ECU Frame Generation for Cross-Protocol Network Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing onboard network systems face challenges in efficiently transmitting information between electronic control units (ECUs) using different communication protocols, such as CAN and Ethernet, due to the need for ECUs to have both interfaces, which increases costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
An electronic control unit (ECU) is designed to generate and transmit frames following the Ethernet protocol, which include information and an identification flag indicating whether the data is meant for a CAN network, allowing seamless communication between ECUs with Ethernet and CAN interfaces through a network hub that selects the appropriate transmission path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If ECUs are equipped with both Ethernet and CAN interfaces to enable communication between different networks, then communication versatility is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network hub as an intermediary device that performs protocol conversion between Ethernet and CAN networks. The hub receives frames from the Ethernet network, extracts routing information, and generates corresponding frames for the CAN network. This mediator approach allows ECUs to communicate across different protocols without requiring dual interfaces, thus maintaining versatility while reducing complexity at the ECU level.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the communication functionality by separating protocol conversion responsibilities from individual ECUs and placing it in the network hub. This segmentation allows ECUs to remain simple while the hub handles the complex protocol translation, effectively dividing the system into specialized components that collectively achieve multi-protocol communication.
2Adaptability or versatility
If protocol conversion is handled at the ECU level, then communication capability is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The network hub is designed as a universal device that handles protocol conversion for multiple different ECU types and communication scenarios. By concentrating multi-functionality in the hub, individual ECUs can be manufactured more simply and cheaply, while the hub provides the necessary protocol adaptation for various network configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The hub acts as a mediator that absorbs the complexity of protocol conversion, allowing ECUs to be manufactured with simpler, single-protocol interfaces. This reduces manufacturing costs for ECUs while maintaining protocol compatibility through the hub's conversion capabilities.
3Reliability
If all ECUs have dual interfaces for both Ethernet and CAN, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The network hub serves as a reliable intermediary that ensures accurate protocol conversion and frame routing between Ethernet and CAN networks. By centralizing the conversion logic in the hub, the system maintains communication reliability while allowing ECUs to use simpler single-interface designs, thereby reducing complexity without sacrificing reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic control unit (ECU) is provided. The ECU is connected to a first network in an onboard network system. The onboard network system includes the first network and a second network. In the first network, first-type frames are transmitted following a first communication protocol. In the second network, second-type frames are transmitted following a second communication protocol. The first-type frame includes first information serving as a base for the second-type frame to be transmitted to the second network, and second information indicating that the first-type frame includes information that is to be transmitted to the second network. The ECU includes a generator that generates the first-type frame following the first communication protocol, and a transmitter that transmits, to the first network, the first-type frame generated by the generator.