In-vehicle communication system and vehicle

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional in-vehicle communication systems face limitations in bandwidth and communication quality due to electromagnetic interference, failing to meet the demands of autonomous driving and smart cockpits.

Innovation Solution

An in-vehicle communication system utilizing optical transmission with a first optical device providing optical carriers to multiple second optical devices, each with a distinct operating wavelength, and employing optical selection devices to separate and manage optical carriers, reducing the need for individual light sources and minimizing electromagnetic interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional in-vehicle communication systems use CAN bus or LIN bus, then device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but bandwidth is limited and communication rate deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication rateVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electrical signal transmission (CAN bus, LIN bus) with optical signal transmission using optical carriers. Optical fibers substitute traditional electrical wiring, enabling significantly higher communication rates while being immune to electromagnetic interference. This substitution fundamentally transforms the communication medium from electrical to optical domain.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) technology, where multiple optical carriers with different wavelengths are transmitted simultaneously through the same optical fiber. By changing the wavelength parameter of optical carriers, the system achieves multi-channel high-speed communication, dramatically increasing overall bandwidth and communication rate without requiring separate physical channels for each data stream.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If conventional in-vehicle communication systems increase bandwidth, then communication rate is improved, but electromagnetic wave interference increases and communication quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovebandwidthVSAvoidelectromagnetic wave interference
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes electrical signal transmission with optical signal transmission. Optical carriers transmitted through optical fibers are inherently immune to electromagnetic interference that plagues traditional electrical bus systems. This substitution eliminates the harmful electromagnetic wave interference while maintaining or increasing bandwidth capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces optical fibers as an intermediary medium between communication nodes. Optical fibers serve as a shielded transmission medium that isolates signals from external electromagnetic interference and prevents internal interference between multiple channels, enabling high-bandwidth communication without quality degradation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If optical carriers are transmitted through optical channel, then communication quality is improved and electromagnetic interference is reduced, but device complexity increases due to optical selection devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication qualityVSAvoidoptical channel complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs optical selection devices that can handle multiple wavelengths and multiple data channels through a single unified structure. These devices perform wavelength routing, signal switching, and channel management functions simultaneously, reducing the need for separate components for each function and thereby managing complexity while maintaining high communication quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the optical communication system into modular functional units including optical carriers, optical channels, and optical selection devices. Each module performs a specific function and can be independently optimized or replaced. This segmentation manages overall system complexity by creating manageable, standardized building blocks that can be configured flexibly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Productivity

If multiple second optical devices are connected to optical channel with different wavelengths, then communication bandwidth is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to wavelength management complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication bandwidthVSAvoidwavelength management ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements automatic wavelength assignment and management mechanisms where the system monitors available wavelengths and dynamically assigns them to different optical devices. This feedback-based management automates the complex task of wavelength allocation, reducing manual configuration effort and simplifying operation while supporting multi-wavelength high-bandwidth communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The optical selection devices and optical carriers are designed to automatically manage wavelength routing and channel allocation without requiring manual intervention. The system self-configures wavelength assignments based on traffic demands and available resources, making wavelength management transparent to users and simplifying operation while maintaining high bandwidth utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system achieves high communication rates and quality while ensuring applicability and practicality in vehicle environments, overcoming the limitations of conventional systems.

Implementation Method 1

the in-vehicle communication system is based on optical transmission, a high-speed data stream formed by optical carriers can be used to meet a high-bandwidth communication requirement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical transmission: Light

Implementation Method 2

The N second optical devices correspond to N different first operating wavelengths... An optical selection device i connected to the second optical device i in the N optical selection devices is configured to transmit the second optical carrier i in the received first optical carrier to the second optical device i

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWavelength division multiplexing: Dispersion (of waves)

Implementation Method 3

A second optical device i in the N second optical devices is configured to receive a second optical carrier i in the first optical carrier from the optical channel, and transmit a first optical signal i obtained through modulation based on the second optical carrier i back to the optical channel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical modulation: Phase Modulation

Data Source

PatentEP4611282A1In-vehicle communication system and vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 BYD CO LTD
  • EP4611282A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4611282A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4611282A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present disclosure provides an in-vehicle communication system and a vehicle. The in-vehicle communication system includes a first optical device, N second optical devices, and an optical channel. Two ends of the optical channel are connected to the first optical device. The optical channel is further connected to the N second optical devices respectively. The N second optical devices correspond to N different first operating wavelengths. The first optical device is configured to transmit a first optical carrier to the optical channel. A wavelength of the first optical carrier includes the N first operating wavelengths. A second optical device i in the N second optical devices is configured to receive a second optical carrier i in the first optical carrier from the optical channel, and transmit a first optical signal i obtained through modulation based on the second optical carrier i back to the optical channel. A wavelength of the second optical carrier i is same as a first operating wavelength i corresponding to the second optical device i. The in-vehicle communication system provided in the present disclosure has a high communication rate, good communication quality, and strong applicability and practicality in an in-vehicle communication scenario.