Vehicle Switch Apparatus Priority-Based Data Volume Limiting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data networks in motor vehicles face challenges in managing message transmission latency and data traffic, particularly in ensuring that safety-critical messages are transmitted within strict time limits without overloading other messages, which can lead to delays and network congestion.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a switch apparatus that limits the maximum data volume per unit of time for each priority level, rejects excess messages, and prioritizes transmission based on priority levels, ensuring that only predefined data traffic is forwarded, thereby preventing network overload and maintaining temporal determinism without a global schedule.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a global static transmission schedule is implemented in all control units, then message transmission timing is controlled and predictable, but the entire data network requires adaptation for all control units when a new control unit is retrofitted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the data network into multiple network branches with individual switch apparatuses, each managing its own segment independently. This segmentation allows local control without requiring global schedule adaptation, resolving the contradiction between timing control and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic message forwarding at switch apparatuses based on real-time priority levels and data volume limits, replacing static global schedules. This dynamic approach maintains timing control while allowing flexible integration of new control units without network-wide reconfiguration.
2Reliability
If data messages are transmitted separately in real-time using switched networks, then real-time messages can be transmitted, but real-time data messages must wait during the transmission of other data messages
Solution Approach 1:
The switch apparatus acts as an intermediary that actively manages message forwarding based on priority levels. High-priority real-time messages are forwarded immediately while low-priority messages are rate-limited, eliminating waiting time for critical messages without completely blocking other traffic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different transmission qualities to different message types by priority level. Real-time messages receive premium treatment with immediate forwarding, while non-real-time messages are subject to data volume limits, optimizing time delivery for critical communications.
3Reliability
If data packets are provided with priorities to give preference to important data, then particularly important data can be forwarded with preference, but a control unit with unimportant data packets can still hinder data traffic in the network
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of data volume limits applied to different priority levels at switch apparatuses. High-priority traffic receives generous or unlimited bandwidth, while low-priority traffic is constrained by predetermined maximum data volumes, preventing network hindrance from unimportant packets while maintaining priority-based forwarding.
4Reliability
If maximum data volume per unit of time is limited for each priority level at input ports, then message latency is limited and network congestion is prevented, but excess messages are rejected
Solution Approach 1:
The switch apparatus discards excess low-priority messages that would exceed data volume limits, preventing network congestion and latency issues. The system recovers by ensuring critical high-priority messages are always transmitted, maintaining overall system reliability despite selective message rejection.
Data Source
AI summary
In a motor vehicle, messages from control units arrive at input ports of a switch apparatus with each message indicating a destination address and a priority level. Each input port of the switch apparatus receives at most messages with a predetermined maximum data volume overall, for one priority level or for some or all of the priority levels, during each predetermined unit of time. The received messages are assigned to output port(s) based on their destination address and the messages assigned to each output port are sent onward. This guarantees time limits for the respective transmission period.