OTA Update Voting Mechanism for Smart Car Control Nodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
In smart transport systems like smart cars, the Over-the-Air (OTA) software update process is unreliable when the master update control node fails, leading to potential update failures and resource wastage due to repeated downloading and installation by multiple backup nodes, which can result in unpredictable risks and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a voting mechanism among candidate control nodes to determine a replacement for the faulty master update control node, ensuring that only a validated candidate node with sufficient votes takes over, thereby improving reliability and efficiency by avoiding simultaneous actions of multiple backup nodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple backup master update control nodes are configured to replace the master update control node when it fails, then the reliability of the update control system is improved, but multiple backup nodes may simultaneously initiate update processes leading to resource wastage and unpredictable risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where candidate control nodes exchange voting information through message passing. Each node receives voting results from other nodes and adjusts its behavior accordingly. When a node receives voting information indicating another node will become the new master, it aborts its own update process, preventing conflicts and resource wastage while maintaining system reliability.
2Device complexity
If a single backup master update control node is configured, then the system structure is simple, but the update process cannot proceed if both the master and the single backup node are faulty
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the backup functionality into multiple independent candidate control nodes instead of using a single backup node. Each candidate node has equal capability to become the master update control node. This segmentation increases system reliability by ensuring that if one candidate fails, other candidates remain available, while the voting mechanism maintains manageable complexity by coordinating their behavior.
3Reliability
If multiple candidate control nodes participate in the voting process, then the reliability of master node selection is improved, but the communication overhead and time required for voting increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having candidate control nodes proactively send voting information to all other candidate nodes simultaneously when the master node fails. This allows the voting process to occur in parallel rather than sequentially, reducing the total time required. The mechanism also includes timeout and abort logic that limits the maximum voting time, preventing excessive delays while maintaining reliable selection through multiple candidate participation.
Data Source
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AI summary
This application provides a software update method and apparatus, and an electronic system, applied to a smart car and an Internet of Vehicles system. The method includes: A first candidate control node sends at least one piece of first voting information. Each piece of first voting information includes an identifier of one candidate control node. The first candidate control node receives at least one piece of second voting information. Each piece of second voting information includes an identifier of one candidate control node. The first candidate control node determines, based on the identifier that is of the candidate control node and that is included in the second voting information, a candidate control node that replaces a master update control node to control slave update control nodes. Therefore, a plurality of candidate control nodes can be avoided from replacing the master update control node at the same time, and reliability and efficiency of software update can be improved. Especially for a smart transport means such as a smart car, it is very important to improve reliability and efficiency of whole vehicle update.