Engine Controller Monitoring via Dynamic Execution Unit Comparison

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional monitoring methods in embedded systems, such as those in automobile technology, fail to detect operand-dependent errors and require storage space for copied program commands, leading to inefficiencies and potential safety risks.

Innovation Solution

A method where a monitoring program is executed in a comparison operating mode across multiple execution units, comparing signals to detect errors without the need for redundant program storage, and switching between performance and comparison operating modes to identify and react to signal deviations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If monitoring programs are executed on multiple execution units in comparison operating mode, then error detection capability is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveerror detection capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between performance operating mode (single execution unit) and comparison operating mode (multiple execution units) based on monitoring requirements. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to achieve high reliability during comparison mode while maintaining high performance during normal operation, resolving the contradiction between error detection capability and system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The monitoring program is executed periodically in comparison operating mode at specific intervals rather than continuously. This periodic execution reduces the time complexity overhead while maintaining effective error detection capability, as the system only activates multiple execution units when monitoring is required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If copied program commands are stored for monitoring, then monitoring functionality is improved, but storage space requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring functionalityVSAvoidstorage space requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the monitoring program execution with the existing execution units by having multiple execution units simultaneously execute the same monitoring program with different input data. This eliminates the need for separate copied program storage, as the same program code is reused across multiple execution units, resolving the contradiction between monitoring functionality and storage space requirement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The execution units are designed to perform multiple functions: they can execute both the main application programs and the monitoring program. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve comprehensive monitoring capability without requiring dedicated storage space for copied monitoring programs, as the same execution infrastructure serves both purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If conventional monitoring with default data is used, then program execution monitoring is improved, but operand-dependent error detection is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprogram execution monitoringVSAvoidoperand-dependent error detection
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the input parameters (operand data) provided to execution units during monitoring mode, using varied test data instead of always using default data. This parameter variation enables the detection of operand-dependent errors that would not be detected with fixed default values, while maintaining effective program execution monitoring through the comparison of results across multiple execution units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2079917B1Method and device for monitoring a functionality of an engine controller of an internal combustion engine
Publication Date: 2012.11.21 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP2079917B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2079917B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2079917B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present invention creates a method for monitoring the functionality of an engine controller of an internal combustion engine, which engine has a plurality of execution units (2A, 2B). Here, a torque monitoring program in a comparative operating mode (VM) is executed on a plurality of execution units (2) of the system, and the signals which are output by the execution units (2) as the monitoring program is executed are compared with one another in order to detect a fault.