Gateway Apparatus for CAN Ethernet Protocol Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing complexity of vehicle communication networks, particularly the need for compatibility between Controller Area Network (CAN) and Ethernet communication systems, poses challenges in achieving high bandwidth and communication speed while ensuring diagnostic compatibility, as existing devices often require separate implementations for CAN and Ethernet-based diagnostics.
Innovation Solution
A gateway apparatus with a communication unit, storage unit, and controller that converts message formats between CAN and Ethernet networks based on message characteristics, such as frame structure and payload length, to ensure seamless communication and compatibility, allowing for message routing between different network types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate implementations are used for CAN and Ethernet-based diagnostics, then diagnostic compatibility is ensured, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines CAN and Ethernet diagnostic functionalities into a single gateway device. The gateway includes both CAN communication unit and Ethernet communication unit integrated within one device, allowing it to handle both communication protocols simultaneously. This merging approach maintains diagnostic compatibility for both network types while reducing the need for separate diagnostic devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway device is designed with multi-functional capability to support both CAN and Ethernet protocols. The controller can perform diagnostic functions on both CAN-based electronic control modules and Ethernet-based devices, making the device universal and eliminating the need for protocol-specific diagnostic tools.
2Adaptability or versatility
If message format conversion is performed between CAN and Ethernet networks, then compatibility between different network types is achieved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring conversion rules and protocols for both CAN and Ethernet formats. The controller is pre-programmed with the necessary conversion logic, allowing it to rapidly transform messages without real-time processing delays. This preliminary preparation enables fast format conversion during actual communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller dynamically changes message parameters during conversion between CAN and Ethernet formats. It adjusts data structure, encoding schemes, and protocol headers based on the target network type, enabling efficient format transformation while maintaining communication integrity and minimizing processing time.
3Speed
If high bandwidth and communication speed are implemented using Ethernet, then communication performance is improved, but compatibility with existing CAN systems becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway acts as an intermediary between Ethernet and CAN networks. It receives high-speed Ethernet messages, converts them to CAN format, and transmits them to CAN-based electronic control modules. This mediation allows Ethernet's high communication speed to be utilized while maintaining compatibility with existing CAN systems through the gateway's protocol conversion capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway segments the communication task into two distinct parts: high-speed Ethernet communication for data transmission and CAN communication for compatibility with existing control modules. By separating these functions and using the gateway for conversion, the system achieves both high performance and broad compatibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A gateway apparatus is provided and includes a communication unit that receives a message via a CAN communication network or an Ethernet communication network. A storage unit stores the received message and a controller converts a format of the received message in a format corresponding to a communication network of the target device based on a message characteristic including a format type of the received message and transmit the message of the converted format to the target device.