Universal Time Synchronization for Vehicle Control Units
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicles with automated driving functions, independent clocks and oscillators in various components lead to differences in time bases, which can result in errors and inaccuracies in safety-critical and time-critical tasks.
Innovation Solution
A method and control unit that generate or receive universal time, transmitting it to components to establish a precise time basis, allowing for error detection and correction, and synchronizing components across the vehicle using time stamps and a bus system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate clocks and oscillators are installed in various components, then each component can function independently, but time basis differences arise between components
Solution Approach 1:
A central time source acts as an intermediary to provide synchronized time signals to all control units and components. This mediator ensures that while components maintain operational independence, they all reference a common time basis, eliminating time synchronization errors without compromising individual component autonomy.
Solution Approach 2:
The time synchronization system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides time stamps for event recording, enables time correlation for diagnostic purposes, and establishes a common reference frame for all components. This universal time infrastructure supports both independent operation and coordinated timing across the entire vehicle system.
2Measurement precision
If universal time is transmitted to all components, then time basis accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Time synchronization is established preliminarily before critical operations occur. The central time source continuously distributes time stamps to all components in advance, ensuring that when time-critical operations occur, the synchronization infrastructure is already in place and operational, reducing the complexity of real-time synchronization requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic transmission of time stamps at defined intervals rather than continuous communication. This periodic approach maintains accurate time synchronization while reducing the communication overhead and system complexity compared to continuous time signal distribution.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is described for providing a universal time in a control unit. The universal time is generated by a timer of the control unit or is received via a communication link from at least one external unit, the universal time being transmitted directly or as at least two time stamps to at least one component for ascertaining time deviations. Furthermore, a control unit, a computer program and a machine-readable storage medium are also described.