Circuit Arrangement for Flexible Bus Topology Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation setups for testing electronic control devices are inflexible, particularly when switching between different bus structures, as they require significant effort and cabling changes, limiting the number of connectable bus participants and flexibility in bus interconnections.
Innovation Solution
A circuit arrangement with a ring topology that allows for flexible connection and disconnection of bus participants to a CAN bus, enabling any number of participants to be tested individually or together, with integrated termination units and switch groups to manage bus structure changes without re-cabling, and supports both ring and line topologies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional cabling and matrix boards are used to connect bus participants to buses, then connections can be established, but flexibility in bus structure design and switching between buses is poor and requires considerable effort
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit arrangement provides multiple bus inputs (first bus input, second bus input) and multiple bus outputs (first bus output, second bus output) that can connect to different buses (main bus or local bus). The interface unit can switch the bus participant between different bus connections, making the same hardware configuration adaptable to various bus structures without requiring physical re-cabling or matrix boards.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit arrangement includes switchable connections that allow dynamic reconfiguration of bus topology. The bus participant can be switched between different bus inputs and outputs via the interface, enabling real-time changes in bus structure during HIL simulation operation without physical intervention or recabling.
2Adaptability or versatility
If matrix boards are used to provide connections for multiple buses and control devices, then optional connections are possible, but the number of connectable bus participants is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the connection function into distributed circuit arrangements, each with its own interface unit and switching capability. Instead of using a centralized matrix board that limits the number of participants, each bus participant has its own circuit arrangement that can independently switch between different bus connections, thereby increasing the number of connectable participants without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
3Reliability
If fixed cabling is used to connect control devices to specific buses, then stable connections are achieved, but switching from main bus to local bus requires considerable effort
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit arrangement incorporates switchable connections within the interface unit that allow the bus participant to be dynamically switched between different bus inputs and outputs. This enables easy switching from main bus to local bus during HIL simulation operation through electrical switching rather than physical re-cabling, maintaining connection stability while improving ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A circuit arrangement for connecting a bus participant to at least one bus, having an interface for connecting the bus participant to the circuit arrangement, a first bus input, and a first bus output between which the bus participant is switchable via the interface. The circuit arrangement includes a second bus input and output for connecting the bus to the circuit arrangement in a ring topology in such a way that the first bus output is connected at least indirectly to the second bus input and the second bus output is connected at least indirectly to the first bus input via the bus. The bus in the circuit arrangement can be separated to obtain a line topology and can be configured as bus-terminating at one of the bus inputs or bus outputs. A system for the functional testing of bus participants on a bus in a simulation environment is provided.