CAN-FD Controller Shutdown Sequencing for Housekeeping Completion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional primary/secondary controller management in vehicle CANs leads to errors and malfunctions due to inadvertent shutdowns of secondary controllers with outstanding tasks, as they are controlled asymmetrically by primary controllers.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a primary/secondary controller management system where secondary controllers can determine and complete housekeeping tasks independently, keeping both the secondary and primary controllers awake until tasks are finished, and then shutting down independently, enabling symmetric communication and preventing incomplete task errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the primary controller controls when secondary controllers wake up or shut down (conventional asymmetric management), then the primary controller maintains centralized control authority, but secondary controllers may shut down prematurely with incomplete housekeeping tasks causing errors/malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional asymmetric control relationship by enabling secondary controllers to independently manage their shutdown sequence. Instead of the primary controller unilaterally commanding shutdown, the secondary controller now has the authority to complete housekeeping tasks and initiate shutdown independently, preventing premature termination of critical tasks
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by requiring secondary controllers to complete housekeeping tasks before shutdown. The system establishes a predefined sequence where critical tasks (data logging, memory updates, safety checks) must be finished before the controller can enter sleep mode, ensuring system reliability is maintained
2Reliability
If secondary controllers complete housekeeping tasks independently before shutdown, then task completion reliability improves, but communication and coordination between primary and secondary controllers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where secondary controllers report their task completion status and shutdown readiness to the primary controller. This feedback loop ensures the primary controller has accurate information about secondary controller states without requiring constant communication, balancing reliability with communication efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables secondary controllers to self-manage their shutdown process by independently completing housekeeping tasks and initiating shutdown sequences. This self-service capability reduces the communication burden on the primary controller while ensuring tasks are completed reliably before shutdown
Data Source
AI summary
Primary/secondary controller management techniques for a network include determining, by a secondary controller of a set of secondary controllers on the network, a set of housekeeping activities/tasks to be completed before shutdown of the secondary controller, communicating, by the secondary controller with a primary controller on the network, to keep the primary controller awake until the secondary controller completes the set of housekeeping activities/tasks, wherein the primary controller is configured to control and/or supervise the set of secondary controllers on the network, completing, by the secondary controller, the set of housekeeping activities/tasks irrespective of a shutdown command received from the primary controller, and upon completing the set of housekeeping activities/tasks, communicating, by the secondary controller with the primary controller, such that the primary controller shuts down and then independently shutting down itself to mitigate or eliminate errors/malfunctions due to any incomplete housekeeping tasks/activities.