Vehicle Ethernet Switch Clock Error Interface Reset
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for managing Ethernet switch errors in vehicle systems often require system resets, which can cause inconvenience and anxiety for occupants by stopping current functions and displaying abnormal states.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method for controlling an Ethernet switch in vehicles, which involves a switch state detection unit to acquire the clock of the Ethernet switch and a processor to determine if the clock has changed. The processor then resets the Ethernet interface according to the changed clock state, allowing the system to operate without a full reset.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the system resets when an Ethernet switch error occurs, then the Ethernet system error can be corrected, but the currently operating function is stopped and the current state is displayed through display devices, causing anxiety and inconvenience to the occupant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the reset operation into a localized Ethernet interface reset rather than a full system reset. The control unit resets only the Ethernet interface module when a reference clock error is detected, while the rest of the vehicle control system continues to operate normally. This segmentation isolates the error correction to the minimal necessary component, preventing system-wide disruption and maintaining occupant convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary detection of clock errors through the control unit that continuously monitors the reference clock status of the Ethernet switch. When an error is detected, the control unit proactively resets the Ethernet interface before the error affects normal operation. This preliminary action prevents error propagation to other system functions, avoiding the need for a full system reset and maintaining continuous operation.
2Reliability
If a full system reset is performed to correct Ethernet errors, then the Ethernet interface can be restarted, but the reboot time increases and existing data is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by resetting only the Ethernet interface module independently from the rest of the vehicle control system. The control unit identifies and resets solely the Ethernet interface component when a reference clock error occurs, leaving other system modules unchanged and continuing to operate. This selective reset minimizes the recovery time to only the Ethernet interface duration, avoiding the lengthy reboot process required for full system resets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the reset operation from the entire system and applies it only to the specific problematic Ethernet interface. By taking out the reset function and isolating it to the Ethernet module level, the system can recover the Ethernet interface without disrupting or reinitializing other system functions. This extraction eliminates the need for a complete system reboot, significantly reducing recovery time and preserving existing data in other system modules.
3Reliability
If the Ethernet interface is reset according to changed clock state, then active preparation for Ethernet system error is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit in the patent is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as the primary controller for the vehicle control system and as the monitoring unit for Ethernet switch clock status. By making the control unit universal, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated hardware for clock monitoring and reset control. The same control unit that manages overall system operation also detects reference clock errors and executes selective Ethernet interface resets, thereby preventing errors without significantly increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for controlling an Ethernet switch for a vehicle may include: a switch state detection unit configured to acquire a clock of an Ethernet switch; and a processor configured to determine whether the clock of the Ethernet switch detected by the switch state detection unit has been changed. In particular, the processor is configured to set an Ethernet interface according to the changed clock of the Ethernet switch when the clock of the Ethernet switch has been changed.