Electronic Control Unit Nonvolatile Memory Data Rewriting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for rewriting data in nonvolatile memories like flash ROM require erasing all data in an erasure block, leading to slow data transfer speeds and long rewriting times, especially when only partial data changes are needed.
Innovation Solution
An electronic control unit with a nonvolatile memory that can erase data in units of erasure blocks and write data in smaller write blocks, using a processor to save data in volatile memory, compare hash values for identity verification, and write only differing data back to nonvolatile memory.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all data in the data rewrite area is erased before rewriting, then data integrity is ensured, but the rewriting time becomes excessively long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data rewrite area into multiple erasure blocks, allowing selective erasure and rewriting of only the necessary blocks rather than erasing the entire area. This segmentation enables partial rewriting operations that maintain data integrity while significantly reducing rewriting time for updated portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by erasing and rewriting only the specific erasure blocks that contain updated data, rather than performing a complete erasure of the entire data rewrite area. This approach performs exactly the necessary actions without excessive operations, reducing overall rewriting time while ensuring integrity of updated data.
2Ease of manufacture
If data is transferred from the tool to the electronic control unit, then data can be rewritten, but the slow data transfer speed increases the overall rewriting time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data transfer process into smaller units corresponding to individual erasure blocks. By transferring and processing data block-by-block rather than as a complete dataset, the system reduces the cumulative transfer time and enables parallel processing of multiple blocks, thereby improving overall data rewriting efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary identification of which erasure blocks contain updated data before initiating the transfer process. This preliminary action allows the system to prepare and transfer only the necessary data blocks, reducing the total data transfer volume and time required for the rewriting operation.
3Manufacturing precision
If the write block size is smaller than the erasure block size, then data can be written more precisely, but additional data management operations are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments data writing operations into smaller write blocks that are manageable units within larger erasure blocks. This segmentation allows precise writing to specific portions of an erasure block while maintaining a clear hierarchical structure that simplifies the management complexity through organized data hierarchy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a data management intermediary layer that coordinates between the write blocks and erasure blocks. This intermediary structure handles the complexity of mapping small write blocks to larger erasure blocks, providing a systematic approach that manages the additional operations required while enabling precise data writing.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic control unit includes: a nonvolatile memory capable of erasing data in units of erasure blocks and also writing data in units of write blocks smaller than the erasure blocks; and a processor. In response to a data rewrite request from outside, the processor of the electronic control unit erases data in a portion of the nonvolatile memory in units of erasure blocks and writes data into the portion of the nonvolatile memory in units of write blocks. The amount of data sent to the electronic control unit from outside is thereby decreased and the time needed to rewrite data in the nonvolatile memory is reduced.