In-Vehicle Communication Path Evaluation Using Signal Foldback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing in-vehicle communication systems inefficiently evaluate the transmission quality of multiple communication paths due to the need for individual diagnosis of each path, which is time-consuming and impractical.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that uses a first electronic device to send evaluation signals to target devices through a network of communication paths, with second electronic devices relaying and folding back signals to efficiently evaluate transmission quality, storing results in association with target devices, and employing an array of test signals for efficient evaluation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If individual diagnosis communication is performed for each pair combination of electronic control devices, then transmission quality of each path can be evaluated, but the evaluation process becomes highly inefficient and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple individual path evaluations into a single communication session. The evaluation signal is transmitted from one electronic control device and relayed through multiple other devices, allowing simultaneous evaluation of multiple transmission paths (direct and indirect) in one operation rather than requiring separate communications for each path combination.
Solution Approach 2:
A single evaluation signal serves multiple functions: it evaluates the direct transmission path from the source device to the target device, and simultaneously evaluates indirect transmission paths through intermediate relay devices. This multi-functional approach allows one signal to perform what would otherwise require multiple separate evaluation communications.
2Reliability
If comprehensive transmission quality evaluation is performed across all paths, then complete network assessment is achieved, but the complexity and time required increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-establishes a communication session with a designated target device that will relay evaluation signals to other devices. This preliminary setup enables subsequent evaluation signals to be efficiently routed through pre-identified paths, reducing the time required for comprehensive network assessment compared to ad-hoc individual path evaluations.
Solution Approach 2:
The evaluation process incorporates feedback mechanisms where relay devices respond to evaluation signals and transmit results back to the source device. This feedback loop enables comprehensive network assessment by collecting transmission quality data from multiple paths and relay points, ensuring complete coverage while maintaining efficiency through structured information return.
Data Source
AI summary
An in-vehicle communication system includes communication transmission paths, a first electronic device and second electronic devices each of which is connected directly/indirectly with the first electronic device through the communication transmission path(s), the first electronic device includes an evaluation unit sending a predetermined evaluation signal to the second electronic device(s) as target device(s), receiving a reply signal sent back by the target device in response to the evaluation signal, and evaluating a transmission quality of the communication transmission path(s), each of the second electronic devices includes a first communicator folding back a propagation direction of the evaluated signal received as the target device and sending the evaluated signal as the reply signal to the first electronic device, and the evaluation unit stores an evaluation result about the transmission quality, in association with the second electronic device that is the target device.