ADAS SoC Context-Aware Diagnostics for Low-Overhead Safety

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) face challenges in efficiently performing diagnostic tests without consuming excessive system resources or disrupting system functionality, as periodic diagnostic tests can be resource-intensive and may impact performance.

Innovation Solution

Implementing context-aware safety diagnostics that identify and execute a targeted subset of diagnostic procedures based on application use case context information, using a context analyzer and safety management module to trigger specific diagnostic tests when needed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If periodic diagnostic tests are performed to ensure system safety, then system reliability is improved, but system resource consumption increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem safetyVSAvoidsystem performance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from static periodic diagnostic testing to dynamic context-aware diagnostic testing. The system continuously monitors application context information and dynamically adjusts which diagnostic procedures are executed based on current system state, application requirements, and safety criticality. This allows the system to maintain reliability while minimizing disruptions to productivity by performing diagnostics only when contextually appropriate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of diagnostic execution from fixed periodic intervals to variable context-based triggering. By monitoring parameters such as application type, system state, and safety requirements, the system adjusts diagnostic execution parameters dynamically. This enables the system to perform comprehensive diagnostics when needed while reducing or eliminating unnecessary diagnostics during normal operation, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If comprehensive diagnostic procedures are executed to improve system safety, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic accuracyVSAvoidsystem resource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by executing only the necessary subset of diagnostic procedures based on current context rather than running all available diagnostics. The system analyzes application context information to determine which specific components and functions require monitoring, then selects and executes only those diagnostic procedures relevant to the current operational state. This partial execution maintains diagnostic accuracy for critical functions while significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to comprehensive periodic testing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the diagnostic procedure set into multiple categories based on application context, safety criticality, and component importance. Instead of executing a monolithic diagnostic suite, the system divides diagnostics into targeted groups and executes only the relevant segments based on current system state. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high measurement precision for critical functions while minimizing energy usage by excluding non-essential diagnostic operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If frequent diagnostic tests are performed to enhance system reliability, then reliability is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem safetyVSAvoiddiagnostic overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies periodic action by replacing fixed-interval diagnostic execution with context-triggered diagnostic execution. Instead of performing diagnostics at regular time intervals regardless of system state, the system monitors for specific contextual conditions and triggers diagnostics only when those conditions indicate potential safety issues or changes in operational mode. This contextual periodicity maintains reliability by ensuring diagnostics occur when necessary while reducing time loss by eliminating unnecessary periodic interruptions during stable operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS20250276705A1Safety management using context-aware safety diagnostics

Publication Date: 2025.09.04 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

A method includes receiving application use case context information for context-aware safety management for an advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) and/or an autonomous driving system-on-a-chip (SoC). The method also includes selecting a group of components of the SoC for running a selected subset of diagnostic procedures based on application use case context information. The method further includes identifying the selected subset of diagnostic procedures based on the group of components of the SoC associated with the use case context information. The selected subset of diagnostic procedures may be a subset of stored diagnostic procedures. The method still further includes triggering the selected subset of diagnostic procedures and performing the selected subset of diagnostic procedures based on the triggering.