Dynamic Redundancy Allocation for Autonomous Vehicle Control Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Autonomous vehicles face safety and energy efficiency challenges due to complex software and hardware errors, which can lead to uncontrolled driving situations and increased energy consumption, particularly in managing redundant software applications and computing resources.

Innovation Solution

A control system that dynamically assigns active program codes to control units based on function prioritization and resource adaptation, ensuring a safety reserve and optimizing energy efficiency by activating additional units when needed and deactivating others to maintain a high target achievement level, thereby ensuring safe and efficient operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If redundant software applications are executed in different computing nodes to prevent errors, then system reliability is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic assignment of active and passive program code instances to computing nodes based on current system state, error conditions, and energy requirements. The control system continuously monitors and reconfigures which computing nodes execute active instances versus passive instances, allowing the system to adapt between safety-critical modes and energy-saving modes without fixed redundancy allocation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters by switching between different configurations of active and passive program instances across computing nodes. The control system adjusts the number and distribution of passive instances based on error probabilities, energy consumption targets, and current operational context, transforming the redundancy level from a static design parameter to a dynamic operational parameter

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If redundant software applications are executed in different computing nodes to prevent errors, then system reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial redundancy by executing only the necessary number of passive program code instances required to achieve target reliability levels, rather than maintaining full redundancy across all computing nodes. The control system calculates the minimum number of passive instances needed based on error probabilities and safety requirements, activating additional passive instances only when and where specifically needed to meet reliability targets

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the number and distribution of passive program instances across computing nodes based on current energy consumption targets, error probabilities, and operational context. The control system transforms redundancy from a static resource allocation to a dynamic parameter that can be adjusted in real-time to balance reliability requirements against energy consumption constraints

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If the assignment of active program codes to control units is static, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different driving situations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidadaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11572081B2Method for operating a self-propelled vehicle, and control system for performing such a method

Publication Date: 2023.02.07 VOLKSWAGEN AG

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for operating a self-propelled motor vehicle having a plurality of control units and a plurality of program codes for controlling the function of autonomous driving and possibly other functions of the self-propelled vehicle, wherein a plurality of program codes used for an autonomous driving mode are redundantly applied to at least two different control units. In doing so, the self-propelled motor vehicle is operated in an at least partially autonomous driving mode. In this mode, the functions directly needed to satisfy the passenger's wishes are ascertained and weighted corresponding to their relevance for satisfying the passenger's wishes. In so doing, the functions, or the scope of functions, are released depending on the achievement of a target achievement level.