Vehicle Zone I/O Controller Architecture for Scalable OTA Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical and electronic (E/E) architectures for vehicles face scalability limitations, increased costs, and inefficiencies due to the use of numerous electronic control units (ECUs) and complex wiring, which hinder over-the-air (OTA) updates and software development.
Innovation Solution
A scalable and modular electrical control system with zone controllers having identical hardware configurations and a high-speed digital communications network, along with I/O controllers that can accommodate different performance characteristics and hardware arrangements, facilitating a unified software development environment and hardware consolidation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If different I/O controllers are tailored to specific requirements with different numbers and types of output channels, then adaptability to specific zone requirements is improved, but device complexity and supply chain issues increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal I/O controller design where a single controller type with standardized hardware configuration can be deployed across multiple zones. The controller achieves adaptability through software configuration rather than hardware customization, allowing it to perform different functions (digital I/O, analog I/O, PWM, etc.) based on software settings. This eliminates the need for multiple specialized controller variants while maintaining the ability to meet specific zone requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by allowing the I/O controller's operational characteristics to be modified through software configuration parameters. Instead of changing hardware components to adapt to different zone requirements, the system changes operational parameters (I/O channel types, numbers, configurations) through software, enabling a single hardware design to serve multiple purposes across different zones.
2Device complexity
If a common I/O controller base design is used for many different I/O controllers, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to specific zone requirements deteriorates and unused hardware components are underleveraged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal I/O controller design where a single controller type with standardized hardware configuration can be deployed across multiple zones. The controller achieves adaptability through software configuration rather than hardware customization, allowing it to perform different functions (digital I/O, analog I/O, PWM, etc.) based on software settings. This eliminates the need for multiple specialized controller variants while maintaining the ability to meet specific zone requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamics by making the I/O controller's functional configuration changeable through software rather than being fixed in hardware. The controller can dynamically adapt its I/O channel configurations, processor performance levels, and operational modes based on the specific requirements of each zone, allowing a common base design to serve diverse applications effectively.
3Adaptability or versatility
If numerous electronic control units are added to vehicle E/E architecture to handle increased functionality, then adaptability and functionality are improved, but harness complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by consolidating multiple specialized I/O controllers into a single universal I/O controller per zone. This reduces the total number of ECUs in the vehicle architecture, thereby simplifying the harness complexity and reducing wiring requirements while maintaining the necessary functionality through the universal controller's software-configurable capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal I/O controller design where a single controller type with standardized hardware configuration can be deployed across multiple zones. The controller achieves adaptability through software configuration rather than hardware customization, allowing it to perform different functions (digital I/O, analog I/O, PWM, etc.) based on software settings. This eliminates the need for multiple specialized controller variants while maintaining the ability to meet specific zone requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical control system for a vehicle includes: a plurality of zone controllers each associated with a corresponding physical region of the vehicle, and each having an identical hardware configuration; a high-speed digital communications network interconnecting the plurality of zone controllers; and a plurality of I/O controllers, or sub-zonal or edge controllers, each including a processor and at least one of: an input circuit configured to receive a digital or analog signal from a sensor device, or an output circuit configured to produce and transmit a digital or analog signal to an output device. The plurality of I/O controllers each have a commonized configuration, including an identical enclosure and an identical main circuit board. Different I/O controllers of the plurality of I/O controllers have at least one of: processors having different performance characteristics, or the input circuit or the output circuit having different arrangements of hardware components.