Fast CAN Data Frame Segmentation for High-Speed Transmission

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current CAN protocols face limitations in transmitting large data blocks efficiently, leading to delays and impaired real-time properties, as they require bit-by-bit arbitration and have a low bit rate, which cannot be easily increased without disrupting the network or compromising error detection and consistency.

Innovation Solution

A modified data transmission method, referred to as Fast CAN, which allows temporal bit length to assume two different values within a data frame, using different scaling factors between the bus time unit and the oscillator clock, enabling faster data transmission while maintaining essential CAN properties like error detection and network consistency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the bit rate is increased by reducing the duration of each bit, then data transmission speed is improved, but the real-time properties and network consistency are compromised because all bus participants must have a uniform image of the bus status

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission speedVSAvoidnetwork consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The data frame is segmented into two distinct parts: an arbitration field transmitted at the standard bit rate (500 kbit/s) to maintain network consistency, and a data field transmitted at the increased bit rate (1.15 Mbit/s) to achieve faster data transmission. This segmentation allows different transmission rates to coexist within the same communication protocol.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically switches between two operating modes: standard CAN mode for arbitration and fast transmission mode for data transfer. The communication interface can be temporarily switched to another communication mode allowing relatively high bit rate, and then switched back to ensure proper transmission confirmation and maintain network consistency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If temporary switching to high bit rate mode is used to transmit large data blocks, then transmission speed is improved, but communication with CAN protocols is interrupted and real-time properties are impaired

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata block transmission efficiencyVSAvoiddelay in subsequent transmissions
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The arbitration field is transmitted continuously at the standard bit rate to maintain ongoing CAN protocol communication and network consistency. Only the data field portion is transmitted at the higher bit rate, allowing continuous arbitration functionality while achieving faster overall data block transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Speed

If the duration of transmitted bits is reduced to increase bit rate, then data transmission rate is improved, but the minimum duration required for bit-by-bit arbitration cannot be observed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebit rateVSAvoidarbitration functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Different parts of the data frame have different transmission qualities: the arbitration field uses the standard, slower bit rate to ensure proper arbitration functionality and network consistency, while the data field uses the faster bit rate to achieve high-speed data transmission. Each part is optimized for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2619947B1Method and apparatus for serial data transmission at a switchable data rate
Publication Date: 2017.06.07 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP2619947B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2619947B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2619947B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method and an apparatus are specified in order to allow larger amounts of data to be transmitted relatively quickly in a network. According to the invention, the object is achieved in that the transmitted data frames have a logic structure in accordance with CAN Specification ISO 11898-1, wherein the time bit length within a data frame can assume at least two different values, wherein, for a first predeterminable area within the data frame, the time bit length is greater than or equal to a predetermined minimum value of approximately one microsecond, and in at least one second predeterminable area within the data frame, the time bit length is at least half, and preferably less than half, with respect to the first area, wherein changes in the time bit length are achieved by use of at least two different scaling factors for setting the bus time unit relative to a shortest time unit or the oscillator clock during operation.