Asymmetric Vehicle Compute Nodes to Cut Wiring Complexity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional vehicle systems with independent electronic components face challenges in updating or expanding features due to complex wiring and manufacturing costs, limiting the ability to efficiently manage and distribute processing tasks across components.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of asymmetric distributed compute nodes, which include higher-performance and lower-performance nodes, communicates through a shared backbone, allowing for the distribution of software-defined vehicle functions across these nodes. This architecture enables efficient task management and reduces manufacturing complexity by minimizing wiring needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If independent electronic components with dedicated processing circuitry are used in traditional vehicle systems, then each component can operate independently and reliably, but the wiring complexity and manufacturing costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple independent electronic components and their dedicated processing circuitry into a centralized electronic control unit. This consolidation integrates previously separate functions into a single controller, reducing the need for extensive wiring between components while maintaining system reliability through unified control architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic control unit is designed with universal processing capabilities that can handle multiple vehicle functions through software configuration rather than dedicated hardware for each function. This multi-functionality allows the same physical unit to control various vehicle systems, reducing wiring complexity while maintaining operational independence through software-based task management.
2Reliability
If dedicated processing circuitry is included in each electronic component, then component functionality is ensured, but manufacturing complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple dedicated processing circuits into a single electronic control unit with a universal processor. This merger reduces the total number of discrete components that need to be manufactured and assembled, simplifying the manufacturing process while ensuring component functionality through software-based control routines.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of manufacturing dedicated hardware for each function, the system uses software copies of control logic that can be replicated and deployed across different functions within the electronic control unit. This approach maintains functional reliability while significantly reducing manufacturing complexity compared to producing separate hardware components for each function.
3Reliability
If traditional vehicle components with extensive wiring are used, then component independence is maintained, but the ability to update or expand features is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic control unit employs dynamic software configuration that allows vehicle features and functions to be updated, added, or modified through software updates rather than physical component changes. This dynamic capability enables the system to adapt to new requirements while maintaining component independence through software-based control architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal electronic control unit can perform multiple vehicle functions through software configuration, enabling easy updates and expansions of vehicle features. Rather than requiring dedicated hardware for each new function, the system can allocate processing resources through software, significantly improving adaptability while maintaining operational independence.
Data Source
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AI summary
The technology disclosed herein enables software-defined functions in a vehicle using asymmetric distributed compute nodes. In a particular example, a system includes one or more higher-performance compute nodes of the asymmetric distributed compute nodes and one or more lower-performance compute nodes of the asymmetric distributed compute nodes. The system further includes a communication backbone over which the higher-performance compute nodes and the lower-performance compute nodes communicate. The one or more higher-performance compute nodes execute first processes for performing a first portion of the software-defined vehicle functions for the vehicle and the one or more lower-performance compute nodes execute second processes for performing a second portion of the software-defined vehicle functions for the vehicle.