ECU Profile Switching for Service Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern vehicles face challenges in managing the complexity and quantity of electronic control units (ECUs) due to increasing software complexity, customer demands for seamless connectivity and autonomous features, and regulatory requirements, which necessitate efficient ECU management and in-field upgrades to extend operational life and conserve resources.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an ECU management architecture that allows for multiple profiles to be switched based on vehicle states and user desires, with a supervising mechanism to avoid stopping and restarting running services, enabling efficient resource allocation and conservation by turning off unnecessary services and enabling new ones as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple ECUs are used to control various electrical systems in a vehicle, then the functionality and control capability are improved, but the device complexity and management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal ECU management architecture where a single ECU can dynamically switch between multiple profiles (e.g., economy mode, sport mode, autonomous mode), allowing one device to perform multiple different functions. This reduces the need for separate dedicated ECUs for each function while maintaining the ability to control various electrical systems effectively.
2Adaptability or versatility
If software complexity in ECUs is increased to meet customer demands for connectivity and autonomous features, then the functionality is improved, but the processing load and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic profile switching where the ECU can transition between different operational profiles based on real-time vehicle states and user preferences. Each profile contains a specific subset of services and features, allowing the system to activate only the necessary software components for the current operating mode, thereby reducing processing load and energy consumption while maintaining high functionality when needed.
3Productivity
If services are stopped and restarted during ECU profile switching, then the resource allocation is optimized, but the service continuity and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a supervising mechanism that performs preliminary identification of services that will be affected by profile switching. Before switching profiles, the system identifies services that need to be stopped and restarted, and coordinates these operations to minimize interruptions. The supervising mechanism ensures that critical services are maintained or restored quickly, preserving service continuity while still achieving optimal resource allocation through profile switching.
Data Source
AI summary
Receive a first electronics control unit (ECU) profile, the first ECU profile comprising a first set of services. Switch execution, on an ECU, by a processing device, to the first ECU profile from a second ECU profile, the second ECU profile comprising a second set of services, wherein an intersection of the first set of services and the second set of services comprises a third set of services. Start, on the ECU, a set of services included in the first ECU profile and not included in the third set of services.