Vehicle Gateway Dual Unidirectional Microprocessor Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gateway devices for interconnecting on-board communication networks in motor vehicles are complex, expensive, and rigid, often causing network saturation and failure when one network fails, which is undesirable in redundant architectures designed for fault tolerance.
Innovation Solution
A gateway device with two independent unidirectional microprocessor systems, each connected to the communication networks via specific receive and transmit lines, preventing simultaneous failure and saturation of both networks by allowing data transfer only in one direction, thus ensuring non-immobilizing functionality and reducing complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex security mechanisms and bus guardian devices are implemented, then fault tolerance and security are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway device is segmented into two independent microprocessor systems (first and second microprocessor systems), each handling separate communication networks. This segmentation isolates failures to one network while maintaining functionality on the other, achieving fault tolerance without requiring complex centralized security mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a mediator mechanism where each microprocessor system has dedicated receive and transmit lines that act as intermediaries between the communication networks and the processing units. This intermediary structure prevents direct monopolization of networks and enables independent failure isolation.
2Reliability
If fixed communication schedules and rigid mechanisms are used, then fault tolerance is improved, but adaptability and flexibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway device employs dynamic configuration where each microprocessor system can independently manage its communication patterns without being constrained by fixed schedules. The system adapts to network conditions and failure scenarios dynamically, allowing flexible response to various fault conditions while maintaining reliable operation.
3Productivity
If bidirectional communication is implemented in a single gateway, then communication efficiency is improved, but network saturation and simultaneous failure risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bidirectional communication functionality is segmented into two separate unidirectional microprocessor systems. The first microprocessor system handles communication in one direction while the second handles the reverse direction, preventing single-point failure and network saturation while maintaining efficient bidirectional communication capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway employs asymmetric architecture where the two microprocessor systems have different roles and dedicated communication paths. This asymmetry ensures that a failure in one system does not propagate to the other, reducing simultaneous failure risk while maintaining overall communication efficiency.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
A gateway device (14) for interconnecting a first and second communication network (10, 12) of a motor vehicle, comprising a first bus interface (16) for receiving and transmitting messages from and to said first network, and a second bus interface (18) for receiving and transmitting messages from and to said second network, a first local processor (20) designed exclusively for transferring messages received on said first bus interface to said second bus interface, in such a way as to provide a first unidirectional gateway function between said first and second networks, and a second local processor (22), independent of said first local processor, designed exclusively for transferring messages received on said second bus interface to said first bus interface, in such a way as to provide a second unidirectional gateway function between said second and first networks.