Vehicle Sensor Stream Aggregation for Scalable Onboard Data Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional vehicular networks face scalability issues with increased data flow from numerous sensors, leading to complex wiring and troubleshooting challenges, as each sensor requires a direct connection to the central processing system, making it difficult to add or adjust sensors like cameras or higher resolution sensors.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle onboard network system that aggregates sensor data streams from multiple sensors into a single data stream, using a host processor to transmit information via a Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) network, reducing wiring complexity and enabling efficient data transmission through packetization and compression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If each sensor is directly connected to the central processing system via point-to-point links, then data transmission reliability is improved, but wiring complexity and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediate aggregation nodes (domain controllers or aggregation modules) that collect data from multiple sensors and forward consolidated data streams to the central processing system. This intermediary layer reduces the number of direct connections required while maintaining data integrity through structured aggregation and forwarding mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple sensor data streams are merged into single aggregated data streams at intermediate nodes. Instead of maintaining separate point-to-point connections for each sensor, the system combines data from multiple sensors into unified streams that traverse shared communication pathways, thereby reducing wiring complexity while preserving data transmission reliability.
2Measurement precision
If the number of sensors is increased to improve sensing capability, then measurement precision is improved, but harness complexity and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional point-to-point connection model to a multi-dimensional hierarchical network structure. Sensors are organized in layers with aggregation nodes at intermediate levels, creating a three-dimensional network topology that accommodates more sensors without proportionally increasing wiring complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Intermediate aggregation nodes serve multiple functions: collecting data from multiple sensors, performing preliminary processing or filtering, managing data stream aggregation, and forwarding consolidated data to the central system. This multi-functionality allows the same infrastructure to support increased sensor density without proportional increases in harness complexity.
3Reliability
If data streams from multiple sensors are transmitted separately, then data integrity is improved, but communication bandwidth and productivity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate sensor data streams into consolidated aggregated streams at intermediate nodes. This combining approach maintains data integrity through structured aggregation protocols while improving communication efficiency by reducing the total number of transmission channels required and optimizing bandwidth utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic aggregation where intermediate nodes collect data from multiple sensors over defined time intervals and then forward consolidated data streams to the central processing system. This periodic action optimizes communication by batching transmissions rather than continuously transmitting separate streams, thereby improving productivity while maintaining data integrity through time-synchronized aggregation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system of aggregating and converting data in a vehicle network is provided. An example method includes receiving a plurality of streams of sensor data over two or more Camera Serial Interface (CSI). The method further includes rearranging the plurality of streams of sensor data into an aggregate stream. The method further includes packetizing the aggregate stream by arranging transmission format bits at appropriate bit positions of the aggregate stream to form a packet data stream. The method further includes transmitting the packet data stream over a vehicle on-board packet data link.