Network Hub Protocol Conversion for Onboard Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing onboard network systems face challenges in efficiently transmitting messages between electronic control units (ECUs) using different communication protocols, such as CAN and Ethernet, leading to increased costs and complexity due to the need for ECUs with dual interfaces.
Innovation Solution
A network hub that receives frames from one communication protocol, determines the presence of specific information, and selectively routes the frames to the appropriate port for transmission on another protocol, eliminating the need for additional conversion devices by integrating a processor to assess and direct frame transmission based on protocol compatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If ECUs are equipped with dual communication interfaces to support both CAN and Ethernet protocols, then message transmission capability between different protocols is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway device as an intermediary between CAN and Ethernet networks. The gateway receives frames from one protocol, determines whether they contain information that forms a basis for frames of the other protocol, and selectively forwards them to the appropriate network. This mediator approach enables protocol conversion and interoperability without requiring ECUs to have dual interfaces, thus resolving the contradiction between transmission capability and device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional conversion devices are added to enable communication between different communication protocols, then protocol compatibility is improved, but device complexity and system cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway device is designed with multi-functional capabilities to handle both CAN and Ethernet protocols. It can receive frames from either protocol, perform determination processing to identify cross-protocol information, and forward frames to the appropriate destination. This universal design consolidates multiple conversion functions into a single device, improving protocol compatibility while minimizing the increase in system complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If ECUs support multiple communication protocols, then network flexibility is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By positioning the gateway as an intermediary device, the patent allows ECUs to be manufactured with single-protocol interfaces, reducing their complexity and manufacturing cost. The gateway handles protocol conversion and cross-protocol communication, enabling network flexibility without requiring expensive dual-interface ECUs. This approach separates the protocol conversion function from individual ECUs and centralizes it in the gateway.
Data Source
AI summary
A network hub is provided for an onboard network system. The onboard network system includes first and second networks for transmission of first-type and second-type frames following first and second communication protocols. The network hub includes a receiver that receives a first-type frame. A processor determines whether or not the first-type frame received by the receiver includes first information that is a base for a second-type frame to be transmitted to the second network, to obtain a determination result, and selects a port to send a frame based on the first-type frame based on the determination result. A transmitter sends the frame based on the first-type frame to a wired transmission path connected to the port selected by the processor based on the first-type frame received by the receiver.