Vehicle Ethernet Relay PHY Wake-Up for Low-Power Frame Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle-mounted relay devices are unable to relay Ethernet frames to ECUs in a sleep state efficiently while minimizing power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle-mounted relay device with multiple PHY units that can switch between sleep and active states in response to a control signal different from Ethernet frames, using a control unit to monitor and manage these states, allowing timely relaying and reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If PHY units are placed in sleep state to suppress power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but the ability to transmit and receive frames is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs preliminary actions by detecting Ethernet frames destined for sleep-state PHY units before they are completely powered down, and by maintaining a wake-up mechanism that can quickly restore connectivity. This allows the system to prepare for frame transmission in advance, reducing the impact of the sleep state on communication reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary between the sleep-state PHY units and the network. It monitors network traffic, identifies frames destined for sleeping PHY units, and manages the wake-up process. This intermediary role allows the PHY units to remain in sleep state while still enabling reliable frame transmission when needed.
2Speed
If PHY units are kept in active state to ensure timely frame transmission, then frame relaying speed is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the state of PHY units based on actual communication needs. Rather than remaining permanently active or permanently asleep, the PHY units transition between states according to detected Ethernet frames and network conditions. This dynamic state management optimizes both speed and power consumption by keeping PHY units active only when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit periodically monitors network traffic and PHY unit states to determine when wake-up is necessary. This periodic checking allows the system to maintain low power consumption while being ready to quickly activate PHY units when frames need to be transmitted, balancing speed requirements with energy savings.
3Use of energy by moving object
If conventional relay devices are used with sleep-state ECUs, then power consumption is suppressed, but frame relaying capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs multiple functions: it manages sleep-state monitoring, detects Ethernet frames, determines wake-up requirements, and coordinates PHY unit state transitions. This multi-functionality allows a single control unit to maintain frame relaying capability while enabling power consumption suppression through coordinated PHY unit sleep states.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle-mounted relay device for relaying Ethernet frames includes a plurality of PHY units corresponding to a plurality of vehicle-mounted devices, a switch unit to which the plurality of PHY units are connected, and a control unit configured to monitor operating states of the plurality of PHY units. The plurality of PHY units include a predetermined PHY unit whose operating state switches between a sleep state and an active state in response to reception of a predetermined control signal that differs from the Ethernet frames. When an Ethernet frame to be transmitted from the predetermined PHY unit has been detected during a period where the predetermined PHY unit is in the sleep state, the control unit executes switching control to switch the predetermined PHY unit to the active state.