operation procedure when a switch device 101A performs time synchronization with a master side functional unit 111A will be described.

[0122] 10, first, processing unit 63 transmits a request message for requesting time information to functional unit 111A via relay unit 51 and communication port 54A. Control unit 62 also stores transmission time t1 of the request message as a timestamp in storage unit 53 (step S101).

[0123] Next, the control unit 62 receives the response message transmitted from the functional unit 111A via the communication port 54A, and notifies the processing unit 63 of the time t2 at which the request message was received by the functional unit 111A, which is included in the response message (step S102).

[0124] Next, the control unit 62 receives the follow-up message transmitted from the functional unit 111A via the communication port 54A, and notifies the processing unit 63 of the transmission time t3 of the response message in the functional unit 111A, which is included in the follow-up message. The control unit 62 also stores the reception time t4 of the response message as a timestamp in the storage unit 53 (step S103).

[0125] Next, the processing unit 63 calculates the data propagation delay time Td1 between the functional unit 111A and the switch device 101A based on the times t2 and t3 notified by the control unit 62 and the times t1 and t4 stored in the memory unit 53 (step S104).

[0126] Next, the correction unit 64 refers to the delay time information indicated in the table Sta stored in the memory unit 53, corrects the propagation delay time Td1 calculated by the processing unit 63, and notifies the processing unit 63 of the corrected propagation delay time (step S105).

[0127] Next, the processing unit 63 calculates the time difference D1 between the time of the functional unit 111A and the time of the switching device 101A based on the corrected propagation delay time notified by the correction unit 64 (step S106). Then, the processing unit 63 corrects the time of its own switching device 101A using the calculated time difference D1. This establishes time synchronization between the functional unit 111A and the switching device 101A (step S107).

[0128] The above-described embodiments should be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, not the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0129] The above description includes the following additional features. [Appendix 1] An in-vehicle device, a storage unit that stores delay time information including a first set of a first transmission delay time from the outside to a measurement reference position of a data reception time in the vehicle-mounted device itself and a second transmission delay time from the outside to a measurement reference position of a data reception time in the vehicle-mounted device itself, or a second set of a third transmission delay time from the measurement reference position of a data transmission time in the vehicle-mounted device itself to the outside and a fourth transmission delay time from the measurement reference position of a data transmission time in the vehicle-mounted device itself to the outside; A processing unit that measures a propagation delay time between the device itself and the other device by transmitting and receiving information for time synchronization between the device itself and the other device; A correction unit that corrects the propagation delay time measured by the processing unit based on the delay time information stored in the storage unit; a time synchronization unit that performs time synchronization between the device itself and the other device based on the propagation delay time corrected by the correction unit; The processing unit measures the propagation delay time in accordance with the IEEE 802.1 standard; the delay time information includes both the first set and the second set; the correction unit calculates a correction value using a difference between the fourth transmission delay time and the third transmission delay time, and a difference between the first transmission delay time and the second transmission delay time, and adds the correction value to the propagation delay time or subtracts the correction value from the propagation delay time to correct the propagation delay time.

[0130] [Appendix 2] A first in-vehicle device; A second in-vehicle device, the first vehicle-mounted device stores delay time information including a first set of a first transmission delay time from the outside to a measurement reference position of the data reception time in the first vehicle-mounted device and a second transmission delay time from the outside to a measurement reference position of the data reception time in the second vehicle-mounted device, or a second set of a third transmission delay time from the measurement reference position of the data transmission time in the first vehicle-mounted device to the outside and a fourth transmission delay time from the measurement reference position of the data transmission time in the second vehicle-mounted device to the outside; the first in-vehicle device measures a propagation delay time of data between the first in-vehicle device and the second in-vehicle device by transmitting and receiving information for time synchronization between the first in-vehicle device and the second in-vehicle device, corrects the measured propagation delay time based on the stored delay time information, and performs time synchronization with the second in-vehicle device based on the corrected propagation delay time; the first in-vehicle device is a switch device capable of relaying data between a plurality of in-vehicle devices; the second in-vehicle device is a master-side functional unit that holds a reference time in an in-vehicle communication system including the first device and the other device, Further, a third in-vehicle device connected to the first in-vehicle device, the third vehicle-mounted device stores delay time information including a third set of a fifth transmission delay time from the outside to a measurement reference position of the reception time of data in the third vehicle-mounted device and a sixth transmission delay time from the outside to a measurement reference position of the reception time of data in the first vehicle-mounted device, or a fourth set of a seventh transmission delay time from the measurement reference position of the transmission time of data in the third vehicle-mounted device to the outside and an eighth transmission delay time from the measurement reference position of the transmission time of data in the first vehicle-mounted device to the outside; An in-vehicle communication system in which the third in-vehicle device measures a data propagation delay time between the third in-vehicle device and the first in-vehicle device by transmitting and receiving information for time synchronization between the third in-vehicle device and the first in-vehicle device, corrects the measured propagation delay time based on the stored delay time information, and performs time synchronization with the first in-vehicle device based on the corrected propagation delay time. [Explanation of symbols]

[0131] 1 vehicle 10 Ethernet cable 51 Relay Section 52,82A,82B Time synchronization part 53,83A,83B Storage section 54, 54A~54H, 84A~84F Communication port 61 Switch section 62 Control section 63,91B Processing section 64,92B Correction section 81A, 81B Communication section 101, 101A, 101B Switching device 111,111A~111F Functional part 301 In-vehicle communication system CM11, CP11, CM12, CP12 IC chip CM21, CP21, CM22, CP22 IC chip M11, M12, M21, M22 MAC processing section P11, P12, P21, P22 PHY processing section X1~X4 Measurement reference position L1~L4 transmission path Sta,Stb Table

Claims

1. An in-vehicle device, a storage unit that stores delay time information including a first set of a first transmission delay time from the outside to a measurement reference position of a data reception time in the vehicle-mounted device itself and a second transmission delay time from the outside to a measurement reference position of a data reception time in the vehicle-mounted device itself, or a second set of a third transmission delay time from the measurement reference position of a data transmission time in the vehicle-mounted device itself to the outside and a fourth transmission delay time from the measurement reference position of a data transmission time in the vehicle-mounted device itself to the outside; A processing unit that measures a propagation delay time between the device itself and the other device by transmitting and receiving information for time synchronization between the device itself and the other device; A correction unit that corrects the propagation delay time measured by the processing unit based on the delay time information stored in the storage unit; a time synchronization unit that performs time synchronization between the device itself and the other device based on the propagation delay time corrected by the correction unit; The device further includes a relay unit capable of relaying data between three or more communication ports, the storage unit stores the delay time information for each of the communication ports, the delay time information being for a portion of the communication ports among the three or more communication ports; The correction unit corrects the propagation delay time measured by the processing unit based on the delay time information of the part of the communication ports stored in the memory unit.

2. The in-vehicle device according to claim 1 , wherein the delay time information includes both the first set and the second set.

3. 3. The in-vehicle device according to claim 1, wherein each of the measurement reference positions is located between a MAC (Medium Access Control) processing unit that performs processing of a MAC layer and a PHY (Physical) processing unit that performs processing of a PHY layer.

4. A first in-vehicle device; A second in-vehicle device, the first vehicle-mounted device stores delay time information including a first set of a first transmission delay time from the outside to a measurement reference position of the reception time of data in the first vehicle-mounted device and a second transmission delay time from the outside to a measurement reference position of the reception time of data in the second vehicle-mounted device, or a second set of a third transmission delay time from the measurement reference position of the transmission time of data in the first vehicle-mounted device to the outside and a fourth transmission delay time from the measurement reference position of the transmission time of data in the second vehicle-mounted device to the outside; the first in-vehicle device measures a propagation delay time of data between the first in-vehicle device and the second in-vehicle device by transmitting and receiving information for time synchronization between the first in-vehicle device and the second in-vehicle device, corrects the measured propagation delay time based on the stored delay time information, and performs time synchronization with the second in-vehicle device based on the corrected propagation delay time; the first in-vehicle device is capable of relaying data through three or more communication ports; the first in-vehicle device stores the delay time information for each of the communication ports, the delay time information being for a portion of the communication ports among the three or more communication ports; The first vehicle-mounted device corrects the measured propagation delay time based on the stored delay time information of the part of the communication ports.

5. A time synchronization method for an in-vehicle device, comprising: the on-vehicle device stores delay time information including a first set of a first transmission delay time from the outside to a measurement reference position of the reception time of data in the on-vehicle device itself and a second transmission delay time from the outside to a measurement reference position of the reception time of data in the other on-vehicle device itself, or a second set of a third transmission delay time from the measurement reference position of the transmission time of data in the on-vehicle device itself to the outside and a fourth transmission delay time from the measurement reference position of the transmission time of data in the other device to the outside; measuring a propagation delay time between the device itself and the other device by transmitting and receiving information for time synchronization between the device itself and the other device; correcting the measured propagation delay time based on the stored delay time information; performing time synchronization between the device itself and the other device based on the corrected propagation delay time; The device is capable of relaying data through three or more communication ports, the device stores the delay time information for each of the communication ports, the delay time information for a portion of the communication ports among the three or more communication ports; A time synchronization method, wherein in the step of correcting the propagation delay time, the measured propagation delay time is corrected based on the stored delay time information of the part of the communication ports.

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