Controller method, apparatus and article suitable for electric drive

A control system to control an electric drive, comprising:

• a main controller operable to execute instructions including the computation of a value based on at least one parameter;
• a communications subsystem selectively operable to provide a first communications path between the main controller and a vehicle network in a first state, and a second communications path between the main controller and an interface suitable for downloading new instructions to the main controller in a second state;
• and
• a monitoring module operable to provide queries from time-to-time to the main controller, to evaluate an accuracy of an answer to the query returned to the monitoring module by the main controller, and to cause the communications system to enter the second state from the first state in response to a determination of an existence of a fault condition in an operation of the main controller.

A control system to control an electric drive, comprising:

• a main controller operable to execute instructions including the computation of a value based on at least one parameter;
• a fault logic module operable to determine an appropriate procedure for discontinuing a supply of electrical power to a traction motor by a power converter based on a speed of the traction motor and/or a fault history;
• a communications subsystem selectively operable to provide a first communications path between the main controller and a vehicle network in a first state, and a second communications path between the main controller and an interface suitable for downloading new instructions to the main controller in a second state;
• and
• a monitoring module operable to provide queries from time-to-time to the main controller, to evaluate an accuracy of an answer to the query returned to the monitoring module by the main controller, and to cause the communications system to enter the second state from the first state in response to a determination of an existence of a fault condition in an operation of the main controller.