Distributed Vehicle Data Processing for ECU Throughput Bottlenecks

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing complexity of vehicle electronics control units (ECUs) leads to challenges in software throughput management, with current solutions often impacting system performance negatively, and there is a need for improved methods to handle high software functionality and complexity without causing data corruption or ECU resets.

Innovation Solution

A distributed processing system that dynamically manages task execution across multiple processors, including both ECUs and remotely located computing devices, by identifying idle time and execution capabilities to offload tasks to suitable processors, thereby optimizing software throughput while maintaining hardware performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If more ECUs are added to vehicles to provide increased functionality and safety features, then the system capability is improved, but the software throughput management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem capabilityVSAvoidsoftware throughput management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the monolithic ECU architecture into multiple distributed ECUs, each handling specific functions. This segmentation allows independent management of software throughput for each ECU, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining enhanced functionality through the coordinated network of specialized units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new dimension of management by implementing a hierarchical software throughput management system that operates at multiple levels: individual ECU level, domain controller level, and vehicle-level cloud connectivity. This multi-dimensional approach enables granular control over software distribution and execution across the distributed ECU architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If ECUs are programmed with increasingly complex software to provide more features, then functionality is improved, but throughput management becomes challenging

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidthroughput management efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic software throughput management where the system continuously monitors and adjusts software execution distribution based on real-time ECU workload, network conditions, and priority levels. This dynamic approach allows complex software to be efficiently managed by flexibly allocating processing tasks across multiple ECUs and time periods, maintaining high throughput despite increasing functionality requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes key parameters of software delivery including compression levels, segmentation granularity, priority assignments, and execution timing. By dynamically adjusting these parameters based on system state, the system optimizes throughput management for complex software while adapting to varying operational requirements and resource availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If current solutions are used to manage software throughput, then implementation is simple, but system performance is negatively impacted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplementation simplicityVSAvoidsystem performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces domain controllers and cloud-based management systems as intermediary layers between software developers and ECUs. These intermediaries handle complex throughput management tasks including software compilation, segmentation, prioritization, and distributed execution coordination. This approach maintains implementation simplicity for individual ECUs while significantly improving system performance through centralized intelligent management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11842225B2Systems and methods for decentralized-distributed processing of vehicle data

Publication Date: 2023.12.12 STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORP

AI summary

A method for distributed processing includes receiving an idle time and at least one task execution characteristic corresponding to each respective processor of a plurality of processors, wherein at least one processor of the plurality of processors is remotely located from other processors of the plurality of processors. The method also includes identifying a target processor of the plurality of processors to execute a task based on the idle time and the at least one task execution characteristic of the target processor. The method also includes communicating, to the target processor, a task request requesting the target processor execute the task and, in response to receiving a communication from the target processor indicating acceptance of the task, communicating, to the target processor, instructions for executing the task.