Vehicle Network Configuration for Rapid Data Download

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing volume of data required for on-board vehicle systems exceeds the time allocated for downloading in manufacturing workflows, making existing methods incompatible with production flow timelines without significant reorganization of production plants.

Innovation Solution

A method that configures a network in two modes: a first mode for rapid data download, reducing communication cycle duration, and a second mode for executing application software, with reconfiguration allowing efficient data transfer and vehicle operation within the production flow constraints, utilizing time-division multiplexing and modifying communication cycle durations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the network uses standard communication cycle duration for vehicle operation, then vehicle operation stability is ensured, but data download time becomes too long for production flow requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata download speedVSAvoiddownload time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the network configuration changeable between two modes: a first configuration optimized for data download with shorter communication cycles, and a second configuration optimized for vehicle operation with longer communication cycles. The ECU dynamically switches between these configurations based on operational requirements, allowing fast downloads during production while maintaining stable operation during vehicle functioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of communication cycle duration by defining two distinct network configurations with different cycle lengths. The first configuration uses shorter cycles to accelerate data transfer during download, while the second configuration uses longer cycles for stable vehicle operation. This parameter variation resolves the contradiction between download speed and operational stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of time

If the network communication cycle duration is reduced to increase download speed, then data download time decreases, but vehicle operation stability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedownload timeVSAvoidvehicle operation stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts network configuration based on operational context. During download operations, the first configuration with shorter cycles is activated to minimize download time. After download completion, the system switches to the second configuration with longer cycles to ensure stable vehicle operation, thus maintaining reliability while achieving speed improvement when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent prepares both network configurations in advance - the first for download and the second for operation. The ECU is pre-programmed with the ability to switch between these configurations, ensuring that when download is required, the optimized configuration is immediately available, and when operation begins, the stable configuration is activated, preventing any compromise to vehicle reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3114816B1Method and system for the accelerated downloading of data
Publication Date: 2017.12.27 PSA AUTOMOBILES SA
  • EP3114816B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3114816B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for downloading data to at least one vehicle computer, which computer is designed to execute application software, said method being characterized in that it comprises the following steps: receiving (31, 31') a download request via the network; configuring (34) the network in a first mode suitable for data download; downloading (35) data to the computer via the network; and configuring (37) the network in a second mode suitable for executing the application software.