M_CAN Controller Initialization for Full CAN-FD Without a Microprocessor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices without microprocessors, such as car LED lighting drivers, are limited to the simpler CAN FD Light protocol, which does not support the complete CAN-FD protocol, and require a gateway device to interface with a main vehicle bus, increasing complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a M_CAN IP core with a hardware host circuit that manages initialization, reception, and transmission without a microprocessor, allowing devices to function as responders and support the complete CAN/CAN-FD protocol, reducing complexity and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If low-complexity devices use CAN FD Light protocol, then device complexity is reduced, but protocol functionality is limited (no maximum bitrate, arbitration, or error management)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary CAN controller circuit that bridges low-complexity devices with full CAN-FD bus capabilities. This intermediary component handles the complex protocol functions (arbitration, error management, variable bitrate) while keeping the main device simple, thus resolving the contradiction between device complexity and protocol functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the CAN communication system into two parts: a simple device and a dedicated CAN controller circuit. The controller circuit handles all the complex protocol management, while the device only needs basic CAN interface capabilities. This segmentation allows low-complexity devices to access full CAN-FD functionality without implementing the complex protocol themselves.
2Device complexity
If low-complexity devices are restricted to CAN FD Light protocol, then device complexity remains low, but compatibility with full CAN-FD buses having multiple commander devices is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal CAN controller circuit that supports both simple point-to-point communication and full multi-device arbitration protocols. This multi-functional controller can operate in different modes depending on the application requirements, enabling low-complexity devices to be compatible with both CAN FD Light and full CAN-FD buses with multiple commanders.
3Adaptability or versatility
If complete CAN-FD protocol is implemented, then protocol functionality is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a dedicated CAN controller circuit as an intermediary that implements the complete CAN-FD protocol. This separate controller handles all the complexity of arbitration, error management, and variable bitrate operation, while the main device remains simple. This resolves the contradiction by externalizing the complexity from the device to a dedicated controller.
Data Source
AI summary
An example processing system includes a processing circuit, a volatile memory and a CAN communication controller circuit. The CAN communication controller circuit includes configuration and status registers. A transmission handler circuit and a reception handler circuit transmits and receives data via the CAN core circuit by exchanging data with the volatile memory based on the configuration data stored to the configuration and status registers, and filter elements stored to the volatile memory. Specifically, the processing system further includes a hardware host circuit comprising a non-volatile memory configured to store first configuration data (CD1) and second configuration data (CD2). The CD1 includes configuration data to be transferred to the configuration and status registers of the CAN communication controller circuit and the CD2 includes at least one filter element to be transferred to the volatile memory. A control circuit manages an initialization mode, a reception mode and a transmission mode. During the initialization mode, the hardware host circuit stores the CD1 to the configuration and status registers and the CD2 to the volatile memory.