Vehicle Master ECU Updates for Configuration Rewrite Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle control systems face challenges in appropriately utilizing configuration setting information after program updates due to changes in non-volatile memory structures during reprogramming, which can disrupt the functionality of learning values stored in these memories.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle master device distributes update data from a center device to rewrite target ECUs, transmitting software and configuration setting information versions, downloading rewrite specification data upon campaign notifications, and instructing ECUs to overwrite configuration settings with new information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If program update is performed using existing ECU reprogramming methods, then program functionality is improved, but configuration setting information and learning values stored in non-volatile memory become invalid due to memory structure changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by downloading and storing rewrite specification data before the actual program rewrite operation. This specification data includes information about the new memory structure that will be used after rewriting. The master device prepares the rewrite specification data in advance and transmits it to the ECU before the rewrite process begins, ensuring that configuration setting information can be properly adapted to the new memory structure without loss of validity.
2Productivity
If ECU reprogramming is performed without memory structure adaptation, then reprogramming speed is increased, but system functionality is disrupted due to invalid learning values
Solution Approach 1:
The master device acts as an intermediary between the reprogramming process and the ECU's configuration management. It receives rewrite specification data from the external device, processes this information to understand the new memory structure requirements, and then guides the ECU through the rewrite process while preserving the validity of configuration setting information. This intermediary role allows the system to maintain both reprogramming speed and functional integrity.
3Device complexity
If configuration setting information is not updated during program rewrite, then reprogramming process is simplified, but adaptability to new memory structures is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes key parameters related to memory structure adaptation during the reprogramming process. The master device updates configuration setting information parameters to reflect the new memory structure defined in the rewrite specification data. This includes modifying parameters such as memory address mappings, data storage locations, and access methods to ensure compatibility with the new memory structure while maintaining system adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle master device is configured to distribute update data received from a center device to a rewrite target electronic control unit (ECU) and to instruct the rewrite target ECU to write the update data. The vehicle master device includes at least one processor programmed to: transmit a software version and a configuration setting information version as configuration information of the rewrite target ECU to the center device; download rewrite specification data from the center device upon determining that there is a campaign notification relating to a program update based on a notification from the center device; and instruct the rewrite target ECU to rewrite configuration setting information by overwriting using new configuration setting information downloaded from the center device upon determining that the configuration setting information is to be rewritten based on the rewrite specification data.