Master Control Unit for Distributed Communication Bus Node Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Distributed communication networks, such as those in the automotive industry, face challenges in controlling node states to reduce energy consumption and prevent malfunctioning nodes from waking up other nodes unnecessarily, leading to inefficiencies and potential communication disruptions.
Innovation Solution
A master control unit evaluates request signals against host system operational states to manage gate access to the communication bus, isolating nodes that are not needed or malfunctioning, thereby preventing them from transmitting signals and reducing the number of malfunctioning nodes that can communicate on the network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If nodes are allowed to transition to awake state upon receiving any message on the communication bus, then message delivery is ensured, but energy consumption increases due to unnecessary node wake-ups
Solution Approach 1:
The master control unit performs preliminary evaluation of incoming messages against a whitelist before allowing them to wake up nodes. This pre-filtering action prevents unnecessary wake-ups while ensuring legitimate messages are delivered, resolving the contradiction between message delivery reliability and energy consumption.
2Reliability
If all nodes monitor all messages on the communication bus, then network communication is maintained, but malfunctioning nodes can wake up other nodes unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The master control unit acts as an intermediary between the communication bus and the nodes. It monitors all messages, evaluates them against the whitelist, and selectively allows or blocks message transmission to specific nodes. This intermediary function maintains network communication while preventing malfunctioning nodes from causing harmful wake-ups.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback through the master control unit continuously monitoring node behavior and message patterns. When a node attempts to send messages not on the whitelist or exhibits malfunctioning behavior, the master control unit receives feedback and adjusts by blocking that node's access, thereby preventing harmful interference while maintaining legitimate communication.
3Reliability
If the master control unit evaluates and controls each node's access to the communication bus, then malfunctioning nodes are prevented from transmitting, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The master control unit is designed with multi-functionality, combining message monitoring, whitelist evaluation, node behavior analysis, and access control functions in a single centralized component. This universal approach maintains communication integrity through comprehensive control while minimizing system complexity by avoiding the need for multiple distributed control mechanisms in each node.
Data Source
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AI summary
A communication network (200), comprising a network of distributed nodes (node 202a, 204a, 206a, and 208a) connected to a communication bus (210), and a set of gates (202b, 204b, 206b, and 208b) each connected between at least one respective node and the communication bus. Each gate is operational in a first operational mode to allow the at least one respective node to communicate on the communication bus, and a second operational mode to isolate the at least one respective node from the communication bus. A master control unit (212) configured to: receive a state signal indicative of a present host system operational state, receive request signals from the gates indicative of a request from the respective node to transmit a signal to the communication bus, and based on comparing the request signal with the state signal, control the respective gate to transition between its operational modes.