Simulation System Thread Synchronization for Communication Cost Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing simulation systems face high communication costs and inefficiencies due to frequent synchronization between continuous and discrete systems, which hinders the speed and cost-effectiveness of simulation processes.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a peripheral portion of discrete-event simulators into the same thread as the continuous system, allowing for infrequent synchronization and reducing inter-thread communication, with the discrete system accessing the clock module only when necessary, thereby minimizing communication costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If frequent synchronization is implemented between continuous and discrete systems, then system coordination and reliability are improved, but communication cost and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic synchronization where the discrete system accesses the clock module at regular intervals rather than continuously. This allows the system to maintain coordination reliability while reducing communication frequency and associated costs. The synchronization occurs at predetermined time points rather than on every state change.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes synchronization protocols and clock module access mechanisms in advance. The discrete system is pre-configured with knowledge of when synchronization should occur, allowing it to prepare and execute synchronization operations efficiently without requiring frequent real-time communication negotiations.
2Measurement precision
If the discrete system continuously accesses the clock module for synchronization, then timing accuracy is improved, but operational speed and efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The discrete system accesses the clock module periodically at predetermined intervals rather than continuously. This maintains sufficient timing accuracy for simulation operations while significantly reducing the frequency of access operations, thereby improving overall system operational speed and efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements synchronization at intervals that are sufficient for simulation accuracy requirements rather than maximum possible frequency. This partial action approach provides adequate timing precision without the excessive communication overhead that would reduce operational speed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple ECUs are tested simultaneously using HILS, then testing completeness is improved, but preparation time and hardware cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses software-based ECU simulator models that replicate the functionality of physical ECUs. These virtual copies can be instantiated and tested simultaneously without requiring physical hardware connections for each ECU, dramatically reducing preparation time while maintaining comprehensive multi-ECU testing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical HILS hardware connection system with a software-based simulation system. By substituting physical ECU-hardware connections with virtual ECU models running in software, the system enables simultaneous multi-ECU testing without the time-consuming physical setup and connection requirements of traditional HILS.
Data Source
AI summary
A simulation system, method, and article of manufacture. A simulation system has a discrete and a continuous portion. The discrete portion further has a peripheral emulator in communication with the continuous portion of the simulation system. A portion of a peripheral emulator is separated and is caused to operate in a thread of a continuous system. The continuous system and the peripheral are in loose synchronization and therefore sparsely communicate with each other. The configuration significantly reduces the frequency of inter-thread communications between the continuous system and the discrete system that are performed in response to a continuous clock in a simulation system including the continuous system and the discrete system, thereby reducing communication cost. Accordingly, the operation speed of the simulation system can be increased.