ECU Application Bytecode Updates for Incremental Software Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automotive electronic control unit (ECU) software updates require complete recompilation and redeployment, which is inflexible and time-consuming, especially when updating software components written in languages like Rust.
Innovation Solution
Converting ECU applications into bytecode representation, modifying the bytecode for input/output interfaces, and deploying it on the ECU or other units, allowing for updates without recompiling the entire system and enabling communication between different ECUs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complete recompilation and redeployment is performed for software updates, then system reliability is maintained, but update time and productivity are significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The software system is segmented into independently compilable modules (Rust code segments, C code segments, basic software components). Each module can be updated separately through incremental compilation, avoiding the need to recompile the entire system. The bytecode representation allows these segments to be deployed independently to the ECU, significantly reducing update time while maintaining system reliability through verified module integration.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the entire ECU is reprogrammed for software updates, then consistency is ensured, but the complexity of the update process increases
Solution Approach 1:
A bytecode representation serves as an intermediary layer between the source code and the ECU execution environment. The compilation toolchain converts Rust and C code segments into bytecode, which is then deployed to the ECU. This intermediary approach allows incremental updates of individual modules without requiring full ECU reprogramming, reducing update complexity while maintaining consistency through the standardized bytecode format.
3Speed
If software components are tied to hardware platform after compilation, then execution efficiency is improved, but adaptability and flexibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates bytecode representations as portable copies of the original software components. These bytecode copies can be deployed to different ECU hardware platforms without requiring recompilation, enabling flexible deployment and remapping of applications. The bytecode format serves as a universal intermediate representation that maintains execution efficiency while providing cross-platform adaptability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If basic software components are updated, then system functionality is improved, but the time and resources required for recompilation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The software architecture is segmented into basic software components (Bswc) and application code segments, each capable of independent compilation and updating. When Bswc needs updating, only the affected bytecode segments are recompiled and deployed, not the entire system. This segmentation enables incremental updates that reduce recompilation time and resource consumption while maintaining the ability to update core system components.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for updating an application of an automotive electronic control unit. The method includes: converting the application of the automotive electronic control unit into a bytecode representation of the application; modifying the bytecode representation of the application at least with regard to at least one input and/or output interface thereof, the at least one input and/or output interface enabling a communication to at least one other application and/or to at least one other automotive electronic control unit; deploying the bytecode representation of the application on the automotive electronic control unit and/or on the at least one other automotive electronic control unit. A computer program, an apparatus, and a storage medium are also described.