# US 11,909,667 B2 · Unified vehicle network frame protocol

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- Number: US 11,909,667 B2
- Document ID: US11909667B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/735,265
- Filed: 2015-06-10
- Published: 2016-01-21
- Granted: 2024-02-20
- Earliest claimed: 2010-11-03
- Assignees: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte. Limited
- Applicants: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte. Limited
- Inventors: Nariman Yousefi; Yongbum Kim; John Walley; Sherman (Xuemin) Chen; Wael W. Diab; Nicholas Ilyadis
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11909667B2

## CPC

- G07C 5/0866: {the electronic data carrier being a digital video recorder in combination with video camera}
- B60L 50/00: Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle (with power supply from force of nature, e.g. sun or wind, B60L8/00; for monorail vehicles, suspension vehicles or rack railways B60L13/00)
- B60R 16/023: for transmission of signals between vehicle parts or subsystems
- B60R 16/03: for supply of electrical power to vehicle subsystems {or for (circuit arrangements for charging batteries H02J7/00)}
- B60R 16/0315: {using multiplexing techniques (multiplexing for transmission of signals G08C15/00; multiplexing for electrical communication in general H04J)}
- B60R 19/03: characterised by material, e.g. composite (B60R19/18 takes precedence)
- G06F 1/26: Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof (for memories G11C)
- G06F 1/266: {Arrangements to supply power to external peripherals either directly from the computer or under computer control, e.g. supply of power through the communication port, computer controlled power-strips}
- G08G 1/16: Anti-collision systems (road vehicle drive control systems for predicting or avoiding probable or impending collision otherwise than by control of a particular sub-unit B60W30/08)
- H04B 1/3822: specially adapted for use in vehicles (H04B1/3827 takes precedence)
- H04L 12/46: Interconnection of networks
- H04L 12/56: {Packet switching systems}
- H04L 45/74: Address processing for routing
- H04L 47/2433: {Allocation of priorities to traffic types}
- H04L 47/6275: based on priority
- H04L 47/76: using dynamic resource allocation, e.g. in-call renegotiation requested by the user or requested by the network in response to changing network conditions
- H04L 47/821: {Prioritising resource allocation or reservation requests}
- H04L 49/25: Routing or path finding in a switch fabric
- H04L 67/12: specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
- H04L 69/22: Parsing or analysis of headers
- H04N 7/181: {for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources}
- H04N 7/183: {for receiving images from a single remote source}
- H04N 19/102: characterised by the element, parameter or selection affected or controlled by the adaptive coding
- H04W 4/40: for vehicles, e.g. vehicle-to-pedestrians [V2P]
- H04W 4/44: for communication between vehicles and infrastructures, e.g. vehicle-to-cloud [V2C] or vehicle-to-home [V2H]
- H04W 4/46: for vehicle-to-vehicle communication [V2V]
- H04W 24/08: Testing, {supervising or monitoring} using real traffic
- H04W 28/08: Load balancing or load distribution (transferring a connection for handling the traffic H04W36/22; wireless traffic scheduling H04W72/12)
- H04W 72/541: using the level of interference
- H04W 72/56: based on priority criteria
- G06F 7/76: Arrangements for rearranging, permuting or selecting data according to predetermined rules, independently of the content of the data
- G07C 5/008: {communicating information to a remotely located station (transmission systems for measured values G08C)}
- G07C 5/085: {using electronic data carriers}
- H04L 12/10: Current supply arrangements
- H04L 12/4625: {Single bridge functionality, e.g. connection of two networks over a single bridge}
- H04W 88/02: Terminal devices
- Y02D 30/70: in wireless communication networks
- Y04S 40/18: Network protocols supporting networked applications, e.g. including control of end-device applications over a network
- G07C: TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
- B60L: PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES (arrangements or mounting of electrical propulsion units or of plural diverse prime-movers for mutual or common propulsion in vehicles B60K1/00, B60K6/20; arrangements or mounting of electrical gearing in vehicles B60K17/12, B60K17/14; preventing wheel slip by reducing power in rail vehicles B61C15/08; dynamo-electric machines H02K; control or regulation of electric motors H02P); SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES (electric coupling devices combined with mechanical couplings of vehicles B60D1/64; electric heating for vehicles B60H1/00); ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL (control or regulation of electric motors H02P); MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
- B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)
- G08G: TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS (guiding railway traffic, ensuring the safety of railway traffic B61L; arrangement of road signs or traffic signals E01F9/00; radar or analogous systems, sonar systems, lidar systems specially adapted for traffic control G01S13/91, G01S15/88, G01S17/88; {radar or analogous systems, sonar systems, lidar systems specially adapted for anti-collision purposes G01S13/93, G01S15/93, G01S17/93})
- H04B: TRANSMISSION
- H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M)
- H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72)
- Y02D: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES [ICT], I.E. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES AIMING AT THE REDUCTION OF THEIR OWN ENERGY USE
- Y04S: SYSTEMS INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO POWER NETWORK OPERATION, COMMUNICATION OR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR IMPROVING THE ELECTRICAL POWER GENERATION, TRANSMISSION, DISTRIBUTION, MANAGEMENT OR USAGE, i.e. SMART GRIDS

## Abstract

A vehicle control module includes a vehicle device and a vehicle network interface. The vehicle device is operable to perform a vehicle function. The vehicle network interface facilitates communication regarding the vehicle function between the vehicle device and a vehicle network fabric in accordance with a global vehicle network communication protocol.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A vehicle network node module comprising:
a plurality of vehicle devices comprising one or more sensors, actuators, or electronic control units (ECUs), each of the plurality of vehicle devices configured to perform a respective vehicle function;
a network port configured to support communications between the plurality of vehicle devices and a vehicular communication network in accordance with a communication protocol of the vehicular communication network;
a network buffer, coupled to the network port, including at least one queue for temporarily storing packets relating to the respective vehicle functions;
a switching circuit coupled to the network buffer and the plurality of vehicle devices, the switching circuit configured to facilitate communication of packets between the plurality of vehicle devices and the vehicular communication network via the network port; and
processing circuitry coupled to the switching circuit and the network buffer, the processing circuitry configured to arbitrate access to the vehicular communication network among the plurality of vehicle devices, based on a timestamp of a packet in a lower priority queue, by determining whether to select a second packet from a higher priority queue or the packet from the lower priority queue.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The vehicle network node module of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of vehicular network interfaces, each of the plurality of vehicular network interfaces operably coupled to the switching circuit and a respective one of the plurality of vehicle devices.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The vehicle network node module of claim 1, wherein the communication protocol is an Ethernet communication protocol.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The vehicle network node module of claim 1, wherein the network port comprises an Ethernet Physical Interface.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The vehicle network node module of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of vehicle devices is configured to communicate with an analog sensor.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The vehicle network node module of claim 1, wherein the plurality of vehicle devices comprise at least one digital sensor.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The vehicle network node module of claim 1, wherein the plurality of vehicle devices, the network port, the network buffer, the switching circuit, and the processing circuitry are implemented on at least two integrated circuits.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The vehicle network node module of claim 1, wherein the plurality of vehicle devices, the network port, the network buffer, the switching circuit, and the processing circuitry are implemented on a single integrated circuit.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The vehicle network node module of claim 1, wherein the network port supports wireless inter-vehicular communications.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The vehicle network node module of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry and the network port are further configured to translate communications between an Ethernet format and a differing vehicle communication format.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The vehicle network node module of claim 10, wherein the differing vehicle communication format comprises one of:
J1850 format;
OBDII format;
Intellibus format;
Controller Area Network (CAN) format;
FlexRay format;
Bosch-Siemens-Temic format;
Motorola® interconnect (MI) format;
Mobile Media Link (MML) format;
Domestic Digital Data (D2B) format;
smartwireX format;
inter-equipment bus (IEBus) format; or
media oriented systems transport (MOST) format.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The vehicle network node module of claim 1, wherein the plurality of vehicle devices are indirectly coupled to one another via the network port.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The vehicle network node module of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to control a powered state of at least one of the plurality of vehicle devices.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The vehicle network node module of claim 13, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to control the powered state of the at least one of the plurality of vehicle devices by individually controlling powered states of the plurality of vehicle devices.

### Claim 15 (depends on 13)

The vehicle network node module of claim 13, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to control the powered state of the at least one of the plurality of vehicle devices by controlling a powered state of a group of the plurality of vehicle devices.

### Claim 16 (depends on 2)

The vehicle network node module of claim 2, wherein the plurality of vehicular network interfaces are configured to couple to the plurality of vehicle devices in a hub and spoke configuration.

### Claim 17

A vehicle network node module comprising:
a plurality of vehicular network interfaces configured to support communications between a plurality of vehicle devices and a vehicular communication network in accordance with a communication protocol of the vehicular communication network, the plurality of vehicle devices comprising one or more sensors, actuators, or electronic control units (ECUs);
a network port;
a network buffer, coupled to the network port, including at least one queue for temporarily storing packets relating to the plurality of vehicle devices;
a switching circuit coupled to the network buffer and the plurality of vehicular network interfaces, the switching circuit configured to facilitate communication of packets between the plurality of vehicle devices and the vehicular communication network via the network port; and
processing circuitry coupled to the switching circuit and the network buffer, the processing circuitry configured to arbitrate access to the vehicular communication network among the plurality of vehicle devices, based on a timestamp of a packet in a lower priority queue, by determining whether to select a second packet from a higher priority queue or the packet from the lower priority queue.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The vehicle network node module of claim 17, wherein each of the plurality of vehicular network interfaces is operably coupled to the switching circuit and a respective one of the plurality of vehicle devices.

### Claim 19 (depends on 17)

The vehicle network node module of claim 17, wherein the communication protocol is an Ethernet communication protocol.

### Claim 20 (depends on 17)

The vehicle network node module of claim 17, wherein the network port comprises an Ethernet Physical Interface.

### Claim 21 (depends on 17)

The vehicle network node module of claim 17, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to communicate with an analog sensor via at least one of the plurality of vehicle devices.

### Claim 22 (depends on 17)

The vehicle network node module of claim 17, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to communicate with a digital sensor via at least one of the plurality of vehicle devices.

### Claim 23 (depends on 17)

The vehicle network node module of claim 17, wherein the plurality of vehicular network interfaces, the switching circuit, the network buffer, and the processing circuitry are implemented on at least two integrated circuits.

### Claim 24 (depends on 17)

The vehicle network node module of claim 17, wherein the plurality of vehicular network interfaces, the switching circuit, the network buffer, and the processing circuitry are implemented on a single integrated circuit.

### Claim 25 (depends on 17)

The vehicle network node module of claim 17, wherein at least one vehicular network interface of the plurality of vehicular network interfaces supports wireless inter-vehicular communications.

### Claim 26 (depends on 17)

The vehicle network node module of claim 17, wherein the processing circuitry and the plurality of vehicular network interfaces are further configured to translate communications between an Ethernet format and a differing vehicle communication format.

### Claim 27 (depends on 26)

The vehicle network node module of claim 26, wherein the differing vehicle communication format comprises one of:
J1850 format;
OBDII format;
Intellibus format;
Controller Area Network (CAN) format;
FlexRay format;
Bosch-Siemens-Temic format;
Motorola® interconnect (MI) format;
Mobile Media Link (MML) format;
Domestic Digital Data (D2B) format;
smartwireX format;
inter-equipment bus (IEBus) format; or
media oriented systems transport (MOST) format.

### Claim 28 (depends on 17)

The vehicle network node module of claim 17, wherein the plurality of vehicle devices are indirectly coupled to one another via the network port.

### Claim 29 (depends on 17)

The vehicle network node module of claim 17, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to control a powered state of at least one of the plurality of vehicle devices.

### Claim 30 (depends on 29)

The vehicle network node module of claim 29, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to control the powered state of the at least one of the plurality of vehicle devices by individually controlling powered states of the plurality of vehicle devices.

### Claim 31 (depends on 29)

The vehicle network node module of claim 29, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to control the powered state of the at least one of the plurality of vehicle devices by controlling a powered state of a group of the plurality of vehicle devices.

### Claim 32 (depends on 17)

The vehicle network node module of claim 17, wherein the plurality of vehicular network interfaces are configured to couple to the plurality of vehicle devices in a hub and spoke configuration.

### Claim 33

A vehicle network node module comprising:
a plurality of vehicle devices comprising one or more sensors, actuators, or electronic control units (ECUs), each of the plurality of vehicle devices configured to perform a respective vehicle function;
a network port configured to support communications between the plurality of vehicle devices and a vehicular communication network in accordance with a communication protocol of the vehicular communication network;
a network buffer, coupled to the network port, including at least one queue for temporarily storing packets relating to the respective vehicle functions;
a switching circuit coupled to the network buffer and the plurality of vehicle devices, the switching circuit configured to facilitate communication of packets between the plurality of vehicle devices and the vehicular communication network via the network port; and
processing circuitry coupled to the switching circuit and the network buffer, the processing circuitry configured to arbitrate access to the vehicular communication network among the plurality of vehicle devices, based on a priority of a packet, by determining whether to interrupt a current transmission of a second packet to transmit the packet.