Robust techniques for managing primary and secondary controllers on CAN-FD networks

A primary/secondary controller management method for a network, the primary/secondary controller management method comprising:

• providing a primary controller on the network, the primary controller being configured to control and/or supervise a set of secondary controllers on the network;
• providing a secondary controller of the set of secondary controllers also on the network and controlled and/or supervised by the primary controller;
• determining, by the secondary controller, a set of housekeeping activities/tasks to be completed before shutdown of the secondary controller;
• communicating, by the secondary controller with the primary controller, to keep the primary controller awake until the secondary controller completes the set of housekeeping activities/tasks;
• completing, by the secondary controller, the set of housekeeping activities/tasks irrespective of a shutdown command received from the primary controller;
• and
• upon completing the set of housekeeping activities/tasks, communicating, by the secondary controller with the primary controller, such that the primary controller shuts down and then independently shutting down itself,
• wherein the secondary controller is able to mitigate or eliminate errors/malfunctions due to any incomplete housekeeping tasks/activities by keeping itself and the primary controller temporarily awake.