In-Vehicle FPGA Control System for Reducing OTA Update Data Volume
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic control systems face challenges in reducing communication data volume for updating FPGA logic, especially when bit width and module boundaries change, and ensuring updates are successful even with power interruptions.
Innovation Solution
An electronic control system with a reconfigurable circuit device, an acquisition unit for difference information, and a data conversion unit that updates configuration information based on this difference, allowing for partial updates and ensuring update integrity during power cuts by using a difference command that only transmits necessary data and preserves updates in non-volatile memory.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If all pieces of configuration data are updated for FPGA logic changes, then the logic can be fully updated with any changes, but the volume of communication data increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the configuration data into two parts: difference information (only the changed portions) and reference information (unchanged portions). This allows transmitting only the necessary difference data via OTA while keeping the complete configuration data stored locally in the ECU, significantly reducing communication data volume while maintaining full update capability.
2Quantity of substance
If partial reconfiguration is used to transmit only some configuration data, then communication data volume is reduced, but the logic can only be changed in units of modules with fixed boundaries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of configuration data granularity from fixed module units to flexible difference information units. By transmitting only the difference portions (which can be of any size or boundary) rather than complete modules, the system achieves both reduced communication volume and flexible logic changes without being constrained by module boundaries.
3Quantity of substance
If difference information is transmitted for precise updates, then communication data volume is reduced and update precision is improved, but the system becomes more complex in handling difference commands and reference information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by storing the complete reference configuration information locally in the ECU before the actual update occurs. This pre-stored reference information serves as a baseline, allowing the system to simply apply difference information from OTA updates without complex processing, as the reference data is already prepared and available for immediate comparison and application.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention makes it possible to reduce the volume of communication data necessary for updating the configuration of a circuit unit of a reconfigurable circuit device. In an in-vehicle control system 10 including an FPGA 3, the FPGA 3 includes a circuit unit including a reconfigurable circuit and a circuit SRAM that stores configuration information of the circuit unit. A transfer check unit that acquires a difference command regarding a change part of a circuit element in the circuit unit, and a data conversion unit 4 that updates the configuration information based on the difference command are provided. Further, in the in-vehicle control system 10, a non-volatile memory 6 that stores the configuration information to be stored in the circuit SRAM is further provided. The data conversion unit 4 may update the configuration information stored in the non-volatile memory 6 based on the difference command acquired by the transfer check unit.