Serial Communication Semiconductor with Frame Counter Safety Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing semiconductor devices with serial communication functions lack effective mechanisms for detecting anomalies and ensuring functional safety in in-vehicle communication systems, particularly in compliance with standards like ISO 26262.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a frame counter and watchdog timer within the semiconductor device to monitor and respond to write commands, providing a safety mechanism that includes transmitting a count value or anomalous state response frames, and implementing a watchdog timer to monitor program sequences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a frame counter and watchdog timer are incorporated into the semiconductor device, then diagnostic coverage and functional safety are enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the frame counter and watchdog timer functions within a single semiconductor device architecture. The frame counter monitors communication frames while the watchdog timer supervises program execution, and both functions share the same hardware platform and communication interface, reducing overall system complexity despite adding safety capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The semiconductor device integrates multiple functions including serial communication, frame counting, anomaly detection, and watchdog timing within a single device. This multi-functionality allows the device to serve both communication and safety monitoring roles simultaneously, improving functional safety without requiring separate dedicated components for each function
2Reliability
If anomaly detection and response frame transmission are implemented, then diagnostic coverage is improved, but communication overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The frame counter is configured to count only specific frames (e.g., write commands or error frames) rather than all communication frames. This selective counting approach provides sufficient diagnostic coverage for safety-critical anomalies while minimizing the generation of response frames and reducing communication overhead
Solution Approach 2:
The device transmits response frames containing count values or anomaly status back to the master device. This feedback mechanism enables the master to monitor system health and detect anomalies without requiring continuous bidirectional communication, thereby providing diagnostic coverage while maintaining efficient communication
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor device comprises a receiving section configured to receive reception data as serial data from an outside, a frame counter configured to count up a count value when it is determined that there is no anomaly based on the reception data, a register, and a transmitting section configured to transmit a first response data, including the count value from the frame counter read from the register, to an outside when Write/Read information included in the reception data indicates Write.