Vehicle OTA Update Verification via ECU Configuration Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle information communication systems lack an efficient method for over-the-air (OTA) updating of electronic control unit (ECU) software, particularly in ensuring that only approved configurations and necessary updates are distributed to vehicles, which can lead to compatibility issues and improper vehicle operation.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle information communication system comprising a center apparatus and vehicle apparatus, where the center apparatus includes an approved-configuration database and an update database, enabling wireless communication to determine if received ECU configuration information matches approved settings and if software updates are available, and sends updates only when both conditions are met.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If OTA update is implemented without configuration verification, then update speed is improved, but system reliability deteriorates due to compatibility issues
Solution Approach 1:
The center computer performs preliminary verification of ECU configuration information against approved configuration information in the approved-configuration DB before initiating the update process. This preliminary action ensures that only vehicles with approved configurations receive updates, preventing compatibility issues while maintaining efficient OTA updates.
2Reliability
If configuration verification is performed for all vehicles, then system reliability is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs configuration verification selectively - only for vehicles that require updates or have unverified configurations. The center computer checks whether software update data exists in the update DB and only verifies configurations for vehicles that need updates, avoiding unnecessary processing time for vehicles that are already up-to-date or don't require verification.
3Productivity
If all ECUs are updated simultaneously, then update efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases due to coordination requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the update process into distinct phases: configuration verification phase, update data retrieval phase, and update execution phase. The center computer handles verification for multiple vehicles independently, then coordinates updates based on individual vehicle status, reducing overall coordination complexity while maintaining efficient batch processing.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle information communication system includes a center apparatus and a vehicle apparatus that includes a group of electronic control units (ECUs) and that sends vehicle configuration information including configuration information on the group of ECUs mounted in the vehicle to the center apparatus via wireless communications. The center apparatus performs a first determination of whether the vehicle configuration information received from the vehicle apparatus matches approved-configuration information registered in an approved-configuration database, and performs a second determination of whether software update data for at least one ECU of the group of ECUs mounted in the vehicle exists in an update database. When both the first and second determinations are true, the center apparatus sends the software update data for at least one ECU of the group of ECUs mounted in the vehicle to the vehicle apparatus via the wireless communications.