ECU Software Update Control Using Per-Unit Update Information
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Solution Overview
Problem
In automobile systems with diverse ECUs, existing remote software updating techniques struggle to handle differences in update methods for various ECUs, leading to inefficiencies and incomplete updates.
Innovation Solution
A software updating apparatus connected to a server, which includes communication units for data transmission and reception, and an update control unit to manage and apply updates to each ECU based on specific update information, allowing for tailored update methods for each ECU.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single remote software updating technique is applied to all ECUs, then the updating process is simplified, but update accuracy and completeness deteriorate because different ECUs require different update methods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the update management process by introducing an update information management unit that stores and manages different update information (including update methods, update data, and difference data) for each ECU type. This segmentation allows the system to handle diverse ECU update requirements without complicating the overall update execution process, as the appropriate update information is automatically selected based on ECU identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The update information management unit serves multiple functions: it stores update information for various ECU types, determines appropriate update methods based on ECU characteristics, and provides the necessary update data or difference data to the remote updating unit. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by enabling a single management interface to handle diverse update requirements.
2Productivity
If difference data is transmitted for all ECUs, then transmission efficiency is improved, but update reliability deteriorates because not all ECUs can process difference data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by storing and transmitting different types of update information tailored to each ECU type's capabilities. The update information management unit determines whether to transmit difference data or full update data based on the specific ECU's processing capabilities, ensuring that each ECU receives the appropriate update format it can reliably process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of update data format based on ECU characteristics. The update information management unit selects between different data formats (difference data vs. full update data) and transmits the appropriate format to each ECU, optimizing both transmission efficiency and update reliability according to the target ECU's capabilities.
3Reliability
If update information is customized for each ECU type, then update accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases due to diverse configuration management
Solution Approach 1:
The update information management unit acts as an intermediary between the diverse ECU types and the remote updating unit. It maintains a structured database of update information for each ECU type and automatically retrieves and provides the appropriate update information based on ECU identification, thereby managing complexity centrally without burdening individual ECUs or the update execution process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-storing and organizing update information (including update methods, update data, and difference data) for each ECU type in the update information management unit before actual updates are needed. This advance preparation enables quick and accurate retrieval during update operations without requiring complex real-time decision-making or configuration management.
4Reliability
If full update data is transmitted to all ECUs, then update completeness is ensured, but transmission efficiency and bandwidth utilization deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by transmitting only the necessary portion of update information to each ECU. The update information management unit determines whether to transmit difference data (partial update) or full update data (complete update) based on ECU capabilities and update requirements, avoiding unnecessary data transmission while ensuring update completeness when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the parameter of update data completeness based on ECU characteristics. For ECUs capable of processing difference data, only the necessary difference portions are transmitted, improving efficiency. For ECUs that require complete updates, full update data is transmitted to ensure completeness, optimizing the balance between transmission efficiency and update completeness for each target.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a software updating apparatus that can flexibly respond to various situations, including update capacity and use cases of each ECU, in a case of updating control information of a plurality of ECUs. Update control information necessary for update processing, including update data to be newly applied to an ECU, is received from a server and control of the update processing is performed based on the received update control information.