In-Vehicle Ethernet Activation Routing for Loop-Limited Message Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing in-vehicle network systems face increased communication overhead due to loop formation in networked Ethernet networks, leading to excessive circulation of network management messages, which is inefficient and wasteful.
Innovation Solution
Implement a system where relay nodes include a storage that stores an activation table linking node identification information to necessary transfer information, and a rewrite transfer unit that decrements and rewrites permitted transfer information to control the transfer of activation messages, ensuring they reach their intended destinations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If relay nodes broadcast activation messages to all connected end nodes, then all end nodes receive the activation message, but messages circulate excessively in loop formations causing increased communication overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring permitted transfer information (hop count limits) in activation messages before transmission. Relay nodes decrement this value at each transfer, and messages are discarded when the value reaches zero, preventing infinite circulation in network loops before excessive communication overhead occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of permitted transfer information (hop count) dynamically during message transmission. Each relay node decrements the hop count value, and messages with zero hop count are discarded, effectively controlling message circulation depth and preventing endless loops while ensuring reliable delivery within acceptable ranges.
2Reliability
If activation messages are transferred throughout the network to ensure all end nodes receive them, then comprehensive coverage is achieved, but network efficiency decreases due to excessive message circulation
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by setting appropriate hop count values in advance. This ensures messages are delivered to all necessary end nodes within the network while automatically discarding messages that have traversed sufficient hops, preventing excessive circulation and maintaining network efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through the hop count mechanism. Each relay node checks the current hop count value, decrements it, and discards the message when it reaches zero. This feedback loop ensures messages are delivered comprehensively while automatically stopping circulation when the predetermined limit is reached, balancing coverage and efficiency.
3Use of energy by moving object
If end nodes remain in sleep state to conserve power, then power consumption is reduced, but activation messages may not reach their intended destinations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action through the hop count mechanism that periodically checks and decrements the permitted transfer information at each relay node. This ensures activation messages are delivered reliably to end nodes in activation clusters while limiting the transmission range to prevent excessive network-wide circulation, allowing end nodes to remain in sleep state when not needed.
Data Source
AI summary
An in-vehicle network system includes: relay nodes each including communication ports; and end nodes each connected to one relay node. Each communication port is connected to a subordinate node. The end nodes include a state management unit configured to transmit an activation message including activation request information indicating an activation cluster to which the end nodes belong and permitted transfer information. The relay nodes include: a storage that stores an activation table that lists information linking node identification information to necessary transfer information; and a rewrite transfer unit configured to decrement a value indicated by the permitted transfer information, delete the activation message, and rewrite the permitted transfer information and transfer the activation message, wherein the necessary transfer information is linked to a target end node belonging to the activation cluster.