An electronic control unit to optimize functions associated with an automotive system and a method thereof

Abstract

Disclosed herein is an electronic control unit (100) for controlling plurality of sub- functional systems (101, 102, 103, 104) in a vehicle The electronic control unit (100) comprises a single on-board processor (1001) is further configured to drive said plurality of sub-functional systems (101, 102, 103, 104). Said single on-board processor is configured to identify the requirement for updation of a set of instructions and data for said plurality of sub-functional controllers, select a means for optimization for said updation of the set of instructions and data, perform said updation based on selected means for optimization and a group of other parameters and perform the verification on the updated the set of instructions and data. The disclosed invention addresses software optimization challenge by providing a means to automatically reduce the overall operational and functional time (& thereby energy) by optimizing the hardware and automatically the software to reduce the overall energy consumption during different operational scenarios.

Description

[0001] AN ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT TO OPTIMIZE FUNCTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH AN AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEM AND A METHOD THEREOF

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a solution associated with optimization of functions in an automotive system, particularly, this disclosure relates to a modified control unit for optimizing the various functions within an automotive Electronics Control Unit (ECU) to improve energy efficiency and more particularly, it thereby relates to an optimized automotive ECU to improve energy efficiency and thereby provide a sustainable solution.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed disclosure, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

[0006] Known is that an electronic control unit is an embedded system in automotive electronics that controls one or more of the electrical systems or subsystems in a vehicle or car. In some cases, it is also known as an electronic control module (ECM). Engine control module (ECM), powertrain control module (PCM), transmission control module (TCM), body control module (BCM) are some instances of electronic control unit in a vehicle. In Layman’s language, these ECUs may be collectively referred to as the car’s computer and is not a single one. A typical ECU includes a core (microcontroller), memory, inputs, outputs, communication modules, and related embedded software.

[0007] In the present disclosure, a sub-functional system refers to one such system catering to a specific role or task performed by group of components within vehicle. Usually each of such system would be controlled with its dedicated control unit or electronic control unit. In a vehicle, there may be provided numerous systems for rendering various functions to the vehicle such as light in glass, active glazing (such as polymer-dispersed liquid crystals, PDLC, suspended particle devices, SPD, etc.,), adaptive cruise control, and so on. Each of these sub-functional systems are defined by specific functions. For instance, a PDLC based sunroof may have the functionality of operating in different modes such as transparent or opaque. The vehicle may have a main electronic control unit (ECU) which is a small device inside a vehicle that is configured to control one or several electrical systems within the vehicle. It is so configured that it is meant to indicate the electrical systems what and how to do. Generally, an ECU’s core is a microcontroller, and it is controlled by embedded software. In the present disclosure, the system referred to includes one main vehicle system controlled by the vehicle’s electronic control unit and the system includes numerous subfunctional systems associated with it. Typically, the main vehicle system includes an electronic control unit that is inter-alia configured to control multiple electronic control units associated thereon.

[0008] In the automotive solutions currently existent, various dedicated ECUs are developed for specific functions. Here, the term ‘slave’ refers to the traditional slave terminology used in reference to ‘master-slave’ ECU system. Such automotive ECU solutions, especially slave ECUs are developed and customized to support one or more systems or devices. Such ECUs would be very specific to the hardware requirements or specifications. Conventionally, in such a setup, during the addition of new components or systems to the vehicle, the associated software needs to be customized manually. It has been often seen observed that in most of these cases, only limited configurations are possible.

[0009] Reference is made to US 11604636 that discloses a specific on-board device. Said on-board device may be any one of a plurality of on-board devices. It is configured to acquire the versions of software that are included in other on-board devices when the power source of a vehicle is turned on. The specific on-board device determines whether the versions of the software of all the on-board devices that constitute a vehicle control system are consistent, by comparing the version of the software of the specific on-board device and the versions of the software acquired from the other on-board devices with first consistency information prestored.

[0010] Another reference is made to US10908891 that discloses about software update device and software update system. The software update device includes a memory unit for storing information about a plurality of HMI devices each including a display device. It has a selection unit for selecting at least one HMI device among the plurality of HMI devices and an update unit for updating software of an in-vehicle device. Provided further in the device is a transmission unit for sending a notification message regarding the update to the one HMI device.

[0011] Yet another reference is made to US20210397443 that relates to a software update apparatus, a master, an OTA master, and a network system. It talks about a master device that includes a communication module configured to request a download of update data from a center, a first storage device configured to store the update data obtained by the download, and one or more processors configured to at a time of execution of the download. Said processors are further configured to check at least one of a free space size of the first storage device or a free space size of a second storage device of each of one or more update-target in-vehicle devices among a plurality of in-vehicle devices connected through an in-vehicle network, and perform control such that, based on the update data, update software is installed, or installed and activated, in the one or more update-target in- vehicle devices. The communication module is configured to request the download of the update data from the centre based on the free space size.

[0012] However, it has been seen that none of these known solutions speak about any kind of hardware driven optimization. Specifically speaking, if there is a modification in the hardware, the ECU system of the vehicle may check for an update or software version from existing list of software modules maintained within the hardware module’s database or internet server (OTA). However, the other software and allied modules or sub-routines need to be concurrently released by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) or supplier as well. The optimization or updates of existing ECU solutions are based on the newer software versions released as part of regular updates from OEMs. It does not support automated reconfiguration. With the existing solutions, there are no energy optimization of the upgraded system. The ECU systems of the conventional solutions are very rigid and only known hardware combinations are compatible with a particular ECU.

[0013] In view of these solution, it has been seen that there is a dire need for a self-optimizing slave ECU configured to optimize and pull the relevant modules from a memory or OTA for minimizing energy consumption essentially when hardware modifications are involved.

[0014] SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0015] An object of the present invention is to provide a customized electronic control unit capable of overcoming the drawbacks of the prior art mentioned herein above.

[0016] Another object of the present invention is to provide a solution for software optimization that is a hardware driven optimization.

[0017] A further object of the present invention is to provide a solution for sustainable energy efficient optimization of software.

[0018] In an aspect of the present invention is disclosed an electronic control unit for controlling plurality of sub-functional systems in a vehicle. Said electronic control unit comprises plurality of sub-functional controllers to control said plurality of sub-functional systems. This plurality of sub-functional controllers are operably coupled to a single on-board processor. The single on-board processor is further configured to drive said plurality of sub-functional systems. Said single on-board processor is configured to identify the requirement for updation of a set of instructions and data for said plurality of sub-functional controllers, select a means for optimization for said updation of the set of instructions and data, perform said updation based on selected means for optimization and a group of other parameters and perform the verification on the updated the set of instructions and data. The single on-board processor is configured to identify the requirements for the number of instances of updation of the set of instructions and data based on at least a current and future usage of each of the sub-functional systems, and user experience with each of said sub-functional systems. The means for optimization includes a means for energy consumption optimization, selecting active instruction and data set, memory optimization, execution space optimization and a combination thereof. For each sub-functional system, the single on-board processor is configured to is configured to obtain usage of each function of said sub-functional system, user experience for each function and feedback on the same, and estimate the future usage of each function. Said function is associated with a sub-functional system. The single on-board processor is configured to perform the verification based on the operating performance of the sub-functional systems and said single on-board processor is further configured to classify the set of instructions and data into at least three classes including ‘used’, ‘required for at least predicted used’ and ‘unused in the past, present, and future’. The single on-board processor is configured to access a new available memory or execution space, after assessment of functions the set of instructions and data to be used. The control unit is operably configured to a cloud unit for building all functions based on existing state of the sub-fucntional unit, said function being a set of instructions and data associated with said sub-functional system. The single onboard processor is configured to perform the updation of the instructions and data of a first state to a second state, and said single on-board processor is further configured to return to the first state, if the verification on the instructions and data in the second state fails. Here, a state of a sub-functional system is defined with its hardware and software configuration. This plurality of sub-functional systems includes electronics driver circuit configured to operably communicate with each of the plurality of sub-functional systems and the single on-board processor. This control unit is operably configured to the via a main control unit of the vehicle.

[0019] In an aspect of the present invention is provided a method for updating a set of instructions and data in a first state to a second state. Said updation is performed by a single on-board processor of a customized control unit. Said method comprises initialization, by a processing unit of the control unit, of the customized control unit, checking, by the processing unit, if there are any new hardware interfaced to said customized control unit, in which said hardware interface is a sub-functional system. The method further has determining, by the processing unit, the hardware identifiers of the one or more added or modified interfaces, checking, by the processing unit, for existing set of instructions and data in a memory unit, and re-defining, by the processing unit, the set of instructions and data of the interface and thereafter mapping the set of instructions to a main set of instructions and data including hardware changes. The method further includes revising, by the processing unit, to the main set of instructions to accommodate the additional set of instructions and data and revising, by the processing unit, priority order of the set of instruction and data based on hardware interface. Additionally, are the method includes steps of checking, by the processing unit, for available power and saving the main set of instruction to de-activate hardware functions of low priority, performing validation and running diagnostics, by the processing unit, to check for active functions and raising alert if any failure observed and revising, by the processing unit, the set of instructions based on a user checklist for any disabled or failed function.

[0020] The solution provides a hardware driven optimization. If there is a modification in the hardware the ECU system checks for an update or software version from existing list of software modules maintained within the hardware module’s database or internet server (OTA). The software & allied algorithm has to be concurrently released by OEM or supplier. The solution provides energy optimization of the upgraded system. The optimization or updates of existing ECU solutions are based on the newer software versions released as part of regular updates from OEMs. It does not support automated reconfiguration. The solution has versatility. The ECU systems are very flexible in the feasible hardware as compared to prior art.

[0021] These and other objects of the invention are achieved by the following aspects of the invention. The following disclosure presents a simplified summary of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This presents some concept of the invention in a simplified form to a more detailed description of the invention presented later. It is a comprehensive summary of the disclosure, and it is not an extensive overview of the present invention. The intend of this summary is to provide a fundamental understanding of some of the aspects of the present invention.

[0022] The significant features of the present invention and the advantages of the same will be apparent to a person skilled in the art from the detailed description that follows in conjunction with the annexed drawings.

[0023] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

[0024] The following briefly describes the accompanying drawings, illustrating the technical solution of the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, for assisting the understanding of a person skilled in the art to comprehend the invention. It would be apparent that the accompanying drawings in the following description merely show some embodiments of the present invention, and persons skilled in the art can derive other drawings from the accompanying drawings without deviating from the scope of the disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates a system as per one configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 2 illustrates a system as per second configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG.3 illustrates an example case according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIG.4 illustrates a method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] FIG 5 illustrates a control flow diagram according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGs. 6A-6B illustrate a comparative study according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the disclosure.

[0031] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The present disclosure is now discussed in more detail referring to the drawings that accompany the present application. It would be appreciated by a skilled person that this description to assist the understanding of the invention, but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary.

[0033] The terms and words used in the following description are not limited to the bibliographical meanings and the same are used to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the invention. Accordingly, the terms / phrases are to be read in the context of the disclosure and not in isolation. Additionally, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.

[0034] The one or more embodiments of the present invention primarily includes a multifunctional electronic control unit as hardware, an optimized hardware architecture and an interfacing section with standard connectors. The solution disclosed herein further includes a custom algorithm for the operation of the electronic control unit. Such an algorithm in an implementation may be a firmware. Reference is made to FIGs. 1-2 that discloses two different types of hardware configuration according to the present invention.

[0035] In an embodiment of the present invention is provided an electronic control unit (100) for controlling plurality of sub-functional systems (101, 102, 103, 104) in a vehicle. Said electronic control unit (100) comprises plurality of sub-functional controllers to control said plurality of sub-functional systems (101, 102, 103, 104). In an instance, these subfunctional systems may include any of light in glass, active glazing (such as polymer- dispersed liquid crystals, PDLC, suspended particle devices, SPD, etc.,), adaptive cruise control, and the like.

[0036] Said plurality of sub-functional controllers are operably coupled to a single on-board processor (1001). The single on-board processor (1001) is further configured to drive said plurality of sub-functional systems (101, 102, 103, 104). The single on-board processor is configured to identify the requirement for updation of a set of instructions and data for said plurality of sub-functional controllers, select a means for optimization for said updation of the set of instructions and data, perform said updation based on selected means for optimization and a group of other parameters and perform the verification on the updated the set of instructions and data. The single on-board processor (1001) is configured to identify the requirements for the number of instances of updation of the set of instructions and data based on at least a current and future usage of each of the sub-functional systems, and user experience with each of said sub-functional systems. In an implementation, if it is an optimizing hardware external to vehicle ECU, this could be a stand-alone device. In this case, an additional section or interface is needed to connect to vehicle Main or Slave ECU to send the optimized software that enables energy efficient operation of the new hardware or modified hardware.

[0037] In an embodiment of the present invention, the electronic control unit (100) includes a means for optimization. Said means for optimization in turn may include any of or all of a means for energy consumption optimization, selecting active instruction and data set, memory optimization, execution space optimization and a combination thereof. For each sub-functional system, the single on-board processor (1001) is configured to obtain usage of each function of said sub-functional system, user experience for each function and feedback on the same, and estimate the future usage of each function. The function is associated with a sub-functional system. The single on-board processor (1001) is configured to perform the verification based on the operating performance of the sub- functional systems (101, 102, 103, 104). The single on-board processor (1001) is further configured to classify the set of instructions and data into at least three classes including ‘used’, ‘required for at least predicted used’ and ‘unused in the past, present, and future’. It would be understood by one skilled in the art that these classes or categories nomenclature is basis usage of the software and may be provided suitable terms depending on the application and strategy of optimization.

[0038] In an embodiment, the single on-board processor (1001) of the electronic control unit (100) is configured to access a new available memory or execution space, after assessment of functions the set of instructions and data to be used. The control unit (100) is operably configured to a cloud unit for building all functions based on existing state of the subfunctional unit. This function is a set of instructions and data associated with said subfunctional system. The single on-board processor (1001) is configured to perform the updation of the instructions and data of a first state to a second state, and said single onboard processor (1001) is further configured to return to the first state, if the verification on the instructions and data in the second state fails. The state of a sub-functional system is defined with its hardware and software configuration. Said plurality of sub-functional systems (101, 102, 103, 104) includes electronics driver circuit (1002, 1003, 1004) configured to operably communicate with each of the plurality of sub-functional systems (101, 102, 103, 104) and the single on-board processor (1001). Said control unit (100) is operably configured to the (101, 102, 103, 104) via a main control unit (110) of the vehicle.

[0039] In an implementation, the system uses a custom Slave ECU capable of interacting with multiple hardware and able to optimize the algorithm within the processor section as and when there is a change in the hardware or as a function of power or Energy from Battery system. Again, in another implementation, there is a removable hardware / optimizer unit that is capable of function or operation optimization within an ECU. In an example, this could be done via. regular firmware updation port of ECU. The customized hardware is configured to get the details of the connected systems (such as and not limited to light in glass, PDLC system, and the like) from the ECU and then optimize the algorithm. This advantageously facilitates for sustainable energy optimization. Reference is made to FIG. 3 that depicts an architecture for the disclosed system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The disclosed system includes multiple sub-systems or sub-functional units / system as well referred (such as and not limited to PDLC, Solar, LIG, SOLAR PV) with an in-built basic controller. Said in-built controller is configured to take information from Slave ECU to activate or deactivate a particular sub-system. The Slave ECU continuously monitors the status of the battery, receives instructions from Main ECU and in intermittently connected to the Cloud server (210). The cloud may have its own database (211) and is capable of analyzing sustainable factors with present operational parameters (212). The disclosed system is configured to implement changes in the Slave ECU with regular code or instruction in the below four instances. Primarily, with the battery level or fuel level changes around a threshold, followed by a new / replacement in connected sub-systems, followed by time of day and user preference or settings. The time of the day aspect may be gauged by the controller considering lighting system priority changes and solar energy availability.

[0040] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is provided the control flow for optimization of ECU functions. Reference is made to FIG. 4 that discloses a control flow diagram used to achieve the required software rec-configuration or optimization. It primarily depicts the step to identify the need of number of software functions to be optimised. This optimisation is based on usage of each function so far, user experience for each function, feedback on the same and then estimate the future usage of each function. Further included herein is selection of an optimization method. It comprises optimization of number of features to be active, energy consumption optimization, memory optimization, execution space optimization and / or combination of these mentioned aspects. It may be the add-on device that gets connected to the ECU and to collect all required operational data. The optimization means is configured to execute the optimization method on all the existing functions. Based on the operating performance of different functions, functions may be classified into used / not required. The further functions are further classified as “used, required for at least predicted used” and the unused ones are classified as “unused in the past, present, and future”. Based on user inputs, and result of optimization, some functions are retained, and some are either disabled or delete. This is done based on recommendations by optimization method. The newly available memory or execution space is then accessed after assessment of functions to be used / unsured. Assessment and suggestions on what may be added based on newly available memory / execution space, is performed. This is based on application specific matter. Herein the cloud connection may be required. All functions including essential operating system, are then built and based on existing hardware, process, update process, test process shall be accurate enough. All key checks are performed to make sure newly selected algorithms working properly or not. In event of adverse behaviour, one returns to a previous version or full version if any checks fail.

[0041] In an embodiment as provided in FIG. 5 is given a method (500) for updating a set of instructions and data in a first state to a second state, wherein, said updation is performed by a single on-board processor of a customized control unit (100). The method comprises at S501, initialization by a processing unit of the control unit, of the customized control unit. At step S502, checking if there are any new hardware interfaced to said customized control unit; wherein said hardware interface is a sub-functional system. At S503, determining by the processing unit, the hardware identifiers of the one or more added or modified interfaces. At S504, checking by the processing unit, for existing set of instructions and data in a memory unit. At step, S505, re-defining, by the processing unit, the set of instructions and data of the interface and thereafter mapping the set of instructions to a main set of instructions and data including hardware changes. At step S506, revising, by the processing unit, to the main set of instructions to accommodate the additional set of instructions and data. At S507, revising, by the processing unit, priority order of the set of instruction and data based on hardware interface. At step, S508, checking by the processing unit, for available power and saving the main set of instruction to de-activate hardware functions of low priority. At S509, performing validation and running diagnostics, by the processing unit, to check for active functions and raising alert if any failure observed; and at step S510, revising, by the processing unit, the set of instructions based on a user checklist for any disabled or failed function. In an instance, the present disclosure shows firmware optimization based on the instructions lines of a software (codes) being compared. Reference is made to FIGs. 6A- 6B that provide a comparative example case of firmware optimization, achieved by using the present invention. The main ECU communicates with the Slave ECUs via. CAN or LIN method (for instance). In cases of existing ECU (FIG. 5A), for each external sub-system operation, it could take an average of 500 instruction lines to efficiently operate. This is the optimal configuration if we have only one Slave ECU and associated hardware subsystem. Similarly, on a regular multi-ECU system for 4 hardware sub-systems, this requires 4 separate Slave ECUs to operate the sub-systems which are activated or deactivated via. Main ECU. This requires additional instructions in the main ECU in addition to the 2000 instruction or lines of code. On the other hand, in FIG. 5B, for a proposed new configuration for same 4 sub-system operation, optimized hardware and single communication interface with the main ECU, this system requires only 1000 lines or code, i.e., around half of the regular system. This provides double the operational efficiency. It also reduces the power consumption as the hardware duplication is also reduced.

[0042] According to the present invention, the Optimizer hardware may be provided as a standalone unit which has provisions to connect with standard ECUs and custom Slave ECUs of a vehicle. This unit may then enable the optimization of software as per the connected sub-systems to the vehicle ECU and flash / update the code to the processor. There are means for cloud based historical data on how each function in ECU performing. Further, there are comparative analysis for algorithms and h / w for improving efficiency. In an alternate example, the cloud service or the connected hardware can have automated optimization based on Generative Al. It is also possible to have a real time optimization algorithm based on the location (GPS), time of day and amount of power remaining in the vehicle system. It is a feature that can be implementable in automotive products - i.e., for glazings solutions like Solar / PV, LIG, PDLC, Electrochromic, infotainment display or heating grid. The solution could be a diagnostics and updation hardware used by service centres selling active glazing or ECU integrated solutions. It can provide recommendations to service engineer on energy savings, memory and processor execution, performance improvements, opportunity to introduce new features after saving execution space. In an extension of the present invention, the solution could be a cloud based service where the optimizer hardware will connect to the cloud / internet server to send the relevant information related to the sub-systems are shared via. the loT enabled local hardware to pull the relevant function / firmware stacks to the optimizer hardware to initiate the restructuring of the instruction set. But in some cases, the whole optimization algorithm could be run in the cloud / internet server side.

[0043] Some non-limiting advantages of the present invention are enlisted in the following:

[0044] • The solution provides a Hybrid Hardware design. The hardware optimization is achieved by using a hybrid approach - i.e., employing both integrated and modular design.

[0045] • The solution gives Automated hardware identification by the ECU interface unit

[0046] • The solution addresses the current challenges in automotive ECUs, especially the Slave ECUs by utilizing a combinatorial approach of using a customized hardware (integral or external to the ECU) and associated customized algorithm to optimize the operation of the ECU.

[0047] Features that are described and / or illustrated with respect to one embodiment may be used in the same way or in a similar way in one or more other embodiments and / or in combination with or instead of the features of the other embodiments.

[0048] List of reference numerals and related aspects:

[0049] 100: electronic control unit

[0050] 101, 102, 103, 104: sub-functional systems

[0051] 1001 : single on-board processor

[0052] 500: method

[0053] S501-S510: method steps

[0054] 210, 211, 212: cloud and related parts

Claims

Claims1. An electronic control unit (100) for controlling plurality of sub-functional systems (101, 102, 103, 104) in a vehicle, wherein said electronic control unit (100) comprises: plurality of sub-functional controllers to control said plurality of sub-functional systems (101, 102, 103, 104); characterized in that, wherein said plurality of sub-functional controllers being operably coupled to a single on-board processor; the single on-board processor (1001) is further configured to drive said plurality of sub-functional systems (101, 102, 103, 104); wherein said single on-board processor is configured to: identify the requirement for updation of a set of instructions and data for said plurality of sub-functional controllers; select a means for optimization for said updation of the set of instructions and data; perform said updation based on selected means for optimization and a group of other parameters; and perform the verification on the updated the set of instructions and data.

2. The electronic control unit (100) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the single on-board processor (1001) is configured to identify the requirements for the number of instances of updation of the set of instructions and data based on at least a current and future usage of each of the sub-functional systems, and user experience with each of said sub-functional systems.

3. The electronic control unit (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for optimization includes a means for energy consumption optimization, selecting active instruction and data set, memory optimization, execution space optimization and a combination thereof.

4. The electronic control unit (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein for each subfunctional system, the single on-board processor (1001) is configured to is configured to:obtain usage of each function of said sub-functional system, user experience for each function and feedback on the same, and estimate the future usage of each function; wherein said function is associated with a sub-functional system.

5. The electronic control unit (100) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the single on-board processor (1001) is configured to perform the verification based on the operating performance of the sub-functional systems (101, 102, 103, 104), and said single on-board processor (1001) is further configured to classify the set of instructions and data into at least three classes including ‘used’, ‘required for at least predicted used’ and ‘unused in the past, present, and future’.

6. The electronic control unit (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the single on-board processor (1001) is configured to access a new available memory or execution space, after assessment of functions the set of instructions and data to be used.

7. The electronic control unit (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (100) is operably configured to a cloud unit for building all functions based on existing state of the sub-fucntional unit, said function being a set of instructions and data associated with said sub-functional system.

8. The electronic control unit (100) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the single on-board processor (1001) is configured to perform the updation of the instructions and data of a first state to a second state, and said single on-board processor (1001) is further configured to return to the first state, if the verification on the instructions and data in the second state fails; wherein a state of a sub-functional system is defined with its hardware and software configuration.

9. The electronic control unit (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of sub-functional systems (101, 102, 103, 104) includes electronics driver circuit (1002, 1003,1004) configured to operably communicate with each of the plurality of sub-functional systems (101, 102, 103, 104) and the single on-board processor (1001).

10. The electronic control unit (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control unit (100) is operably configured to the (101, 102, 103, 104) via a main control unit (110) of the vehicle.

11. A method (500) for updating a set of instructions and data in a first state to a second state, wherein, said updation is performed by a single on-board processor of a customized control unit (100), wherein said method comprises: initialization (S501), by a processing unit of the control unit, of the customized control unit; characterized in that: checking (S502), by the processing unit, if there are any new hardware interfaced to said customized control unit; wherein said hardware interface is a sub-functional system determining (S503), by the processing unit, the hardware identifiers of the one or more added or modified interfaces; checking (S504), by the processing unit, for existing set of instructions and data in a memory unit; re-defining (S505), by the processing unit, the set of instructions and data of the interface and thereafter mapping the set of instructions to a main set of instructions and data including hardware changes; revising (S506), by the processing unit, to the main set of instructions to accommodate the additional set of instructions and data; revising (S507), by the processing unit, priority order of the set of instruction and data based on hardware interface; checking (S508), by the processing unit, for available power and saving the main set of instruction to de-activate hardware functions of low priority; performing validation and running diagnostics (S509), by the processing unit, to check for active functions and raising alert if any failure observed; andY1revising (S510), by the processing unit, the set of instructions based on a user checklist for any disabled or failed function.

Images