Dual Core Engine Control Module Architecture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle safety-critical control systems are vulnerable to corrupted control signals due to failures in primary processors and components like RAM and ROM, which conventional fault detection methods often rely on shared ALUs, leading to potential incorrect system actions.
Innovation Solution
A control system with two independent IC cores, each generating control signals using distinct ALUs, allowing for parallel processing and comparison to detect and correct signal discrepancies, eliminating the need for a secondary processor and dual storage for error detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a secondary processor is used for fault detection, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fault detection functionality into the primary processor by implementing a dual-core architecture where both cores share the same ALU resource. This eliminates the need for a separate secondary processor while maintaining fault detection capabilities through parallel signal generation and comparison.
Solution Approach 2:
The ALU is designed to be universally shared between both IC cores for signal generation and also serves as a shared resource for fault detection operations. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity while maintaining reliability through the redundant core architecture.
2Reliability
If dual storage is used for error detection, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the error detection function from the storage architecture and relocates it to the processing architecture. By using the shared ALU and control logic to detect errors in signals from both cores, the system eliminates the need for dual storage implementations while maintaining error detection capability.
3Device complexity
If shared ALU is used by multiple data paths, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to potential signal corruption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control signal generation into two independent paths through dual IC cores, each with its own control logic and registers. Although the ALU is shared, the segmentation of control paths allows for parallel operation and comparison, maintaining signal integrity through redundancy rather than through exclusive ALU access.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback through comparison logic that monitors signals from both IC cores. When discrepancies are detected in the shared ALU outputs, the system can identify and correct errors, thereby maintaining reliability despite the shared resource architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
A control system for a control module of a vehicle includes a first integrated circuit (IC) core of a primary processor that generates a first control signal using a central processing unit (CPU). A second IC core of the primary processor generates a second control signal using a second CPU and generates a remedial control signal based on the first control signal and the second control signal.