On-board device, on-board communication system, and communication management method

Abstract

An onboard device that is to be installed in a vehicle and comprises: a measurement unit that measures the characteristics of transmission paths of an onboard network that is installed in the vehicle; and an identification unit that identifies the transmission paths on the basis of the characteristics measured by the measurement unit.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an in-vehicle device, an in-vehicle communication system, and a communication management method. This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-182571, filed on October 3, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 (JP 2017-092621 A) discloses the following communication device: That is, the communication device includes a degradation diagnosis unit that diagnoses degradation of a communication system configured via a wired or wireless transmission path, and a degradation prediction unit that predicts degradation of the communication system based on a diagnosis result of the degradation diagnosis unit.

[0003] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 (International Publication No. 2015 / 052879) discloses the following distortion compensation system. That is, the distortion compensation system includes a first communication node (4, 104, 204) including a first receiving unit (13, 113) having an equalizer (12, 112) configured using a first digital filter (FF1, FB1, FF101) and a first transmitting unit (10, 110) having an emphasis circuit (8, 108) configured using a second digital filter (FF2, FB2, FF102), and a second transmitting unit (204) that transmits a predetermined training pattern to the first communication node through a first transmission line (6, 6a, 206a) before receiving normal data from the first transmitting unit of the first communication node. and a second communication node (5, 105, 205a) having a first receiving unit and a second transmitting unit of the first communication node, the first communication node being configured to receive a training pattern transmitted by a second transmitting unit of the second communication node, the equalizer converging a filter constant of a first digital filter so that the training pattern can be received with an error converged, and the first transmitting unit of the first communication node uses the converged filter constant of the first digital filter as at least a part of the filter constant of a second digital filter of the emphasis circuit to compensate for distortion and transmit normal data. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-092621 A [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. 2015 / 052879 Summary of the Invention

[0005] The on-board device of the present disclosure is an on-board device mounted on a vehicle, and includes a measurement unit that measures characteristics of a transmission path in an on-board network mounted on the vehicle, and an identification unit that identifies the transmission path based on the characteristics measured by the measurement unit.

[0006] The in-vehicle communication system of the present disclosure includes a first in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle and a second in-vehicle device mounted on the vehicle, the first in-vehicle device and the second in-vehicle device are connected via a transmission path in an in-vehicle network mounted on the vehicle, the first in-vehicle device transmits a target signal to the second in-vehicle device via the transmission path, the second in-vehicle device measures the target signal received from the first in-vehicle device and transmits a response signal indicating the measurement result to the first in-vehicle device, the first in-vehicle device measures characteristics of the transmission path based on the response signal received from the second in-vehicle device, and the first in-vehicle device identifies the transmission path based on the measured characteristics.

[0007] The communication management method disclosed herein is a communication management method in an on-board device mounted in a vehicle, and includes a step of measuring characteristics of a transmission path in an on-board network mounted in the vehicle, and a step of identifying the transmission path based on the measured characteristics.

[0008] The communication management method disclosed herein is a communication management method in an in-vehicle communication system comprising a first in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle and a second in-vehicle device mounted on the vehicle, in which the first in-vehicle device and the second in-vehicle device are connected via a transmission path in an in-vehicle network mounted on the vehicle, and includes the steps of: the first in-vehicle device transmitting a target signal to the second in-vehicle device via the transmission path; the second in-vehicle device transmitting to the first in-vehicle device a response signal indicating a measurement result of the target signal received from the first in-vehicle device; the first in-vehicle device measuring characteristics of the transmission path based on the measurement result received from the second in-vehicle device; and the first in-vehicle device identifying the transmission path based on the measured characteristics.

[0009] One aspect of the present disclosure may be realized as a semiconductor integrated circuit that realizes a part or all of an in-vehicle device, or as a program for causing a computer to execute processing steps in the in-vehicle device.

[0010] In addition, one aspect of the present disclosure may be realized as a semiconductor integrated circuit that realizes a part or all of an in-vehicle communication system, or as a program for causing a computer to execute processing steps in the in-vehicle communication system. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an in-vehicle network according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a master device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication unit according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a measurement result of an insertion loss in an Ethernet cable of the in-vehicle communication system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of correspondence information in a storage unit according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a slave device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating another example of the configuration of the slave device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart defining an operation procedure when the master device adjusts a transmission operation and a reception operation in the in-vehicle communication system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sequence of a process for identifying a target cable in the in-vehicle communication system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication system according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of correspondence information in a server of the communication system according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an in-vehicle communication system according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Conventionally, various functions related to transmission paths in in-vehicle networks have been developed.

[0013] [Problem that this disclosure aims to solve] There is a demand for technology that can improve the functionality of transmission paths in in-vehicle networks.

[0014] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide an in-vehicle device, an in-vehicle communication system, and a communication management method that can improve functions related to transmission paths in an in-vehicle network.

[0015] [Effects of this disclosure] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the functionality related to transmission paths in an in-vehicle network.

[0016] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, the contents of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described.

[0017] (1) An in-vehicle device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle, and includes a measurement unit that measures characteristics of a transmission path in an in-vehicle network mounted on the vehicle, and an identification unit that identifies the transmission path based on the characteristics measured by the measurement unit.

[0018] In this way, by using a configuration that identifies a transmission path based on the measurement results of the characteristics of the transmission path in the in-vehicle network, i.e., the electrical characteristics of the low layer, it is possible to identify components of the transmission path and perform various appropriate processes according to the identification results. Therefore, it is possible to improve the functions related to the transmission path in the in-vehicle network.

[0019] (2) Preferably, the vehicle-mounted device further includes a communication unit that communicates with other vehicle-mounted devices via the transmission path, and an adjustment unit that performs an adjustment process to adjust at least one of the transmission operation and the reception operation of a communication signal by the communication unit based on an identification result of the identification unit.

[0020] With this configuration, for example, the frequency characteristics of the transmission path in the band of the communication signal can be compensated for in accordance with the identification result, thereby improving the communication quality in the in-vehicle network.

[0021] (3) More preferably, the adjustment unit adjusts the transmitting operation and the receiving operation in the adjustment process.

[0022] With this configuration, it is possible to improve both the quality of the communication signal to be transmitted from a first in-vehicle device, which is one example of an in-vehicle device, to a second in-vehicle device, which is another example of an in-vehicle device, and the quality of the communication signal to be transmitted from the second in-vehicle device to the first in-vehicle device, thereby further improving the communication quality in the first in-vehicle device and the second in-vehicle device.

[0023] (4) More preferably, the in-vehicle device further includes a memory unit that stores correspondence information indicating a correspondence relationship between the identification result and operating parameters related to the adjustment processing, and the adjustment unit performs the adjustment processing using the correspondence information.

[0024] With this configuration, the adjustment process can be performed using the correspondence relationship between the identification result and the motion parameter that is generated in advance, and therefore the adjustment process can be simplified.

[0025] (5) More preferably, the communication unit is further capable of communicating with the outside of the vehicle, and the in-vehicle device further includes an update unit that updates the correspondence information based on information received from the outside of the vehicle via the communication unit.

[0026] With this configuration, for example, the verification results in another vehicle can be reflected in the adjustment process in the vehicle itself, thereby improving the accuracy of the adjustment process by the adjustment unit.

[0027] (6) More preferably, the adjustment unit acquires an evaluation result regarding the quality of communication by the communication unit from the communication unit, updates correspondence information indicating a correspondence relationship between the identification result and an operating parameter related to the adjustment process based on the acquired evaluation result, performs the adjustment process using the updated correspondence information, and the communication unit transmits the updated correspondence information to a device outside the vehicle.

[0028] In this way, by updating the correspondence information in the on-board device of one's own vehicle and transmitting the updated correspondence information to a device outside the vehicle, it is possible to update the correspondence information taking into account the in-vehicle environment of one's own vehicle, and it is also possible to reflect the updated correspondence information in adjustment processing in other vehicles, for example.

[0029] (7) An in-vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle and a second in-vehicle device mounted on the vehicle, the first in-vehicle device and the second in-vehicle device are connected via a transmission path in an in-vehicle network mounted on the vehicle, the first in-vehicle device transmits a target signal to the second in-vehicle device via the transmission path, the second in-vehicle device measures the target signal received from the first in-vehicle device and transmits a response signal indicating the measurement result to the first in-vehicle device, the first in-vehicle device measures characteristics of the transmission path based on the response signal received from the second in-vehicle device, and the first in-vehicle device identifies the transmission path based on the measured characteristics.

[0030] In this way, by using a configuration that identifies the transmission path based on the measurement results of the characteristics of the transmission path connecting the first device and the second device in the in-vehicle network, i.e., the electrical characteristics of the low layer, it is possible to identify components of the transmission path between the first device and the second device and perform various appropriate processes according to the identification results. Therefore, it is possible to improve the functions related to the transmission path in the in-vehicle network.

[0031] (8) A communication management method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a communication management method in an on-board device mounted in a vehicle, and includes a step of measuring characteristics of a transmission path in an on-board network mounted in the vehicle, and a step of identifying the transmission path based on the measured characteristics.

[0032] In this way, by using a method for identifying a transmission path based on the measurement results of the characteristics of the transmission path in an in-vehicle network, i.e., the electrical characteristics of the low layer, it is possible to identify components of the transmission path and perform various appropriate processes according to the identification results. Therefore, it is possible to improve the functions related to the transmission path in the in-vehicle network.

[0033] (9) A communication management method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a communication management method in an in-vehicle communication system comprising a first in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle and a second in-vehicle device mounted on the vehicle, in which the first in-vehicle device and the second in-vehicle device are connected via a transmission path in an in-vehicle network mounted on the vehicle, and includes a step in which the first in-vehicle device transmits a target signal to the second in-vehicle device via the transmission path, a step in which the second in-vehicle device transmits to the first in-vehicle device a response signal indicating a measurement result of the target signal received from the first in-vehicle device, a step in which the first in-vehicle device measures characteristics of the transmission path based on the measurement result received from the second in-vehicle device, and a step in which the first in-vehicle device identifies the transmission path based on the measured characteristics.

[0034] In this way, by using a method for identifying the characteristics of a transmission path connecting a first in-vehicle device and a second in-vehicle device in an in-vehicle network, i.e., a measurement result of low-layer electrical characteristics, it is possible to identify components of the transmission path between the first in-vehicle device and the second in-vehicle device and to perform various appropriate processes according to the identification result. Therefore, it is possible to improve the functions related to the transmission path in the in-vehicle network.

[0035] 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.

[0036] <First embodiment> [In-vehicle communication system] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] 1, the communication system 500 includes a server 400 and one or more in-vehicle communication systems 300. The in-vehicle communication system 300 is mounted on a vehicle 1.

[0038] The in-vehicle communication system 300 includes a master unit 100 and a slave unit 200. The master unit 100 is an example of a first in-vehicle unit. The slave unit 200 is an example of a second in-vehicle unit. The master unit 100 and the slave unit 200 are mounted on a vehicle 1.

[0039] The master unit 100 and the slave unit 200 are connected via a transmission path 2 in an in-vehicle network mounted in a vehicle 1 .

[0040] In addition, the in-vehicle communication system 300 may be configured in such a way that a plurality of slave devices 200 are connected to one master device 100 via corresponding transmission paths 2, or in such a way that a plurality of master devices 100 are connected to one slave device 200 via corresponding transmission paths 2.

[0041] The master device 100 and the slave device 200 are capable of communicating with each other via a transmission path 2 .

[0042] The transmission path 2 includes, for example, a connector connectable to the master device 100, a connector connectable to the slave device 200, and a cable capable of transmitting various signals. The transmission path 2 is, for example, a differential transmission path. Specifically, the transmission path 2 is, for example, an Ethernet (registered trademark) cable.

[0043] The master unit 100 measures the characteristics of the transmission line 2. More specifically, the master unit 100 measures the characteristic impedance of the transmission line 2 or the insertion loss of the transmission line 2.

[0044] For example, the master device 100 measures the characteristic impedance of the transmission line 2 using a method according to TDR (Time Domain Reflectometry).

[0045] Alternatively, for example, the master unit 100 transmits a plurality of target signals having different frequencies to the slave unit 200 via the transmission path 2. The master unit 100 transmits, for example, a measurement signal or a communication signal, which will be described later, to the slave unit 200 as the target signal.

[0046] For example, the slave device 200 measures the target signal received from the master device 100 and transmits a response signal indicating the measurement result to the master device 100.

[0047] The master unit 100 measures the characteristics of the transmission path 2, such as the insertion loss, based on the response signal received from the slave unit 200. More specifically, the master unit 100 measures the insertion loss in the transmission path 2 using the target signal transmitted by itself and the response signal received from the slave unit 200.

[0048] The master unit 100 identifies the transmission path 2 based on the characteristics of the transmission path 2 measured as described above. More specifically, the master unit 100 identifies the manufacturer of the transmission path 2, the model number of the transmission path 2, and the layout state of the transmission path 2 in the in-vehicle network based on the measured characteristics.

[0049] For example, the master unit 100 adjusts at least one of the operation of transmitting a communication signal to the slave unit 200 and the operation of receiving a communication signal from the slave unit 200 based on the identification result.

[0050] More specifically, the master unit 100 corrects at least one of the communication signal to be transmitted to the slave unit 200 and the communication signal received from the slave unit 200 based on the identification result.

[0051] Also, for example, the master device 100 transmits to the slave device 200 a communication signal including identification information indicating the identification result.

[0052] The slave device 200 adjusts at least one of the transmission operation of the communication signal to be transmitted to the master device 100 and the reception operation of the communication signal received from the master device 100 based on the identification information included in the communication signal received from the master device 100.

[0053] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an in-vehicle network according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0054] 2, the in-vehicle network 310 includes switch devices 110A, 110B, and 110C, sensors 120A, 120B, and 120C, an autonomous driving ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 130, driving control ECUs 140A, 140B, and 140C, and a TCU 150. The in-vehicle network 310 is mounted on a vehicle 1.

[0055] For example, the driving control ECUs 140A, 140B, and 140C are an accelerator control ECU, a brake control ECU, and a steering control ECU, respectively.

[0056] Hereinafter, each of the switch devices 110A, 110B, and 110C will also be referred to as a switch device 110. Each of the sensors 120A, 120B, and 120C will also be referred to as a sensor 120. Each of the drive control ECUs 140A, 140B, and 140C will also be referred to as a drive control ECU 140.

[0057] The switch device 110, the sensor 120, the autonomous driving ECU 130, the driving control ECU 140, and the TCU 150 in the in-vehicle network 310 are examples of in-vehicle devices. More specifically, these in-vehicle devices are examples of the master device 100 and examples of the slave device 200.

[0058] That is, in this example, the in-vehicle device can operate both as the master device 100 and as the slave device 200. Note that the in-vehicle device may be configured to operate either as the master device 100 or as the slave device 200.

[0059] In the in-vehicle network 310, the connection relationships among the switch device 110, the sensor 120, the autonomous driving ECU 130, the driving control ECU 140, and the TCU 150 are, for example, fixed.

[0060] The switch device 110A and the switch device 110B are connected to each other via an Ethernet cable 3. The switch device 110A is connected to the sensor 120 and the autonomous driving ECU 130 via the Ethernet cable 3. The switch device 110B is connected to the TCU 150 via the Ethernet cable 3. The switch device 110C is connected to the driving control ECU 140 and the autonomous driving ECU 130 via the Ethernet cable 3.

[0061] Data is transmitted and received between the in-vehicle devices in the in-vehicle network 310. Specifically, in the in-vehicle network 310, Ethernet frames are transmitted and received between the in-vehicle devices in accordance with, for example, the IEEE802.3 communication standard.

[0062] In addition, the in-vehicle network 310 may be configured to transmit and receive data between the in-vehicle devices in accordance with communication standards other than the IEEE802.3 communication standard, such as CAN (Controller Area Network) (registered trademark), FlexRay (registered trademark), MOST (Media Oriented Systems Transport) (registered trademark), and LIN (Local Interconnect Network).

[0063] The switch device 110 relays Ethernet frames exchanged between the vehicle-mounted devices.

[0064] The sensor 120 is, for example, a detection device that detects objects around the vehicle 1. More specifically, the sensor 120 is, for example, a millimeter wave sensor that measures objects around the vehicle 1 and generates an Ethernet frame including sensor information indicating the measurement result.

[0065] The sensor 120 transmits the generated Ethernet frame to the autonomous driving ECU 130 via the switch device 110A.

[0066] When the autonomous driving ECU 130 receives an Ethernet frame from the sensor 120 via the switch device 110A, it acquires sensor information from the received Ethernet frame. The autonomous driving ECU 130 detects objects around the vehicle 1 based on the measurement results indicated by the sensor information, and controls the driving control ECU 140 based on the detection results.

[0067] Specifically, based on the detection results, the autonomous driving ECU 130 generates an Ethernet frame including various control information for controlling, for example, the accelerator, brake, and steering of the vehicle 1, and transmits the generated Ethernet frame to the driving control ECU 140 via the switch device 110C.

[0068] When the driving control ECU 140 receives an Ethernet frame from the autonomous driving ECU 130, it acquires control information from the received Ethernet frame.

[0069] The driving control ECU 140 controls the accelerator, brakes, and steering of the vehicle 1 in accordance with the control information.

[0070] When the driving control ECU 140 completes control of the accelerator, brakes, and steering of the vehicle 1, it generates an Ethernet frame including completion information indicating that the control has been completed, and transmits the generated Ethernet frame to the autonomous driving ECU 130 via the switch device 110C.

[0071] The TCU 150 is capable of communicating with a server 400 outside the vehicle 1. In particular, with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the TCU 150 is capable of communicating with the server 400 via a wireless base station device 420 by using, for example, an IP packet.

[0072] More specifically, the TCU 150 is capable of wireless communication with a wireless base station device 420 outside the vehicle 1 in accordance with a communication standard such as LTE (Long Term Evolution) or 3G.

[0073] Specifically, when the wireless base station device 420 receives an IP packet from the server 400 outside the vehicle 1 via the external network 410 , the wireless base station device 420 transmits the received IP packet to the TCU 150 by including the packet in a wireless signal.

[0074] For example, when TCU 150 receives a wireless signal including an IP packet from a server from wireless base station device 420, it acquires the IP packet from the received wireless signal, stores the acquired IP packet in an Ethernet frame, and transmits the frame to switch device 110B.

[0075] Furthermore, when TCU 150 receives an Ethernet frame from switching device 110B, it acquires an IP packet from the received Ethernet frame, and transmits the acquired IP packet to wireless base station device 420 by including the IP packet in a wireless signal.

[0076] When the wireless base station device 420 receives a wireless signal from the TCU 150 , it acquires an IP packet from the received wireless signal and transmits the acquired IP packet to the server 400 via the external network 410 .

[0077] [Master device] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a master device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0078] 3, the master device 100 includes a communication unit 10, a processing unit 20, a measurement unit 30, an identification unit 40, an adjustment unit 50, a storage unit 60, an update unit 70, communication ports 80A and 80B, and front-end circuits 90A and 90B. The storage unit 60 is, for example, a flash memory. The storage unit 60 may be provided outside the master device 100.

[0079] The communication ports 80A, 80B are, for example, terminals to which a connector of the Ethernet cable 3 can be connected. Hereinafter, each of the communication ports 80A, 80B will also be referred to as a communication port 80.

[0080] The front-end circuit 90A is connected between a node N1 between the communication port 80A and the communication unit 10 and a ground node. The front-end circuit 90B is connected between a node N2 between the communication port 80B and the communication unit 10 and a ground node. Hereinafter, each of the front-end circuits 90A and 90B will also be referred to as a front-end circuit 90.

[0081] For example, the front-end circuit 90 is a circuit that protects the master device 100 from static electricity, etc. The front-end circuit 90 is formed of, for example, a bidirectional Zener diode.

[0082] The master unit 100 is not limited to having two communication ports 80, and may have one or three or more communication ports 80. For example, the master unit 100 may have communication ports 80 in a number corresponding to the number of in-vehicle devices connected to the master unit 100.

[0083] Specifically, the switch device 110C, which is an example of the master device 100, includes four communication ports 80 corresponding to the autonomous driving ECU 130 and the driving control ECU 140, which are in-vehicle devices connected to the switch device 110C.

[0084] The processing unit 20 outputs to the communication unit 10 an Ethernet frame to be transmitted to another in-vehicle device.

[0085] For example, the processing unit 20 in the sensor 120 serving as the master device 100 generates an Ethernet frame including sensor information indicating a measurement result, and outputs the generated Ethernet frame to the communication unit 10.

[0086] Alternatively, for example, the autonomous driving ECU 130 serving as the master device 100 generates an Ethernet frame including various types of control information and outputs the generated Ethernet frame to the communication unit 10.

[0087] [Communications Department] The communication unit 10 communicates with other in-vehicle devices via the Ethernet cable 3 connected to itself.

[0088] More specifically, the communication unit 10 transmits an Ethernet frame received from the processing unit 20 to an in-vehicle device corresponding to a destination MAC (Media Access Control) address included in the Ethernet frame via a corresponding communication port 80.

[0089] Furthermore, when the communication unit 10 receives an Ethernet frame addressed to its own master device 100 from another vehicle-mounted device via the communication port 80 , the communication unit 10 outputs the received Ethernet frame to the processing unit 20 .

[0090] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication unit according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0091] With reference to FIG. 4, communication unit 10 includes a receiving unit 11 and a transmitting unit 12.

[0092] When the transmitter 12 receives an Ethernet frame from the processor 20, it converts a bit string representing the received Ethernet frame into a symbol string in accordance with a predetermined modulation method. The transmitter 12 then generates communication signals having levels corresponding to the symbols in the converted symbol string, starting from the first symbol, and transmits the generated communication signals to other in-vehicle devices via the communication port 80 and the Ethernet cable 3.

[0093] The receiver 11 receives a communication signal from another in-vehicle device via the Ethernet cable 3 and the communication port 80. The receiver 11 then demodulates the received communication signal in accordance with a predetermined modulation method to generate a symbol string, and converts the generated symbol string into a bit string, i.e., an Ethernet frame. The receiver 11 outputs the converted Ethernet frame to the processor 20.

[0094] When the processing unit 20 receives an Ethernet frame from the communication unit 10, the processing unit 20 performs a predetermined process using the received Ethernet frame.

[0095] For example, the processing unit 20 in the autonomous driving ECU 130 serving as the master device 100 detects objects around the vehicle 1 based on the measurement results indicated by the sensor information contained in the Ethernet frame from the sensor 120, and performs processing to generate an Ethernet frame including various control information based on the detection results.

[0096] The processing unit 20 then transmits the generated Ethernet frame via the communication unit 10 and the communication port 80 to another in-vehicle device, that is, the driving control ECU 140 .

[0097] Alternatively, for example, the processing unit 20 in the switching device 110 serving as the master device 100 performs relay processing of an Ethernet frame. Specifically, when the processing unit 20 receives an Ethernet frame from a source in-vehicle device via the communication unit 10 and the communication port 80, the processing unit 20 transmits the received Ethernet frame to a destination in-vehicle device via the communication unit 10 and the communication port 80.

[0098] The communication unit 10 is capable of communicating with the outside of the vehicle 1. For example, the communication unit 10 is capable of communicating with a server 400.

[0099] [Measurement part] Referring back to FIG. 3, the measurement unit 30 measures the characteristics of the Ethernet cable 3 in the in-vehicle network 310.

[0100] More specifically, the measurement unit 30 measures the characteristics of the Ethernet cable 3 connecting the master device 100, which is its own in-vehicle device, and the slave device 200. Hereinafter, each of the Ethernet cable 3 whose characteristics are to be measured by the measurement unit 30 and the Ethernet cable 3 whose characteristics are to be measured by a measurement unit 230 (described later) is also referred to as a target cable.

[0101] After measuring the characteristics of the target cable, the measurement unit 30 generates measurement information indicating the measurement results and outputs the generated measurement information to the identification unit 40.

[0102] For example, the measuring section 30 measures the characteristic impedance of the target cable as the characteristic of the target cable.

[0103] More specifically, with the termination process performed in the slave device 200, the measuring section 30 measures the characteristic impedance of the target cable using a method based on TDR.

[0104] Specifically, the measurement unit 30 outputs a measurement signal such as a high-speed pulse signal or a step signal to the target cable via the communication unit 10 and the communication port 80, and receives a reflected signal in response to the output measurement signal via the communication unit 10 and the communication port 80.

[0105] The measuring unit 30 then measures the characteristic impedance of the target cable based on the received reflected signal. The measuring unit 30 outputs to the identification unit 40 measurement information indicating the measurement result of the characteristic impedance of the target cable.

[0106] Alternatively, the measuring section 30 measures the insertion loss of the target cable as a characteristic of the target cable.

[0107] More specifically, after termination processing has been performed in the slave device 200, the measurement unit 30 transmits a plurality of target signals, such as measurement signals, having different frequencies to the slave device 200 connected to it via the target cable via the communication unit 10 and communication port 80.

[0108] The slave device 200 measures the target signal received from the measurement section 30 in the master device 100, and transmits a response signal indicating the measurement result to the master device 100.

[0109] When the measurement section 30 in the master device 100 receives a response from the slave device 200 via the target cable, the communication port 80 and the communication section 10, it measures the insertion loss in the target cable using the received response signal and the target signal that it sent.

[0110] The measuring section 30 outputs result information indicating the measurement result of the insertion loss in the target cable to the identifying section 40. The measuring section 30 outputs measurement information indicating the measurement result in Touchstone format to the identifying section 40, for example.

[0111] [Identification section] The identification unit 40 identifies the target cable based on the characteristics measured by the measurement unit 30.

[0112] More specifically, upon receiving the measurement information from the measurement unit 30, the identification unit 40 identifies the target cable based on the received measurement information.

[0113] Based on the measurement information received from the measurement unit 30, the identification unit 40 identifies the manufacturer of the target cable, the model number of the target cable, the routing state of the target cable in the in-vehicle network 310, and the like.

[0114] The identification unit 40 identifies the wiring status of the target cable in the in-vehicle network 310, for example, the length, radius of curvature, force received due to bundling with other Ethernet cables 3, length of the portion running parallel to other Ethernet cables 3 due to bundling, and the presence or absence of a relay terminal of the target cable wired in the in-vehicle network 3.

[0115] For example, the identification unit 40 detects a change on the time axis of the characteristic impedance indicated by the received measurement information, and identifies the target cable based on the detection result.

[0116] Alternatively, for example, the identification unit 40 detects the insertion loss indicated by the received measurement information, and identifies the target cable based on the detection result.

[0117] 5 is a diagram showing an example of a measurement result of an insertion loss in an Ethernet cable of the in-vehicle communication system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, in which the vertical axis indicates power loss and the horizontal axis indicates the frequency of the target signal.

[0118] Referring to Fig. 5, insertion loss waveform A shows the insertion loss in Ethernet cable 3A, which is manufactured by company X and has a length of 10 m. Insertion loss waveform B in Fig. 5 shows the insertion loss in Ethernet cable 3B, which is manufactured by company X, has a length of 10 m, and runs parallel to other Ethernet cables. Insertion loss waveform C in Fig. 5 shows the insertion loss in Ethernet cable 3C, which is manufactured by company X and has a length of 5 m.

[0119] The insertion loss in the Ethernet cable 3 increases as the frequency of the target signal increases, and suddenly increases at a certain frequency. Hereinafter, the frequency of the target signal at which the insertion loss of the Ethernet cable 3 starts to suddenly increase is referred to as the suckout frequency.

[0120] For example, the thickness of the insulation used in the Ethernet cable 3 and the weight of the Ethernet cable 3 may vary depending on the manufacturer of the Ethernet cable 3.

[0121] For this reason, the suckout frequency differs depending on, for example, the manufacturer of the Ethernet cable 3. In addition, the suckout frequency differs depending on, for example, the model number of the Ethernet cable 3 and the layout state of the Ethernet cable 3 in the in-vehicle network 310.

[0122] Specifically, for example, the insertion loss suckout frequency fA of the Ethernet cable 3A, the insertion loss suckout frequency fB of the Ethernet cable 3B, and the insertion loss suckout frequency fC of the Ethernet cable 3C are different from one another.

[0123] The identification unit 40 detects a suckout frequency based on the frequency characteristic of the insertion loss indicated by the measurement information received from the measurement unit 30, and identifies the target cable based on the detected suckout frequency.

[0124] When the identification unit 40 identifies the target cable, it generates identification information indicating the identification result and outputs the generated identification information to the adjustment unit 50.

[0125] [Adjustment section] The adjustment unit 50 performs an adjustment process to adjust at least one of the transmission operation and the reception operation of the communication signal by the communication unit 10, based on the identification result by the identification unit 40. For example, the adjustment unit 50 adjusts both the transmission operation and the reception operation of the communication signal by the communication unit 10 in the adjustment process.

[0126] 4, for example, transmitter 12 in communication unit 10 can correct a communication signal to be transmitted to slave device 200. Also, for example, receiver 11 in communication unit 10 can correct a communication signal received from slave device 200.

[0127] The adjustment unit 50 adjusts the content of correction of the communication signal to be transmitted by the transmitter 12 to the slave device 200 as a transmission operation of the communication signal by the communication unit 10. The adjustment unit 50 also adjusts the content of correction of the communication signal received from the slave device 200 by the receiver 11 as a reception operation of the communication signal by the communication unit 10.

[0128] More specifically, based on the identification result indicated by the identification information received from the identification unit 40, the adjustment unit 50 generates correction information A1 including correction details for the communication signal to be transmitted to the slave device 200 and an ID of the slave device 200, for example a MAC address.

[0129] Furthermore, based on the identification result indicated by the identification information received from the identification unit 40, the adjustment unit 50 generates correction information A2 including the correction content of the communication signal received from the slave device 200 and the ID of the slave device 200, for example, the MAC address.

[0130] Then, the adjustment unit 50 outputs the generated correction information A1 and correction information A2 to the communication unit 10.

[0131] Upon receiving the correction information A2 from the adjustment unit 50, the receiving unit 11 holds the received correction information A2. The receiving unit 11 corrects the communication signal received via the communication port 80 from the slave device 200 corresponding to the MAC address included in the correction information A2, in accordance with the correction content included in the held correction information A2.

[0132] For example, the receiving unit 11 has a compensation circuit such as an equalizer circuit or a DFE (Decision Feedback Equalizer) circuit.

[0133] The compensation circuit in the receiver 11 compensates for the frequency characteristics of the target cable in the band of the communication signal by compensating for the communication signal received from the slave device 200 in accordance with the compensation content included in the compensation information A2.

[0134] When the transmitting unit 12 receives the correction information A1 from the adjustment unit 50, the transmitting unit 12 holds the received correction information A1. The transmitting unit 12 corrects the communication signal received from the processing unit 20 and addressed to the slave device 200 corresponding to the MAC address included in the correction information A1, in accordance with the correction content included in the held correction information A1.

[0135] For example, the transmitter 12 includes a compensation circuit such as a pre-emphasis circuit or a de-emphasis circuit.

[0136] The compensation circuit in the transmission unit 12 compensates for the frequency characteristics of the target cable in the band of the communication signal by compensating for the communication signal addressed to the slave device 200 in accordance with the compensation content included in the compensation information A1.

[0137] For example, the storage unit 60 stores correspondence information indicating the correspondence between the identification result and the operation parameters related to the adjustment process.

[0138] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of correspondence information in a storage unit according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0139] 6, storage unit 60 stores correspondence information indicating the correspondence between the identification result of the Ethernet cable and the operation parameters. For example, storage unit 60 stores the above correspondence for each manufacturer of the compensation circuit in communication unit 10, the manufacturer of front-end circuit 90, the manufacturer of communication port 80, and the manufacturer of slave device 200.

[0140] For example, the storage unit 60 stores, as the operation parameters, correction parameters indicating the amplification factor of the communication signal by the receiver 11 and the amplification factor of the communication signal by the transmitter 12.

[0141] The adjustment unit 50 performs the adjustment process using the correspondence information in the storage unit 60 .

[0142] More specifically, when the adjustment section 50 receives the identification information from the identification section 40, the adjustment section 50 refers to the correspondence information in the storage section 60 to obtain the correction parameters corresponding to the identification result indicated by the identification information.

[0143] Then, the adjustment unit 50 generates correction information A1 and correction information A2 including the amplification factor of the communication signal indicated by the acquired correction parameter, and outputs the generated correction information A1 and A2 to the communication unit 10.

[0144] In addition, when the operating parameter corresponding to the identification result in the correspondence information indicates “no correction required,” the adjustment unit 50 may be configured to output correction information A1 and correction information A2 indicating that correction of the communication signal is not required to the communication unit 10, or may be configured not to output correction information A1 and correction information A2 to the communication unit 10.

[0145] Furthermore, the adjustment section 50 may be configured to transmit the correction information A1 and the correction information A2 to the slave device 200 via the communication section 10.

[0146] [Update section] The update unit 70 updates the correspondence information in the storage unit 60 based on information received from outside the vehicle 1 via the communication unit 10 .

[0147] The server 400 holds, for example, correspondence information for each model of the vehicle 1. The correspondence information in the server 400 is updated periodically or irregularly.

[0148] For example, when the vehicle 1 is shipped, the TCU 150 communicates with the server 400 to receive the latest correspondence information from the server 400. After the vehicle 1 is shipped, the TCU 150 periodically communicates with the server 400 to receive the latest correspondence information from the server 400.

[0149] The TCU 150 transmits the latest correspondence information received from the server 400 to other in-vehicle devices.

[0150] When the processing unit 20 of the in-vehicle device in the in-vehicle network 310 receives the correspondence information from the TCU 150 via the communication unit 10, the processing unit 20 outputs the received correspondence information to the update unit .

[0151] When the update unit 70 receives the correspondence information from the processing unit 20, it updates the correspondence information in the storage unit 60 using the received correspondence information.

[0152] Here, the characteristics of the Ethernet cable 3 in the in-vehicle network 310 may change over time, for example.

[0153] The measurement unit 30 measures the characteristics of the Ethernet cable 3 in the in-vehicle network 310 at specified calibration occasions such as turning on the accessory power of the vehicle 1, turning on the ignition power of the vehicle 1, initializing the in-vehicle device, changing the configuration of the in-vehicle network 310, and the occurrence of a communication error in the in-vehicle network 310.

[0154] The identification unit 40 then identifies the Ethernet cable 3 based on the characteristics measured by the measurement unit 30 .

[0155] The adjustment section 50 generates correction information A1 and correction information A2 based on the identification result of the identification section 40, and outputs the generated correction information A1 and correction information A2 to the communication section 10.

[0156] [Slave device] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a slave device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0157] 7, slave device 200 includes communication unit 210, processing unit 220, measurement unit 230, communication ports 280A and 280B, and front-end circuits 290A and 290B. Hereinafter, each of communication ports 280A and 280B will also be referred to as communication port 280, and each of front-end circuits 290A and 290B will also be referred to as front-end circuit 290.

[0158] The slave unit 200 is not limited to having two communication ports 280, and may have one or three or more communication ports 280. For example, the slave unit 200 may have communication ports 80 in a number corresponding to the number of in-vehicle units connected to the slave unit 200.

[0159] The function and operation of the processing unit 220 are similar to the function and operation of the processing unit 20 in the master device 100 .

[0160] The communication unit 210, like the communication unit 10 in the master unit 100, communicates with other in-vehicle devices via the Ethernet cable 3 connected to itself.

[0161] When the communication section 210 receives a plurality of target signals with different frequencies from the master device 100 , the communication section 210 outputs the received target signals to the measurement section 230 .

[0162] Upon receiving a target signal from the communication unit 210 , the measurement unit 230 measures the received target signal and transmits a response signal indicating the measurement result to the master device 100 via the communication unit 210 .

[0163] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating another example of the configuration of the slave device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0164] 8, slave device 200 includes a communication unit 210, a processing unit 220, a measurement unit 230, an identification unit 240, an adjustment unit 250, a storage unit 260, an update unit 270, a communication port 280, and a front-end circuit 290. Storage unit 260 is, for example, a flash memory. Note that storage unit 260 may be configured to be provided outside master device 100.

[0165] The functions and operations of the measurement unit 230 are similar to those of the measurement unit 30 in the master device 100, except that the measurement unit 230 transmits a response signal indicating the measurement result of the target signal received from the communication unit 210 to the master device 100 via the communication unit 210.

[0166] The functions and operations of the communication unit 210, the processing unit 220, the identification unit 240, the adjustment unit 250, the storage unit 260, and the update unit 270 are similar to the functions and operations of the communication unit 10, the processing unit 20, the identification unit 40, the adjustment unit 50, the storage unit 60, and the update unit 70 in the master device 100, respectively.

[0167] When the transmitting unit 12 in the communication unit 210 receives the correction information A1 from the master device 100, it corrects the communication signal addressed to the master device 100, received from the processing unit 20, in accordance with the correction content included in the correction information A1.

[0168] When the receiver 11 in the communication unit 210 receives the correction information A2 from the master device 100, it corrects the communication signal received from the master device 100 via the communication port 80 in accordance with the correction content included in the correction information A2.

[0169] [Operation flow] Each device in the communication system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes a computer including a memory, and a processor such as a CPU in the computer reads out from the memory and executes a program including some or all of the steps in the following flowcharts and sequences. 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 in which it is stored in a recording medium.

[0170] FIG. 9 is a flowchart defining an operation procedure when the master device adjusts a transmission operation and a reception operation in the in-vehicle communication system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0171] Referring to FIG. 9, first, the master device 100 waits for a predetermined calibration trigger, such as when the accessory power of the vehicle 1 is turned on (NO in step S102), and when the calibration trigger occurs, it measures the characteristics of a target cable in the in-vehicle network 310 (step S104).

[0172] Next, the master unit 100 identifies the manufacturer of the target cable, the model number of the target cable, and the routing state of the target cable in the in-vehicle network 310 (step S106).

[0173] Next, the master device 100 acquires correction parameters corresponding to the identification result based on the correspondence information in the storage unit 60 (step S108).

[0174] Next, the master device 100 adjusts the correction content of the communication signal to be transmitted and the received communication signal based on the obtained correction parameters (step S110).

[0175] Next, the master device 100 waits for a new calibration opportunity (NO in step S102).

[0176] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sequence of a process for identifying a target cable in the in-vehicle communication system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0177] 10, first, master device 100 transmits a target signal to slave device 200 via the target cable (step S202).

[0178] Next, the slave device 200 measures the target signal received from the master device 100 (step S204).

[0179] Next, the slave device 200 transmits a response signal indicating the measurement result of the target signal to the master device 100 (step S206).

[0180] Next, the master device 100 measures the insertion loss in the target cable based on the measurement results indicated by the target signal transmitted by itself and the response signal received from the slave device 200 (step S208).

[0181] Next, the master unit 100 identifies the manufacturer of the target cable, the model number of the target cable, and the layout state of the target cable in the in-vehicle network 310, based on the measured frequency characteristic of the insertion loss (step S210).

[0182] In the master device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, the adjustment unit 50 is configured to perform an adjustment process to adjust the transmission operation and reception operation of the communication signal by the communication unit 10 based on the identification result by the identification unit 40, but this is not limited to the above. The adjustment unit 50 may be configured to adjust either one of the transmission operation and reception operation of the communication signal by the communication unit 10.

[0183] Furthermore, the master unit 100 may not include the adjustment unit 50. In this case, the master unit 100 may include an output unit that outputs the recognition result of the recognition unit 40 to the outside of the vehicle 1.

[0184] In addition, in the master device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, the storage unit 60 is configured to store correspondence information indicating a correspondence relationship between the identification result and the operation parameter, but this is not limited to this. The storage unit 60 may be configured not to store the correspondence information. In this case, the adjustment unit 50 performs the adjustment process using the operation parameter generated in the external device based on the identification result output to the external device outside the vehicle 1, for example.

[0185] In addition, in the master unit 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, the update unit 70 is configured to update the correspondence information based on information received from outside the vehicle 1 via the communication unit 10, but this is not limited to the above. The master unit 100 may be configured not to include the update unit 70.

[0186] In addition, in the master device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, the update unit 70 is configured to update the correspondence information in the storage unit 60 using the correspondence information received from the server 400 via the TCU 150 and the communication unit 10, but this is not limited thereto. The update unit 70 may be configured to update the correspondence information in the storage unit 60 using the correspondence information received via the communication unit 10 from an external device connected to the in-vehicle network 310 by, for example, DoIP (Diagnostics over Internet Protocol).

[0187] Meanwhile, there is a demand for technology that can improve the functionality of transmission paths in in-vehicle networks.

[0188] For example, communication quality in an in-vehicle network may be degraded due to distortion of communication signals in a transmission path caused by an increase in the amount of communication signals transmitted and an increase in the transmission speed in the in-vehicle network, as well as the influence of noise sources and heat sources.

[0189] In contrast, a master unit 100 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure is mounted on a vehicle 1. In the master unit 100, a measurement unit 30 measures characteristics of a transmission path in an in-vehicle network 310 mounted on the vehicle 1. An identification unit 40 identifies the transmission path based on the characteristics measured by the measurement unit 30.

[0190] In this manner, by using a configuration that identifies a transmission path based on the characteristics of the transmission path in the in-vehicle network 310, i.e., the measurement results of the low-layer electrical characteristics, it is possible to identify components of the transmission path, and perform various appropriate processing according to the identification results.

[0191] Therefore, in the master unit 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the functionality related to the transmission path in the in-vehicle network.

[0192] In the master device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication unit 10 communicates with the slave device 200 via a transmission path. The adjustment unit 50 adjusts at least one of the transmission operation and the reception operation of the communication signal by the communication unit 10 based on the identification result of the identification unit 40.

[0193] With this configuration, for example, the frequency characteristics of the transmission path in the band of the communication signal can be compensated for according to the identification result, so that the communication quality in the in-vehicle network 310 can be improved.

[0194] Furthermore, in the master device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, the adjustment section 50 adjusts the transmission operation and the reception operation in the adjustment process.

[0195] With this configuration, it is possible to improve both the quality of communication signals to be transmitted from the slave device 200 to the master device 100 and the quality of communication signals to be transmitted from the master device 100 to the slave device 200, thereby further improving the communication quality between the master device 100 and the slave device 200.

[0196] Furthermore, in the master device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, the storage unit 60 stores correspondence information indicating a correspondence relationship between the identification result and the operation parameters related to the adjustment process. The adjustment unit 50 performs the adjustment process using the correspondence information.

[0197] With this configuration, the adjustment process can be performed using the correspondence relationship between the identification result and the motion parameter that is generated in advance, and therefore the adjustment process can be simplified.

[0198] Moreover, in the master device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication unit 10 can further communicate with the outside of the vehicle 1. The update unit 70 updates the correspondence information based on information received from the outside of the vehicle 1 via the communication unit 10.

[0199] With this configuration, for example, the verification results in the other vehicle 1 can be reflected in the adjustment process in the vehicle 1 itself, so that the accuracy of the adjustment process by the adjustment unit 50 can be improved.

[0200] Moreover, the in-vehicle communication system 300 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure includes a master unit 100 mounted on the vehicle 1 and a slave unit 200 mounted on the vehicle 1. The master unit 100 and the slave unit 200 are connected via a transmission path in an in-vehicle network 310 mounted on the vehicle 1. The master unit 100 transmits a target signal to the slave unit 200 via the transmission path. The slave unit 200 measures the target signal received from the master unit 100 and transmits a response signal indicating the measurement result to the master unit 100. The master unit 100 measures characteristics of the transmission path based on the response signal received from the slave unit 200. The master unit 100 identifies the transmission path based on the measured characteristics.

[0201] In this manner, by using a configuration that identifies the characteristics of the transmission path connecting the master device 100 and the slave device 200 in the in-vehicle network 310, i.e., based on the measurement results of the low-layer electrical characteristics, it is possible to identify components, etc. of the transmission path between the master device 100 and the slave device 200 and perform various appropriate processing, etc. according to the identification results.

[0202] Therefore, in the in-vehicle communication system 300 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the functionality related to the transmission path in the in-vehicle network.

[0203] Moreover, the communication management method according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure is a communication management method in a master unit 100 mounted on a vehicle 1. In this communication management method, first, the master unit 100 measures characteristics of a transmission path in an in-vehicle network 310 mounted on the vehicle 1. Next, the master unit 100 identifies the transmission path based on the measured characteristics.

[0204] In this manner, by using a method for identifying a transmission path based on the characteristics of the transmission path in the in-vehicle network 310, i.e., the measurement results of the low-layer electrical characteristics, it is possible to identify components of the transmission path, and perform various appropriate processing according to the identification results.

[0205] Therefore, the communication management method according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure can improve the functionality related to the transmission path in the in-vehicle network.

[0206] Moreover, the communication management method according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure is a communication management method in an in-vehicle communication system 300 including a master unit 100 mounted on a vehicle 1 and a slave unit 200 mounted on the vehicle 1, the master unit 100 and the slave unit 200 being connected via a transmission path in an in-vehicle network 310 mounted on the vehicle 1. In this communication management method, first, the master unit 100 transmits a target signal to the slave unit 200 via the transmission path. Next, the slave unit 200 transmits a response signal indicating a measurement result of the target signal received from the master unit 100 to the master unit 100. Next, the master unit 100 measures the characteristics of the transmission path based on the measurement result received from the slave unit 200. Next, the master unit 100 identifies the transmission path based on the measured characteristics.

[0207] In this manner, by using a method for identifying the characteristics of the transmission path connecting the master device 100 and the slave device 200 in the in-vehicle network 310, i.e., based on the measurement results of the low-layer electrical characteristics, it is possible to identify components, etc. of the transmission path between the master device 100 and the slave device 200 and perform various appropriate processes, etc. according to the identification results.

[0208] Therefore, the communication management method according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure can improve the functionality related to the transmission path in the in-vehicle network.

[0209] Next, another embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference characters and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0210] <Second embodiment> This embodiment relates to an in-vehicle communication system that can adjust the correction content of a communication signal to be transmitted according to the communication quality between in-vehicle devices, as compared with the in-vehicle communication system according to the first embodiment. Contents other than those described below are the same as those of the in-vehicle communication system according to the first embodiment.

[0211] [Communication Systems] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication system according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0212] 11, the communication system 500 includes a server 400 and one or more in-vehicle communication systems 300. The in-vehicle communication system 300 is mounted on a vehicle 1.

[0213] The in-vehicle communication system 300 includes a master unit 100 and a slave unit 200. The master unit 100 and the slave unit 200 are connected via an Ethernet cable 3.

[0214] The master device 100 includes a communication unit 10, a processing unit 20, a measurement unit 30, an identification unit 40, an adjustment unit 50, a storage unit 60, an update unit 70, a communication port 80, and a front-end circuit 90.

[0215] The slave device 200 includes a communication unit 210, a processing unit 220, a measurement unit 230, an identification unit 240, an adjustment unit 250, a storage unit 260, an update unit 270, a communication port 280, and a front-end circuit 290.

[0216] The adjustment unit 50 in the master device 100 acquires from the communication unit 10 an evaluation result regarding the quality of communication by the communication unit 10 .

[0217] Furthermore, the adjustment section 250 in the slave device 200 acquires from the communication section 210 an evaluation result regarding the quality of communication by the communication section 210 .

[0218] More specifically, the adjustment unit 50 in the master device 100 evaluates the communication quality between the master device 100 and the slave device 200 .

[0219] For example, the communication unit 10 measures the bit error rate (BER) of an Ethernet frame transmitted from the slave device 200 to the master device 100, and outputs the measurement result to the adjustment unit 50 as an evaluation result regarding the quality of communication by the communication unit 10.

[0220] In the master device 100, when the BER received from the communication unit 10 is greater than a predetermined threshold value, the adjustment unit 50 transmits an adjustment instruction to the slave device 200 via the communication unit 10, indicating that the correction information should be adjusted.

[0221] When the communication unit 210 in the slave device 200 receives an adjustment instruction from the master device 100, the communication unit 210 outputs the received adjustment instruction to the adjustment unit 250 as an evaluation result of the communication quality by the communication unit 210.

[0222] Furthermore, the adjustment unit 250 in the slave device 200 evaluates the communication quality between the master device 100 and the slave device 200 .

[0223] For example, the communication unit 210 measures the BER of an Ethernet frame transmitted from the master device 100 to the slave device 200 , and outputs the measurement result to the adjustment unit 250 as an evaluation result regarding the quality of communication by the communication unit 210 .

[0224] In the slave device 200, when the BER received from the communication unit 210 is greater than a predetermined threshold value, the adjustment unit 250 transmits an adjustment instruction to the master device 100 via the communication unit 210, indicating that the correction information should be adjusted.

[0225] When the communication unit 10 in the master device 100 receives an adjustment instruction from the slave device 200, the communication unit 10 outputs the received adjustment instruction to the adjustment unit 50 as an evaluation result regarding the quality of communication by the communication unit 10.

[0226] [Adjustment processing] In the master device 100, when the BER received from the communication unit 10 is greater than a predetermined threshold value, or when an adjustment instruction is received from the slave device 200 via the communication unit 10, the adjustment unit 50 performs an adjustment process to adjust at least one of the communication signal transmission and reception operations by the communication unit 10 and the communication signal transmission and reception operations by the communication unit 210 in the slave device 200.

[0227] In the slave device 200, when the BER received from the communication unit 210 is greater than a predetermined threshold value, or when an adjustment instruction is received from the master device 100 via the communication unit 210, the adjustment unit 250 performs adjustment processing to adjust at least one of the communication signal transmission and reception operations by the communication unit 210 and the communication signal transmission and reception operations by the communication unit 10 in the master device 100.

[0228] [Adjustment processing example 1] For example, as an adjustment process, the adjustment unit 50 in the master device 100 transmits an Ethernet frame including a random test pattern to the slave device 200 via the communication unit 10 at a predetermined cycle until the adjustment process in the slave device 200 is completed. Hereinafter, the Ethernet frame including the test pattern is also referred to as a test frame.

[0229] As an adjustment process, the adjustment unit 250 in the slave device 200 monitors the BER received from the communication unit 210, generates correction information A2 such that the BER of the test frame received by the communication unit 210 from the master device 100 is reduced, and outputs the correction information A2 to the receiving unit 11 of the communication unit 210, thereby updating the correction information A2 held by the receiving unit 11.

[0230] More specifically, the adjustment section 250 adjusts the correction information A2 to be output to the receiving section 11 of the communication section 210 while monitoring the BER of the test frame that the communication section 210 receives from the master device 100 .

[0231] Then, when the BER of the test frame received by the communication unit 210 from the master device 100 becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold value, the adjustment unit 250 terminates the adjustment of the correction information A2 output to the receiving unit 11 of the communication unit 210, thereby terminating the update of the correction information A2 in the receiving unit 11 and fixing the correction parameters of the compensation circuit in the receiving unit 11.

[0232] Furthermore, the adjustment unit 250 transmits adjustment end information indicating that the adjustment process has ended to the master device 100 via the communication unit 210.

[0233] When the adjustment unit 50 in the master device 100 receives the adjustment end information from the slave device 200 via the communication unit 10, it stops transmitting the test frame.

[0234] Next, when the adjustment unit 250 in the slave device 200 finishes adjusting the correction information A2 to be output to the receiving unit 11 of the communication unit 210, as an adjustment process, it transmits a test frame to the master device 100 via the communication unit 210 at a predetermined period until the adjustment process in the master device 100 is completed.

[0235] As an adjustment process, the adjustment unit 50 in the master device 100 monitors the BER received from the communication unit 10, generates correction information A2 such that the BER of the test frame that the communication unit 10 receives from the slave device 200 is reduced, and outputs the correction information A2 to the receiving unit 11 of the communication unit 10, thereby updating the correction information A2 held by the receiving unit 11.

[0236] More specifically, the adjustment section 50 adjusts the correction information A2 to be output to the receiving section 11 of the communication section 10 while monitoring the BER of the test frame that the communication section 10 receives from the slave device 200 .

[0237] Then, when the BER of the test frame received by the communication unit 10 from the slave device 200 becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold value, the adjustment unit 50 terminates the adjustment of the correction information A2 output to the receiving unit 11 of the communication unit 10, thereby terminating the update of the correction information A2 in the receiving unit 11 and fixing the correction parameters of the compensation circuit in the receiving unit 11.

[0238] Furthermore, the adjustment unit 50 transmits an adjustment end instruction to the slave device 200 via the communication unit 10, which indicates that the adjustment process should be ended.

[0239] When the adjustment unit 250 in the slave device 200 receives the adjustment end information from the master device 100 via the communication unit 210, it stops transmitting the test frame.

[0240] [Adjustment processing example 2] For example, as an adjustment process, the adjustment section 50 in the master device 100 transmits a test frame to the slave device 200 via the communication section 10. This test frame may include transmission power information.

[0241] As an adjustment process, the adjustment section 250 in the slave device 200 monitors the BER received from the communication section 210 and transmits reception information including the BER of the test frame that the communication section 210 receives from the master device 100 to the master device 100 via the communication section 210.

[0242] The communication unit 10 in the master device 100 outputs the reception information received from the slave device 200 to the adjustment unit 50 .

[0243] The adjustment unit 50 generates correction information A1 that reduces the BER included in the received information received from the communication unit 10 and outputs the correction information A1 to the transmission unit 12 of the communication unit 10, thereby updating the correction information A1 held by the transmission unit 12.

[0244] More specifically, the adjustment unit 50 adjusts the correction information A1 to be output to the transmission unit 12 of the communication unit 10 while monitoring the BER included in the reception information received from the communication unit 10.

[0245] Then, when the BER contained in the received information received from the communication unit 10 becomes equal to or below a predetermined threshold value, the adjustment unit 50 terminates the adjustment of the correction information A1 to be output to the transmission unit 12 of the communication unit 10, thereby terminating the updating of the correction information A1 in the transmission unit 12, and fixes the correction parameters of the compensation circuit in the transmission unit 12.

[0246] Furthermore, the adjustment unit 50 transmits adjustment end information indicating that the adjustment process has been completed to the slave device 200 via the communication unit 10.

[0247] Next, the communication unit 210 in the slave device 200 outputs the adjustment end information received from the master device 100 to the adjustment unit 250.

[0248] Upon receiving the adjustment end information from the communication unit 210, the adjustment unit 250 transmits, as an adjustment process, a test frame to the master device 100 via the communication unit 210. This test frame may include transmission power information.

[0249] As part of the adjustment process, the adjustment section 50 in the master device 100 monitors the BER received from the communication section 10 and transmits reception information including the BER of the test frame received by the communication section 10 from the slave device 200 to the slave device 200 via the communication section 10.

[0250] The communication section 210 in the slave device 200 outputs the reception information received from the master device 100 to the adjustment section 250 .

[0251] The adjustment unit 250 generates correction information A1 that reduces the BER included in the received information received from the communication unit 210 and outputs the correction information A1 to the transmission unit 12 of the communication unit 210, thereby updating the correction information A1 held by the transmission unit 12.

[0252] More specifically, the adjustment unit 250 adjusts the correction information A1 to be output to the transmission unit 12 of the communication unit 210 while monitoring the BER included in the reception information received from the communication unit 210.

[0253] Then, when the BER contained in the received information received from the communication unit 210 becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold value, the adjustment unit 250 terminates the adjustment of the correction information A1 to be output to the transmission unit 12 of the communication unit 210, thereby terminating the updating of the correction information A1 in the transmission unit 12, and fixes the correction parameters of the compensation circuit in the transmission unit 12.

[0254] Furthermore, the adjustment unit 250 transmits adjustment end information indicating that the adjustment process has ended to the master device 100 via the communication unit 210.

[0255] For example, the adjustment section 50 in the master device 100 updates the correspondence information based on the evaluation result of the communication section 10 regarding the quality of communication.

[0256] More specifically, the adjustment unit 50 in the master device 100 updates the correspondence information in the memory unit 60 by an adjustment process using correction information A1 adjusted based on the BER of the communication unit 210 in the slave device 200 and correction information A2 adjusted based on the BER of the communication unit 10.

[0257] Furthermore, the adjustment section 250 in the slave device 200 updates the correspondence information based on the evaluation result of the communication section 210 regarding the quality of communication.

[0258] More specifically, the adjustment unit 250 in the slave device 200 updates the correspondence information in the memory unit 260 by using correction information A1 adjusted based on the BER of the communication unit 10 in the master device 100 and correction information A2 adjusted based on the BER of the communication unit 210 through an adjustment process.

[0259] The communication unit 10 in the master device 100 transmits the correspondence information updated by the adjustment unit 50 to a device outside the vehicle 1. The communication unit 210 in the slave device 200 transmits the correspondence information updated by the adjustment unit 250 to a device outside the vehicle 1.

[0260] More specifically, adjustment unit 50 in master device 100 and adjustment unit 250 in slave device 200 transmit update information including their respective updated correspondence information to an external device such as server 400 via TCU 150 and wireless base station device 420.

[0261] For example, adjustment unit 50 and adjustment unit 250 generate update information including each updated correspondence information, the ID of the in-vehicle device, the temperature of the in-vehicle device measured by a temperature sensor, location information of vehicle 1 detected by a GPS (Global Positioning System) device, and meteorological information such as temperature and humidity at the current location of vehicle 1, and transmit the generated update information to server 400 via TCU 150 and wireless base station device 420.

[0262] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of correspondence information in a server of the communication system according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0263] 12, server 400 stores correspondence information indicating a correspondence relationship between the identification result of the Ethernet cable and the operation parameters. For example, server 400 stores the above-mentioned correspondence relationship for each of the manufacturer of the compensation circuit in communication unit 10, the manufacturer of front-end circuit 90, the manufacturer of communication port 80 and the manufacturer of the in-vehicle device, the temperature of the in-vehicle device, the ID of the in-vehicle device connected to the Ethernet cable, and the outside-vehicle environment such as temperature and humidity.

[0264] The administrator of server 400 updates the correspondence information held by server 400 based on update information received by server 400 from master device 100 and slave device 200 via TCU 150 and wireless base station device 420 .

[0265] For example, the administrator of the server 400 analyzes the update information received by the server 400 to verify the accuracy of the update information, and updates the correspondence information held by the server 400 based on the verification result.

[0266] Moreover, the administrator of the server 400 can also feed back the verification results to the design and development of a new in-vehicle network 310.

[0267] As described above, in communication system 500, master device 100 and slave device 200 transmit update information including their respective updated correspondence information to server 400. Then, an administrator of server 400 uses the update information to update the correspondence information in server 400.

[0268] With this configuration, the correspondence information in the server 400 can be updated to appropriate content that can actually be used in the in-vehicle communication system 300.

[0269] As a result, by using the updated correspondence information in the server 400 to update the correspondence information in the in-vehicle communication system 300 of the other vehicle 1, the accuracy of adjustment of the transmission and reception operations by the communication unit in the in-vehicle communication system 300 of the other vehicle 1 can be improved.

[0270] In particular, by updating the correspondence information in the server 400 using a large amount of update information transmitted from the master device 100 and the slave device 200 in the in-vehicle communication system 300 of a commercial vehicle 1 that has a long driving time and driving distance, the correspondence information in the server 400 can be updated to more appropriate content.

[0271] In addition, the master device 100 and the slave device 200 can transmit update information including the ID of the in-vehicle device and the temperature of the in-vehicle device to the server 400, whereby the server 400 can generate correspondence information indicating a correspondence relationship that takes into account the in-vehicle environment of the vehicle 1.

[0272] In addition, by the master device 100 and the slave device 200 transmitting updated information including the location information of the vehicle 1 and weather information at the current location of the vehicle 1 to the server 400, correspondence information indicating a correspondence relationship taking into account external environmental factors can be generated.

[0273] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an in-vehicle communication system according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0274] 13, the in-vehicle communication system 300 includes a master device 100, a slave device 200, and a relay device 201. The master device 100, the slave device 200, and the relay device 201 form a ring topology.

[0275] More specifically, the master device 100 includes communication ports 80A and 80B. The slave device 200 includes communication ports 280A and 280B. The relay device 201 includes communication ports 281A and 281B.

[0276] Communication port 80A in the master device 100 and communication port 280A in the slave device 200 are connected via an Ethernet cable 3A. Communication port 80B in the master device 100 and communication port 281A in the relay device 201 are connected via an Ethernet cable 3B. Communication port 280B in the slave device 200 and communication port 281B in the relay device 201 are connected via an Ethernet cable 3C.

[0277] For example, while the master device 100 and the slave device 200 are performing adjustment processing by transmitting a test frame or the like via the Ethernet cable 3A, they communicate with each other via the relay device 201 in parallel with the adjustment processing.

[0278] More specifically, the master device 100 transmits Ethernet frames other than the test frames among the Ethernet frames addressed to the slave device 200 to the relay device 201 via the Ethernet cable 3B.

[0279] The relay device 201 transfers the Ethernet frame addressed to the slave device 200, received from the master device 100, to the slave device 200 via the Ethernet cable 3C.

[0280] The slave device 200 transmits Ethernet frames other than the test frames among the Ethernet frames addressed to the master device 100 to the relay device 201 via the Ethernet cable 3C.

[0281] The relay device 201 transfers the Ethernet frame received from the slave device 200 and addressed to the master device 100 to the master device 100 via the Ethernet cable 3B.

[0282] In this manner, in the in-vehicle communication system 300, by using a configuration in which communication is performed via a redundant path while the adjustment process is being performed between the master device 100 and the slave device 200, the adjustment process and communication can be performed in parallel.

[0283] In the master device 100 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication unit 10 is configured to transmit the correspondence information updated by the adjustment unit 50 to an external device such as the server 400, but this is not limiting. The communication unit 10 may be configured not to transmit the correspondence information updated by the adjustment unit 50 to an external device.

[0284] As described above, in the master device 100 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure, the adjustment unit 50 acquires the evaluation result of the quality of communication by the communication unit 10 from the communication unit 10, updates the correspondence information indicating the correspondence relationship between the identification result and the operation parameters related to the adjustment process based on the acquired evaluation result, and performs the adjustment process using the updated correspondence information. The communication unit 10 transmits the updated correspondence information to a device outside the vehicle 1.

[0285] In this manner, by updating the correspondence information in the master device 100 of one's own vehicle 1 and transmitting the updated correspondence information to a device outside the vehicle 1, the correspondence information can be updated taking into account the in-vehicle environment of one's own vehicle 1, and the updated correspondence information can be reflected in the adjustment processing in another vehicle 1, for example.

[0286] The above-described embodiments should be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0287] The above description includes the following additional features. [Appendix 1] An in-vehicle device mounted in a vehicle, a measurement unit that measures characteristics of a transmission path in an in-vehicle network mounted on the vehicle; and an identification unit that identifies a component of the transmission line based on the characteristic measured by the measurement unit.

[0288] The above description includes the following additional features. [Appendix 2] A first in-vehicle device mounted in a vehicle; a second on-board device mounted in the vehicle; the first in-vehicle device and the second in-vehicle device are connected via a transmission path in an in-vehicle network mounted in the vehicle; the first in-vehicle device transmits a target signal to the second in-vehicle device via the transmission path; the second in-vehicle device measures the target signal received from the first in-vehicle device and transmits a response signal indicating a measurement result to the first in-vehicle device; the first in-vehicle device measures characteristics of the transmission path based on the response signal received from the second in-vehicle device; The first vehicle-mounted device identifies components of the transmission path based on the measured characteristics. [Explanation of symbols]

[0289] 1 vehicle 2 Transmission Line 3 Ethernet cable (target cable) 10. Communications Department 11 Receiving section 12 Transmitter 20 Processing section 30 Measuring part 40 Identification section 50 Adjustment part 60 Storage section 70 Update section 80 Communication Port 90 Front-end circuit 100 Master device 110 Switching device 120 Sensors 130 Autonomous Driving ECU 140 Driving control ECU 150 TCU 200 Slave Device 201 Relay device 210 Communications Department 220 Processing section 230 Measuring section 240 Identification Unit 250 Adjustment section 260 Storage section 270 Update Department 280 communication port 281 communication port 290 Front-end circuit 300 In-vehicle communication system 310 In-vehicle network 400 Servers 410 External Network 420 Wireless base station equipment 500 Communication Systems

Claims

1. An in-vehicle device mounted in a vehicle, a measurement unit that measures characteristics of a transmission path in an in-vehicle network mounted on the vehicle; an identification unit that identifies the transmission path based on the characteristics measured by the measurement unit, the measurement unit measures at least one of a characteristic impedance in the transmission line and an insertion loss in the transmission line as the characteristic; the identification unit identifies at least one of a radius of curvature of the transmission line, a force that the transmission line receives due to bundling with another transmission line, a length of a portion where the transmission line runs in parallel with another transmission line due to bundling, and the presence or absence of a relay terminal in the transmission line, based on at least one of a change in the characteristic impedance on a time axis and a frequency characteristic of the insertion loss; The in-vehicle device further comprises: a communication unit that communicates with other in-vehicle devices via the transmission path; and an adjustment unit that performs an adjustment process to adjust at least one of a transmission operation and a reception operation of a communication signal by the communication unit based on an identification result of the identification unit.

2. The in-vehicle device according to claim 1 , wherein the adjustment unit adjusts the transmission operation and the reception operation in the adjustment process.

3. The in-vehicle device further comprises: a storage unit for storing correspondence information indicating a correspondence relationship between the identification result and an operation parameter related to the adjustment process; The in-vehicle device according to claim 1 , wherein the adjustment unit performs the adjustment process by using the correspondence information.

4. The communication unit is further capable of communicating with an outside of the vehicle, The in-vehicle device further comprises: The in-vehicle device according to claim 3 , further comprising an update unit configured to update the correspondence information based on information received from outside the vehicle via the communication unit.

5. the adjustment unit acquires an evaluation result regarding quality of communication by the communication unit from the communication unit, updates correspondence information indicating a correspondence relationship between the identification result and an operation parameter regarding the adjustment process based on the acquired evaluation result, and performs the adjustment process using the updated correspondence information; The in-vehicle device according to claim 1 , wherein the communication unit transmits the updated correspondence information to a device outside the vehicle.

6. a first on-board device mounted in a vehicle; a second on-board device mounted in the vehicle; the first in-vehicle device and the second in-vehicle device are connected via a transmission path in an in-vehicle network mounted in the vehicle; the first in-vehicle device transmits a target signal to the second in-vehicle device via the transmission path; the second in-vehicle device measures the target signal received from the first in-vehicle device and transmits a response signal indicating a measurement result to the first in-vehicle device; the first in-vehicle device measures characteristics of the transmission path based on the response signal received from the second in-vehicle device; The first in-vehicle device identifies the transmission path based on the measured characteristics; and the first in-vehicle device measures an insertion loss in the transmission line as the characteristic; the first in-vehicle device identifies at least one of a radius of curvature of the transmission line, a force that the transmission line receives due to bundling with another transmission line, a length of a portion where the transmission line runs in parallel with another transmission line due to bundling, and the presence or absence of a relay terminal in the transmission line, based on the frequency characteristic of the insertion loss; the first in-vehicle device communicates with the second in-vehicle device via the transmission path; An in-vehicle communication system, wherein the first in-vehicle device performs an adjustment process to adjust at least one of a transmission operation and a reception operation of a communication signal between the first in-vehicle device and the second in-vehicle device based on the identification result of the transmission path.

7. A communication management method for an in-vehicle device mounted in a vehicle, comprising: the in-vehicle device communicates with another in-vehicle device via a transmission line; The communication management method includes: measuring characteristics of the transmission path in an in-vehicle network mounted on the vehicle; and identifying the transmission path based on the measured characteristics; In the step of measuring the characteristics, at least one of a characteristic impedance in the transmission line and an insertion loss in the transmission line is measured as the characteristics; In the step of identifying the transmission line, at least one of a radius of curvature of the transmission line, a force that the transmission line receives due to bundling with another transmission line, a length of a portion where the transmission line runs in parallel with another transmission line due to bundling, and the presence or absence of a relay terminal in the transmission line is identified based on at least one of a change in the characteristic impedance on a time axis and a frequency characteristic of the insertion loss, The communication management method further comprises: and performing an adjustment process of adjusting at least one of a transmission operation and a reception operation of a communication signal between the other vehicle-mounted device and the other vehicle-mounted device based on a result of identifying the transmission path.

8. A communication management method in an in-vehicle communication system including a first in-vehicle device mounted in a vehicle and a second in-vehicle device mounted in the vehicle, the first in-vehicle device and the second in-vehicle device being connected via a transmission path in an in-vehicle network mounted in the vehicle, comprising: the first in-vehicle device communicates with the second in-vehicle device via the transmission path; The communication management method includes: a step of transmitting a target signal from the first in-vehicle device to the second in-vehicle device via the transmission path; a step of transmitting, by the second in-vehicle device, a response signal indicating a measurement result of the target signal received from the first in-vehicle device to the first in-vehicle device; measuring, by the first in-vehicle device, characteristics of the transmission path based on the measurement result received from the second in-vehicle device; and identifying the transmission path based on the measured characteristics by the first in-vehicle device; In the step of measuring a characteristic of the transmission line by the first in-vehicle device, an insertion loss in the transmission line is measured as the characteristic; In the step of identifying the transmission line by the first in-vehicle device, at least one of a radius of curvature of the transmission line, a force that the transmission line receives due to bundling with another transmission line, a length of a portion where the transmission line runs in parallel with another transmission line due to bundling, and the presence or absence of a relay terminal in the transmission line is identified based on the frequency characteristic of the insertion loss; The communication management method further comprises: A communication management method including a step in which the first vehicle-mounted device performs an adjustment process to adjust at least one of the transmission operation and reception operation of a communication signal between the first vehicle-mounted device and the second vehicle-mounted device based on the identification result of the transmission path.

9. An in-vehicle device mounted in a vehicle, a measurement unit that measures characteristics of a transmission path in an in-vehicle network mounted on the vehicle; an identification unit that identifies the transmission path based on the characteristics measured by the measurement unit; a communication unit that communicates with other in-vehicle devices via the transmission path; an adjustment unit that performs an adjustment process to adjust at least one of a transmission operation and a reception operation of a communication signal by the communication unit based on a discrimination result of the discrimination unit, the adjustment unit acquires an evaluation result regarding quality of communication by the communication unit from the communication unit, updates correspondence information indicating a correspondence relationship between the identification result and an operation parameter regarding the adjustment process based on the acquired evaluation result, and performs the adjustment process using the updated correspondence information; The communication unit transmits the updated correspondence information to a device outside the vehicle.

10. a first on-board device mounted in a vehicle; a second on-board device mounted in the vehicle; the first in-vehicle device and the second in-vehicle device are connected via a transmission path in an in-vehicle network mounted in the vehicle; the first in-vehicle device transmits a target signal to the second in-vehicle device via the transmission path; the second in-vehicle device measures the target signal received from the first in-vehicle device and transmits a response signal indicating a measurement result to the first in-vehicle device; the first in-vehicle device measures characteristics of the transmission path based on the response signal received from the second in-vehicle device; The first in-vehicle device identifies the transmission path based on the measured characteristics; and the first in-vehicle device communicates with the second in-vehicle device via the transmission path; the first in-vehicle device performs an adjustment process to adjust at least one of a transmission operation and a reception operation of a communication signal between the first in-vehicle device and the second in-vehicle device based on the identification result of the transmission path; the first in-vehicle device acquires an evaluation result regarding a quality of communication between the first in-vehicle device and the second in-vehicle device, updates correspondence information indicating a correspondence relationship between the identification result and an operation parameter regarding the adjustment process based on the acquired evaluation result, and performs the adjustment process using the updated correspondence information; The first vehicle-mounted device transmits the updated correspondence information to a device outside the vehicle.

11. A communication management method for an in-vehicle device mounted in a vehicle, comprising: the in-vehicle device communicates with another in-vehicle device via a transmission line; The communication management method includes: measuring characteristics of the transmission path in an in-vehicle network mounted on the vehicle; identifying the transmission path based on the measured characteristics; performing an adjustment process of adjusting at least one of a transmission operation and a reception operation of a communication signal between the other in-vehicle device and the in-vehicle device based on a result of the identification of the transmission path; In the step of performing the adjustment process, an evaluation result regarding a quality of communication with the other in-vehicle device is obtained, and correspondence information indicating a correspondence relationship between the identification result and an operation parameter regarding the adjustment process is updated based on the obtained evaluation result, and the adjustment process is performed using the updated correspondence information. The communication management method further comprises: The method includes transmitting the updated support information to a device external to the vehicle.

12. A communication management method in an in-vehicle communication system including a first in-vehicle device mounted in a vehicle and a second in-vehicle device mounted in the vehicle, the first in-vehicle device and the second in-vehicle device being connected via a transmission path in an in-vehicle network mounted in the vehicle, comprising: the first in-vehicle device communicates with the second in-vehicle device via the transmission path; The communication management method includes: a step of transmitting a target signal from the first in-vehicle device to the second in-vehicle device via the transmission path; a step of transmitting, by the second in-vehicle device, a response signal indicating a measurement result of the target signal received from the first in-vehicle device to the first in-vehicle device; measuring, by the first in-vehicle device, characteristics of the transmission path based on the measurement result received from the second in-vehicle device; The first in-vehicle device identifies the transmission path based on the measured characteristics; and performing an adjustment process by the first in-vehicle device to adjust at least one of a transmission operation and a reception operation of a communication signal between the first in-vehicle device and the second in-vehicle device based on the identification result of the transmission path; In the step of performing the adjustment process, the first in-vehicle device acquires an evaluation result regarding a quality of communication with the second in-vehicle device, updates correspondence information indicating a correspondence relationship between the identification result and an operation parameter regarding the adjustment process based on the acquired evaluation result, and performs the adjustment process using the updated correspondence information. The communication management method further comprises: A communication management method comprising a step of the first in-vehicle device transmitting the updated correspondence information to a device outside the vehicle.

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