Steering ECU Communication Redundancy for Channel Failure Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering control devices in autonomous vehicles face reliability issues due to limited operation when one of the multiple ECUs fails to receive information, leading to potential failures in steering assist control and vehicle stability.
Innovation Solution
A steering control device and method that includes a RWA communication module to detect and output the operation state of communication channels, allowing selection and use of a functional channel for data signal transmission/reception, even if one channel fails, through a redundant system with internal and external communication channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single communication channel is used for data transmission between ECUs, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates when the channel fails
Solution Approach 1:
The communication system is segmented into multiple independent communication channels (first communication channel and second communication channel), allowing the system to divide the communication function across separate pathways. This segmentation enables fault isolation where one channel failure does not affect the other, resolving the contradiction by maintaining reliability through channel diversity while keeping each individual channel relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements beforehand cushioning by pre-configuring redundant communication channels and establishing failure detection mechanisms in advance. When a channel failure occurs, the system can immediately switch to the备用 channel without operational interruption. This proactive approach cushions against potential failures, maintaining reliability while the modular channel structure prevents excessive complexity.
2Reliability
If redundant communication channels are implemented, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the communication functions into a unified communication module that integrates both the first and second communication channels along with the failure detection and switching logic. This merging approach consolidates the redundant channels and control mechanisms into a single modular unit, improving reliability through redundancy while managing complexity through functional integration rather than separate distributed components.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication module is designed with multi-functionality, serving as both the primary communication path and the backup communication path. The same module structure handles normal operations and failure recovery scenarios, eliminating the need for completely separate redundant systems. This universal design improves reliability while avoiding the complexity of maintaining entirely separate communication subsystems.
3Reliability
If continuous monitoring of communication channels is performed, then the reliability is improved through quick failure detection, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous monitoring of communication channel status through ongoing detection of data signals. This continuity ensures that failures are detected immediately when they occur, maintaining high reliability. The monitoring is integrated into the normal communication operation flow, allowing useful action (data transmission) to continue while simultaneously performing detection functions, thereby limiting additional energy consumption beyond what is already required for basic communication operations.
Data Source
AI summary
The present embodiments relate to a steering control device and method. Specifically, there may be provided a steering control device and method in which an RWA control module may perform control to detect whether a data signal is transmitted/received through a communication module, outputs an operation state for a communication channel of the communication module, and select and use a communication channel capable of data signal transmission/reception to thereby increase reliability and may perform control so that, when any one communication channel fails, data signal transmission/reception is possible through another communication channel.