Wireless communication interface master device, wireless communication interface host device, and in-vehicle wireless network operation method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for implementing a software defined vehicle (SDV)-based in-vehicle wireless network.

Description

Wireless communication interface master device, wireless communication interface host device, and method of operating an in-vehicle wireless network

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for implementing an in-vehicle radio network (IVRN) based on a Software Defined Vehicle (SDV).

[0002] The present application claims priority to Korean application No. 10-2024-0186933 filed on December 16, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

[0003] Current vehicles are becoming software-centric Software Defined Vehicles (SDVs), and their internal structures are rapidly changing.

[0004] Changes in the internal structure of SDV vehicles have enabled software-based dynamic internal design, while simultaneously leading to a rapid increase in the number of electronic devices and ECUs (Electronics Control Units) within the vehicle.

[0005] Therefore, in an SDV-based vehicle internal structure, various forms of data are generated within the vehicle, and the complexity of the vehicle internal network also increases to the level of existing internet communication networks.

[0006] However, just like general computing systems, for in-vehicle systems to operate smoothly and safely, it is necessary to guarantee data transmission bandwidth and data delivery time (low latency) while reducing the number of physical communication lines in the vehicle's internal network.

[0007] Accordingly, the present invention proposes a new method for implementing an SDV-based in-vehicle network that incorporates wireless communication technology to reduce the complexity of the in-vehicle network while ensuring data transmission capabilities.

[0008] The present invention was created in consideration of the aforementioned circumstances, and the objective of the present invention is to implement an In-Vehicle Radio Network (IVRN) based on a Software Defined Vehicle (SDV).

[0009] A wireless communication interface master device in a vehicle internal wireless network according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above objective is characterized by including an operation unit that, when a MAC address is not identified from a serial communication-based vehicle internal component connected to the wireless communication interface master device, assigns a virtual MAC address to the vehicle internal component and registers the virtual MAC address in a network slice forward table to operate the vehicle internal component as a network slicing host capable of network slicing services in the vehicle internal wireless network.

[0010] Specifically, when the wireless communication interface master device operates the vehicle internal component as the network slicing host, it may further include a communication unit that transmits a signal through a dedicated network slicing path of the data link layer created between the vehicle internal network device, which recognizes the virtual MAC address from the network slice forward table, and the vehicle internal component.

[0011] Specifically, the communication unit has a wireless communication interface host device that communicates with the wireless communication interface master device through a wireless communication section inside the vehicle, and when communication with a serial communication-based internal vehicle component connected to the wireless communication interface host device is required, a signal can be transmitted to the internal vehicle wireless communication section using beamforming with an ultra-high frequency beamforming transceiver.

[0012] A wireless communication interface host device in a vehicle internal wireless network according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above objective is characterized by including an operation unit that, when a MAC address is not identified from a serial communication-based vehicle internal component connected to the wireless communication interface host device, assigns a virtual MAC address to the vehicle internal component and registers the virtual MAC address in a network slice forward table managed by a remote wireless communication interface master device in order to operate the vehicle internal component as a network slicing host capable of network slicing services in the vehicle internal wireless network.

[0013] Specifically, the wireless communication interface host device may further include a communication unit that transmits a signal by beamforming using an ultra-high frequency beamforming transceiver for a wireless communication section inside a vehicle to communicate with the wireless communication interface master device.

[0014] A method for operating an in-vehicle wireless network performed in a wireless communication interface master device according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above objective comprises: an allocation step of allocating a virtual MAC address to an in-vehicle component based on serial communication connected to the wireless communication interface master device when the MAC address is not identified from the in-vehicle component; and a registration step of registering the virtual MAC address in a network slice forward table to operate the in-vehicle component as a network slicing host capable of network slicing services in the in-vehicle wireless network.

[0015] Specifically, the above method may further include a communication step of transmitting a signal through a dedicated network slicing path of the Data Link Layer created between the vehicle internal network device that recognizes the virtual MAC address from the network slice forward table and the vehicle internal component when the vehicle internal component is operated as the network slicing host.

[0016] Specifically, the above communication step includes a wireless communication interface host device that communicates with the wireless communication interface master device through a vehicle internal wireless communication section, and when communication with a serial communication-based vehicle internal component connected to the wireless communication interface host device is required, a signal can be transmitted to the vehicle internal wireless communication section using beamforming with an ultra-high frequency beamforming transceiver.

[0017] A method for operating an in-vehicle wireless network performed in a wireless communication interface host device according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above objective comprises: an allocation step of allocating a virtual MAC address to an in-vehicle component based on serial communication connected to the wireless communication interface host device when the MAC address is not identified from the in-vehicle component; and a registration step of registering the virtual MAC address in a network slice forward table managed by a remote wireless communication interface master device in order to operate the in-vehicle component as a network slicing host capable of network slicing services in the in-vehicle wireless network.

[0018] Specifically, the above method may further include a communication step of transmitting a signal by beamforming using an ultra-high frequency beamforming transceiver for a wireless communication section inside a vehicle for communicating with the wireless communication interface master device.

[0019] Accordingly, according to the vehicle in-vehicle network central control device and vehicle in-vehicle network operation method of the present invention, in implementing an SDV (Software Defined Vehicle)-based in-vehicle radio network (IVRN), by utilizing network slicing technology and beamforming technology, the number of physical Ethernet communication cables inside the vehicle is reduced, thereby lowering the complexity of the network, while simultaneously ensuring data transmission bandwidth and data transmission time (Low-Latency).

[0020] FIG. 1 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a wireless network environment inside a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram for explaining a wireless communication interface master device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] FIGS. 3 and 4 are exemplary diagrams for explaining the functions of a wireless communication interface master device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram for explaining a wireless communication interface host device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram for explaining an ultra-high frequency beamforming transceiver according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] FIGS. 7 to 9 are exemplary diagrams for explaining the functions of an ultra-high frequency beamforming transceiver according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] FIGS. 10 to 12 are exemplary diagrams of the application of an in-vehicle wireless network according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIGS. 13 and 14 are flowcharts for explaining a method of operating an in-vehicle network according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0029] One embodiment of the present invention deals with technology regarding an in-vehicle radio network (IVRN) that incorporates wireless communication technology into an in-vehicle network (IVN).

[0030] Electronic devices have been used in vehicles for decades and have provided enhanced safety and entertainment.

[0031] Many of these functions were designed as independent units that did not rely on data from other systems within the vehicle, but as technology advanced and the benefits of system integration were recognized, automotive-specific networking technologies emerged.

[0032] Common network communication protocols used in vehicles include LIN (Local Interconnect Network), CAN / CAN-FD (Controller Area Network), and FlexRay.

[0033] However, while each solution has unique attributes and design considerations, there are limitations in meeting the requirements of vehicles evolving around Software Defined Vehicles (SDVs).

[0034] Accordingly, vehicle manufacturers are transitioning SDV-based in-vehicle networks to Ethernet-based ones, which offer advantages such as broadband transmission and compatibility.

[0035] However, to apply Ethernet technology to in-vehicle networks, technology is required that enables high bandwidth and low-latency communication, allows for the dynamic and rapid modification and configuration of the network environment, and can reduce the number of physical communication lines.

[0036] Accordingly, in one embodiment of the present invention, a new method is proposed to ensure data transmission capability while reducing the complexity of the in-vehicle network by incorporating wireless communication technology into an SDV-based in-vehicle network.

[0037] In this regard, FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary wireless network environment inside a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] As illustrated in FIG. 1, in an in-vehicle wireless network environment according to one embodiment of the present invention, the configuration includes a wireless communication interface master device (100) that communicates with an in-vehicle network device (300; IVND, In-Vehicle Network Device - I / O gateway, L2 switch), and a wireless communication interface host device (200) that communicates with an in-vehicle component (400; IVC, In-Vehicle Component).

[0039] Meanwhile, the wireless communication interface master device (100) and the wireless communication interface host device (200) are connected to the wireless communication section inside the vehicle.

[0040] Accordingly, in a vehicle internal wireless network environment according to one embodiment of the present invention, the configuration of an ultra-high frequency (mmWave) beamforming transceiver (500) for communication in a vehicle internal wireless communication section between a wireless communication interface master device (100) and a wireless communication interface host device (200) may be further included.

[0041] In such in-vehicle wireless networks, communication between components is separated into a control plane path and a data plane path to perform its functions.

[0042] Here, the data plane of the in-vehicle wireless network performs the role of moving data along the physical path of the in-vehicle wireless network or, if necessary, a virtual dedicated path.

[0043] In other words, the data plane performs the role of transmitting actual traffic in the vehicle internal network device (300) and vehicle internal component (500), and includes the function of receiving and transmitting packets, and also transmitting them.

[0044] In addition, the control plane of the in-vehicle wireless network performs the role of managing and controlling session and network traffic flow, and includes functions to determine the topology of the in-vehicle wireless network, set routes, and apply policies.

[0045] And the control plane may be executed in a separate in-vehicle network central controller (not shown; IVN-CC, In-Vehicle Network Central Controller) that manages the in-vehicle wireless network, and the in-vehicle network central controller may perform the role of controlling the data plane to operate correctly by issuing commands to the in-vehicle network device (300) and the in-vehicle component (400).

[0046] Thus, in a vehicle internal wireless network environment according to one embodiment of the present invention, by separating the control plane and the data plane to configure physical and logical networks, it becomes possible to connect the vehicle internal network and transmit data using only the Data Link Layer of the OSI 7 layers without using IP.

[0047] In particular, data transmission can be transmitted through a dedicated network slicing path to guarantee transmission speed (bandwidth) and communication delay, thereby ensuring QoS for in-vehicle network communication.

[0048] For this purpose, an Application Programming Interface (API) applying a control message protocol such as OpenFlow or a dedicated protocol customized for the vehicle may be used.

[0049] In the vehicle in-vehicle wireless network environment according to one embodiment of the present invention, end-to-end dedicated network slicing and Ethernet can be dynamically implemented across the entire length of the vehicle in-vehicle communication network through the aforementioned configuration, and the components for realizing this will be described in detail below.

[0050] FIG. 2 schematically shows the configuration of a wireless communication interface master device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] As illustrated in FIG. 2, a wireless communication interface master device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention is responsible for communication between an internal vehicle network device (300) and an ECU based on its own MAC address, and in particular, can convert Ethernet-based data and transmit signals via beamforming.

[0052] In addition, the wireless communication interface master device (100) can perform the function of connecting internal vehicle components (internal vehicle high-speed data transmission component host, internal vehicle large / safety function component host) through various interfaces such as a high-speed data transmission / reception interface bus, Ethernet port, Data Encryption (encryptor), Core Processor, Memory, Interface Bridge (high-speed and low-speed communication conversion bus), and Serial communication, CAN.

[0053] Additionally, the wireless communication interface master device (100) is a device that coordinates and manages the wireless communication interface host device (200), has higher processing power and resources than the wireless communication interface host device (200), and can perform the function of data management and maintaining the stability of the entire system.

[0054] Additionally, the wireless communication interface master device (100) can accommodate an ultra-high frequency beamforming transceiver (500) as a means to connect a vehicle interior component (400, vehicle interior small component host) connected to the wireless communication interface host device (200) to a vehicle interior wireless section.

[0055] Thus, the wireless communication interface master device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention can be understood as a wireless system that has an independent ID in a wireless network inside a vehicle and plays the role of coordinating and managing the wireless communication interface host device (200).

[0056] In this regard, the wireless communication interface master device (100) includes a memory and a core processor as previously mentioned, wherein the processor may include a functional configuration including an operation unit (110) and a communication unit (120) according to the implementation function based on the execution of instructions loaded in the memory.

[0057] Ultimately, the wireless communication interface master device (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention can coordinate and manage the wireless communication interface host device (200) while having an independent ID in the vehicle's internal wireless network through the functional configuration of the aforementioned processor, and below, a more detailed explanation of each functional configuration of the processor to realize this will be provided.

[0058] The operation unit (110) is responsible for the function of operating the network slicing host.

[0059] More specifically, the operation unit (110) registers and operates a serial communication-based in-vehicle component (e.g., in-vehicle large / safety function component host) in an in-vehicle wireless network as a network slicing host capable of network slicing service.

[0060] To this end, the operation unit (110) assigns a virtual MAC address to the vehicle internal component when the MAC address is not confirmed from the serial communication-based vehicle internal component connected to the wireless communication interface master device (100).

[0061] At this time, the operation unit (110) can use the "Host MAC Address Book" function, which is a built-in function for generating and assigning virtual MAC addresses, to assign an independent virtual MAC address to a vehicle internal component, and can match the assigned MAC address with a bus ID (high-speed data transmission / reception interface bus, low-speed data transmission / reception interface bus) for each vehicle internal component.

[0062] In this way, an in-vehicle component assigned a virtual MAC address can be registered as a network slicing host capable of receiving slicing services on the in-vehicle wireless network.

[0063] Through this, it can be seen that in one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide network slicing services even for parts or devices that do not have an internal MAC address.

[0064] Thus, in one embodiment of the present invention, as the "Host Mac Address Book" function is used, a vehicle internal network device (300, I / O gateway switch or SDN switch) communicating with a wireless communication interface master device (100) can recognize a vehicle internal component connected to the wireless communication interface master device (100).

[0065] That is, the vehicle internal network device (300) can distinguish the vehicle internal components connected to the wireless communication interface master device (100) using a virtual MAC address, for example, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0066] And when a virtual MAC address is assigned to a serial communication-based vehicle internal component, the operation unit (110) registers the assigned virtual MAC address in a Network Slice Forward Table and operates the vehicle internal component with the registered virtual MAC address as a network slicing host capable of network slicing services in the vehicle internal wireless network.

[0067] Referring to FIG. 4, the procedure for allocating a virtual MAC address according to one embodiment of the present invention will be examined in more detail as follows.

[0068] First, the wireless communication interface master device (100) transmits a network slice service connection request for a vehicle internal component to the vehicle internal network device (300) ([SYN]Seq=0), and when the vehicle internal network device (300) confirms that the network slice connection is allowed ([SYN,ACK]Seq=0, Ack=1), it transmits a corresponding response to the vehicle internal network device (300) ([ACK]Seq=0, Ack=1).

[0069] Furthermore, when the wireless communication interface master device (100) receives a request for an update to the network slicing forward table from the vehicle internal network device (300) ([SYN]Seq=1), it registers the virtual MAC address assigned to the vehicle internal component in the network slicing forward table and notifies the vehicle internal network device (300) of the registration result ([PSH,ACK]Seq=1, Ack=1).

[0070] Afterwards, the wireless communication interface master device (100) completes the registration procedure of the virtual MAC address assigned to the vehicle internal component by receiving a response to the notification result from the vehicle internal network device (300) ([ACK]Seq=1, Ack=1).

[0071] In one embodiment of the present invention, as the "Network Slice Forward Table" function is used, the wireless communication interface master device (100) transmits the virtual MAC address assigned to the vehicle internal component to the remote vehicle internal network device (300) when connecting to the network slicing service, and the vehicle internal network device (300) that receives this can recognize the vehicle internal component connected to the wireless communication interface master device (100) through the virtual MAC address.

[0072] The communication unit (120) is responsible for transmitting signals from the vehicle's internal components.

[0073] More specifically, when the communication unit (120) operates the vehicle internal component as a network slicing host, it transmits the signal of the vehicle internal component through a dedicated network slicing path of the Data Link Layer.

[0074] At this time, when communication is required between the communication unit (120) and the vehicle interior component (400) connected to the wireless communication interface host device (200), the communication unit (120) can transmit a signal by beamforming using an ultra-high frequency beamforming transceiver (500) for the vehicle interior wireless communication section for communicating with the wireless communication interface host device (200).

[0075] Meanwhile, a dedicated network slicing path according to one embodiment of the present invention can be created between a vehicle internal network device (300) that recognizes a virtual MAC address from a network slice forward table and a vehicle internal component to which the virtual MAC address is assigned.

[0076] The above description of the wireless communication interface master device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention is complete, and the description of the wireless communication interface host device (200) will continue below.

[0077] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary configuration of a wireless communication interface host device (200) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0078] As illustrated in FIG. 5, a wireless communication interface host device (200) according to one embodiment of the present invention is responsible for communication with a wireless communication interface master device (100).

[0079] Additionally, the wireless communication interface host device (200) can perform the function of converting a signal from a serial communication-based vehicle internal component (400, vehicle internal small component host) connected to itself into an Ethernet signal and transmitting it to the wireless communication interface master device (100) as a beamforming-based wireless signal.

[0080] In addition, the wireless communication interface host device (200) can perform the function of connecting various parts of the vehicle through various interfaces such as a data transmission and reception interface bus, an Ethernet port, a processor, memory, serial communication, and CAN.

[0081] Meanwhile, the wireless communication interface host device (200) can accommodate an ultra-high frequency beamforming transceiver (500) as a means for transmitting a beamforming-based wireless signal to the wireless communication interface master device (100).

[0082] As such, it can be seen that the wireless communication interface host device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention is a wireless system having an independent ID in a wireless network inside a vehicle, and performs the role of a client of the wireless communication interface host device (100).

[0083] In this regard, the wireless communication interface host device (200) includes a memory and a processor as described above, wherein the processor may include a functional configuration including an operation unit (210) and a communication unit (220) according to the implementation function based on the execution of instructions loaded in the memory.

[0084] Ultimately, the wireless communication interface host device (200) according to an embodiment of the present invention can perform the role of a client through the functional configuration of the aforementioned process, and below, a more detailed explanation of each functional configuration of the processor for realizing this will be provided.

[0085] The operation unit (210) is responsible for the function of operating the network slicing host.

[0086] More specifically, the operation unit (210) registers and operates a serial communication-based vehicle internal component (400, vehicle internal small component host) in a vehicle internal wireless network as a network slicing host capable of network slicing service.

[0087] To this end, the operation unit (210) assigns a virtual MAC address to the vehicle internal component (400) based on serial communication when the MAC address is not confirmed from the vehicle internal component (400) connected to the wireless communication interface host device (200).

[0088] At this time, the operation unit (210) can use the "Host MAC Address Book" function, which is a built-in function for generating and assigning virtual MAC addresses, to assign an independent virtual MAC address to a vehicle internal component (400), and match the assigned MAC address with a bus (data transmission / reception interface bus) ID for each vehicle internal component (400).

[0089] In this way, the vehicle internal component (400) assigned a virtual MAC address can be registered as a network slicing host capable of receiving slicing services in the vehicle internal wireless network.

[0090] Through this, it can be seen that in one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide network slicing services even for parts or devices that do not have an internal MAC address.

[0091] Thus, in one embodiment of the present invention, as the "Host Mac Address Book" function is used, a remote vehicle internal network device (300, I / O gateway switch or SDN switch) communicating with a wireless communication interface master device (100) can recognize a vehicle internal component (400) connected to a wireless communication interface host device (200).

[0092] That is, the vehicle internal network device (300) can distinguish the vehicle internal component (400) connected to the wireless communication interface host device (200) using a virtual MAC address as shown in FIG. 3, which was previously exemplified.

[0093] And when a virtual MAC address is assigned to a serial communication-based vehicle internal component, the operation unit (210) registers the assigned virtual MAC address in a Network Slice Forward Table and operates the vehicle internal component (400) with the registered virtual MAC address as a network slicing host capable of network slicing services in the vehicle internal wireless network.

[0094] However, such network slice forward table is managed or updated by a wireless communication interface master device (100).

[0095] In one embodiment of the present invention, as the "Network Slice Forward Table" function is used, the wireless communication interface host device (200) transmits the virtual MAC address assigned to the vehicle internal component (400) to a remote vehicle internal network device (300) through the wireless communication interface master device (100) when connecting to the network slicing service, and accordingly, the vehicle internal network device (300) that receives this can recognize the vehicle internal component (400) connected to the wireless communication interface host device (200) through the virtual MAC address.

[0096] The communication unit (220) is responsible for transmitting signals from the vehicle's internal components (400).

[0097] More specifically, when the communication unit (120) operates the vehicle internal component (400) as a network slicing host, it transmits the signal of the vehicle internal component (400) through a dedicated network slicing path of the data link layer.

[0098] At this time, the communication unit (220) can transmit a signal by beamforming using an ultra-high frequency beamforming transceiver (500) for the wireless communication section inside the vehicle for communicating with the wireless communication interface host device (100).

[0099] Meanwhile, a dedicated network slicing path according to one embodiment of the present invention can be created between a vehicle internal network device (300) that recognizes a virtual MAC address from a network slice forward table of a wireless communication interface host device (200) and a vehicle internal component (400) to which the virtual MAC address is assigned.

[0100] The above description of the wireless communication interface host device (200) according to one embodiment of the present invention is complete, and the following description of the ultra-high frequency beamforming transceiver (500) will continue.

[0101] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary configuration of an ultra-high frequency beamforming transceiver (500) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0102] An ultra-high frequency beamforming transceiver (500) according to one embodiment of the present invention may be configured to include an array antenna beamforming transmitter (510), an array antenna beamforming receiver (520), and a micro-radio intelligent controller (530, μ-RIC: μ-Radio Intelligent Controller).

[0103] The transceiver module of the array antenna non-forming transceiver (510 / 520) can selectively use an ultra-high frequency (mmWave) RF transceiver system, an analog beamforming antenna system, or a hybrid antenna system depending on the in-vehicle component device connected wirelessly.

[0104] For reference, analog beamforming systems are more cost-effective when a single component is connected, while hybrid beamforming antenna systems are more cost-effective when multiple components are connected wirelessly.

[0105] The array antenna beamforming transmitter (510) is composed of multiple antennas, an antenna angle adjuster, and a beamforming signal generator, and performs the function of converting data into a beamforming signal.

[0106] The array antenna beamforming receiver (520) is composed of multiple antennas, a beam arrival antenna angle adjuster, and a beam arrival direction measuring device to process the received signal.

[0107] However, the number of array antennas (n) of the array antenna beamforming transmitter (510) must be greater than the number of array antennas (m) of the array antenna beamforming receiver (520) (n>m).

[0108] The configuration of the main functional parts within the array antenna non-forming transmitter / receiver (510 / 520) is examined in more detail as follows.

[0109] The beamforming signal generator of the array antenna beamforming transmitter (510) generates a signal required for beamforming, and the antenna angle adjuster can continuously adjust the direction of the signal while controlling the antenna angle to maintain an optimal beamforming state.

[0110] The beam arrival direction measuring device of the array antenna beamforming receiver (520) feeds back the Azimuth (azimuth, angle in the left-right direction) and Elevation (elevation, angle in the up-down direction) values ​​to the micro radio intelligent control unit (530).

[0111] The micro radio intelligent control unit (530) is composed of a beam arrival angle estimator / correcter, a data collector, and an antenna phase shift / angle controller, and performs the function of actively controlling the beamforming antenna when there is a change in the internal environment due to vibration or dust, etc. when the vehicle is moving.

[0112] Basically, the micro radio intelligent control unit (530) can generate a beamforming signal by precisely controlling the angle of the antenna and controlling the phase of the beam in conjunction with the array antenna beamforming receiver (520).

[0113] At this time, the micro radio intelligent control unit (530) can precisely control the angle of the antenna and control the phase of the beam by using the received power value received from the array antenna beamforming receiver (520), the Azimuth (left / right) and Elevation (up / down) direction values ​​of the array antenna fed back from the array antenna beamforming receiver (520), and the weight value derived through the analysis of accumulated data of the received power value and the Azimuth and Elevation direction values.

[0114] Then, the micro radio intelligent control unit (530) performs beam alignment through a beam automatic search alignment algorithm and transmits a signal.

[0115] Looking at the role of the main functional unit within the micro radio intelligent control unit (530) for this purpose, the antenna phase shift / angle controller of the micro radio intelligent control unit (530) adjusts the phase and angle of the antenna to enable optimal beamforming in the desired direction, and the beam arrival angle estimation and correction unit estimates the arrival angle of the received signal and, if necessary, performs correction to ensure accurate signal reception.

[0116] To aid in understanding the explanation, the roles of the main functional parts within the micro radio intelligent control unit (530) are examined in more detail with reference to Fig. 7 as follows.

[0117] First, when a beamforming signal is received by the array antenna beamforming receiver (520), the beam arrival direction measuring device measures the Azimuth, Elevation, and reception power of the current receiver antenna, and determines the reception direction value by referring to the adaptive beamformer weighting table based on the Azimuth, Elevation, and reception power.

[0118] At this time, the beam arrival direction measuring device of the array antenna beamforming receiver (520) feeds back the Azimuth, Elevation, arrival direction value, and reception power value to the beam arrival angle estimator / correcter of the micro radio intelligent control unit (530) at time intervals.

[0119] Then, the beam arrival angle estimator / correcter of the micro radio intelligent control unit (530) calibrates the feedback Azimuth and Elevation values ​​by referring to the current transmission output and the angle and phase of the antenna, and corrects the weight of the transmission antenna direction and the gain of the transmission output.

[0120] Next, the data collector of the micro radio intelligent control unit (530) determines the phase shift value, phase control angle value, direction weight value, and transmission power gain value of the beamforming by referring to the data collected from the beam arrival angle estimation unit and transmits them to the antenna phase shift / angle controller.

[0121] Subsequently, the antenna phase shift / angle controller of the micro radio intelligent control unit (530) controls the phase shift beamformer with the transmitted phase shift value and phase angle control value, and the beamforming weight value controls the adaptive beamformer while adjusting the gain of the transmission output so that a beamforming signal is finally generated through the beamformer of the array antenna beamforming transmitter (510) and transmitted to the array antenna beamforming receiver (520).

[0122] Meanwhile, when a non-forming signal adjusted by the micro radio intelligent control unit (530) is transmitted to the Free Space (vehicle internal wireless communication section) through the beamformer of the array antenna beamforming transmitter (510), the beam automatic search algorithm operates to automatically align the beamforming signals between the array antenna beamforming transmitter (510) and the array antenna beamforming receiver (520).

[0123] For reference, a beam automatic search algorithm according to one embodiment of the present invention can be implemented, for example, as shown in FIG. 8.

[0124] In this regard, for a wireless system installed end-to-end to wirelessly connect internal vehicle components, unlike a typical external environment, the environment in which wireless signals are transmitted at a fixed distance inside the vehicle is defined as the Line of Sight (LOS) inside the vehicle, and the transmission and reception power between the two signals can be controlled to always be constantly adjusted.

[0125] In particular, the vehicle's internal air space section where wireless signals are transmitted (the vehicle's internal wireless communication section) must be shielded with a shielding case or similar means to block external and internal signal interference.

[0126] Ultimately, the above-described configuration of the ultra-high frequency beamforming transceiver (500) according to one embodiment of the present invention can be understood as being for the purpose of establishing an in-vehicle wireless network that connects a wireless communication interface master device (100) and a wireless communication interface host device (200) to an in-vehicle wireless communication section (Air Space section), for example, as shown in FIG. 9.

[0127] Meanwhile, FIG. 10 shows an example of application of an in-vehicle wireless network according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0128] Here, wireless application Zone “Example 1” is an application example for wirelessly connecting an in-vehicle network device (IVND) and an in-vehicle component (IVC), for example, as shown in FIG. 11, and wireless application Zone “Example 2” can be understood as an application example for wirelessly connecting in-vehicle remote network host devices (IVC IO Gateway or in-vehicle network devices) to connect in-vehicle network devices (IVND) to each other, for example, as shown in FIG. 12.

[0129] For reference, "Example 1" transmits less data wirelessly than "Example 2" and has a shorter wireless connection section. Since "Example 2" can serve as a transmission section responsible for the Back-Bone function of the vehicle's internal wireless network, it can be inferred that a larger number of broadband beamforming transceivers compared to "Example 1" may be applied for data transmission.

[0130] According to the configuration of the wireless communication interface master device (100), wireless communication interface host device (200), and ultra-high frequency beamforming transceiver (500) according to one embodiment of the present invention, by utilizing ultra-high frequency beamforming technology, it is possible to reduce the complexity of the in-vehicle wireless network while enabling large-capacity data transmission. Furthermore, since automatic scanning functions and automatic adjustment and correction functions of the beamforming antenna are supported for accurate transmission of beamforming signals even when the vehicle is moving, stable signal transmission is possible even while the vehicle is moving. In addition, to configure an Ethernet-based network within the vehicle, a function to assign and manage virtual MAC addresses to existing serial communication-based components is added, enabling Ethernet-based communication for all components within the vehicle. Above all, by assigning virtual MAC addresses to serial communication-based vehicle components, even terminal components can be registered and managed as network slicing hosts, allowing the QoS adjustment of the in-vehicle network to be dynamically controlled by software.

[0131] Hereinafter, a method for operating an in-vehicle wireless network according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0132] Referring to FIG. 13, the method of operating an in-vehicle wireless network performed by a wireless communication interface master device (100) is as follows.

[0133] First, if the wireless communication interface master device (100) does not identify a MAC address from a serial communication-based vehicle internal component connected to the wireless communication interface master device (100), it assigns a virtual MAC address to the vehicle internal component (S110-S120).

[0134] At this time, the wireless communication interface master device (100) can use the "Host MAC Address Book" function, which is a built-in function for generating and assigning virtual MAC addresses, to assign an independent virtual MAC address to a vehicle internal component, and can match the assigned MAC address with a bus ID (high-speed data transmission / reception interface bus, low-speed data transmission / reception interface bus) for each vehicle internal component.

[0135] In this way, an in-vehicle component assigned a virtual MAC address can be registered as a network slicing host capable of receiving slicing services on the in-vehicle wireless network.

[0136] Through this, it can be seen that in one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide network slicing services even for parts or devices that do not have an internal MAC address.

[0137] Thus, in one embodiment of the present invention, as the "Host Mac Address Book" function is used, a vehicle internal network device (300, I / O gateway switch or SDN switch) communicating with a wireless communication interface master device (100) can recognize a vehicle internal component connected to the wireless communication interface master device (100).

[0138] That is, the vehicle internal network device (300) can distinguish the vehicle internal components connected to the wireless communication interface master device (100) using a virtual MAC address as previously exemplified in FIG. 3.

[0139] Then, when a virtual MAC address is assigned to a serial communication-based vehicle internal component, the wireless communication interface master device (100) registers the assigned virtual MAC address in a network slice forward table and operates the vehicle internal component with the registered virtual MAC address as a network slicing host capable of network slicing services in the vehicle internal wireless network (S130).

[0140] In one embodiment of the present invention, as the "Network Slice Forward Table" function is used, the wireless communication interface master device (100) transmits the virtual MAC address assigned to the vehicle internal component to the remote vehicle internal network device (300) when connecting to the network slicing service, and the vehicle internal network device (300) that receives this can recognize the vehicle internal component connected to the wireless communication interface master device (100) through the virtual MAC address.

[0141] Subsequently, the wireless communication interface master device (100) operates the vehicle internal component as a network slicing host and transmits the signal of the vehicle internal component through a dedicated network slicing path of the Data Link Layer (S140).

[0142] At this time, when the wireless communication interface master device (100) needs to communicate with a vehicle interior component (400) connected to the wireless communication interface host device (200), it can transmit a signal by beamforming using an ultra-high frequency beamforming transceiver (500) for the vehicle interior wireless communication section for communicating with the wireless communication interface host device (200).

[0143] Meanwhile, a dedicated network slicing path according to one embodiment of the present invention can be created between a vehicle internal network device (300) that recognizes a virtual MAC address from a network slice forward table and a vehicle internal component to which the virtual MAC address is assigned.

[0144] Referring to the following Fig. 14, the method of operating an in-vehicle wireless network performed by a wireless communication interface host device (200) is as follows.

[0145] First, if the wireless communication interface host device (200) does not identify a MAC address from a serial communication-based vehicle internal component (400) connected to the wireless communication interface host device (200), it assigns a virtual MAC address to the vehicle internal component (400) (S210-S220).

[0146] At this time, the wireless communication interface host device (200) can use the "Host MAC Address Book" function, which is a built-in function for generating and assigning virtual MAC addresses, to assign an independent virtual MAC address to the vehicle internal component (400), and can match the assigned MAC address with the bus (data transmission / reception interface bus) ID for each vehicle internal component (400).

[0147] In this way, the vehicle internal component (400) assigned a virtual MAC address can be registered as a network slicing host capable of receiving slicing services in the vehicle internal wireless network.

[0148] Through this, it can be seen that in one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide network slicing services even for parts or devices that do not have an internal MAC address.

[0149] Thus, in one embodiment of the present invention, as the "Host Mac Address Book" function is used, a remote vehicle internal network device (300, I / O gateway switch or SDN switch) communicating with a wireless communication interface master device (100) can recognize a vehicle internal component (400) connected to a wireless communication interface host device (200).

[0150] That is, the vehicle internal network device (300) can distinguish the vehicle internal component (400) connected to the wireless communication interface host device (200) using a virtual MAC address as shown in FIG. 3, which was previously exemplified.

[0151] Then, when a virtual MAC address is assigned to a serial communication-based vehicle internal component, the wireless communication interface host device (200) registers the assigned virtual MAC address in a Network Slice Forward Table and operates the vehicle internal component (400) with the registered virtual MAC address as a network slicing host capable of network slicing services in the vehicle internal wireless network (S220-S230).

[0152] However, such network slice forward table is managed or updated by a wireless communication interface master device (100).

[0153] In one embodiment of the present invention, as the "Network Slice Forward Table" function is used, the wireless communication interface host device (200) transmits the virtual MAC address assigned to the vehicle internal component (400) to a remote vehicle internal network device (300) through the wireless communication interface master device (100) when connecting to the network slicing service, and accordingly, the vehicle internal network device (300) that receives this can recognize the vehicle internal component (400) connected to the wireless communication interface host device (200) through the virtual MAC address.

[0154] Subsequently, as the wireless communication interface host device (200) operates the vehicle internal component (400) as a network slicing host, it transmits the signal of the vehicle internal component (400) through a dedicated network slicing path of the Data Link Layer (S230).

[0155] At this time, the wireless communication interface host device (200) can transmit a signal by beamforming using an ultra-high frequency beamforming transceiver (500) for the wireless communication section inside the vehicle for communicating with the wireless communication interface host device (100).

[0156] Meanwhile, a dedicated network slicing path according to one embodiment of the present invention can be created between a vehicle internal network device (300) that recognizes a virtual MAC address from a network slice forward table of a wireless communication interface host device (200) and a vehicle internal component (400) to which the virtual MAC address is assigned.

[0157] According to the method for operating an in-vehicle wireless network according to one embodiment of the present invention, by utilizing ultra-high frequency beamforming technology, it is possible to reduce the complexity of the in-vehicle wireless network while enabling large-capacity data transmission. In addition, by adding a function to assign and manage virtual MAC addresses to existing serial communication-based components for the configuration of an Ethernet-based network within the vehicle, Ethernet-based communication is enabled for all components within the vehicle. Furthermore, by assigning virtual MAC addresses to serial communication-oriented vehicle components, even end components can be registered and managed as network slicing hosts, thereby allowing the QoS adjustment of the in-vehicle network to be dynamically controlled by software.

[0158] Meanwhile, an operation method according to one embodiment of the present invention may be implemented in the form of program instructions that can be executed through various computer means and recorded on a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium may include program instructions, data files, data structures, etc., either individually or in combination. The program instructions recorded on the medium may be those specifically designed and configured for the present invention, or those known and available to those skilled in the art of computer software. Examples of computer-readable recording media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tapes; optical recording media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs; magneto-optical media such as floptical disks; and hardware devices specifically configured to store and execute program instructions, such as ROM, RAM, and flash memory. Examples of program instructions include machine code, such as that generated by a compiler, as well as high-level language code that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter, etc. The hardware devices described above may be configured to operate as one or more software modules to perform the operation of the present invention, and vice versa.

[0159] Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the technical concept of the present invention extends to the scope in which various modifications or alterations are possible by anyone with ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention belongs, without departing from the gist of the present invention as claimed in the following claims.

Claims

1. In a wireless communication interface master device within a wireless network inside a vehicle, A wireless communication interface master device characterized by including an operation unit that, when a MAC address is not identified from a serial communication-based vehicle internal component connected to the wireless communication interface master device, assigns a virtual MAC address to the vehicle internal component and registers the virtual MAC address in a network slice forward table to operate the vehicle internal component as a network slicing host capable of network slicing services in the vehicle internal wireless network.

2. In Paragraph 1, The above wireless communication interface master device A wireless communication interface master device characterized by further including a communication unit that transmits a signal through a dedicated network slicing path of the Data Link Layer created between a vehicle internal network device that recognizes the virtual MAC address from the network slice forward table and the vehicle internal component when the vehicle internal component is operated as the network slicing host.

3. In Paragraph 2, The above communication unit is, A wireless communication interface master device characterized by having a wireless communication interface host device that communicates with the above wireless communication interface master device through a wireless communication section inside a vehicle, and when communication with a serial communication-based internal vehicle component connected to the above wireless communication interface host device is required, transmitting a signal to the above wireless communication section inside the vehicle by beamforming using an ultra-high frequency beamforming transceiver.

4. In a wireless communication interface host device within a wireless network inside a vehicle, A wireless communication interface host device characterized by including an operation unit that, when a MAC address is not identified from a serial communication-based vehicle internal component connected to the wireless communication interface host device, assigns a virtual MAC address to the vehicle internal component and registers the virtual MAC address in a network slice forward table managed by a remote wireless communication interface master device in order to operate the vehicle internal component as a network slicing host capable of network slicing services in the vehicle internal wireless network.

5. In Paragraph 1, The above wireless communication interface host device is, A wireless communication interface host device characterized by further including a communication unit that transmits a signal by beamforming using an ultra-high frequency beamforming transceiver for a wireless communication section inside a vehicle for communicating with the above-mentioned wireless communication interface master device.

6. A method for operating an in-vehicle wireless network performed on a wireless communication interface master device, An allocation step of assigning a virtual MAC address to a vehicle internal component based on serial communication when the MAC address is not confirmed from the vehicle internal component connected to the wireless communication interface master device; and A method for operating a wireless network inside a vehicle, characterized by including a registration step of registering the virtual MAC address in a network slice forward table to operate the above-mentioned vehicle internal component as a network slicing host capable of network slicing services in the above-mentioned vehicle internal wireless network.

7. In Paragraph 6, The above method is, A method for operating an in-vehicle wireless network, characterized by further including a communication step of transmitting a signal through a dedicated network slicing path of the Data Link Layer created between an in-vehicle network device that recognizes the virtual MAC address from the network slice forward table and the in-vehicle component when the in-vehicle component is operated as the network slicing host.

8. In Paragraph 7, The above communication step is, A method for operating a wireless network inside a vehicle, characterized by the existence of a wireless communication interface host device that communicates with the above-mentioned wireless communication interface master device through a wireless communication section inside the vehicle, and when communication with a serial communication-based internal vehicle component connected to the above-mentioned wireless communication interface host device is required, a signal is transmitted to the above-mentioned internal vehicle wireless communication section by beamforming using an ultra-high frequency beamforming transceiver.

9. A method for operating an in-vehicle wireless network performed on a wireless communication interface host device, An allocation step of assigning a virtual MAC address to a vehicle internal component based on serial communication when the MAC address is not confirmed from the vehicle internal component connected to the wireless communication interface host device; and A method for operating a wireless network inside a vehicle, characterized by including a registration step of registering the virtual MAC address in a network slice forward table managed by a remote wireless communication interface master device in order to operate the vehicle interior component as a network slicing host capable of network slicing services in the vehicle interior wireless network.

10. In Paragraph 9, The above method is, A method for operating an in-vehicle wireless network, characterized by further including a communication step of transmitting a signal by beamforming using an ultra-high frequency beamforming transceiver for an in-vehicle wireless communication section for communicating with the above-mentioned wireless communication interface master device.

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