Reprogrammable Hardware Defect Repair in Autonomous Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicle systems face safety issues due to defects and bugs in integrated circuits, which can lead to system malfunctions, and existing technologies lack effective methods for real-time repair and updating of these systems.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a reprogrammable hardware system, specifically a configurable circuit like a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), that allows for the identification and repair of defects through data aggregation and analytics, enabling the reprogramming of bit stream data to correct functional bugs and update features, using a network of vehicles and cloud services for data sharing and patch management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixed integrated circuits are used for autonomous vehicle control, then initial system reliability is achieved, but defects and bugs cannot be corrected after deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from fixed integrated circuits to reconfigurable hardware that can dynamically change its logic functions. The system uses field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) that allow post-deployment reconfiguration of circuit logic through bitstream updates, enabling the hardware to adapt and correct defects after deployment while maintaining high reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the logical state and configuration parameters of the hardware circuit. Through updating configuration bitstreams and changing logic states in the reconfigurable hardware, the system can correct functional bugs and adapt to new requirements without physical hardware changes, thus improving reliability while maintaining adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If reprogrammable hardware is used to enable real-time repair, then system adaptability and repairability improve, but hardware complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a unified reconfigurable hardware platform that can perform multiple functions. The FPGA-based system can be reconfigured to implement different logic functions and repair strategies, serving both as the primary control system and as a repair mechanism, thereby reducing overall system complexity despite the advanced hardware capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating redundant copies of critical logic functions in the reconfigurable hardware. When defects are detected, the system can switch to backup copies or reconfigure the hardware to replicate correct logic functions, enabling repair without requiring entirely new hardware components, thus managing complexity while improving adaptability.
3Device complexity
If traditional fixed circuits are used, then hardware simplicity is maintained, but real-time defect correction and system updates are impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring redundant logic paths and repair mechanisms in the reconfigurable hardware before defects occur. The system maintains ready-to-use backup configurations and can rapidly switch to corrected logic functions when defects are detected, providing real-time defect correction while keeping the hardware architecture relatively simple through careful preliminary design.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are disclosed herein for reconfiguring reprogrammable hardware in an autonomous vehicle system. According to an embodiment, an autonomous driving system includes sensors and a configurable circuit having physical logic units. The autonomous driving system aggregates data observed from each of the sensors. The autonomous driving system detects a trigger indicative of a defect in the configurable circuit. The defect is identified as a function of the aggregated data. The autonomous driving system performs, in response to the trigger, a reconfiguration action on the configurable circuit to repair the defect.