Automotive ECU Memory Partitioning for Variant Control Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
The management of numerous variations in electronic control devices for automobiles is cumbersome due to differences in control programs and data, requiring significant effort and resources.
Innovation Solution
An electronic control device with an electronically rewritable nonvolatile memory having two storage areas: one for a control program with embedded control data and another for a rewrite program and multiple control data, allowing selective rewriting of control data based on vehicle information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple variations of electronic control devices are prepared for different automobile models, then compatibility with various specifications is achieved, but management effort and complexity increase enormously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control data into a common control program and separate control constants. The control program remains unchanged across different automobile models, while only the control constants need to be varied. This segmentation allows the same hardware platform to support multiple specifications by simply changing data parameters rather than creating entirely different control devices for each model.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal control program that can function across multiple automobile models. By designing the control program to be model-agnostic and allowing control constants to be adjusted based on the specific automobile specification, a single control device design serves multiple functions and is compatible with various specifications without requiring separate variations for each model.
2Reliability
If control data is embedded in the control program, then device functionality is complete, but flexibility to adapt to different specifications is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts control constants from the embedded control data and separates them into a distinct, externally adjustable parameter set. Instead of having all control data hard-coded into the control program, the control constants are taken out and stored separately, allowing them to be modified based on the specific automobile model without changing the core control program. This extraction maintains complete device functionality while enabling flexibility for different specifications.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic control device comprises an electronically rewritable nonvolatile memory which has first storage area and second storage area. The first storage area stores a control program in which control data is embedded, and the second storage area stores a plurality of control data usable for the control program and a rewrite program for rewriting the control data of the control program to one piece of control data selected from the plurality of control data.