ECU Update Pause and Resume via Segmented HTTPS Ranges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for updating vehicle electronic control units (ECUs) lack the capability to pause and resume updates efficiently, especially when network connectivity is interrupted or when the update process is interrupted mid-transfer, leading to potential data loss and inefficiencies in software updates.
Innovation Solution
The system employs on-the-fly compression technology that allows for pausing and resuming updates from the last-successfully-written byte address, using a calculated HTTPS address range to manage the update process, enabling seamless continuation of updates even after interruptions, and dynamically adjusting the compression window based on the last-written address.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional ECU update methods are used without pause and resume capability, then the update process is simple to implement, but network interruptions cause data loss and require restarting the entire update
Solution Approach 1:
The update data transfer process is segmented into manageable sections with defined boundaries. Each section can be independently tracked and transferred, allowing the system to pause after completing a section and resume from that point without requiring restart of the entire update process. This segmentation enables reliable partial completions and facilitates the pause-resume functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by establishing section boundaries and advance pointers before actual data transfer begins. The advance pointer mechanism pre-calculates and identifies the next section to transfer, enabling the system to quickly resume from the last successful section without extensive recalibration or error checking when interruptions occur.
2Productivity
If the entire update is transferred before writing to ECU, then data integrity is ensured, but update time and network resource usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The update process is divided into sections that can be transferred and written to the ECU in a pipelined manner. Multiple sections are pre-positioned in advance using advance pointers, allowing the system to maintain a buffer of ready-to-write data while the network continues downloading subsequent sections. This segmentation enables overlapping transfer and write operations, improving throughput while maintaining data integrity through section-by-section verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous useful action by overlapping the data transfer process with the ECU writing process. While the network downloads update sections, the system simultaneously writes completed sections to the ECU and positions advance pointers for future sections. This continuous pipeline operation maximizes network utilization and reduces total update time while preserving data integrity through controlled section transfers.
3Reliability
If pause and resume functionality is implemented, then interrupted updates can be recovered, but the system requires complex tracking of write positions and address ranges
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary positioning of advance pointers that identify the start addresses of upcoming update sections before actual data transfer begins. These advance pointers are pre-calculated and stored, enabling the system to quickly determine where to resume writing without extensive analysis of the update state. This preliminary action simplifies the resume operation by providing ready-made reference points.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms that track the current write position and compare it against advance pointers to determine the next section to transfer. This feedback loop continuously monitors the update state, automatically identifying when sections are complete and when to position the next advance pointer. The feedback system manages the complexity of address tracking through automated state monitoring and decision-making.
Data Source
AI summary
A system comprises a processor programmed to send an address range to a server corresponding to a capability of a controller to perform an update; responsive to receiving update data from the server, write the update data into the controller; and responsive to receiving a resume signal to resume the update from a paused state, send a new address range to the server based on a last-successfully-written address received from the controller.