Vehicle Motion Control Domains for Low-Latency ECU Consolidation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The automotive industry faces challenges in efficiently integrating multiple vehicle functions into fewer control units, leading to increased latency, reduced efficiency, and higher energy consumption, as traditional functional control units are being consolidated.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control device with a multi-domain architecture, incorporating a motion module for vehicle movement and additional domains for other functionalities, utilizing a shared electronic component and domain interface for data exchange, enabling efficient, customizable, and redundant systems for improved connectivity and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If multiple vehicle functions are integrated into fewer control units, then device complexity is reduced and space is saved, but data processing latency increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit is segmented into multiple domains (first domain for vehicle movement, second domain for other functions) that can operate independently and in parallel. Each domain has dedicated processing capabilities while sharing common electronic circuits, allowing simultaneous data processing without mutual interference, thus reducing latency while maintaining integration benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a domain dimension to organize control functions, where data can flow horizontally across domains via the domain interface. This dimensional organization allows parallel processing paths while maintaining system integration, resolving the contradiction between consolidation and processing speed.
2Device complexity
If multiple vehicle functions are integrated into fewer control units, then space is saved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit is divided into separate domains that can be independently activated. Only the domains required for current vehicle operations are powered on, while others remain in low-power state. This selective activation reduces overall energy consumption compared to traditional architectures where entire control units remain active.
Solution Approach 2:
Domains can be dynamically activated or deactivated based on operational requirements. The system periodically assesses which domains are needed and adjusts power allocation accordingly, enabling energy-efficient operation while maintaining readiness for diverse vehicle functions.
3Device complexity
If a shared electronic component is used for multiple domains, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The shared electronic component is logically segmented into separate domain interfaces and processing paths. Each domain has its dedicated interface and processing logic, ensuring that failures in one domain are isolated and do not propagate to other domains, thus maintaining reliability while achieving hardware consolidation.
Solution Approach 2:
Domain interfaces act as intermediaries between the shared electronic component and individual domains. These interfaces provide isolation and protection, ensuring that errors or failures in one domain do not affect other domains, thereby maintaining system reliability despite sharing common hardware resources.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a control apparatus (102) for a vehicle (100), the apparatus comprising a motion module (104) for controlling a motion of the vehicle (100), wherein the motion module (102) is designed as a first domain and comprises a sensor interface (106) for receiving sensor signals (108), a trajectory interface (110) for receiving a trajectory signal (112) representing a trajectory of the vehicle (100), and an actuator interface (114) for outputting actuator signals (116) for actuating actuators (118). The motion module further comprises a determination device (120) for determining the actuator signals (116) using the sensor signals (108) and the trajectory signal (112). The control apparatus (102) further comprises an additional module (122) which is designed as an additional domain and is connected to the first domain via a domain interface (124).