TPMS Configuration Data Storage in ECU for Sensor Wake-Up
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tire pressure sensors using bidirectional wireless channels, such as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), face energy efficiency issues due to prolonged power-up times, leading to significant delays in configuration and communication with the Electronic Control Unit (ECU), especially when configuring multiple tires.
Innovation Solution
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) stores configuration data in the ECU, allowing it to be transmitted to the tire pressure sensor when the receiver is powered up, enabling continuous power availability and parallel processing for faster configuration without additional external controller intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the receiver is powered on continuously to enable immediate communication, then communication speed is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ECU pre-stores configuration data before the tire pressure sensor needs it. When the sensor wakes up, the data is already ready to be transmitted immediately, eliminating the need for the sensor to stay powered or for lengthy real-time data preparation.
Solution Approach 2:
The ECU acts as an intermediary that holds and manages configuration data. Instead of the external controller directly communicating with the sleeping sensor (which would require the sensor to be awake), the ECU stores the data and transfers it when the sensor is ready, mediating between the controller and sensor.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the receiver is powered on for short intervals to save energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but configuration time increases
Solution Approach 1:
Configuration data is prepared and stored in the ECU in advance, so when the tire pressure sensor periodically wakes up, the data is already available for immediate transfer. This eliminates the need for the sensor to remain powered or for delayed data preparation.
Solution Approach 2:
The ECU maintains continuous readiness to transmit configuration data, while the sensor maintains periodic wake cycles. This creates a continuous opportunity for data transfer without requiring either component to remain fully active, optimizing both time and energy.
3Ease of operation
If multiple tire pressure sensors are configured sequentially through external controller, then each sensor receives configuration data, but total configuration time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple configuration data sets are merged into a single storage location in the ECU. The ECU holds all necessary configuration data for multiple sensors and can distribute them in sequence as each sensor wakes up, consolidating the configuration operation into a unified process.
Solution Approach 2:
All configuration data for multiple sensors is prepared and stored in the ECU in advance. When sensors wake up during their periodic cycles, they receive pre-prepared data immediately, eliminating sequential waiting times and enabling parallel configuration opportunities.
Data Source
AI summary
A tire pressure sensor of a vehicle having a receiver configured to receive, from an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) mounted in the vehicle and having configuration data stored therein, an acknowledgement signal including a request for configuration, and the configuration data; and a controller configured to update the tire pressure sensor with the received configuration data.