Cloud-Based Backup ECU for Fault-Tolerant Vehicle Control

Solution Overview

Problem

Autonomous vehicles require redundant control systems to maintain operation during faults, leading to increased hardware and software requirements, space, and cost, which is undesirable.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a cloud computing platform to provide a duplicate control system by operating a local electronic control unit and a backup virtual electronic control unit, where control is transferred from the local to the backup unit upon fault occurrence, with both units receiving the same input and comparing outputs for failure mitigation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a redundant control system is implemented at the vehicle, then fault tolerance is improved, but hardware requirements, space, and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefault toleranceVSAvoidhardware requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual copy of the control system functionality by deploying a backup control system on remote computing infrastructure (cloud) rather than requiring a physical hardware duplicate at the vehicle. The backup ECU replicates the control logic and state machine of the primary ECU, providing redundancy without duplicating physical hardware components at the vehicle site.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent moves the backup control system from the spatial dimension (physical hardware at vehicle) to the network dimension (remote cloud infrastructure). By transitioning the backup system to a virtualized environment accessible via communication networks, the patent eliminates the need for additional physical space and hardware at the vehicle while maintaining fault tolerance capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If a redundant control system is implemented at the vehicle, then fault tolerance is improved, but space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefault toleranceVSAvoidspace requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual copy of the control system functionality by deploying a backup control system on remote computing infrastructure (cloud) rather than requiring a physical hardware duplicate at the vehicle. The backup ECU replicates the control logic and state machine of the primary ECU, providing redundancy without duplicating physical hardware components at the vehicle site.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent moves the backup control system from the spatial dimension (physical hardware at vehicle) to the network dimension (remote cloud infrastructure). By transitioning the backup system to a virtualized environment accessible via communication networks, the patent eliminates the need for additional physical space and hardware at the vehicle while maintaining fault tolerance capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If a redundant control system is implemented at the vehicle, then fault tolerance is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefault toleranceVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual copy of the control system functionality by deploying a backup control system on remote computing infrastructure (cloud) rather than requiring a physical hardware duplicate at the vehicle. The backup ECU replicates the control logic and state machine of the primary ECU, providing redundancy without duplicating physical hardware components at the vehicle site.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables a single physical ECU to serve multiple functions by acting as both the primary control system and the backup control system at different times. The system dynamically switches roles based on operational state and health status, eliminating the need for dedicated backup hardware and reducing overall system cost while maintaining fault tolerance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11318953B2Fault-tolerant embedded automotive applications through cloud computing

Publication Date: 2022.05.03 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

A vehicle, operating system of a vehicle and a method of operating a vehicle is disclosed. A local electronic control unit is operated at the vehicle in order to control the vehicle. A backup electronic control unit is operated at a remote computing platform for control of the vehicle. A control of the vehicle is transferred from the local electronic control unit to the backup electronic control unit upon occurrence of a fault at the local electronic control unit.