Vehicle Sensor Data Zoning to Avoid Central ECU Failure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving systems face challenges due to the high cost and power consumption of sensors and processors, as well as vulnerability to single-point failures and cyber threats, which can compromise vehicle safety and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A distributed processing system utilizing a higher-performance electronic control unit (HPECU) and multiple zone ECUs, each with lower-power processors, to share sensor data processing tasks based on vehicle operation modes, reducing the load on the primary processor and enhancing resilience against component failures and cyber threats.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a central processor is used for sensor data processing, then processing capability is improved, but vulnerability to single-point failure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the centralized processing architecture into multiple distributed zone ECUs, each responsible for processing sensor data from specific zones. This segmentation eliminates the single-point failure vulnerability while maintaining overall processing capability through distributed redundancy.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors and processors are deployed, then recognition accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments processing tasks across multiple zone ECUs rather than concentrating all processing in one unit. Each zone ECU handles only its local sensor data, reducing the power consumption burden on any single processor while maintaining high recognition accuracy through distributed processing.
Solution Approach 2:
Each zone ECU is equipped with processing capability matched to its specific zone's requirements. This local quality approach ensures that power consumption is optimized for each zone's actual needs rather than over-provisioning all processors to handle any possible scenario.
3Reliability
If distributed processing is implemented, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements segmentation by creating multiple independent zone ECUs that can operate autonomously. This segmentation improves reliability through redundancy while managing complexity by giving each zone ECU a well-defined, simplified role in processing only its local sensor data.
Data Source
AI summary
In some examples, a first electronic control unit (ECU) receives zone sensor data of a plurality of zones associated with a vehicle. For instance, a respective second ECU and a respective set of zone sensors is associated with each respective zone of the plurality of zones. Based on an indicated driving mode of the vehicle, the first ECU may perform recognition on the zone sensor data from a first zone of the plurality of zones to determine first recognition information. The first ECU receives second recognition information from the respective second ECUs of the respective zones. For instance, the respective second ECUs are configured to perform recognition processing on respective zone sensor data from the set of zone sensors of the respective zones. Based on the first recognition information and the second recognition information, the first ECU sends at least one control signal to at least one vehicle actuator.