Dual-Bank Nonvolatile Memory for In-Vehicle Program Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic control devices for vehicles face inefficiencies in using nonvolatile memory for program updates, as the reserved area for updates reduces available storage, and updates cannot be successfully performed while the vehicle is running.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an electronic control device with two exclusively switchable storage areas in nonvolatile memory, where one area is active for executing the control program and the other is reserved for updates, allowing arbitrary data or failure information to be written when not updating, and transmitting this data to an external device for updating the program.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a reserved area is allocated in nonvolatile memory for updating the control program, then the control program can be updated even when the vehicle is running, but the storage area available on the nonvolatile memory is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The inactive storage area is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as a reserved area for receiving update programs during normal operation, and simultaneously serves as storage for arbitrary data when no update is needed. This multi-functional design resolves the contradiction by maximizing the utility of the limited nonvolatile memory resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches the function of the inactive storage area based on operational needs. When a control program update is required, the inactive area receives the update program; when no update is needed, it stores arbitrary data. This dynamic allocation allows the same physical space to serve different purposes at different times, resolving the storage capacity contradiction.
2Reliability
If two storage areas are allocated in nonvolatile memory for alternating updates, then successful updates can be ensured, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The nonvolatile memory is segmented into two distinct storage areas: an active area for currently executing control programs and an inactive area for update operations. This segmentation enables reliable updates by isolating the update process from the running system, while the simple two-area structure keeps management complexity low compared to more sophisticated multi-partition schemes.
3Reliability
If the inactive storage area is used only for updating the control program, then update integrity is maintained, but memory usage efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The inactive storage area is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as a reserved area for receiving update programs during normal operation, and simultaneously serves as storage for arbitrary data when no update is needed. This multi-functional design resolves the contradiction by maximizing the utility of the limited nonvolatile memory resources.
Data Source
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AI summary
An electronic control device includes a nonvolatile memory having allocated two storage areas that are exclusively switchable between an active state and an inactive state, the storage area in the active state being used to store a control program to be executed, and the storage area in the inactive state being used as a reserved area for updating the control program. In the electronic control device, when the control program is not updated, arbitrary data is written in the storage area in the inactive state.