Vehicle Control Software Maturity Tracking via Segmented System Sets
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing control/regulation systems for vehicles face challenges in evaluating and managing the maturity of software across multiple interconnected control units, leading to incomplete assessment and potential errors during development, especially when functions are outsourced between units, causing difficulties in ensuring optimal interaction and functionality.
Innovation Solution
The method involves forming and documenting system sets that include defined control units, their software versions, and communication descriptions, allowing for step-by-step development and documentation of changes, ensuring that each development step is accounted for and providing a basis for further development, thereby managing the maturity of the entire control system effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If functions are outsourced between control units to optimize resource usage, then storage space and computing time efficiency are improved, but the complexity of tracking software maturity across distributed units increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control system into multiple control units, each with its own software version identification. This allows independent tracking of software maturity at each unit while maintaining overall system coherence through the bus system connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where control units report their software version information and maturity status to the bus system. This enables centralized monitoring and tracking of software development progress across distributed units without increasing individual unit complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If software is distributed across multiple control units, then system adaptability and resource utilization are improved, but the reliability of system-wide software assessment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bus system serves multiple functions: it connects control units, transmits data, and collects software version information. This universal communication infrastructure enables both system adaptability through distributed functionality and reliable assessment through centralized information gathering.
Solution Approach 2:
The bus system acts as an intermediary between distributed control units and the assessment process. It mediates the collection and transmission of software version information, ensuring reliable system-wide assessment while maintaining the adaptability benefits of distributed architecture.
3Productivity
If individual control units are developed independently, then development efficiency is improved, but the completeness of system integration assessment worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by establishing a standardized bus system framework and communication protocol before individual control unit development. This preliminary structure ensures that integration information is captured from the outset, maintaining assessment completeness while allowing independent development.
Data Source
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AI summary
According to the invention, for the operation of a vehicle control system with several control units connected via a bus system for controlling vehicle components, the following procedure is used during the development phase: First, a first system set is formed, wherein the system set comprises a first defined number of control units, each with the initial version of the respective control unit's software and the initial version of the communication description of the bus system. Subsequently, a first development step is carried out in conjunction with the first system set, wherein the software of one or more control units is adapted with the aim of ensuring that the respective control unit and the relevant vehicle component interact as optimally as possible, and/or the number of control units is adjusted, and/or the communication description of the bus system is adapted.In a further development step, according to the invention, a further system set is formed if a change was made in the first development step. Subsequently, a further development step is carried out using this further system set.