Central Gateway Controller Dynamic Vehicle Network Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle electrical systems require significant effort for modifications, as control unit assignments and message processing are static, limiting dynamic configuration and integration of new components.
Innovation Solution
A central gateway control device with a central communication server and information repository that stores data in a uniform format, allowing active access and processing of user data across different bus systems, enabling dynamic configuration and integration of new components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a static vehicle network configuration is used with predefined bus system assignments, then system stability and reliability are improved, but adaptability and ease of modification deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic configuration system where control units can be reassigned to different bus systems through software configuration rather than hardwired connections. The central gateway control unit maintains a configuration database that stores dynamic assignment information, allowing the network topology to change adaptively while preserving system stability through controlled modification processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary configuration actions by pre-defining control unit profiles with their capabilities and requirements before actual network operation. When modifications are needed, the system compares desired changes against pre-established configuration rules and constraints, enabling safe and systematic reconfiguration without compromising overall system reliability.
2Device complexity
If control units are statically assigned to predefined bus systems, then message routing simplicity is improved, but ease of modification and integration of new components deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The central gateway control unit serves as an intermediary that manages message routing between control units and bus systems. Instead of direct static assignments, the gateway mediates communication by translating between dynamic control unit assignments and the underlying bus infrastructure, simplifying routing logic while enabling flexible reconfiguration through centralized management.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway control unit implements a universal interface layer that can accommodate multiple bus system types and control unit variants through a common configuration framework. This multi-functional approach allows new control units to be integrated by defining their profile characteristics rather than creating custom routing logic, significantly easing system modification and expansion.
3Productivity
If gateway control units act as transparent tunnels only, then data transmission efficiency is improved, but active data processing capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of transparent data transmission and active data processing within a single gateway control unit architecture. The gateway maintains efficient packet forwarding capabilities while simultaneously incorporating configuration management, data validation, and control unit registration functions, enabling both high-speed communication and intelligent data processing without separate dedicated components.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a central gateway controller (100) for managing data which is transmitted via a vehicle electrical system of a vehicle. The gateway controller comprises at least one central communication server, ZKS, (110) comprising at least one central information store, ZIA, (120) for centrally storing data, which is transmitted via the vehicle electrical system, and at least one communication module (130, 132, 134, 136) for transmitting data between the ZIA and at least one bus system (160, 162, 164, 166) belonging to the vehicle electrical system. The gateway controller can store the data transmitted via the communication module in the ZIA in uniform data sets. The gateway controller is thus not just used to route messages between different (message) producers or generators and (message) consumers or loads in the vehicle electrical system but is also capable of storing the data to be exchanged in the ZIA in a uniform format. The uniform data sets stored in the ZIA preferably comprise the following: a unique identification, ID, a time stamp, a version, and/or user data or information. The unique ID is a vehicle-wide unique identification number, the time stamp is a vehicle-wide unique point in time at which the data set was generated by a producer, and the version is a specified unique version of the user data or information. The ZKS preferably comprises a logging module (144), which can transmit at least some or a plurality of corresponding data sets from the ZIA into a storage medium (170) cyclically and/or when at least one specifiable event occurs, and a tracing module (142), which can transmit at least some or a plurality of corresponding data sets from the ZIA and optionally data or frames corresponding or belonging to additional technical parameters from the at least one communication module into the storage medium cyclically and/or when at least one specifiable event occurs.