Interchange Terminal Direct Linking CAN and FlexRay Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
In communication network systems where different protocols are used, investigating errors or issues in data communication between CANs through a FlexRay network is complex due to the need for protocol conversion, requiring multiple inspection devices and lengthy analysis processes.
Innovation Solution
A communication network system with a high-ranking network using a first protocol and multiple low-ranking networks using a second protocol, where interchange terminals connect the low-ranking networks directly to the high-ranking network during specific periods, allowing data transmission without protocol conversion, enabling simplified error investigation by analyzing signals within the low-ranking network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If protocol conversion is performed in the gateway for data transmission between CANs through FlexRay network, then communication between different protocols is enabled, but error investigation becomes complex requiring multiple inspection devices and lengthy analysis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway that performs protocol conversion between CAN and FlexRay protocols. The gateway acts as an intermediary device that translates messages between the two protocols, enabling communication between CAN-based ECUs and FlexRay network without requiring changes to the existing CAN protocol stack in ECUs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the network into two distinct parts: a CAN network for legacy ECUs and a FlexRay network for high-performance applications. The gateway is strategically placed to bridge these segments, allowing each segment to operate independently with its own protocol while enabling inter-segment communication.
2Adaptability or versatility
If protocol conversion is performed through gateway software, then data transmission between different protocols is achieved, but investigation time increases due to need to inspect software programs
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway serves as a physical intermediary with dedicated hardware interfaces for both CAN and FlexRay protocols. By implementing protocol conversion in hardware rather than software, the gateway enables direct protocol translation without requiring complex software processing, thus reducing error investigation time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces software-based protocol conversion with hardware-based conversion. The gateway uses dedicated communication interfaces and hardware logic to perform protocol translation, eliminating the need to inspect software programs for error diagnosis and enabling faster investigation through direct hardware signal analysis.
3Adaptability or versatility
If microcomputer body is placed between transmission lines for protocol conversion, then protocol translation is performed, but data transmission path becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway is designed as a dedicated intermediary device with separate communication interfaces for CAN and FlexRay. The transmission paths are clearly defined: CAN messages enter through the CAN interface, are converted by the gateway logic, and exit through the FlexRay interface to the FlexRay network, creating a straightforward transmission path despite protocol conversion.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway internally segments the protocol conversion process into distinct stages: CAN message reception, protocol translation, and FlexRay message transmission. This segmentation allows each stage to be independently optimized and simplified, reducing overall transmission path complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication network system has a host network and low-ranking networks connected with the host network through respective interchange terminals. Terminals containing the interchange terminals in the host network perform communication based on FlexRay. FlexRay sets a static segment and a dynamic segment every communication period. Communication zones are fixedly allocated to the respective terminals in each static segment. Communication zones are changeably allocated to the respective terminals in each dynamic segment. Terminals of each low-ranking network perform communication based on LIN or CAN protocol. The interchange terminals connect a transmission line of the host network with transmission lines of the low-ranking networks during the transmission period of each dynamic segment, so that each terminal of each low-ranking network can perform communication based on LIN or CAN protocol with the terminals of the other low-ranking networks through the high-ranking network without any protocol conversion.