Vehicle Zonal Architecture for Secure, Lower-Complexity Communications
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles face high design costs and security risks due to extensive networks with varying security capabilities and overlapping communication paths, making network design, integration, and updating complex and difficult.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a zonal architecture that organizes networks based on physical location rather than function, reducing hardware requirements and enhancing security by using a service-oriented architecture with dynamic configuration and policy management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If networks are organized around particular vehicle functions with multiple connection paths, then communication capability is improved, but hardware requirements and design costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the vehicle network into multiple zones based on physical location rather than function. Each zone contains ECUs and network infrastructure locally, segmenting the overall network architecture. This reduces the need for extensive cross-vehicle wiring while maintaining communication capability through zone-to-zone connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces zone gateways as intermediary devices that facilitate communication between different zones. These gateways act as mediators that route messages between zones, replacing the need for direct point-to-point connections between all ECUs and reducing overall hardware complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple networks with varying security capabilities are implemented, then functional requirements are met, but security risks increase due to multiple access points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network into isolated zones with controlled access points. Each zone can have its own security policy, and the zone gateway enforces security boundaries. This segmentation limits the attack surface compared to a fully interconnected functional network, as compromised ECUs in one zone cannot directly access ECUs in other zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different security policies and capabilities to different zones based on their specific requirements. Critical zones can have higher security measures while less critical zones use simpler protocols. This localized approach to security allows functional diversity while managing overall security risk through zone isolation.
3Reliability
If extensive networks with overlapping communication paths are used, then communication redundancy is improved, but network design and updating become complex and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent organizes the network into discrete zones with defined boundaries and communication protocols. This segmentation simplifies network design by providing a modular structure where each zone can be independently configured and updated. Redundancy is achieved through standardized zone gateway interfaces rather than complex overlapping paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universal communication protocols and standardized interfaces at zone gateways that enable multiple zones to communicate through common rules. This universality simplifies network design by providing a consistent framework for communication across all zones, reducing the need for custom point-to-point configurations.
4Stability of the object's composition
If traditional functional network architecture is maintained, then existing communication paths work, but reconfiguration requires downtime and complex changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic route selection and message routing through zone gateways that can adapt communication paths in real-time. ECUs can be added, removed, or moved between zones without requiring system shutdown, as the zone gateway architecture provides flexible routing that automatically adjusts to configuration changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent allows configuration changes to be prepared and validated before implementation. Zone gateways can pre-establish communication paths and buffer messages during transitions, enabling reconfiguration without interrupting ongoing communications. This preliminary preparation ensures stability during transitions.
Data Source
AI summary
An example method including interpreting a vehicle network performance description; determining a zonal architecture value in response to the vehicle network performance description and a vehicle performance network impact description; and integrating a multi-zone network on a vehicle in response to the zonal architecture value.