Gateway Controller Dynamic Service Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle communication systems are not tolerant to faults, leading to loss of functions in the event of controller failure, as they are statically assigned and lack dynamic resource management and fault management capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle communication system with a gateway controller that dynamically allocates service routines between controllers based on performance parameters, using Constrained Application Protocol (CoAP) for internal communication and Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP) for external communication, allowing for fault management and self-healing by transferring routines from underperforming controllers to more capable ones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If service routines are statically assigned to controllers, then the system structure is simple and easy to implement, but the system lacks fault tolerance and cannot adapt to controller failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic service allocation where the gateway controller continuously monitors controller performance and dynamically reassigns service routines from failed or underperforming controllers to functioning controllers. This transforms the static controller-service assignment into a dynamic system that adapts to runtime conditions, resolving the contradiction between simple structure and fault tolerance.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway controller serves as an intermediary that manages service routine allocation between controllers. It monitors controller health, detects failures, and reallocates services dynamically, providing fault tolerance without requiring complex changes to individual controllers. The gateway acts as a central coordinator that adds reliability while maintaining overall system manageability.
2Productivity
If controllers are designed with memory and processing reserve, then sufficient execution time and resources are ensured for all functions, but the reserved resources cannot be utilized during normal operation and are lost upon failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables controllers to perform multiple functions by allowing service routines to be dynamically reassigned. A controller that has finished executing its primary services can be reassigned additional services by the gateway controller, making the controller's resources universally usable for different functions at different times, thereby improving both utilization and fault tolerance.
Solution Approach 2:
When a controller fails or performance degrades, the gateway controller detects the failure and recovers the lost service functions by reallocating them to other healthy controllers. This recovers the functional capacity that would otherwise be lost, ensuring continuous operation and improving fault tolerance while maintaining efficient resource utilization.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a controller is programmed to manage specific functions, then the controller's operation is simple and reliable, but the functions cannot be changed during the controller's lifetime
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static controller programming to dynamic service allocation. Controllers execute service routines that are assigned by the gateway controller at runtime rather than being hard-coded. This allows the same controller to manage different functions at different times, providing adaptability while keeping individual controllers relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the system into two distinct roles: simple controllers that execute service routines, and a complex gateway controller that manages service allocation and monitoring. This segmentation allows controllers to remain simple while the system as a whole gains adaptability through the gateway's dynamic management capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a plurality of controllers configured to communicate over a network and programmed to perform a service by operation of a plurality of routines stored and executed in at least one of the controllers. The vehicle includes a gateway controller in communication with the controllers and programmed to transfer at least one of the routines from a first controller to a second controller responsive to performance data indicating reduced performance of the first controller.