In-Vehicle Switch Control for Automated Driving ECU Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
In next-generation vehicles with multiple ECUs, the existing technologies face challenges in efficiently managing communication and program updates across various systems, leading to labor-intensive setup processes for adding or modifying functions, particularly in automated driving systems.
Innovation Solution
A control apparatus and system that utilizes a control part to set control entries on switches to relay packets between ECUs, with an operation part managing these entries based on program updates, enabling efficient communication and function addition or modification by dividing networks into logical domains and using OpenFlow switches for path management and reprogramming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual setting work is performed for ECU cooperation when adding functions, then communication between ECUs can be established, but labor time and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by allowing ECUs to automatically register themselves with the control apparatus after program updates. The control apparatus automatically generates and configures control entries based on ECU identification information, eliminating the need for manual setting work when adding new functions or updating ECUs.
Solution Approach 2:
The control apparatus performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring control entries and communication paths before ECU activation. When an ECU is added or updated, the system automatically prepares the necessary communication settings in advance, so that no manual configuration is needed when the ECU starts operating.
2Reliability
If control entries are manually configured for each ECU, then communication paths can be controlled, but device complexity and setup difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
ECUs automatically perform self-registration with the control apparatus by transmitting their identification information. The control apparatus automatically generates appropriate control entries based on this information, eliminating manual configuration complexity while maintaining precise communication control.
Solution Approach 2:
The control apparatus dynamically changes control parameters (control entries) based on ECU identification information received during self-registration. This automatic parameter adjustment allows the system to adapt communication paths to different ECUs without manual intervention, reducing complexity while maintaining reliability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If existing communication management methods are used, then current ECU cooperation works, but labor intensity increases when adding new ECUs or functions
Solution Approach 1:
The control apparatus dynamically adapts to changes in the ECU composition by automatically processing self-registration requests from new ECUs. When ECUs are added, removed, or updated, the system dynamically generates or modifies control entries accordingly, maintaining communication stability while making function addition easy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where ECUs transmit their identification information to the control apparatus, which then uses this feedback to automatically generate appropriate control entries. This closed-loop process ensures that communication settings are always synchronized with the actual ECU configuration, maintaining stability while simplifying operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A control apparatus includes: a control part which controls communication in a vehicle by setting a control entry(ies) to a plurality of switches relaying, by referring to the control entry(ies), a packet(s) input to and output from an ECU(s) installed on the vehicle; and an operation part which performs operation of the control entry according to contents of reprogramming using data for update which updates a program of the ECU(s).