Vehicle Control Architecture Master-Slave Role Determination
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Solution Overview
Problem
In redundant control architectures for vehicles, determining and signaling the master-slave role of controllers for commanded components is challenging, especially in scenarios where controllers are identical in hardware and software, and there is a need for a reliable method to identify and switch master roles dynamically.
Innovation Solution
A control architecture and method that utilize dedicated wake-up timing information to determine and signal the master-slave roles of controllers, where the controller that transmits the first signal is designated as the master, and this role can be dynamically changed through trigger events on wake-up lines, ensuring redundancy and fault tolerance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If redundant control architecture is used with identical controllers, then safety level is improved, but determining master-slave role becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by having controllers transmit their identification signals before actual control operations begin. The commanded component receives and stores these signals in advance, so when master-slave determination is needed, the role is already pre-established based on signal reception timing, avoiding complex real-time decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The commanded component serves itself by autonomously determining the master controller based on the timing of signals received from controllers. Instead of requiring a separate arbitration mechanism or complex communication protocol between controllers, the commanded component independently makes the master-slave determination based on signal reception timing, simplifying the overall system architecture.
2Reliability
If dynamic master role switching is implemented, then fault tolerance is improved, but control architecture complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the operational status of controllers and enabling dynamic re-evaluation of master-slave roles. When a fault is detected in the current master controller, the commanded component can receive signals from other controllers and switch the master role accordingly, ensuring continuous safe operation through feedback-driven role adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The master-slave role assignment is made dynamic rather than static. Controllers can change their roles during operation based on their operational status and signal transmission capability. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt to failures and maintain functionality, with the commanded component continuously determining the current master based on real-time signal reception.
3Ease of operation
If signal-based master identification is used, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability may be reduced due to communication faults
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies beforehand cushioning by implementing redundant signal transmission and status monitoring mechanisms. Controllers transmit their identification signals through multiple channels or with confirmation protocols, and the commanded component verifies signal validity before making master determination. This preparatory protection against communication faults ensures that signal-based identification remains reliable even in fault conditions.
Data Source
Figure 1~2b
AI summary
The present invention relates to control architecture (10) for a vehicle. It is described to communicatively connect (110) each of a plurality of controllers (1, 2) to all of a plurality of commanded components (7, 8). Each of the plurality of controllers is configured to send commands to be executed by one or more of the plurality of commanded components. It is further described to determine (120) by each of the plurality of commanded components that one of the plurality of controllers is a master controller on the basis of at least one signal transmitted from at least one of the plurality of controllers to the plurality of commanded components.