Vehicle Gateway Frame Segmentation for Mixed-Speed Data Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing in-vehicle networks face challenges in efficiently transferring data frames of varying sizes without straining the communication bandwidth, particularly when high-speed and low-speed protocols are used concurrently, leading to potential delays and interference.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle control device that utilizes two communication paths - one for low-priority high-speed data and another for high-priority low-speed data, allowing controlled division and timing of data transfer based on the cycle of low-speed data to avoid collisions and optimize bandwidth use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If data frames are divided and transferred in parallel on a communication protocol employing small frame size, then transfer efficiency is improved, but communication bandwidth may be strained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransfer efficiencyVSAvoidcommunication bandwidth
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides large data frames into multiple small segments that can be transmitted individually over the communication network. This segmentation allows the data to be broken down into manageable units that fit within the constraints of the communication protocol's frame size limitations, enabling efficient parallel transfer while controlling bandwidth consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts the division size and number of divisions based on the specific data characteristics and network conditions. By making the fragmentation strategy adaptive rather than fixed, the system can optimize transfer efficiency for different data types while preventing bandwidth strain under varying load conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Speed

If high-speed protocol is used for data transfer, then transfer speed is improved, but real-time property and reliability may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransfer speedVSAvoidreal-time property
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting data into smaller frames, the system can transmit multiple segments concurrently or in interleaved fashion, which maintains high overall transfer speed while ensuring that individual segments meet real-time delivery requirements. This is particularly important for mixed traffic where both high-speed bulk transfer and time-critical small packets must coexist.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a gateway device that acts as an intermediary between high-speed and low-speed communication protocols. This gateway performs frame segmentation, reassembly, and protocol conversion, allowing high-speed data transfer while maintaining the real-time properties required by the lower-speed reliable protocol through careful timing and prioritization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple communication protocols are used concurrently, then adaptability is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotocol compatibilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The gateway device is designed with multi-functionality to handle multiple communication protocols simultaneously. It can perform frame segmentation for one protocol while handling protocol conversion to another, effectively serving as a universal interface that manages diverse communication requirements through a single integrated system rather than requiring separate dedicated systems for each protocol.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4040735B1Vehicle control device and data transfer control method
Publication Date: 2025.08.20 ASTEMO LTD
  • EP4040735B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4040735B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(b)
  • EP4040735B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A frame is divided, and is then transferred on a communication protocol having a different frame size. Provided is a vehicle control device configured to transfer data through a first communication path for transferring data having a low priority and a second communication path for transferring data having a high priority, the second communication path having a transfer speed different from that of the first communication path. First transfer data transferable on the first communication path has a data size different from that of second transfer data transferrable on the second communication path. The second communication path allows at least two types of transfer data to be transmitted and received thereon. When the first transfer data is divided and is then transferred on the second communication path, the data is transferred by controlling at least one of a division size, the number of divisions, or a transfer timing of the first transfer data based on a timing cycle for transferring the second transfer data, a vacant time having no transfer, and a transfer time of the first transfer data on the second communication path.