Virtual CAN System Ethernet Backbone Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern automotive systems require a high-performance controller area network (CAN) that can efficiently communicate between numerous electronic control units (ECUs) across different physical CAN buses with varying speeds, while existing CAN systems are limited by line length restrictions and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A virtual CAN system is created by associating multiple physical CAN buses with a common message ID allocation scheme and using an Ethernet backbone to route messages between CAN controllers, allowing messages to be encapsulated into Ethernet frames with CAN bus identifiers for transmission across different physical buses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If multiple physical CAN buses are connected to extend network coverage, then communication range is improved, but line length restrictions and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an Ethernet backbone as an intermediary medium to connect multiple CAN controllers. Instead of directly extending CAN buses with physical wiring, the system uses Ethernet infrastructure to bridge CAN networks, thereby extending communication range while avoiding the line length restrictions and complexity associated with direct CAN bus extensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the CAN network into multiple virtual CAN buses, each managed by separate CAN controllers. These segmented virtual buses are then connected through the Ethernet backbone, allowing the system to scale across multiple controllers without creating a single complex physical bus structure.
2Speed
If CAN bus speed is increased to improve communication performance, then data transmission speed is improved, but compatibility with existing CAN devices is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the transmission medium parameter from traditional CAN differential signaling to Ethernet signaling for inter-controller communication. This allows high-speed data transmission between controllers while maintaining standard CAN bus speeds (1 Mbps or lower) for compatibility with existing CAN devices. The Ethernet backbone operates at higher speeds independently of CAN device speed requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new communication dimension by introducing Ethernet as a separate communication layer. Instead of trying to increase CAN bus speed which would affect device compatibility, the system creates a parallel high-speed Ethernet pathway for inter-controller communication, separating the speed requirements of backbone infrastructure from endpoint device requirements.
3Ease of manufacture
If virtual CAN buses are created to reduce physical wiring, then installation complexity is reduced, but message routing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the Ethernet backbone a universal communication infrastructure that can carry traffic between any CAN controllers in the network. The same Ethernet infrastructure serves multiple virtual CAN buses and supports various routing scenarios, eliminating the need for separate dedicated wiring for each controller pair and simplifying installation while providing flexible routing capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a virtual controller area network system includes first, second third controller area network (CAN) buses. A first CAN controller is coupled to the first and second CAN buses and is configured to route messages to and from the first and second CAN buses. A second CAN controller is coupled to the third CAN bus and is configured to route messages to and from the third CAN bus. A network bridging system is configured to route messages over a local area network between the first CAN controller and the second CAN controller.