Control Unit Parallel Processing via Time-Coordinated Memory Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for manipulating control programs in control units, such as those used in engine and aircraft control, often require changing source or machine code, leading to hardware complexity and processing delays, especially when executing additional program routines.

Innovation Solution

A method that utilizes multiple computing cores within a control unit to process a second function in parallel with the primary function, ensuring data consistency by time-coordinating memory accesses and using a control instance to initiate and manage the processing of the second function, which can be implemented as a software, hardware, or combined component.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a second program routine is executed by a second processor core housed outside of the control unit, then parallel processing is enabled, but hardware complexity and data exchange latency increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparallel processing capabilityVSAvoidhardware complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the second program routine execution from external hardware and relocates it to an internal resource (processor core or functional unit) within the control unit. This extraction eliminates the need for external communication interfaces and data exchange mechanisms, thereby reducing hardware complexity while preserving parallel processing capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the second program routine execution capability directly into the control unit by utilizing an existing processor core or functional unit internally. This consolidation eliminates separate external hardware components and their associated interfaces, reducing overall system complexity while enabling parallel execution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Productivity

If a second program routine is executed by a second processor core housed outside of the control unit, then parallel processing is enabled, but data exchange latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparallel processing capabilityVSAvoiddata exchange latency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the source code of the program code is not available, then program manipulation is restricted, but binary code manipulation becomes necessary

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprogram manipulation flexibilityVSAvoidcode manipulation difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a control instance as an intermediary layer between the user and the binary program code. This control instance provides structured access points and manipulation interfaces that enable program modification without requiring direct binary code editing, thereby maintaining adaptability while reducing manipulation difficulty.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of manufacture

If control programs are modular with pre-made functions, then program structure is improved, but function assignment and variable management become complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprogram structureVSAvoidfunction assignment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a control instance that serves multiple functions simultaneously: it manages function assignments between processor cores, handles variable data exchange, coordinates execution timing, and provides a unified manipulation interface. This multi-functionality reduces the overall system complexity despite the modular program structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10162324B2Method for manipulating a control program of a control device

Publication Date: 2018.12.25 DSPACE SE & CO KG

AI summary

A method for manipulating a first function of a control program of an electronic control device, using a second function. The control program is processed using a first calculation kernel of a processor, and the second function is processed by a second calculation kernel during the processing of the control program. The first function assigns a first value to a variable and writes the first value to the storage address of the variable at a first time. The second function assigns a second value to the variable, which value is written to the storage address of the variable at a second time, wherein the second value written by the first function is overwritten. At a third time, the control program reads the second value from the storage address of the variable. A control entity coordinates the times at which the storage address of the variable is accessed.