Vehicle Computing Redundancy for Diminished Performance Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle computing systems with redundant central computing units often underutilize backup units, leading to wasted resources and inefficient computing capacity, as the backup unit is only utilized during errors and lacks full functionality when the main unit is operational.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that monitor the functional capability of central computing devices in vehicles, detect diminished performance, and determine compensation functions to maintain vehicle functions by redistributing computational resources and adjusting sensor data processing, allowing for continued operation with reduced functionality if errors occur, thereby ensuring maximum driving safety and efficient resource utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a backup computing unit is provided for redundancy, then driving safety is improved, but resource utilization deteriorates because the backup unit remains unused during normal operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic task allocation where the computing device can switch between main and backup units based on operational status. The backup unit dynamically becomes active when the main unit experiences diminished performance, and the main unit can be reactivated when performance is restored. This dynamic switching mechanism ensures both high availability and efficient resource utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors performance parameters of the main computing unit and changes operational parameters by switching to the backup unit when thresholds are exceeded. The patent tracks computing performance metrics and dynamically adjusts which unit is active based on these parameter changes, optimizing both safety and resource efficiency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the backup unit is configured with full functionality, then compensation capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The backup computing unit is configured with identical hardware and software capabilities as the main unit, enabling it to perform any vehicle function independently. This universal design allows the backup unit to take over any task the main unit was performing, providing full compensation capability while maintaining a standardized, manageable system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a complete copy of the main computing unit's functionality in the backup unit. Both units contain identical processing capabilities, sensor data access, and actuator control interfaces. This copying approach ensures the backup unit can fully compensate for main unit failures without requiring complex specialized configurations.
3Productivity
If the main computing unit operates at full capacity, then vehicle function performance is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to higher error risk
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary monitoring of the main computing unit's performance parameters to detect early signs of degradation. By continuously tracking computational accuracy, processing speed, and error rates, the system can identify diminishing performance before critical failures occur, allowing proactive switching to the backup unit to maintain reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the performance of the active computing unit is continuously monitored and fed back to the control system. When performance metrics indicate diminished capability, the feedback triggers automatic switching to the backup unit. This closed-loop control ensures optimal balance between utilizing full computing capacity and maintaining system reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for compensating for a manifesting diminished performance of a computing device of a vehicle that executes vehicle functions. A computing unit takes sensor data for determining a control variable for executing the vehicle function, such as a driving function of the vehicle. In the method, the functional capability of the computing device is monitored to detect a manifesting diminished performance and, when diminished performance is detected, to determine a performance variable that is characteristic of a still available functional capability of the computing device and determining an error variable that is characteristic of an error type relating to the diminished performance of the computing device. When the performance of the vehicle function task is at risk, a compensation function for substitutive execution is determined based on the performance variable or error variable and based on the vehicle function task to be performed.