Mutual Key Verification for Vehicle Controller Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical systems in vehicles rely on a single electronic control unit for safety functions, which can lead to complex logic and reduced reliability if the unit fails, potentially degrading the driver's ability to control the vehicle during accidents.
Innovation Solution
A system and method where a system controller and an actuator controller mutually verify each other's operation by exchanging keys, enabling safe mode operation if either controller is not functioning properly, with the system controller generating a system key and the actuator controller generating an actuator key to ensure proper functioning and disable non-compliant units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single electronic control unit is used for processing signals and controlling actuation, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates because the unit must failsafe itself through complex self-checking logic
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two separate controllers: a system controller that generates control signals and an actuator controller that executes them. This segmentation allows each controller to have simpler, dedicated functions while maintaining system reliability through their interdependent key verification mechanism.
2Reliability
If additional self-checking logic is added to a single electronic control unit, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces cryptographic keys as an intermediary mechanism between controllers. Instead of complex self-checking logic within a single controller, the system uses key generation and verification as a mediator to establish trust and ensure proper operation, simplifying the control logic while maintaining reliability.
3Reliability
If mutual monitoring between controllers is implemented using key verification, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the monitoring approach from complex logical checks to verifying a specific parameter (the cryptographic key). By transforming the monitoring function into a parameter verification task, the system achieves reliable mutual monitoring with simpler, more manageable complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and method to determine the operating status of an electrical system includes a system controller and an actuator controller. The system controller determines if the actuator controller is operating properly and initiates a safe mode of operation if the actuator is not operating properly. In turn, the actuator controller determines if the system controller is operating properly and initiates a safe mode of operation if the system controller is not operating properly.