Electronic Control Apparatus Multiplexing Transmission Counters

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In electronic control systems where information items have different processing intervals, the need to transmit data over a limited number of communication lines efficiently while ensuring timely updates and minimizing communication cost is challenging, especially when time division multiplexing increases the selection signal's information amount and may not guarantee updates at required timings.

Innovation Solution

An electronic control apparatus that forms multiplexed transmission data by selecting or dividing information items based on their sizes and a transmission counter's period, using a counter period and transmission margin degree to optimize communication efficiency and reduce communication costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If time division multiplexing is used to transmit multiple information items with different periods, then communication efficiency is improved, but the selection signal's information amount increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidselection signal information amount
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The transmission counter is segmented into multiple counters, where each counter corresponds to a specific information item. This allows the system to track transmission periods for different information items independently, enabling efficient time division multiplexing without requiring a complex selection signal to identify which information item is being transmitted.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a selection signal to identify information items, the patent uses transmission counters that are copied for each information item. The counters serve as implicit identifiers, eliminating the need for separate selection signals and reducing the information amount required for multiplexing control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If all information items are transmitted every time, then reliability of data transmission is improved, but communication cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoidcommunication data amount
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic transmission of information items based on their respective periods. Each information item is transmitted at its designated interval, and the transmission counters track these periodic transmissions. This ensures that critical information is transmitted frequently while less critical information is transmitted less often, reducing overall communication cost while maintaining reliability for time-sensitive data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes transmission parameters based on the period of each information item. By adjusting the transmission frequency according to the specific period requirements of each data type, the system optimizes the balance between reliability and communication efficiency, transmitting only what is necessary at each moment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If transmission counter is added to each information item, then reliability of periodic data transmission is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveperiodic data transmission reliabilityVSAvoiddata structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the transmission counter functionality into the existing data transmission framework. Rather than adding complex external tracking mechanisms, the counters are integrated directly with the information items, allowing the system to track transmission periods and detect losses without requiring separate complex monitoring systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The transmission counters serve multiple functions: they act as implicit identifiers for time division multiplexing, track transmission periods for reliability verification, and enable detection of transmission losses. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mechanisms and keeps the overall system complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Speed

If multiple communication lines are provided for different periods, then timeliness of information transmission is improved, but communication cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation transmission timelinessVSAvoidnumber of communication lines
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the transmission timing for different information items using transmission counters, allowing multiple information items with different periods to share a single communication line. Each counter manages the timing for its corresponding information item, enabling time division multiplexing that maintains timeliness without requiring multiple physical communication lines.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent resolves the conflict between timeliness and communication line quantity by introducing a time dimension through periodic transmission control. By organizing transmissions in time slots determined by counters, the system achieves multi-channel-like timeliness on a single communication line, effectively adding a temporal dimension to the transmission structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3793108B1Electronic control apparatus
Publication Date: 2024.01.10 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP3793108B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3793108B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3793108B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Based on a count value held by a transmission counter, an information multiplex apparatus forms multiplexed transmission data by selecting or dividing at least part of each of two or more information items, based on the respective sizes of the two or more information items, a counter period of the transmission counter, and a transmission margin degree.