Uniform IP Network Layer for Motor Vehicle Subnetwork Interconnection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current data interchange between different subnetworks in motor vehicles is hindered by technical complexity and increased processor power demands due to non-standard addressing schemes and the need for protocol conversions, resulting in time delays and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a standardized network layer design across all subnetworks, utilizing the Internet Protocol for the network layer to eliminate address conversions and simplify data routing, with at least one subnetwork using a connectionless protocol for multimedia data and another using a connection-oriented protocol for secure control tasks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If gateways are used to convert protocols and addresses between different subnetworks, then data interchange between subnetworks is enabled, but technical complexity and processor power requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata interchange capabilityVSAvoidtechnical complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a universal network layer protocol (IP) across all subnetworks, enabling different physical networks (CAN, LIN, MOST, FlexRay) to communicate using a common addressing and routing mechanism. This eliminates the need for protocol conversion gateways while maintaining interoperability between heterogeneous subnetworks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If gateways perform address conversion between subnetworks, then communication between different addressing schemes is enabled, but time delays and processor power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaddressing compatibilityVSAvoidtime delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements homogeneous IP-based addressing across all subnetworks, replacing heterogeneous addressing schemes with a unified 128-bit or 256-bit IP address format. This eliminates address conversion operations and associated time delays, as all nodes communicate using the same addressing methodology

Inventive Principle:

Principle #33Homogeneity

3Adaptability or versatility

If protocol conversion is performed at gateways, then data transmission between different bus systems is enabled, but processor power requirements and time delays increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotocol compatibilityVSAvoidprocessor power

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the protocol conversion function entirely from the system by implementing IP networking directly at the network layer across all subnetworks. This removes the need for gateway-based protocol conversion, thereby eliminating the associated processor power consumption and time delays while maintaining protocol compatibility through standard IP encapsulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS9088436B2Interconnection of subnetworks by a uniform network layer

Publication Date: 2015.07.21 CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGIES GMBH

AI summary

A network system for motor vehicles, including at least two differently structured subnetworks which each have a data connection, the network layers of the at least two differently structured subnetworks having a similar structure. The protocol of the network layer is preferably the Internet Protocol.