Autonomous Vehicle System Architecture Reconfiguration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current autonomous vehicle systems lack the ability to automatically adapt their configuration in response to changing contexts and faults, which can lead to decreased customer satisfaction and confidence due to the need for emergency stops or increased fault acceptance.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that dynamically reconfigure the system architecture of an autonomous vehicle by gathering context information and adapting the configuration of application instances and computation nodes, allowing for automatic handling of faults and context changes using a context gathering device and reconfiguration device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the system performs emergency stop to handle faults, then safety is improved, but customer satisfaction deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts its configuration in response to detected faults, transitioning between different operational states rather than rigidly executing emergency stops. The control device adjusts the playout configuration based on real-time fault detection, enabling flexible response that maintains safety while avoiding unnecessary service disruptions that would harm customer satisfaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by switching between different playout configurations (e.g., from primary to backup streams, or from high-definition to standard-definition playback). This parameter adaptation allows the system to maintain acceptable service levels during faults, balancing safety requirements with customer experience without resorting to complete service interruptions.
2Ease of operation
If the system increases fault-acceptance rate to avoid emergency stops, then customer satisfaction is improved, but vehicle operational safety deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback through fault detection mechanisms that monitor system state in real-time. This feedback loop enables the control device to make informed decisions about configuration adaptation, accepting faults only when safe to do so while maintaining operational safety through constant monitoring and responsive adjustment of playout configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its fault tolerance strategy based on the specific fault detected and current operational context. Rather than statically increasing fault acceptance, the system adaptively responds to each fault condition, transitioning between configuration states that optimize both safety and service continuity based on real-time system state assessment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system manually monitors and adjusts configuration, then adaptability is improved, but operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service through automated fault detection and configuration adaptation. The control device autonomously monitors system state, detects faults, and adjusts playout configurations without requiring manual intervention. This self-service capability maintains high adaptability while reducing operational complexity by eliminating the need for continuous manual monitoring and adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses automated feedback mechanisms to continuously monitor system state and trigger configuration changes in response to detected faults. This closed-loop control enables the system to adapt automatically to changing conditions, achieving high configurability while minimizing operational complexity through automation rather than manual processes.
4Reliability
If the system implements fail-operational design with multiple configurations, then reliability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the playout functionality into distinct, independently controllable configuration states (e.g., primary playback, backup playback, different resolution modes). This segmentation allows the control device to selectively activate or deactivate specific configuration components based on fault conditions, achieving robust fail-operational capability while managing complexity through modular, discrete configuration units rather than monolithic system redesign.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relate to a method for configuring a system architecture (20) of an autonomous vehicle (50), wherein the system architecture (20) comprises a plurality of application instances (21-x) and a plurality of computation nodes (22-x), wherein the application instances (21-x) are distributed and executed on the computation nodes (22-x) according to a configuration (30), wherein measured sensor data (10) of at least one sensor (51) is input to at least part of the application instances (21-x), and wherein at least part of the application instances (21-x) creates and provides control signals (25) for controlling the vehicle (50), wherein at least one context information (11) of a prevailing context is gathered, and wherein the configuration (30) is adapted according to the at least one gathered context information (11). The invention further relates to a device (1) for configuring a system architecture (20) of an autonomous vehicle (50) and a vehicle (50) with at least one such device (1).