Method for configuring a sensor system by means of addressing sensors on the basis of a specific addressing signal, and vehicle sensor system

Abstract

One aspect of the invention relates to a method for configuring a sensor system (1) using a multi-bit re-addressing signal, having a plurality of sensors (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) and having a serial bus system (8) in which a plurality of sensor connections (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15) for connecting the sensors (2 to 7) to the bus system (8) are arranged in series. A further aspect relates to a vehicle sensor system (1).

Description

[0001] Method for configuring a sensor system with sensor addressing based on a specific addressing signal, as well as vehicle sensor systems

[0002] One aspect of the invention relates to a method for configuring a sensor system. The sensor system comprises several sensors. Furthermore, the sensor system includes a serial bus system in which several sensor connectors for connecting the sensors to the bus system are arranged serially. Another aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle sensor system.

[0003] Modern vehicles are equipped with a large number of sensors. Integrating these sensors into a system with a serial bus is also known. In serial bus systems, the sensors are arranged in a series. They must then be addressed accordingly. In this context, a sensor system, a driver assistance system, and a method for operating the sensor system are known from DE 10 2009 002 867 A1. A specific procedure is provided for identifying the individual sensors connected to the sensor connector in the bus system. Each sensor connector is equipped with a specific configuration pin, which is individually connected to either a power supply line, a data line, or a ground line of the bus system.Due to this individual connection of the configuration port, an individual signal is present at each configuration port, so that it can be recognized which sensor connector the sensor is installed on, thus enabling addressing accordingly.

[0004] However, such a system requires considerable effort in designing the bus system, with individual additional configuration lines for each sensor and then also individual evaluation of the signals received on each line. This results in a significant configuration effort, and errors can occur during the evaluation process, leading to inaccurate sensor identification and addressing.

[0005] This state of the art does not fundamentally address the further requirement that different wiring configurations can occur, particularly in serial bus systems. Since individual wiring configurations for serial bus systems can be advantageous for different vehicle types from different manufacturers, this issue must also be considered when designing sensor systems.

[0006] Additional hardware in the form of cables for such a sensor system is expensive and also requires additional installation space. Addressing is particularly difficult with such diverse cabling configurations.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to create a method and a vehicle sensor system in which safe and precise addressing is enabled even with different wiring configurations of the sensor system.

[0008] This task is solved by a method and a vehicle sensor system according to the independent claims.

[0009] One aspect of the invention relates to a method for configuring a sensor system with multiple sensors and with a serial bus system in which multiple sensor connections for connecting the sensors to the bus system are arranged serially, in particular comprising the following steps:

[0010] Providing a table and / or map of the current wiring configuration for the sensors on a vehicle, wherein the current wiring configuration specifies at least the positions of the sensors and / or the sensor connectors on the vehicle;

[0011] Generation of an addressing signal, in particular only a single one, in particular with an assignment module, depending on the actual wiring configuration, wherein the addressing signal contains as information the starting of an active addressing process of generating an active actual addressing and contains as further information the assignment of the addresses for the sensors as required for the actual wiring configuration, wherein the addresses characterize the positions on the vehicle;

[0012] Addressing the sensors and / or sensor connections during configuration involves assigning the required address to at least one sensor and / or sensor connection using an addressing signal. This configuration method offers several advantages. Firstly, it now allows for the use of different cabling configurations, particularly hardware-based component wiring, while still performing efficient, fast, and highly reliable, and therefore error-minimized, addressing, especially in a software-based manner. In a very clever and intelligent way, an intelligently generated addressing signal directly informs the sensors and / or sensor connections of their assigned address. This enables a very fast and accurate assignment process.Since the required sensor positions on the vehicle for the specific configuration are known via the table and / or map, a single addressing signal can be generated, containing all addressing information for all sensors in the sensor system. This minimizes signal generation and simplifies and speeds up the addressing procedure. It is particularly advantageous to use an addressing signal that is also used in a discovery mode and is provided with the aforementioned specific addressing information. This effectively allows for a highly customized signal configuration. The proposed method eliminates the need for comparison procedures with other wiring configurations, including other addressing systems that serve as references for the current wiring configuration.

[0013] A particular advantage of this method is that the addresses of the sensors and / or sensor connections are now predefined or prescribed based on the configuration. It is now possible to assign addresses individually for each configuration.

[0014] It is no longer necessary to provide extensive, separate configuration lines operating at different signal levels or supplied with different signals to detect the respective positions of the sensor connections. This also makes basic addressing simpler, yet faster and more accurate compared to previous methods. In wiring configurations with serial bus systems, it is intended that different vehicle manufacturers or different vehicle types from the same manufacturer use the same sensor system. However, due to structural requirements, the master control unit, in particular, may be connected at different points in the serial arrangement of sensors and thus also in the serial arrangement of sensor connections.Similarly, the sensors, and especially the sensor connectors, can be installed in different positions on the vehicle, depending, for example, on the vehicle type. It is therefore possible that a sensor is installed in one position on one vehicle type and in a different position on another. This can also occur even if the same sensor system is used for both vehicle types and the sensors are located in the same position along the serial bus system's cable route. These are examples of different wiring configurations. For instance, in this serial view, the master control unit can be wired at one end or at the opposite end of the serial arrangement of connectors.Nevertheless, it may be necessary for the master control unit to communicate first with the sensor port furthest away in the serial arrangement, due to the serial configuration and thus also the addressing sequence. To avoid the need for additional hardware, namely cables, in these various cabling configurations and thus increase the overall length and number of cables in such a sensor system, the proposed method enables and maintains a minimal cable configuration. Furthermore, addressing can be cleverly implemented for these different configurations, particularly through software.This provides a highly flexible and variable procedure that can be adapted to the specific situation and still specify the required addressing.

[0015] Different sensor positions on the vehicle might be necessary, for example, if a minimum cable length is required for the serial bus system, but the master control unit is to be installed in different positions in different vehicle types. In such cases, the sensors and / or sensor connectors are to be installed in the nearest required positions on the vehicle, particularly in relation to the master control unit.

[0016] A wiring configuration, which can also be referred to as a position configuration, is characterized in particular by the location or position at which a specific sensor, especially one with a specific sensor connector, is or is to be installed on the vehicle. Therefore, a wiring configuration can also be called a vehicle position configuration. This results in a wide variety of actual wiring configurations, especially in comparison to the initial wiring configuration or the reference wiring configuration. To ensure the correct ascending or descending address sequence is assigned to the sensor connectors and thus to the connected sensors, re-addressing, particularly in a purely software-based manner, may be necessary.

[0017] Consideration can also be given to where the sensor and / or the sensor connector is located in the serial chain along the cable run, and / or where the master control unit is directly wired to a specific sensor connector. These can be specific cable position configurations.

[0018] In a highly efficient manner, a method has thus been created which can be used in a wide variety of hardware cabling configurations in order to achieve addressing of the sensor connections arranged in series that is tailored to the respective actual cabling configuration and specifically required, and thus also of the sensors coupled to them, especially in relation to the individual position of the master control unit in this serial arrangement.

[0019] This also avoids the need for a cumbersome, hardware-based reconfiguration of the wiring setup, thus eliminating the communication link required in a serial bus system between the master control unit and the sensors acting as slaves. This method therefore allows for the correct addressing to be performed in a wide variety of configurations of such a serial arrangement, with both the master control unit and the sensors acting as slaves.

[0020] In one embodiment, the addressing signal is generated as a multi-bit signal. In this multi-bit signal, some bits are assigned to initiate or characterize information for re-addressing. Furthermore, some bits of this multi-bit signal also contain different information, namely which address should be reassigned to which sensor and / or sensor terminal to generate the addressing corresponding to the current wiring configuration, and in particular, to generate the active addressing. This advantageously enables the provision or transmission of a wide variety of information to multiple sensors and / or sensor terminals using a single signal. This also makes the addressing and re-addressing process highly efficient.

[0021] In one embodiment, at least two, and in particular three, bits of the addressing signal are reserved for each piece of information specifying which address is to be assigned to which sensor and / or sensor terminal. This is also a very efficient approach, as it provides sufficient information regarding the number of bits for this address message, while simultaneously minimizing the number of bits so that the addressing signal does not become too large and is not overloaded. This also makes the size of the addressing signal particularly efficient, enabling fast transmission and efficient evaluation and information allocation at the respective points.

[0022] In one embodiment, the addresses assigned to the respective sensors and / or sensor connections during addressing are stored directly in the sensors connected to those sensor connections or connectors. This eliminates the need for sensor connections to be equipped with their own memory or similar components. This allows for a simplified hardware configuration with respect to the sensor connections. Furthermore, storing these addresses in the sensors themselves is advantageous for faster processing of the information, particularly the addressing signal.

[0023] In one embodiment, when determining an actual wiring configuration, it is checked whether a number n of sensors and / or sensor connections are present or required, and if a number m, where m is less than n, is present, addressing is performed only for the number m. The number of addressing operations required can also be included as information in the addressing signal.

[0024] The proposed method thus enables its use in a particularly intelligent and expansive way, not only in cabling configurations where the maximum number n must always be converted from a full addressing setup to a reduced re-addressing setup, but also in situations where a reduced number of sensors and / or sensor connections are ultimately present in the addressing configuration. This allows for the configuration of addressing with the same number n of sensors and / or sensor connections, as well as the provision of a reduced number m of sensors required for the actual cabling configuration. The method is therefore extended in this respect and intelligently multifunctional.In addition to addressing, an existing cabling configuration with a reduced number (m) of sensors and / or sensor connections can also be addressed efficiently, quickly, securely, and with minimal errors. This can also be done, particularly in comparison, starting from a fictitious initial configuration with a number (n).

[0025] This is particularly possible in situations where, for example, a vehicle type requires fewer sensors in its wiring. This might be necessary due to a more cost-effective vehicle model. Even in such cases, it's still possible to utilize the basic structure of the bus system and the existing addresses. For more expensive vehicles, where a full set of n sensors and thus connectors are intended for active operation, this approach can also be used for active addressing and for the entire required number n of correctly addressed connectors during re-addressing.

[0026] In one embodiment, with a reduced addressing system, the system checks the positions of the m sensors and / or sensor connections on the vehicle relative to the positions of a complete wiring configuration with a number n on the vehicle. Based on this position check, the reduced number of required addresses is assigned to the sensors and / or sensor connections. In another embodiment, the table and / or map is stored in a memory unit of the vehicle and transmitted to the assignment module to generate the addressing signal. Alternatively, the assignment module retrieves the table and / or map from the memory unit when the addressing signal is generated. This enables rapid provision of the position information.The information is readily available where it is needed and does not require time-consuming generation or external provision and transmission from the vehicle. This reduces the potential for errors.

[0027] In one embodiment, ultrasonic sensors are used. The proposed method is particularly advantageous for sensor systems that utilize multiple sensors in a coordinated manner. Especially in serial bus systems, communication between these multiple sensors, particularly in series, is crucial for their functionality, especially for signal processing and understanding the signal content during evaluation. Ultrasonic sensors are frequently used in such sensor systems. For example, such sensor systems can be part of a vehicle's assistance system, such as a parking assistance system or a narrow-space driving assistance system. In such systems, the multiple ultrasonic sensors are typically installed in the front of the vehicle, particularly on the front bumper.It is also possible for several sensors of such a sensor system to be installed in the rear of the vehicle, for example, on a rear bumper. In this context, configurations are possible in which four or even six such ultrasonic sensors are installed in the front. The same can be provided in the rear of the vehicle. In this regard, the number n can be greater than or equal to four, in particular five or six. The number m can, for example, be four.

[0028] In one embodiment, the sensors and the master control unit are integrated into a highly specific serial system. In particular, this serial arrangement in one embodiment is a so-called daisy chain. This enables a very robust serial communication system. Both signal transmission and forwarding are advantageous in this context. This type of system is also particularly advantageous and robust under a wide variety of environmental conditions and mechanical influences, such as vibration in a vehicle. Furthermore, larger amounts of data can be transmitted via the serial chain. In one embodiment, the DSI (Distributed Systems Interface) 3 bus system is used. This is a very modern and specifically designed bus protocol. The aforementioned advantages are particularly enhanced here.

[0029] In general, it is also intended here that the sensors at the sensor connections are assigned the addresses that the slots or sensor connections have, or which are assigned to them.

[0030] In particular, the sensors in the sensor system are of the same design and functionality. The number of sensors can therefore be, or is, the same. Consequently, there is no difference between the sensors themselves, nor can it be detected; the difference is solely due to their position at their respective individual sensor connectors.

[0031] In particular, an address specifies the precise position of a sensor, i.e., a vehicle sensor position, on a vehicle where the sensor system is installed or is to be installed. Through individually configured addressing, the positions—that is, the actual positions already occupied or planned for installation—of the sensors on the vehicle, especially those linked to the current wiring configuration, are made available to the serial bus system.

[0032] As explained above, a wiring configuration characterizes, in particular, at least the positions of the sensors on the vehicle. It therefore describes, specifically, where each sensor is located on the vehicle. This applies to all wiring configurations. It is also known, in particular, the sensor's position in the serial bus system, i.e., its position along the cable run. This is a sensor cable run position, specifically within the cable run configuration.

[0033] In particular, if the position of the sensor, and thus especially its connector, in the serial bus system, and therefore also along the cable run, does not correspond to its position on the vehicle, addressing, i.e., individual addressing, must be implemented. For example, with addressing, especially output addressing, it is specifically stipulated that the first position of a sensor, and thus of a sensor connector, on the vehicle is the same as the first position of the sensor in the sequence along the cable run. This also applies to the other sensors of the sensor system in the wiring configuration. Therefore, there is also a predefined sequence of positions on the vehicle.

[0034] In contrast, with an existing wiring configuration, a second sensor, which is located or intended to be located in the specified first position on the vehicle, might not actually be in the first position along the cable run. This is just one example of many ways in which the position of a sensor on the vehicle and its position along the cable run can differ.

[0035] The address assigned to the sensor corresponds to its position in the sequence of positions on the vehicle. This, as with the general aspect of the invention, enables the sensors to be queried and / or communicated with in the required sequence of the serial bus system, particularly the daisy chain, even if the sensor positions along the cable run are not sequential.

[0036] The addressing or addressing procedure can also be referred to as discovery mode.

[0037] Another independent aspect of the invention relates to a method for configuring a sensor system, in particular a vehicle sensor system, with multiple sensors and with a serial bus system in which multiple sensor connectors for connecting the sensors to the bus system are arranged serially. The method preferably comprises the following steps:

[0038] In particular, populating each sensor port with a sensor, such that this populating characterizes a fictitious output addressing, in which each electronic address of a number n would be assigned to the number n of sensor ports by an assignment module; In particular, checking an actual wiring configuration of the sensor ports and / or a master control unit of the bus system, which is characterized by a position of a master control unit of the bus system in relation to the sensor ports in the bus system and / or which is characterized by a position of the sensor ports in the bus system in relation to each other;In particular, preventing the activation of the fictitious output addressing as active actual addressing when the actual wiring configuration differs from an output wiring configuration in which the fictitious output addressing is correct, and generating active actual addressing by generating at least one re-addressing signal, in particular by the assignment module, containing as information the start of an active addressing process for generating active actual addressing and as further information the assignment of addresses for the sensors as required for the actual wiring configuration.

[0039] This configuration method therefore allows for particularly secure and error-free re-addressing. The method is designed to essentially only activate an address assignment that will then be used in the subsequent operation of the sensor system. A fictitious initial addressing is therefore merely a baseline state that is not necessarily activated or required to establish an actual active addressing. Rather, it serves to enable the initial connection of sensors to the sensor terminals. It is also possible that this initial configuration of sensors at the sensor terminals could, in some cases, represent the actual wiring configuration.In such a situation, the resulting fictitious output addressing is also the one that is activated during subsequent use of the sensor system and used as the active output addressing, i.e., the actual addressing. In this configuration, it is no longer necessary to perform a re-addressing or new addressing, so the re-addressing signal is also unnecessary, or, if required, only contains the activation of this fictitious output addressing as information.

[0040] On the other hand, if re-addressing is necessary because the current wiring configuration differs from the original wiring configuration, this can be done easily. Only a specific re-addressing signal is required, which contains all the necessary information. This signal essentially specifies the addresses to be reordered or reassigned, and in particular, it indicates which sensor connection, and therefore which sensor itself, should receive which new address, especially in comparison to the original addressing.

[0041] This proposes a very fast and reliable procedure to enable addressing to be performed purely in software, should a re-addressing be necessary. This method also allows for the detection of a wide variety of existing cabling configurations and the rapid and intelligent adaptation of the hypothetical output addressing to the specific actual situation and cabling configuration.

[0042] In particular, one embodiment therefore also checks, when determining an actual wiring configuration, the position of a sensor, and thus also of a sensor connection, on the vehicle, and the position of the sensor, and thus of the sensor connection, along the cable run. If these positions differ from each other, no output wiring configuration exists. Re-addressing must then be performed.

[0043] Exemplary embodiments, particularly concerning the addressing signal of the first independent aspect, are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments of the further independent aspect.

[0044] In general, this method makes it possible to implement more variable and thus configuration-specific addressing. This is because addressing is no longer limited to a generic, predefined standard addressing scheme, where the first address is assigned to the first sensor in the cable run, located (or required to be located) in the first position of the vehicle, and the second address is assigned to the second sensor in the cable run, located (or required to be located) in the second position of the vehicle, and so on. Instead, it is now possible to accommodate a wide variety of actual wiring configurations that do not correspond to such a standard wiring configuration, such as the initial wiring configuration, and to implement situation-dependent addressing. Another aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle sensor system with multiple sensors.The vehicle sensor system also features a serial bus system. This serial bus system has multiple sensor connectors arranged serially for connecting the sensors to the bus system. Furthermore, the vehicle sensor system includes at least one addressing system for assigning electronic addresses to the sensors and / or sensor connectors. The vehicle sensor system is specifically configured to execute a method according to the aspect described above or an advantageous embodiment thereof. In particular, this configuration method described above is performed by the vehicle sensor system.

[0045] Another aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle with a vehicle sensor system according to the aforementioned aspect or an advantageous embodiment thereof. Specific positions, i.e., vehicle sensor positions, are provided on the vehicle, at each of which a sensor of the vehicle sensor system is or is to be arranged. Such an individual position pattern is preferably vehicle-specific, i.e., for example, dependent on the vehicle type or a specific model of a vehicle type.

[0046] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to schematic drawings. These show:

[0047] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a sensor system with an exemplary embodiment of an actual wiring configuration and individual addressing;

[0048] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a sensor system with a further actual wiring configuration and individual addressing;

[0049] Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of a sensor system with a further actual wiring configuration and individual addressing; and

[0050] Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of a sensor system with a fourth actual wiring configuration and individual addressing.

[0051] In the figures, identical or functionally equivalent elements are designated with the same reference numerals. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a sensor system 1, which is a vehicle sensor system. In the illustrated embodiment, the sensor system 1 comprises several sensors 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. These are ultrasonic sensors in this embodiment. The sensor system 1 also comprises a serial bus system 8. The serial bus system 8 is a DSI3 bus or has a corresponding bus protocol.

[0052] Furthermore, the sensor system 1 has a master control unit 9.

[0053] In the exemplary embodiment, sensor system 1 also has sensor connections 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15. Sensor connections 10 to 15 can, for example, be designed as slots or plug connectors into which sensors 2 to 7 can be reversibly inserted and thus coupled. Here, sensors 2 to 7 are arranged in a daisy chain in serial configuration. In particular, the master control unit 9 is also connected in this serial configuration.

[0054] In this embodiment, sensor system 1 has electronic addresses 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21. The number n of these electronic addresses 16 to 21 is therefore six. Specifically, the number of available sensor connections 10 to 15 is also six. The number of sensors 2 to 7 in this embodiment is also six.

[0055] Addresses 16 to 21 are therefore also, in particular, electronic identifiers or identification codes with which a sensor connection 10 to 15 and thus also a sensor 2 to 7 coupled to a sensor connection 10 to 15 is addressed in the serial communication chain.

[0056] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of the current wiring configuration. Sensors 2 to 7, and thus in particular their terminals 10 to 15, are each connected to each other in a serial arrangement by at least one cable. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the master control unit 9 is also connected to sensor terminal 15 in the serial chain, specifically directly, by a cable. In this current wiring configuration, the master control unit 9 is therefore furthest from the first sensor 2 in the serial communication chain. The subsequent sensors 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 follow in the chain. Thus, the position of sensors 2 to 7 in this serial chain increases towards the master control unit 9.

[0057] Positions P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, and P6 represent exemplary locations on a vehicle. These positions could be, for example, on a front or rear bumper. In this example, the first sensor 2 and / or the first sensor connector 10 is located at position P1. This is also true for the other sensors 3 to 7 and / or the other sensor connectors 11 to 15, so that the sixth sensor 7 and / or the sixth sensor connector 15 is located at the sixth position, P6. Such a configuration can also be referred to as the initial or basic configuration.

[0058] This document provides a table and / or a diagram of the current wiring configuration for sensors 2 to 7 on a vehicle. This can be stored in a memory unit within the vehicle. The current wiring configuration preferably specifies at least the positions P1 to P6 of sensors 2 to 7 and / or sensor connections 10 to 15 on the vehicle.

[0059] For addressing purposes, a single addressing signal 22 is generated, common to all sensors 2 to 7 and / or all sensor connections 10 to 15 of sensor system 1, particularly using an assignment module 1a. This is done depending on the current wiring configuration. The addressing signal 22 is generated specifically to indicate the start of an active addressing process, particularly for generating active current addressing. Furthermore, it is generated to include the assignment of addresses 16 to 21 for sensors 2 to 7, as required for the current wiring configuration.

[0060] Addresses 16 to 21 characterize the positions on the vehicle.

[0061] During configuration, sensors 2 to 7 and / or sensor connections 10 to 15 are addressed by assigning the required address 16 to 21 to each sensor 2 to 7 and / or sensor connections 10 to 15 using the addressing signal 22. Specifically, the addressing signal 22 is generated as a multibit signal containing information to initiate the active addressing process, as well as information specifying which address 16 to 21 should be assigned to which sensor 2 to 7 in order to create the active addressing configuration corresponding to the actual wiring. At least two, and in particular three, bits of the addressing signal 22 are reserved for each piece of information regarding which address 16 to 21 should be assigned to which sensor 2 to 7 and / or sensor connection 10 to 15.

[0062] With regard to addressing a wiring configuration, a configuration or addressing signal 22 is preferably generated, as explained. This signal is then used to check whether there is a current draw at this sensor, in Fig. 1 at sensor 2. If there is no current draw, since there is no wiring on the right side in the illustration in Fig. 1, this sensor 2 is the first sensor in the chain. It is then assigned the first address 16. Subsequently, a resistor is connected, in particular, between the addressed first sensor 2 and the second sensor 3 in the chain, so that during further testing, no current draw occurs between sensor 2 and the subsequent sensor 3. Thus, the second sensor 3 knows that it is the second sensor in the serial chain.This procedure is carried out successively during addressing until the sixth and last sensor 7, which is closest to the master control unit 9 in the serial chain, is addressed. This sensor then receives what is essentially the sixth address, which in this case is address 21.

[0063] In this current wiring configuration, the position of sensors 2 to 7, and therefore also of sensor connections 10 to 15 (i.e., a sensor cable route position), corresponds to the vehicle sensor positions P1 to P6. The positions along the cable route, i.e., the sensor cable route positions, can be designated K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, K6 (not shown). Thus, sensor 2 and / or sensor connection 10 are located at cable route position K1, and so on. This can be a standard wiring configuration.

[0064] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of another existing wiring configuration.

[0065] In the example shown in Fig. 2, the actual wiring configuration differs from the one shown in Fig. 2.

[0066] Fig. 1 shows that the master control unit 9 is located at the opposite end of the serial communication link. This means that, as shown, sensor port 10 with electronic address 16 is the closest to the master control unit 9, i.e., the master control unit 9 is directly wired only to this sensor port 10. Accordingly, the other sensor ports 11 to 15 are successively located further away from the master control unit 9 in the serial chain. Sensors 2 to 7 are also connected to sensor ports 10 to 15.

[0067] Sensor 2 is located at position P6, sensor 3 at position P5, sensor 4 at position P4, sensor 5 at position P3, sensor 6 at position P2, and sensor 7 at position P1 on the vehicle. The diagram also shows the state in which addressing is complete. An addressing signal 22 contains the individual information specifying which address 16 to 21 is to be assigned to which sensor 2 to 7 at which location, or at which position P1 to P6, based on the current wiring configuration.

[0068] The positions along the cable run, i.e., the sensor cable run positions, can be designated by K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, K6 (not shown). These cable run positions can be the same or different from those shown in Fig. 1.

[0069] Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of yet another existing wiring configuration.

[0070] In the example shown in Fig. 3, the actual wiring configuration differs from those in Figs. 1 and 2, particularly in the positions of sensors 2 to 7 on the vehicle. The master control unit 9 is arranged here as in Fig. 1.

[0071] Sensor 7 is located at position P6, sensor 6 at position P1, sensor 5 at position P5, sensor 4 at position P4, sensor 3 at position P2 and sensor 2 at position P1.

[0072] The state in which addressing is complete is also shown. An addressing signal 22 contains this individual information, specifying which address 16 to 21 is to be assigned to which sensor 2 to 7 at which location or position P1 to P6 based on the actual wiring configuration. The positions along the cable run, i.e., the sensor cable run positions, can be designated by K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, K6 (not shown). These cable run positions can be the same as or different from those shown in Fig. 1 or Fig. 2.

[0073] Furthermore, Fig. 4 shows another example of a schematic representation of a sensor system 1 with an actual wiring configuration. In this embodiment, the actual wiring configuration has a number m, here by way of example four, of sensor connections, which is smaller than the number n of a fictitious complete wiring configuration. Therefore, in this example, two of the n addresses are not required.

[0074] In this exemplary embodiment, sensor connections 10 and 15 are not required. These could, for example, be the outermost sensors on the left and right sides of a configuration of ultrasonic sensors mounted on a bumper. In this case, a configuration is presented here in which only the centrally located ultrasonic sensors of such a sensor system are installed on the bumper and therefore required.

[0075] Sensor 5 is located at position P5, sensor 4 at position P4, sensor 3 at position P3 and sensor 2 at position P2.

[0076] The state in which addressing is complete is also shown. An addressing signal 22 also contains this individual information, specifying which addresses are needed from addresses 16 to 21 (here, addresses 17 to 20) and which sensor 2 to 7 is to be assigned to which location or position P1 to P6 (here, only positions P2 to P5) based on the current wiring configuration.

[0077] The positions along the cable run, i.e., the sensor cable run positions, can be designated by K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, K6 (not shown). These cable run positions can be the same as or different from those shown in Fig. 1 or Fig. 2.

[0078] Figure 1 schematically illustrates another aspect of the invention. Here, the process does not necessarily rely on a stored table and / or a card containing information about an existing wiring configuration, but rather involves a comparison of an output wiring configuration with the actual wiring configuration. Sensors 2 to 7, and thus in particular also connections 10 to 15, are each connected to each other in a serial arrangement by at least one cable. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the master control unit 9 is also connected to sensor connection 15 by a cable in the serial chain, specifically directly. In this output wiring configuration, the master control unit 9 is therefore furthest from the first sensor 2 in the serial communication chain. The subsequent sensors 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 follow in the chain.Thus, the position of sensors 2 to 7 in this serial chain increases towards the master control unit 9.

[0079] With regard to addressing an output wiring configuration, a configuration or addressing signal is preferably generated. This signal is then used to check whether current is being drawn at sensor 2. If no current is being drawn, since there is no wiring on the right side in the illustration in Fig. 1, sensor 2 is the first sensor in the chain. It is then assigned the first address 10. Subsequently, a resistor is connected, in particular between the addressed first sensor 2 and the second sensor 3 in the chain, so that no current is drawn between sensor 2 and the subsequent sensor 3 during further testing. Thus, the second sensor 3 knows that it is the second sensor in the serial chain.This procedure is carried out successively during output addressing until the sixth and last sensor 7, which is closest to the master control unit 9 in the serial chain, is addressed. This sensor then receives what is essentially the sixth address, which in this case is address 15.

[0080] In this further aspect of the invention, Figure 1 illustrates the execution of an output assignment process in which each electronic address 16 to 21 is assigned to an assignment module 1a of the sensor system 1. The assignment module 1a can again be a software module and / or a hardware module. This results in the output addressing shown in Figure 1. This can also be referred to as reference addressing. If, in an exemplary embodiment, such an output wiring configuration, which can also be referred to as a reference wiring configuration, is recognized as the actual wiring configuration, no further addressing, or in this further aspect of the invention, re-addressing, is required.

[0081] Fig. 2 shows a state in which the sensor system 1 has an actual wiring configuration that differs from an initial wiring configuration as explained in Fig. 1 according to the further aspect of the invention.

[0082] In principle, a configuration procedure according to the further aspect of the invention determines or verifies which wiring configuration is present as the actual wiring configuration. If, as shown in Fig. 2, it is recognized that a wiring configuration exists which deviates from the output wiring configuration or reference wiring configuration explained in Fig. 1 according to the further aspect of the invention, a re-addressing or re-addressing of the output addressing associated with Fig. 1 is carried out.

[0083] In the example shown in Fig. 2, which illustrates a further aspect of the invention, the actual wiring configuration differs from the initial wiring configuration in that the master control unit 9 is located at the opposite end of the serial communication link. This means that, as shown, sensor port 10 with electronic address 16 is directly closest to the master control unit 9, i.e., the master control unit 9 is directly wired only to this sensor port 10. Accordingly, the other sensor ports 11 to 15 are also successively located further away from the master control unit 9 in the serial chain. Sensors 2 to 7 are also connected to sensor ports 10 to 15. Due to this actual wiring configuration, a re-addressing is required.

[0084] Because in this current wiring configuration, the positions of sensors 2 to 7 on the vehicle, i.e., the vehicle sensor positions, differ from those shown in Fig. 1, as mentioned above. The order in which sensors 2 to 7 are arranged on the vehicle also differs from their positions along the cable run. These differences, in particular, necessitate re-addressing. In the example shown, sensor connections 10 to 15 are in the same order as in Fig. 1. Only the master control unit 9 is located on the opposite side of the cable run. It is essential that sensors 2 to 7 are re-addressed so that their newly assigned addresses 16 to 21 reflect their order in the communication chain as they are arranged on the vehicle.This means, for example, that sensor 2 is located at the last position on the vehicle, i.e., at P6, sensor 3 is located at the fifth position on the vehicle, i.e., at P5, and so on, so that sensor 7 is located, or is to be located, at the first position, i.e., P1, in the given sequence of positions on the vehicle. Therefore, in this example, it is necessary to assign address 21 to sensor 2, which characterizes this sixth position, i.e., P6, on the vehicle with respect to the communication chain in the daisy chain. This also applies in particular to its position relative to the master control unit 9. The same applies, as explained above, to all other sensors 3 to 7.

[0085] Therefore, when checking the actual wiring configuration of the sensor connections 10 to 15 equipped with sensors 2 to 7 and / or a master control unit 9 of the bus system 8, it is recognized that a difference exists compared to an output wiring configuration, in particular as can be characterized by the arrangement in Fig. 1 according to a further aspect of the invention. This output wiring configuration and this assembly according to Fig. 1 characterizes a fictitious output addressing in which each electronic address 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 of a number n would be assigned to the sensor connections 10 to 15, of which a number n would be present, by an assignment module 1a.

[0086] In this further aspect of the invention, the activation of the fictitious output addressing as active actual addressing is prevented, since the actual wiring configuration according to Fig. 2 differs from the output wiring configuration, particularly according to Fig. 1, in which the fictitious output addressing is correct. Therefore, active actual addressing is generated in Fig. 2 by generating at least one re-addressing signal as addressing signal 22 by the assignment module 1a. Addressing signal 22 contains, in particular, the information to start an active addressing process for generating active actual addressing. Specifically, it contains the information for assigning addresses 16 to 21 to sensors 2 to 7, as required for the actual wiring configuration.

[0087] In particular, for each piece of information about which address 16 to 21 is to be assigned to which sensor 2 to 7, at least two, in particular three, bits of the addressing signal 22 are kept available.

[0088] In the example according to Fig. 2, the addressing signal 22 provides information that sensor 7 and / or sensor terminal 10 is assigned address 16, sensor terminal 11 and / or sensor 6 is assigned address 17, the sensor terminal

[0089] 12 and / or sensor 5 is assigned address 18, the sensor connection

[0090] 13 and / or sensor 4 is assigned address 19, the sensor connection

[0091] Sensor 14 and / or sensor 3 are assigned address 20, and sensor 15 and / or sensor 2 are assigned address 21. Positions P1 to P6 on the vehicle are shown.

[0092] In particular, when determining an existing wiring configuration, it is also checked whether a number n of sensor connections 10 to 15 are present or required. This is the case in the examples according to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. It is also the case in the example according to Fig. 3, which will be explained below and represents a further aspect of the invention. This differs from the example according to Fig. 4, which will also be explained below and represents a further aspect of the invention. There, a smaller number m, here by way of example four, is required compared to the number n, which here by way of six.

[0093] In the embodiment according to Fig. 3, according to the further aspect of the invention, the master control unit 9 is arranged correctly or identically in the serial chain compared to the output wiring configuration.

[0094] However, in Fig. 3 according to the further aspect of the invention, the sensors 2 to 6 are arranged in different positions on the vehicle than in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. Therefore, a re-addressing is necessary for this reason alone.

[0095] The fifth sensor 6 is located at position P1 on the vehicle. In this example, it is assigned the first address 16, as already shown in Fig. 3. Furthermore, the fourth sensor 5, the third sensor 4, the second sensor 3, and the first sensor 2 are located, or are to be located, at positions P5, P4, P3, and P2 on the vehicle. Therefore, during the re-addressing process, as already shown in Fig. 3, these sensors are assigned addresses 20, 19, 18, and 17, which characterize these positions on the vehicle. This is also done according to the procedure using the addressing signal 22, as explained in Fig. 2.

[0096] Furthermore, Fig. 4 shows another example according to a further aspect of the invention for a schematic representation of a sensor system 1. In this embodiment, the actual wiring configuration is provided with a number m, here by way of example four, of sensor connections, which is less than the number n of an output wiring configuration. In this example, therefore, two of the number n addresses are not required.

[0097] In this exemplary embodiment, sensor connections 10 and 15 are not required. These could, for example, be the outermost sensors on the left and right sides of a configuration of ultrasonic sensors mounted on a bumper. In this case, a configuration is presented here in which only the centrally located ultrasonic sensors of such a sensor system are installed on the bumper and therefore required.

[0098] Starting from an initial wiring configuration, particularly that shown in Fig. 1, where the sensor connections 13, 12, 11, and 10 would follow the master control unit 9 in sequence, corresponding to addresses 19, 18, 17, and 16, respectively, a re-addressing is required with regard to the wiring configuration shown in Fig. 4, which is an example of a reduced actual wiring configuration, especially compared to the initial wiring configuration. Specifically, if, for example, the positions of sensor connections 14, 13, 12, and 11 from the initial wiring configuration are required, a re-addressing is necessary. To assign addresses 20, 19, 18, and 17 to these sensor connections 14, 13, 12, and 11, a corresponding addressing signal 22 is generated.

[0099] Here too, Fig. 4 already shows the state of the re-addressing of the actual cabling configuration.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Method for configuring a sensor system (1) with multiple sensors (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) and with a serial bus system (8) in which multiple sensor connectors (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15) for connecting the sensors (2 to 7) to the bus system (8) are arranged serially, comprising the following steps: providing a table and / or map of an actual wiring configuration for the sensors (2 to 7) on a vehicle, wherein the actual wiring configuration specifies at least the positions of the sensors (2 to 7) and / or the sensor connectors (10 to 15) on the vehicle;Generation of an addressing signal (22) with an assignment module (1a) depending on the actual wiring configuration, wherein the addressing signal (22) contains as information the starting of an active addressing process of generating an active actual addressing and as further information the assignment of the addresses (16 to 21 ) for the sensors (2 to 7) as required for the actual wiring configuration, wherein the addresses (16 to 21 ) characterize the positions on the vehicle; Performing an addressing of the sensors (2 to 7) and / or the sensor connections (10 to 15) during configuration by assigning the required address (16 to 21) to at least one sensor (2 to 7) and / or at least one sensor connection (10 to 15) using the addressing signal (22).

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the addressing signal (22) is generated as a multibit signal containing both information to start the active addressing process and information on which address (16 to 21) is to be assigned to which sensor (2 to 7) and / or sensor connection (10 to 15), in particular to generate the addressing corresponding to the actual wiring configuration as active actual addressing.

3. Method according to claim 2, wherein for each piece of information which address (16 to 21) is to be assigned to which sensor (2 to 7) and / or sensor connection (10 to 15), at least two, in particular three bits of the addressing signal (22) are kept available.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the addresses (16 to 21) which are assigned to the respective sensors (2 to 7) and / or sensor connections (10 to 15) during addressing are stored directly in the sensors (2 to 7) coupled to the sensor connections (10 to 15).

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the addressing of a sensor (2 to 7) is carried out by the sensor (2 to 7) itself when it has received the addressing signal (22).

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein when determining an actual wiring configuration, it is checked whether a number n of sensors (2 to 7) and / or sensor connections (10 to 15) are present or required, and if a number m, with m less than n, is present, the addressing with the addressing signal (22) is carried out only for the number m.

7. Method according to claim 6, wherein, with a reduced addressing in this respect, it is checked at which positions the sensors (2 to 7) and / or the sensor connections (10 to 15) of the number m are arranged on the vehicle in relation to the positions of a complete wiring configuration of the number n on the vehicle, and depending on this position check, the reduced number of required addresses (16 to 21) are assigned to the sensors (2 to 7) and / or the sensor connections (10 to 15).

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the table and / or the map is stored in a storage unit of the vehicle and is transmitted to the assignment module (1a) to generate the addressing signal (22), or the assignment module (1a) queries the table and / or the map from the storage unit when the addressing signal is generated.

9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein only a single addressing signal (22) is generated for addressing all sensors (2 to 7) and / or all sensor connections (10 to 15) of the sensor system (1).

10. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein ultrasonic sensors (2 to 7) are provided as sensors.

11. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensors (2 to 7) and the master control unit (9) are arranged in a daisy chain.

12. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein DSI3 is used as the bus system.

13. Vehicle sensor system (1) with multiple sensors (2 to 7) and with a serial bus system (8) in which multiple sensor connections (10 to 15) for connecting the sensors (2 to 7) to the bus system (8) are arranged serially, and with an addressing system, in particular an assignment module (1a) for assigning electronic addresses (16 to 21) to the sensors (2 to 7) and / or the sensor connections (10 to 15), wherein the vehicle sensor system (1) is configured to carry out a method according to one of the preceding claims.

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