US 8,285,445 B2 · System for performing communication between devices mounted in vehicle and communication module incorporated in the system

Abstract

An electronic control unit and on-vehicle devices are each connected to a common power supply line via a communication module. The power supply line has positive and negative electrode side core wires. Each communication module is provided with a connection unit and a signal processor. The connection unit has a transformer having two pairs of input-output terminals, a first pair of which is respectively connected to the positive and negative electrode side core wires. The signal processor is connected to the second pair of input-output terminals of the transformer. The signal processor converts analog signals from the power supply line and outputted from the second pair of input-output terminals, converts externally inputted digital signals into analog signals and transmits the converted analog signals to the second pair of input-output terminals so that the converted analog signals are superimposed on the power supply line voltage.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A system for performing communication between devices mounted in a vehicle which enables communication between an electronic control unit and different on-vehicle devices, said system comprising:

a power line to which an electronic control unit and each of plural on-vehicle devices are connected, the power line being connected to a battery having a negative electrode and a positive electrode for power supply to the power line, the power line having a positive electrode side core wire connected to the positive electrode of the battery and a negative electrode side core wire connected to the negative electrode of the battery;
and
a communication module included in the electronic control unit and each of the on-vehicle devices, each communication module comprising:
a connection unit transformer having two pairs of input-output terminals, wherein at least one of the positive electrode side core wire and the negative electrode side core wire is connected to a respective terminal of one pair of the input-output terminals of the transformer through a capacitor;
and
a signal processor connected to the other pair of input-output terminals of the transformer, adapted to convert analog signals from the power line and outputted from the other pair of input-output terminals, adapted to convert externally inputted digital signals into analog signals and adapted to transmit the converted analog signals to the other pair of input-output terminals of the transformer so that the converted analog signals are superimposed on the voltage of the power line in the connection unit.

3 more elements

A communication module configured to be incorporated in a system for performing communication between devices mounted in a vehicle, wherein the system enables communication between an electronic control unit and different on-vehicle devices and the communication module is included in the electronic control unit and each of the on-vehicle devices, the communication module comprising:

a connection unit transformer having two pairs of input-output terminals, wherein at least one of a positive electrode side core wire and a negative electrode side core wire is connected to a respective one terminal of one pair of the input-output terminals of the transformer through a capacitor;
and
a signal processor connected to the other pair of input-output terminals of the transformer, adapted to convert analog signals from a power supply line and outputted from the other pair of input-output terminals, adapted to convert externally inputted digital signals into analog signals and adapted to transmit the converted analog signals to the other pair of input-output terminals of the transformer so that the converted analog signals are superimposed on the power supply line in the connection unit.

A method for performing communication between devices mounted in a vehicle which enables communication between an electronic control unit and different on-vehicle devices, said method comprising:

connecting a power line to an electronic control unit and each of plural on-vehicle devices, the power line being connected to a battery having a negative electrode and a positive electrode for power supply to the power line, the power line having a positive electrode side core wire connected to the positive electrode of the battery and a negative electrode side core wire connected to the negative electrode of the battery;
and
in the electronic control unit and each of the on-vehicle devices:
connecting at least one terminal of a first pair of unit transformer input-output terminals to at least one of the positive electrode side core wire and the negative electrode side core wire through a capacitor;
and
connecting a signal processor to a second pair of input-output terminals of the transformer,
converting analog signals from the power line and outputted from the other pair of input-output terminals, and
converting externally inputted digital signals into analog signals and transmitting the converted analog signals to the second pair of input-output terminals of the transformer so that the converted analog signals are superimposed on the voltage of the power line in the connection unit.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

System for performing communication between devices mounted in vehicle and communication module incorporated in the system

Life of this patent

System for performing communication between devices mounted in vehicle and communication module incorporated in the system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18