Microcomputer Initialization Program Segmentation for Vehicle Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for initializing microcomputers are inefficient, leading to increased costs, reduced productivity, and difficulties in unit testing and verification, especially when dealing with changes in microcomputer models or hardware configurations, which can impact the reliability and response characteristics of on-vehicle control systems.
Innovation Solution
An initializing apparatus for microcomputers is proposed, where the initializing program is divided into a first area for instruction codes and a second area for data, with the first area containing an interpret routine that executes the initializing process, allowing for flexible configuration and management of the second area, which can be set by the user and formatted in CSV or XML, enabling efficient handling of different microcomputer models and hardware configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the initializing program is merged with the operating system or application program and stored in ROM, then the program structure is simple, but the productivity and maintenance characteristics are reduced when microcomputer models change
Solution Approach 1:
The initializing program is segmented into a separate file (initialization file) that is distinct from the operating system and application program. This segmentation allows the initialization code to be independently managed, compiled, and executed, thereby improving productivity and maintenance characteristics when microcomputer models change, while maintaining a relatively simple overall program structure.
2Reliability
If an exclusively used initiation-purpose ROM is provided to store the initializing routine, then the reliability is improved, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The initialization file uses a standardized format that can be universally applied across different microcomputer models. The same file structure and processing mechanism can handle various models by simply changing the model identification information, making the system multi-functional without requiring model-specific initialization ROMs, thus maintaining reliability while reducing manufacturing costs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the initializing program is separated into first area for instruction codes and second area for data, then the adaptability to different microcomputer models is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The initialization file serves as an intermediary between the model identification information and the actual initialization routines. It contains a structured format with model identification, parameter information, and routine addresses that mediates the adaptation process, allowing the system to handle different microcomputer models without complex conditional logic scattered throughout the code, thus improving adaptability while managing complexity.
4Device complexity
If conventional initializing methods are used, then the device complexity is low, but the developing efficiency and response characteristics are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The initialization file is prepared in advance with a predetermined format that includes model identification information, parameter data, and routine addresses. This preliminary preparation allows the microcomputer to quickly load and execute the appropriate initialization routines without complex runtime analysis or compilation, thereby improving developing efficiency and response characteristics while maintaining relatively low system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An initializing program of a microcomputer (101) is arranged by being separated into a first area (201) and a second area (202) on a ROM (104). The first area (201) stores thereinto an instruction code which can be directly executed by a CPU (102). The second area (202) stores therein data which cannot be executed by the CPU (102). An interpret routine contained in the first area (201) sequentially reads the data of the second area (202) so as to cause the CPU (102) to execute an initializing process operation.