Electronic control unit, in-vehicle network system, communication method, and non-transitory storage medium storing communication program

A communication method for an in-vehicle network system, wherein

• the in-vehicle network system includes at least a first electronic control unit and a second electronic control unit,
• each of the first and second electronic control units includes communication units each configured to be switched between a standby state, in which a communication function is restricted, and an active state, in which the restriction of the communication function is lifted,
• the communication units include:
• a first communication unit configured to execute first communication that is based on a first communication standard;
• and
• a second communication unit configured to execute second communication that is based on a second communication standard, the second communication standard being different from the first communication standard,
• each of the first and second electronic control units has a network management function of shifting the first communication unit from the standby state to the active state in response to receiving a first activation notification through the first communication, the first activation notification being a message requesting activation of the first communication unit, and
• the communication method comprises:
• sending, by the first electronic control unit, a second activation notification through the first communication, the second activation notification being a message requesting activation of the second communication unit of the second electronic control unit;
• starting, by the first electronic control unit, the second communication with the second electronic control unit after sending the second activation notification;
• and
• shifting, by the second electronic control unit, the second communication unit from the standby state to the active state in response to receiving the second activation notification through the first communication.

A non-transitory storage medium that stores a communication program executed by processing circuitry of each of multiple electronic control units included in an in-vehicle network system, wherein

• each of the electronic control units includes communication units each configured to be switched between a standby state, in which a communication function is restricted, and an active state, in which the restriction of the communication function is lifted,
• the communication units include:
• a first communication unit configured to execute first communication that is based on a first communication standard;
• and
• a second communication unit configured to execute second communication that is based on a second communication standard, the second communication standard being different from the first communication standard,
• each of the electronic control units has a network management function of shifting the first communication unit from the standby state to the active state in response to receiving a first activation notification through the first communication, the first activation notification being a message requesting activation of the first communication unit, and
• the communication program is configured to cause the processing circuitry of each of the electronic control units to:
• send a second activation notification through the first communication, the second activation notification being a message requesting activation of the second communication unit of an other electronic control unit;
• and
• start the second communication with the other electronic control unit after sending the second activation notification.