Edge Device Software Updates Over One-Way Ethernet Backchannels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing software updates and queries for edge devices in autonomous vehicles (AVs) is challenging due to the implementation of a one-way Ethernet network connection that restricts information-rich data communication, making it difficult to perform reliable version checks and software installations without bidirectional data transfer.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an automotive network gateway with a web server that uses User Datagram Protocol (UDP) for one-way communication and a limited backchannel with enumerated type data values to manage software updates and queries for edge devices, utilizing a relay endpoint and backchannel mailbox managers to encode and decode messages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a one-way Ethernet network connection is implemented for security, then security is improved, but bidirectional data transfer capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The communication system is segmented into two distinct channels: a one-way Ethernet network connection for security-critical data flow and a backchannel for control and status communication. This segmentation allows each channel to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system security
Solution Approach 2:
A backchannel is introduced as an intermediary communication path that enables bidirectional interaction between the AV compute and edge devices without compromising the security of the main one-way Ethernet connection. The backchannel acts as a mediator for control signals and status updates
2Productivity
If UDP protocol is used for one-way communication, then communication efficiency is improved, but reliable data transfer deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The backchannel implements a feedback mechanism where the edge device can send status information and acknowledgments back to the AV compute. This feedback loop enables reliable data transfer by allowing the system to verify successful delivery and request retransmission if needed, while maintaining UDP's efficiency on the forward path
3Adaptability or versatility
If version checking and software updates are implemented, then software management capability is improved, but system complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The backchannel serves as an intermediary that carries control messages for version checking and software update management. By routing these management functions through the existing backchannel infrastructure, the system avoids creating complex new communication paths while still enabling full software management capability
Data Source
AI summary
For security reasons, a one-way Ethernet communication link is implemented to segregate edge devices for an autonomous vehicle (AV) from the AV compute system. A non-feature rich backchannel allows very limited amounts of data to be transmitted from the edge devices side to the AV compute side. It is a challenge to query information about the edge devices when the backchannel only allows enumerated type data values to be transmitted. To address this concern, the customer-facing access point includes a relay endpoint that operates as a proxy to a web server that manages the edge devices and encodes responses as enumerated type data values to be transmitted over the backchannel.