Extensible Information Layer for Vehicular Control Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicular control systems, such as those using the MIL-STD-1553 databus, are inflexible and costly to modify or expand, requiring extensive regression testing for adding new hardware or software, which limits the ability to easily integrate new peripheral devices or software applications without affecting core functionality.
Innovation Solution
An extensible information layer with a disparate protocol, such as Ethernet, is introduced to facilitate communication between user interface applications and peripheral devices, allowing for easy adaptation and integration of new devices and software without disrupting existing systems, using an interfacing circuit to convert between protocols and enabling minor frame substitutions for temporary access to the vehicular control databus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the MIL-STD-1553 databus architecture is used for vehicular control networks, then system stability and deterministic inter-process signaling are ensured, but the system becomes inflexible and costly to modify when adding new peripheral devices or software applications
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two distinct layers: a control layer using MIL-STD-1553 for stable, deterministic operations, and an information layer using Ethernet for flexible, extensible functionality. This segmentation allows each layer to operate independently with its own protocol optimizations, resolving the contradiction between stability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
An interfacing circuit acts as an intermediary between the MIL-STD-1553 control databus and the Ethernet information layer. This mediator translates and adapts signals between the two disparate protocols, enabling new Ethernet-based devices to access the control network without disrupting the stable MIL-STD-1553 architecture.
2Adaptability or versatility
If new peripheral devices or software applications are added to the MIL-STD-1553 control network, then system functionality is enhanced, but extensive regression testing is required ensuring core functionality is not affected
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the system into control and information layers, new Ethernet-based devices can be added to the information layer without affecting the MIL-STD-1553 control layer. This isolation eliminates the need for extensive regression testing of core control functionality when adding new features.
Solution Approach 2:
The Ethernet information layer provides a universal platform that can support multiple types of peripheral devices and software applications through standard Ethernet protocols. This multi-functionality allows diverse devices to be integrated without requiring modifications to the core control system.
3Reliability
If the MIL-STD-1553 protocol is used for all communications, then deterministic control signaling is maintained, but the system lacks ease of operation for integrating modern Ethernet-based devices
Solution Approach 1:
The interfacing circuit serves as a mediator that translates Ethernet signals into MIL-STD-1553 format and vice versa. This allows modern Ethernet-based devices to be easily integrated while the control network maintains its deterministic signaling through the protocol translation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the protocol parameter being used for different communication needs: MIL-STD-1553 for time-critical control signals requiring deterministic timing, and Ethernet for data-intensive communications where ease of integration and bandwidth are more important.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method to provide extensibility to an existing vehicular control network. To provide such extensibility, an information layer network incorporating a protocol such as an Ethernet protocol in which additional peripheral devices may be easily coupled thereto or additional software applications providing enhanced functionality. Interfacing of the information layer to the vehicular control network is accomplished via an Information layer interface mechanism that translates signals from those compliant to the vehicular control network to those compliant with the information layer. Additionally, means are disclosed to provide for momentary control over one or more peripheral devices that are coupled to the vehicular control network via peripheral devices that are coupled to the information layer.