Programmable ECU Adapter for XCP-Based Interface Customization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The development of individual adapters for connecting embedded systems, such as control units in motor vehicles, is complex and cost-ineffective, especially when dealing with older ECUs or those with less common microcontrollers, due to the need for detailed customization and the high time and monetary costs associated with creating custom interfaces.
Innovation Solution
An adapter is designed with a standard interface and two sub-circuits: a permanently implemented first sub-circuit that handles standard protocols like XCP, and a programmable second sub-circuit that can be configured by users to provide specific elementary functions, reducing the need for full protocol implementation and allowing adaptable functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a dedicated interface development is performed for each individual embedded system, then compatibility with specific control units is achieved, but development time and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter is divided into two distinct sub-circuits: a first sub-circuit with a fixed standard interface (XCP/Ethernet) and a second sub-circuit with a programmable logic module that can be configured for different embedded systems. This segmentation allows the time-consuming customization to be isolated to a modular component that can be independently adapted without affecting the standard interface portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The first sub-circuit is pre-configured with standard protocol handling capabilities (XCP, Ethernet) that work universally with embedded systems. This preliminary setup eliminates the need to redevelop standard interface functionality for each project, reducing development time while maintaining compatibility through the programmable second sub-circuit.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a dedicated interface development is performed for each individual embedded system, then compatibility with specific control units is achieved, but development cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the adapter into reusable first sub-circuit and configurable second sub-circuit, the invention enables cost-effective production through standardized manufacturing of the first sub-circuit while allowing economical customization of the second sub-circuit for different applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The first sub-circuit serves as a universal component that can be used across multiple different embedded system adaptations. This multi-functionality reduces per-unit development cost by amortizing the standard interface development across numerous applications.
3Adaptability or versatility
If full protocol implementation is performed in the adapter, then complete functionality is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Protocol handling functionality is segmented between the first sub-circuit (standard protocol implementation) and the second sub-circuit (custom protocol adaptation). This division reduces the complexity burden on any single component while maintaining complete functionality through their collaboration.
Solution Approach 2:
The programmable logic module in the second sub-circuit acts as an intermediary that translates between the standard protocol used by the first sub-circuit and the custom protocols required by specific embedded systems. This intermediary approach maintains functionality while reducing overall adapter complexity by centralizing adaptation logic.
Data Source
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AI summary
An adapter for connecting an embedded system to a control computer comprises a standard interface, in particular a network interface, a first sub-circuit and a second sub-circuit, the first sub-circuit being designed to communicate with the control computer via the standard interface by means of a standard protocol, preferably XCP. The first sub-circuit is designed to convert a protocol functionality requested in the standard protocol via the standard interface, out of a set of supported protocol functionalities, into the call for one or more elementary functions out of a defined overall set of elementary functions. The first sub-circuit is connected to the second sub-circuit via an internal interface, wherein the second sub-circuit has a programmable arithmetic block which is configured to provide at least one elementary function out of the overall set of elementary functions which can be called via the internal interface by means of a call. The first sub-circuit is designed to convert one or more values received via the internal interface into a protocol format of the standard protocol. The invention also relates to a computer system and to a method for adapting an adapter.