In-Vehicle Network Coordinator for Communication Resource Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing number of electronic control units (ECUs) in vehicles requires effective management of communication resources to prevent decreases in communication speed and ensure reliable data transmission between internal and external devices, particularly in vehicle control systems where real-time performance and large data volumes are critical.

Innovation Solution

A communication method and system that includes a network coordinator to manage requests for connections and data transmission between applications, ECUs, sensors, actuators, and external nodes, determining connection and communication permissions based on priority and resource availability, and monitoring communication resources to optimize bandwidth usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple ECUs and applications are connected to the central ECU to increase vehicle functionality, then the adaptability and versatility of the vehicle system is improved, but the device complexity and communication resource management burden increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle functionalityVSAvoidcommunication resource management

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a gateway as an intermediary device between the central ECU and multiple ECUs/applications. The gateway manages communication requests, authentication, and resource allocation, thereby reducing the management burden on the central ECU and enabling scalable system expansion without proportionally increasing complexity at the core.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If communication permissions are granted to multiple applications simultaneously to improve system versatility, then the adaptability is improved, but the communication speed and resource availability for individual applications deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication capabilityVSAvoidcommunication speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic communication permission management where the gateway adjusts authentication requirements and communication priorities in real-time based on system state, application importance, and available bandwidth. This allows the system to adapt communication resources dynamically, ensuring high-speed communication for critical applications while maintaining connectivity for less time-sensitive applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The gateway modifies communication parameters such as authentication depth, data transmission priority, and bandwidth allocation based on application requirements and system conditions. By changing these parameters dynamically, the system maintains versatile communication capability while optimizing speed for different communication scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If authentication checks are performed for every communication request to ensure security and reliability, then the reliability is improved, but the communication time and system response speed worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication securityVSAvoidauthentication time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary authentication where applications and ECUs are pre-authenticated and registered with the gateway before actual communication occurs. Authentication credentials and permissions are established in advance, allowing subsequent communications to use simplified verification processes while maintaining security and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The gateway performs partial authentication checks based on communication criticality. For high-priority time-sensitive communications, the system uses expedited authentication with pre-verified credentials, while less critical communications undergo more thorough authentication. This selective approach maintains reliability for essential communications while minimizing authentication time overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS11751259B2Communication method in vehicle system and communication management method in in-vehicle network

Publication Date: 2023.09.05 DENSO CORP

AI summary

A vehicle system includes a plurality of applications issuing a request for a communication with an outside of a vehicle, a communicator device performing the communicating, and a network coordinator managing the request for the communication from the plurality of applications. In a communication method in the vehicle system, when the network coordinator receives a request for a connection with an outside of the vehicle from the application, the network coordinator determines whether or not to permit the connection with the outside of the vehicle, and the network coordinator notifies the application of a determination result of the connection with the outside of the vehicle.