On-Board ECU Authentication Using Configuration Change Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing on-board communication systems lack the ability to properly determine whether an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) has been correctly replaced, leading to potential improper replacements that can go undetected.
Innovation Solution
An on-board communication device that acquires configuration information from ECUs and communicates with an external authentication device to verify if the replacement or addition of an ECU is proper by comparing previously-acquired and presently-acquired configuration information, determining improper replacement if communication with the external authentication device is not performed normally.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If configuration information is acquired and compared without external authentication, then the system operation is simple and fast, but the reliability of ECU replacement determination deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an external authentication device as an intermediary between the on-board communication device and the ECU replacement determination process. This external device verifies configuration information changes and provides authentication, thereby improving the reliability of ECU replacement determination without requiring complex internal authentication mechanisms within the vehicle's communication system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary acquisition and storage of configuration information before ECU replacement occurs. By having baseline configuration data ready, the system can quickly compare post-replacement configuration information against this pre-stored data, enabling fast and reliable replacement verification without complex real-time authentication during the replacement process itself.
2Reliability
If configuration information is acquired and compared without external authentication, then the system operation is simple and fast, but the reliability of ECU replacement determination deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary acquisition and storage of configuration information before ECU replacement occurs. By having baseline configuration data ready, the system can quickly compare post-replacement configuration information against this pre-stored data, enabling fast and reliable replacement verification without complex real-time authentication during the replacement process itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The external authentication device operates independently to verify configuration changes, allowing the on-board system to simply request verification rather than performing complex authentication itself. This separates the time-consuming verification process from the replacement operation, maintaining efficiency while improving reliability.
3Reliability
If configuration information is acquired and compared without external authentication, then the system operation is simple and fast, but the reliability of ECU replacement determination deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The on-board communication device automatically performs configuration information acquisition, comparison, and external authentication requests without requiring manual intervention. The system self-verify whether ECU replacement is proper by comparing configuration data and communicating with the external authentication device, maintaining ease of operation while improving reliability through automated verification processes.
Data Source
AI summary
An on-board communication device is configured to be communicably connected to on-board ECUs provided in a vehicle, and to acquire configuration information transmitted from the on-board ECUs, the on-board communication device including a control unit that controls communication with an external authentication device that is connected from outside of the vehicle when replacement or addition of an on-board ECU is performed, and if previously-acquired configuration information is different from presently-acquired configuration information, the control unit attempts communication with the external authentication device, and if communication with the external authentication device is not performed in a normal manner, the control unit determines that the on-board ECU has undergone improper replacement or addition.