Layered Vehicle Network Architecture for Low-Latency Device Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing open systems architectures for defense applications, such as FACE and SOSA, fail to adequately address the need for reduced costs and development time during integration of new or upgraded systems into existing vehicle platforms, particularly in terms of low latency message distribution across different communications protocols.
Innovation Solution
An improved open systems architecture (OSA) comprising a services layer, middleware layer, and display layer, which includes Ethernet-based interfaces, data translation, publish-subscribe distribution models, and low-latency communication, enabling rapid integration and real-time data exchange among connected devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If existing OSA standards (FACE, SOSA) are used for integrating new systems into vehicle platforms, then system interoperability is achieved, but integration costs and development time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into distinct layers (services layer, middleware layer, display layer) with clearly defined interfaces. This segmentation allows independent development and integration of each layer, reducing overall integration complexity and development time while maintaining interoperability through standardized layer interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
A publish-subscribe middleware layer is introduced as an intermediary between data sources and consumers. This mediator handles message routing, filtering, and protocol translation, enabling seamless integration of new systems without direct point-to-point connections, thereby reducing integration costs and development time.
2Reliability
If existing OSA standards are used for system integration, then interoperability is maintained, but message distribution latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The publish-subscribe middleware acts as an intelligent intermediary that receives messages from publishers and distributes them to subscribed consumers. This mediator optimizes message routing to minimize latency while simultaneously handling protocol translation and adaptation, allowing the system to maintain low latency communications across multiple different communication protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts communication parameters such as message priority, transmission frequency, and protocol selection based on real-time system conditions and message types. This parameter optimization enables low-latency communication for critical messages while maintaining compatibility with diverse communication protocols across different subsystems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If rapid integration of new connected devices is implemented, then system flexibility improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The architecture is segmented into standardized layers with well-defined interfaces, allowing new devices to be integrated by connecting to the appropriate layer without affecting other parts of the system. This modular segmentation maintains system flexibility for rapid device integration while managing complexity through clear interface boundaries.
Solution Approach 2:
The publish-subscribe middleware provides universal communication services that work with any connected device regardless of its specific protocol or function. This universal interface layer enables rapid integration of diverse devices while hiding the underlying complexity, as all devices interact through the same standardized publish-subscribe mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
An improved open systems architecture for vehicle systems is provided. The open systems architecture allows for the rapid integration of new connected devices to an existing vehicle network, enabling real-time data exchanges among connected devices and potentially enhancing mobility, situational awareness, survivability, and lethality. The open systems architecture provides low latency communications for connected devices, is input/output (I/O) agnostic, and includes low system usage for message distribution. While uniquely suited for ground based systems, for example tracked and wheeled vehicles, the open systems architecture of the present invention can be configured for use with a wide range of crewed and autonomous vehicles, both military and non-military, including airborne platforms and maritime (surface and sub-surface) platforms.