Monitor Module Segmentation for Vehicle OTA Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Connected vehicles with combustion engines face battery drain issues when downloading large software patches, potentially leaving insufficient charge to start the engine, due to the size of the updates being incompatible with their battery capacity.
Innovation Solution
A monitor module written in an aspect-oriented programming language, which is smaller in size, is used to update vehicle applications, allowing for wireless downloads without depleting the battery, ensuring sufficient charge remains for engine startup, with sizes ranging from 1 byte to 999,999 kilobytes configurable based on vehicle engine requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If large software patches are downloaded via wireless network, then software updates can be provided, but battery charge is depleted to the point of insufficient charge for engine startup
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the software update process by separating the monitor module (small, 1-9KB) from the full application software (large, potentially GB-sized). The monitor module is downloaded and installed first to enable subsequent updates, while the full application can be updated later when more energy is available or through different means.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitor module performs preliminary actions by establishing the infrastructure for future updates. It includes update management functionality that enables the vehicle to receive, validate, and install larger software patches later without requiring the vehicle to download everything in one energy-intensive operation.
2Reliability
If full software patches are transmitted to ensure complete updates, then all software problems can be resolved, but transmission time and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The update process is divided into phases: first the small monitor module (1-9KB) is downloaded and installed, then later the full application updates can be downloaded and installed using the established update infrastructure. This segmentation reduces initial download time and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitor module is installed in advance to set up the update management system. This preliminary action enables subsequent full software updates to be performed more efficiently with proper validation, error handling, and rollback capabilities already in place.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure includes a system and method for providing a wireless software update for a connected vehicle. The connected vehicle includes a processor, an engine, a battery, a non-transitory memory storing a vehicle application and a wireless antenna that is powered by the battery and operable to receive a monitor module from a wireless network while the battery is not being charged. The processor is communicatively coupled to the battery, the wireless antenna and the non-transitory memory. The monitor module is written in an aspect language and includes a software patch for the vehicle application. The wireless antenna receives the monitor module from the wireless network while leaving a sufficient charge in the battery to enable the battery to start the engine. The processor installs the monitor module in the vehicle application stored in the non-transitory memory. Installation of the monitor module provides the software patch for the vehicle application.