US 6,484,082 B1 · In-vehicle network management using virtual networks

Abstract

A network management approach for use in a vehicle to control activation of electronic control units (ECUs) networked together throughout the vehicle. The ECUs are grouped together by function into virtual networks, with each virtual network including those ECUs used in carrying out a particular control task, such as controlling power windows or automatic headlights. The virtual networks are activated using a messaging protocol that specifies which virtual network is being activated. Periodic messages specifying the virtual network are also used to maintain it active. This permits the ECUs to be maintained in a low power quiescent state when the control functions are not needed, while allowing only those needed for a particular control task to be awakened and maintained in an activated state to carry out their associated control task. An ECU can activate one of the virtual networks by transmitting a wake-up signal followed by a message identifying the virtual network. Each of the ECUs receive this message and, if it is a member of the virtual network being initialized, maintains itself in an active state to carry out the control task associated with the virtual network. The other ECUs return to the quiescent state. Using this approach, an ECU is able to activate only the necessary ECUs for a particular control task without having to know which or how many ECUs are involved in performing the task.

Claims34

Dependent claims

An on-board vehicle network, comprising:

a plurality of on-board vehicle electronic control units (ECUs) connected together via at least one network bus that permits communication between said ECUs;
a first virtual network comprising a first group of said ECUs, wherein said first group of said ECUs are operable together to perform a first control task and are each identified using a first code that is associated with said first virtual network;
and
a second virtual network comprising a second group of said ECUs, wherein said second group of said ECUs are operable together to perform a second control task and are each identified using a second code that is associated with said second virtual network;
wherein said ECUs of said first and second virtual networks are connected to said network bus to receive first and second messages, with said ECUs of said first virtual network being responsive to said first message to perform said first control task and said ECUs of said second virtual network being responsive to said second message to perform said second control task;
wherein a first one of said ECUs is connected to said network bus to receive a first signal requesting activation of said first virtual network and is operable in response to said first signal to periodically generate said first message until said first control task is completed;
and
wherein a second one of said ECUs is connected to said network bus to receive a second signal requesting activation of said second virtual network and is operable in response to said second signal to periodically generate said second message until said second control task is completed.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

In-vehicle network management using virtual networks

Life of this patent

In-vehicle network management using virtual networks

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims34