Vehicle Network Switch Fabric for Scalable In-Vehicle Communication
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current in-vehicle communication networks face scalability limitations, bandwidth constraints, and reliability issues, particularly in supporting advanced features like X-by-wire functionality, multimedia infotainment, and navigation, which require improved bandwidth, speed, delay, jitter, fault tolerance, message integrity, and guaranteed delivery.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle network architecture utilizing a packet data network with a switch fabric that allows multiple communication paths and dynamic time slot assignment, enabling flexible communication paths and efficient data packet routing through network elements with ports for mapping incoming to outgoing communication links, and incorporating protocols like TCP/IP, ATM, or Infiniband to ensure reliability and scalability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If current bus protocols (CAN, LIN, MOST) are used for in-vehicle communication, then device compatibility and ease of implementation are improved, but bandwidth capacity and scalability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the in-vehicle network into multiple independent Ethernet switches that can be distributed throughout the vehicle. Each switch handles specific communication tasks, allowing the network to scale by adding more switches rather than upgrading the entire bus system. This segmentation enables gradual capacity expansion while maintaining compatibility with existing protocols through gateway functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements Ethernet switches that can handle multiple communication protocols simultaneously (CAN, LIN, MOST, Ethernet). This multi-functionality allows a single network infrastructure to support both legacy low-bandwidth devices and modern high-bandwidth applications, providing universal compatibility across different device types and communication requirements.
2Productivity
If more bandwidth and speed are provided to support advanced features, then support for X-by-wire and multimedia applications is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces Ethernet switches as intermediary devices that mediate between legacy bus protocols and modern Ethernet-based high-speed applications. These switches act as intelligent intermediaries that perform protocol conversion, packet routing, and quality of service management, enabling high-speed data transfer for multimedia and X-by-wire applications without requiring complete system replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic quality of service (QoS) management in the Ethernet switches, allowing the system to adaptively allocate bandwidth based on real-time communication requirements. Critical applications like X-by-wire control receive prioritized handling, while less time-sensitive traffic receives remaining capacity, enabling the system to support high-speed applications without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
3Device complexity
If current shared-access bus architecture is used, then device interconnection is simplified, but message delivery reliability and fault tolerance are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the shared bus into multiple independent Ethernet network paths through distributed switches. This segmentation creates redundant communication routes, so if one path fails, messages can be rerouted through alternative paths. The physical segmentation of the network into multiple switches also isolates faults to specific segments, preventing single-point failures from cascading throughout the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental communication parameter from shared-access bus arbitration to switched Ethernet packet routing. This parameter change enables simultaneous multiple communications, prioritized message handling, and automated error recovery mechanisms inherent in Ethernet protocols, significantly improving message delivery reliability while maintaining manageable interconnection complexity through standardized switching architecture.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A vehicle network and method for communicating information within a vehicle. The network includes a plurality of network elements joined by communication links. A data frame is provided for communicating information between a first device and a second device attached to the network. A network element in the network is capable of mapping a first resource on an incoming communication link of the network element to a second link resource of an outgoing communication link of the network element. The network element further has ports for receiving the data frame from the first link resource of the incoming communication link and for communicating the data frame to the second link resource of the outgoing communication link. The mapping may be done statically or dynamically such as based on information stored in the network element or based on information stored in the data frame.