Hybrid CAN Communication System for High-Speed In-Vehicle Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
The bandwidth limitations of the Controller Area Network (CAN) protocol, particularly in electric vehicles, restrict the interconnection and interoperability between subsystems, leading to increased complexity and reliability issues, and the need for additional CAN BUS interfaces, which complicates wiring and reduces flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid wired communication system integrating CAN with high-speed technologies like OFDM, QAM, or SerDes, using two-wire systems for simultaneous transmission and reception, and employing high-speed signal isolators to prevent interference, allowing for increased transmission rates while maintaining compatibility with existing CAN systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If CAN protocol is used for in-vehicle communication, then reliability and compatibility are maintained, but bandwidth and transmission rate are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines CAN protocol communication with high-speed communication (Ethernet, OFDM, QAM, or SerDes) into a single hybrid communication unit. This merging allows the system to maintain CAN's reliability advantages while simultaneously achieving high-speed data transmission, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and bandwidth limitations.
Solution Approach 2:
The hybrid communication unit is designed to perform multiple functions: it can operate as a standard CAN node for reliable control signals, while simultaneously providing high-speed Ethernet or other high-speed communication capabilities for data-intensive applications. This multi-functionality allows a single device to serve both reliability-critical and bandwidth-critical communication needs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If more CAN BUS interfaces are added to accommodate more subsystems, then interconnection capability is improved, but wiring complexity and system intricacy increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hybrid communication unit provides universal communication capability by integrating multiple communication protocols (CAN, Ethernet, OFDM, QAM, SerDes) into a single device. This allows the subsystem to connect to various other systems using different protocols without requiring separate dedicated interfaces for each protocol, thereby reducing wiring complexity while maintaining high adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The hybrid communication unit acts as an intermediary that translates and bridges between different communication protocols. Instead of adding direct CAN interfaces for each subsystem, the hybrid unit mediates communication between subsystems using high-speed protocols and translates to/from CAN when needed, simplifying the overall wiring architecture.
3Productivity
If high-speed communication technologies are integrated with CAN, then transmission rate is increased, but compatibility with existing CAN systems may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges CAN communication functionality with high-speed communication capabilities into a single hybrid communication unit. This merging is designed to maintain full CAN protocol compatibility while adding high-speed transmission capabilities, thus achieving both high transmission rates and system compatibility without compromising either aspect.
Data Source
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AI summary
A wired communication system includes at least two high-speed communication units compatible with a CAN protocol, the high-speed communication units include: a first CAN transceiver for modulating and transmitting, or receiving and demodulating CAN protocol signals. The first CAN transceiver does not transmit dominant signals in order not to interfere with high-speed signals when the wired communication system is transmitting the high-speed signals; and can transmit signals only after a predetermined time period has elapsed since dominant signaling ceased. The communication system has a default mechanism that allows all the high-speed communication units connected to the same communication medium to know start and end times of transmissions of the high-speed signals for reception and demodulation. All the communication units return to original CAN modes for the arbitration of the next signal transmission.