Vehicle Ethernet Control with TSN Traffic Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle control systems face complexity and increased potential for failure due to the use of multiple communication networks, which can lead to unnecessary complexity and interference, particularly when critical and non-critical communications are mixed within the same network.
Innovation Solution
A control system utilizing a controller that directs vehicle devices to communicate using time-sensitive, best effort, or rate-constrained methods over a unified Ethernet network, operating as a Time-Sensitive Network (TSN), to prioritize and manage communications effectively, ensuring critical data is transmitted promptly while allowing less critical data to be communicated when bandwidth is available.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple communication networks are used to separate critical and non-critical communications, then communication reliability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments communication traffic into different priority levels (critical and non-critical) within a single Ethernet network using VLANs and QoS mechanisms. This allows critical communications to be isolated and prioritized without requiring physically separate networks, thus improving reliability while avoiding the complexity of multiple independent network infrastructures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes a single Ethernet network perform multiple functions by implementing both critical and non-critical communications over the same physical infrastructure. Through software-based traffic classification, prioritization, and quality of service controls, the network provides differentiated service levels without requiring separate hardware networks for each communication type.
2Reliability
If multiple communication networks are used to ensure critical communications, then communication safety is improved, but the number of components and potential failure points increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces software-based intermediaries (VLAN tags, QoS policies, traffic shapers) that act as mediators within the Ethernet network to separate and prioritize critical communications. These software layers provide the necessary isolation and protection without requiring additional physical network hardware, thereby reducing the number of components while maintaining communication safety.
3Productivity
If different communication methods are used for different vehicle devices, then communication efficiency is improved, but network complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes network parameters (priority levels, bandwidth allocation, transmission timing) dynamically based on the type of communication traffic. By adjusting these parameters within a single Ethernet network, the system achieves communication efficiency comparable to multiple specialized networks without the associated complexity of implementing and managing multiple different communication protocols and infrastructures.
Data Source
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AI summary
A control system includes a controller configured to control communication between or among plural vehicle devices that control operation of a vehicle via a network that communicatively couples the vehicle devices. The controller also is configured to control the communication using a data distribution service (DDS) and with the network operating as a time sensitive network (TSN). The controller is configured to direct a first set ofthe vehicle devices to communicate using time sensitive communications, a different, second set ofthe vehicle devices to communicate using best effort communications, and a different, third set ofthe vehicle devices to communicate using rate constrained communications.