Cluster Coupler Unit for Synchronizing Automotive Network Clusters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication networks in automotive systems, comprising multiple CAN and LIN clusters, face challenges in synchronizing communication clusters for real-time safety-relevant information exchange due to differing cycle lengths and unsynchronized startup times, leading to potential delays and inefficiencies in initial synchronization processes.
Innovation Solution
A cluster coupler unit with integrated synchronization logic circuits allows for the extraction and distribution of relevant startup information across protocol engines, enabling simultaneous startup and synchronization of communication clusters without modifying existing hardware, using a hierarchical synchronization approach or designating a master cluster to enforce timing consistency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional cluster couplers are used to connect communication clusters, then information distribution can align or synchronize clusters, but the synchronization process is slow and causes noticeable delay in application functions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by implementing a startup synchronization mechanism that synchronizes clusters before normal operation begins. The master cluster establishes timing information and distributes it to slave clusters during startup, ensuring all clusters are synchronized before application functions execute, thereby eliminating noticeable delays while maintaining reliable synchronization.
2Reliability
If one communication cluster is started first and initializes the communication schedule for others, then timing can be imposed on all clusters, but the minimum time required before all clusters can communicate is at least doubled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designates a master cluster that performs preliminary synchronization actions by establishing timing information and distributing it to slave clusters during startup. This ensures timing consistency across all clusters while avoiding the sequential startup bottleneck, as slave clusters can start simultaneously and receive timing information from the master cluster through distributed synchronization.
3Loss of time
If all communication clusters are started at the same time, then startup time is minimized, but they will generally not start synchronized due to noise and interaction with other nodes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a master cluster as an intermediary that coordinates startup synchronization. The master cluster receives startup signals and distributes timing information to slave clusters, acting as a mediator that ensures synchronized startup despite noise and interactions with other nodes. This intermediary approach maintains both fast startup time and reliable synchronization.
4Adaptability or versatility
If conventional startup mechanisms are used without coordination, then each communication cluster has its own timing and cycle starts are not synchronized, but implementing coordination mechanisms increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing a hierarchical synchronization architecture where each cluster has a defined role (master or slave) with specific local responsibilities. The master cluster handles timing establishment while slave clusters handle local synchronization, dividing the complexity into manageable local functions that maintain flexibility in cluster configuration while achieving coordinated synchronization.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a time triggered network used in particular in an automotive network having a plurality of clusters. Each cluster (A-X) includes a plurality of nodes (11). For saving time during startup a cluster coupler unit (10) in a time triggered network is proposed, wherein the network comprises a plurality of communication clusters (A-X) each having a plurality of nodes (11), the communication clusters (A-X) are compatible to each another in cycle length, slot length and frame length, wherein a cluster coupler unit (10) being connected to at least two communication clusters (A-X), the cluster coupler unit (10) includes as many protocol engines (12) as communication clusters are connected, each protocol engine (12) having at least one receiving input (RXD) and one transmitting output (TXD), wherein a synchronization logic (20) is connected to at least one of the receiving inputs (RXD) and/or the transmitting outputs (TXD) of the protocol engines (12), wherein the synchronization logic (20) distributes information from incoming/outgoing signals, which is used for synchronizing the connected communication clusters (A-X) during startup.