Vehicle Gateway Processor for Dynamic ECU Power State Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing number of electronic control units (ECUs) and power consumption in vehicles, driven by advanced safety and convenience features, poses challenges in fuel economy and carbon dioxide emission regulation, particularly in environments like autonomous driving, where efficient power management is crucial.
Innovation Solution
A gateway processor with a CAN message receiver, Ethernet message receiver, vehicle state monitoring unit, and power management determination unit, which receives signals to control ECU power based on vehicle states, using CAN and Ethernet communication to filter and manage power according to predefined conditions, allowing for flexible power control of ECUs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the number of ECUs is increased to provide advanced safety and convenience functions, then vehicle functionality and safety are improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway processor dynamically adjusts ECU power states based on real-time vehicle conditions. The controller receives vehicle state information, determines appropriate power management strategies, and dynamically transitions ECUs between wake, sleep, and off states according to current operating conditions, enabling adaptive power control that responds to changing vehicle requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of ECUs by transitioning them between different power states (wake, sleep, off). The gateway processor modifies power delivery parameters based on vehicle state, adjusting voltage and current supply to ECUs dynamically, thereby controlling power consumption while maintaining necessary functionality.
2Speed
If ECUs are kept in wake state for immediate response, then response speed is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway processor dynamically transitions ECUs between wake, sleep, and off states based on real-time vehicle conditions and predicted needs. ECUs are kept in wake state only when immediately needed for response, while being placed in sleep or off states during periods when quick response is not required, thereby balancing response speed requirements with power consumption reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic monitoring of vehicle states and conditional wake-up mechanisms. ECUs transition between power states in periodic cycles based on predetermined conditions and time intervals, allowing them to enter low-power states during normal operation and wake up only when specific events or time intervals trigger the need for immediate response.
3Productivity
If power management control is centralized in gateway, then power distribution efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway processor performs multiple functions including message reception from CAN and Ethernet networks, vehicle state monitoring, power management determination, and ECU power control. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single multi-functional gateway device, the system achieves efficient centralized power distribution while managing complexity through functional integration rather than proliferation of separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway processor acts as an intermediary between the power supply system and multiple ECUs. It receives power requests and state information from various sources, processes this information through its control logic, and mediates power delivery to appropriate ECUs. This intermediary role simplifies the overall system architecture by providing a single point of control rather than requiring direct complex interconnections between all power supply components and all ECUs.
Data Source
AI summary
A gateway processor of a vehicle includes a controller area network (CAN) message receiver, an Ethernet message receiver, a vehicle state monitoring and recognition unit configured to receive a signal from the CAN message receiver and the Ethernet message receiver, and a power management determination unit for each state configured to receive a signal from the vehicle state monitoring and recognition unit. The gateway processor also includes an electronic control unit (ECU) power control application execution unit configured to receive a signal from the power management determination unit for each state.