Removable Vehicle Computing Module for Upgradable Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern vehicle computing systems become outdated quickly due to rapid advancements in processing power, and existing solutions are not easily upgradable or adaptable to meet stringent automotive environmental requirements, leading to obsolete systems that cannot be upgraded or replaced once a vehicle model is discontinued.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle computing module with a circuit board, edge connector, and various interfaces (PCIe, USB, SATA, SDIO, LVDS, and DBP) that can be easily mounted to a mainboard, allowing for independent processing and upgrading, while meeting automotive specifications for temperature, humidity, and vibration resistance, and enabling efficient heat removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed vehicle computing system is configured for a particular type of vehicle, then the system meets specific automotive requirements, but the system becomes outdated quickly and cannot be upgraded
Solution Approach 1:
The computing system is divided into a permanent mainboard and a removable computing module. The mainboard contains vehicle-specific interfaces and remains in the vehicle, while the computing module with CPU and memory can be exchanged. This segmentation allows the system to maintain stability through the permanent mainboard while enabling upgrades by replacing the computing module.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static fixed configuration to a dynamic configurable system. The computing module can be removed and replaced with different generations of processing units, allowing the system to adapt to new technology while maintaining the same vehicle installation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a new computer system is tailored to a specific vehicle, then the system meets vehicle-specific requirements, but the system cannot be replaced when the vehicle model is discontinued
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates vehicle-specific components (mainboard with customized interfaces) from generic computing components (standard computing module). This allows mass production of standardized modules while maintaining vehicle-specific adaptations on the mainboard, reducing overall production costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The computing module is designed as a universal component that can be used across different vehicle models. The same module type can serve multiple vehicle platforms, reducing development and production costs while maintaining vehicle-specific functionality through the mainboard.
3Power
If conventional computing systems are used in vehicles, then processing power is sufficient, but the systems cannot meet stringent automotive environmental requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different quality requirements to different components. The computing module uses high-performance components optimized for processing power, while the mainboard and connection interfaces are specifically designed for automotive environmental resistance. This local differentiation allows both high performance and environmental reliability.
4Productivity
If processing power is dramatically increased, then system performance improves, but the system becomes outdated quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The computing module is designed to be dynamically replaceable, allowing the system to capture performance improvements over time. While individual modules have limited lifespan, the overall system lifespan is extended through periodic replacement of the computing module with newer, faster processors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows changing the processing parameters by replacing the computing module with different processor generations. This enables the system to adapt to evolving performance requirements without redesigning the entire vehicle computing system.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a vehicle computing module adapted to be connected to a mainboard (204) of a vehicle computing system (200), comprising: - a circuit board (120) with conducting paths, - computing components mounted to the circuit board (120) and including at least a central processing unit (102) and a main memory (103), - an edge connector (101) provided at an edge of the circuit board (120) and adapted to connect the circuit board to an edge connector socket (201) of said mainboard (204), and - a plurality of interfaces (105) provided by said edge connector (101) for interfacing the computing module (100), wherein the vehicle computing module (100) is adapted to be operated in a vehicle as a main computing unit of said vehicle computing system (200) and to perform the processing of data for said vehicle computing system (200), the data being received by the vehicle computing module via said interfaces (105).