USER STATION FOR A BUS SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THE WIDEBAND CAN COMMUNICATION

Abstract

A user station for a bus system and a method for the wideband communication in a bus system are provided. The user station includes a communications-control unit for preparing or reading at least one message for/from at least one further user station of the bus system, in which an exclusive, collision-free access of a user station to a bus line of the bus system is ensured at least intermittently; the communications-control unit is designed to prepare channel-status information according to a time sequence for the transmission specified in the bus system for the user station so that the user station does not have to send the channel-state information in each message, and the channel-status information includes information for ascertaining the channel characteristic between the user station and the further user station of the bus system to which the message is to be sent.

Claims

1-10. (canceled)

11. A user station for a bus system, comprising: a communications-control unit for preparing or reading at least one message for/from at least one further user station of the bus system in which an exclusive, collision-free access of a user station to a bus line of the bus system is ensured at least intermittently, the communications-control unit being designed to prepare channel-status information according to a time sequence for a transmission specified in the bus system for the user station so that the user station does not have to send the channel-status information in each message, the channel-status information including information for an ascertainment of a channel characteristic between the user station and the further user station of the bus system to which the message is to be sent.

12. The user station as recited in claim 11, wherein one of: i) the specified time sequence is a predefined cycle time, after an elapsing of which the communications-control unit is designed to emit the channel-status information, and a length of the predefined cycle time is selected in such a way that all user stations of the bus system would have been able to transmit the channel-status information once within the predefined cycle time, or ii) the specified time sequence, in addition to the predefined cycle time, includes that at least one user station of the bus system is designed to sporadically transmit the channel-status information.

13. The user station as recited in claim 12, wherein the communications-control unit is designed to prepare a training sequence within the predefined cycle time so that the training sequence is emitted once as a separate frame for all user stations of the bus system within the predefined cycle time.

14. The user station as recited in claim 11, wherein at least one of: i) the communications-control unit is furthermore designed to transmit the channel-status information as a function of the user station, and ii) the channel-status information is included in a training sequence of the message.

15. The user station as recited in claim 11, further comprising: a memory unit for storing the channel-status information in the event that the message includes the channel-status information.

16. The user station as recited in claim 11, wherein the communications-control unit is designed to ascertain whether the read message includes the channel-status information, and the user station further includes a memory unit designed to store the channel-status information if the communications-control unit determines that the read message includes the channel-status information.

17. The user station as recited in claim 16, further comprising: a correction device for correcting the read message based on the channel-status information, the correction device being designed to obtain the channel-status information from a training sequence of the message or from the memory unit in the event that the message does not include any training sequence.

18. The user station as recited in claim 17, wherein in addition to a frame head and a frame end, the message includes only the training sequence as data portion, or the training sequence is embedded in a data frame as a message.

19. A bus system, comprising: a parallel bus line; and at least two user stations which are connected to each other via the bus line in such a way that they are able to communicate with each other, at least one of the at least two user stations including a communications-control unit for preparing or reading at least one message for/from at least one further user station of the bus system in which an exclusive, collision-free access of a user station to a bus line of the bus system is ensured at least intermittently, the communications-control unit being designed to prepare channel-status information according to a time sequence for a transmission specified in the bus system for the user station so that the user station does not have to send the channel-status information in each message, the channel-status information including information for an ascertainment of a channel characteristic between the user station and the further user station of the bus system to which the message is to be sent.

20. A method for the wideband communication in a bus system, comprising: preparing or reading, with the aid of a communications-control uni, at least one message for/from at least one further user station of the bus system in which an exclusive, collision-free access of a user station to a bus line of the bus system is ensured at least intermittently; and preparing, by the communications-control unit, channel-status information according to a time sequence for the transmission specified in the bus system for the user station so that the user station does not have the send the channel-status information in each message, the channel-status information including information for an ascertainment of a channel characteristic between the user station and the further user station of the bus system to which the message is to be sent.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The present invention is described in greater detail below with reference to the figures and on the basis of exemplary embodiments.

[0030] FIG. 1 shows a simplified circuit diagram of a bus system according to a first exemplary embodiment.

[0031] FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of the structure of a message in a bus system according to the first exemplary embodiment.

[0032] FIG. 3 shows a matrix for the schematic illustration of the diversity of the channel-pulse responses in the bus system according to the first exemplary embodiment.

[0033] FIG. 4 shows a simplified circuit diagram of a user station of the bus system according to the first exemplary embodiment.

[0034] FIG. 5 shows a time sequence diagram to illustrate a transmission of messages of the individual user stations over the time in the bus system according to the first exemplary embodiment.

[0035] FIG. 6 shows a time sequence diagram to illustrate a transmission of messages of the individual user stations over the time in the bus system according to a second exemplary embodiment.

[0036] FIG. 7 shows a schematic representation of the structure of a message in a bus system according to the second exemplary embodiment.

[0037] FIG. 8 shows a simplified circuit diagram of a user station of the bus system according to the second exemplary embodiment.

[0038] FIG. 9 a simplified circuit diagram of a user station of the bus system according to the second exemplary embodiment.

[0039] Unless otherwise indicated, identical or functionally equivalent elements in the figures have been provided with the same reference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0040] FIG. 1 shows a bus system 1 which, for example, may be a CAN bus system, a CAN-FD bus system, etc. Bus system 1 may be used in a vehicle, especially in a motor vehicle, in an airplane etc. or in the hospital, etc.

[0041] In FIG. 1, bus system 1 includes a parallel bus having a bus line 10. In this particular exemplary embodiment, nine users in the form of user stations 11 through 19 are connected to bus line 10. However, it is also possible that bus system 1 has more users, e.g., twelve or less, such as five users. Messages 3 in the form of signals are able to be transmitted between individual user stations 11 through 19 via bus line 10. User stations 11 through 19, for example, may be control units, sensors, display devices etc. of a motor vehicle.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 2, messages 3 have a frame head 3-1, a data portion 3-2, and a frame end 3-3, respectively.

[0043] FIG. 3 shows channel-pulse responses h(t) of the parallel bus from FIG. 1 as an example of user stations 11 through 15 as users of bus system 1. As illustrated in FIG. 3, each channel-pulse response h(t) depends on the sender/recipient pairing. Accordingly, in the event that user station 11 is the sender and user station 12 is the recipient, channel-pulse response h(t) is generally different than in a case in which user station 11 is the sender and user station 13 is the recipient. The same applies to the other sender/receiver pairings.

[0044] For this reason, user stations 11 through 19 are configured as illustrated in FIG. 4 with the aid of exemplary user station 11.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 4, user station 11 has a communications control unit 111, a memory unit 112, a correction device 113, and a transmit/receive device 114. Communications control unit 111 includes a data-frame preparation device 1111 for preparing an individual message as data frame 31 in the form of a signal for bus line 10, as well as a training sequence preparation device 1112 for preparing an individual training sequence 32 in the form of a signal for bus line 10.

[0046] Data frame 31 and training sequence 32 are prepared as separate messages 3, which are to be transmitted on bus line 10. In addition to the frame head and the frame end of a conventional message 3, at least data frame 31 includes a data field that has a high-rate data format in order to transmit data according to the specification for CAN-FD or to transmit data at a still higher data transmission rate. Data frame 31 includes only the data that are intended for the operation of the addressed user station, but it includes no information from which channel-status information is able to be derived. In contrast thereto, apart from the frame head and the frame end of a conventional message 3, training sequence 32 includes no data of the type that is contained in data frame 31. Training sequence 32 thus includes only data or information from which the channel-status information is derivable but no data that are intended for the other operation of the addressed user stations.

[0047] Memory unit 112 may be used for storing training sequences 32 and/or the channel-status information contained therein that user station 11 has already received from one of the other user stations 12 through 19 and/or that user station 11 has already prepared on its own. Correction device 113 is able to equalize, and thus correct, a signal received from transmit/receive device 114 with the aid of training sequence 32. Transmit/receive device 114 is directly connected to bus line 10 even if this is not shown in FIG. 4.

[0048] Communications control unit 111 is used for controlling a communication of user station 11 via bus line 10 with another user station of user stations 12 through 19 that are connected to bus line 10. Data-frame preparation device 1111, training-sequence preparation device 1112, memory unit 112, and correction device 113 are used for transmitting messages 3 at a high data rate on bus line 10 having a CAN bus topology, as will be described in greater detail later in the text. In all other respects, communications control unit 111 may be designed like a conventional CAN controller. With the exception of the functions described in the following text, transmit/receive device 114 may be developed in the way of a conventional CAN transceiver as far as its transmit and receive functionality is concerned.

[0049] In the exemplary embodiment at hand, user stations 12 through 19 have the same design as user station 11. As a result, the use of user stations 11 through 19 makes it possible to generate and subsequently transmit messages 3 also at higher data rates than CAN-FD. Even given the low number of users in bus system 1, a good or better net data rate than in a transmission according to the CAN protocol is achieved.

[0050] To estimate channel-pulse response h(t) according to FIG. 3, user station 11, for example, sends a training sequence 32, prepared by training-sequence preparation device 1112, to all user stations 12 through 19. Using the receive signal of training sequence 32, the receiving user station of user stations 12 through 19 is able to ascertain or estimate the corresponding channel-status information, such as channel-pulse response h(t), in particular with the aid of communications control unit 111, and then store it in memory unit 112. This may take place simultaneously at a plurality of receiving points, and thus at user stations of user stations 12 through 19. As a result, it is generally sufficient to emit N (orthogonal) training sessions 32 for the characterization of the entire bus system 1.

[0051] According to the exemplary embodiment at hand, the channel-status information, in particular channel-pulse response h(t), is not newly ascertained with each CAN message 3. This is possible because the channel properties and thus the channel statuses change only slowly. Accordingly, also the channel-status information contained in a training sequence 32 from a prior message 3, in particular training sequence 32, is reused in the exemplary embodiment at hand. To do so, a memory unit 112 is accessed, in which the previously received training sequences 32 and/or the channel-status information ascertained therefrom, especially channel-pulse response h(t), is/are stored. Stored is the particular information that is of interest to the respective user station of user stations 11 through 19. Dispensing with the renewed transmission of a training sequence 32 makes it possible to save time capacity of bus system 1.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 5, in the exemplary embodiment at hand, individual user stations 11 through 19 regularly emit training sequences 32. In FIG. 5, the temporal transmission sequence of training sequences 32 and data frames 31 for user stations 11, 12, 13, . . . N is shown by way of example. Thus, training sequences 32 of all user stations 11 through 19 are emitted at regularly recurring time intervals, i.e. cyclically, in the form of separate frames or messages 3. In contrast, the emission of data frames 31 takes place independently of the information of associated training sequence 32. Thus, the emission of data frames 31 is carried out without additional information in the frame contained in training sequence 32. The sum illustration Z in FIG. 5 shows the total occupancy of the parallel bus on bus line 10 of bus system 1.

[0053] Particularly in a network having only a few users or user stations as in the case of bus system 1, this method markedly shortens the required time for estimating the channel-pulse responses h(t) and thus increases the net data rate of the overall system

[0054] Another advantage is that in the exemplary embodiment at hand, the emission of training sequences 32 is able to be carried out as a function of the user and no longer as a function of the message.

[0055] FIG. 6 shows a data traffic in a bus system 1 according to a second exemplary embodiment. In this case, a sporadic transmission of supplemented data frames 33, which include a data frame 33 supplemented by a training sequence 332 as illustrated in FIG. 7, is carried out in each recipient in order to ensure current channel-status information at all times. Training sequence 332 may be inserted following a frame head 331 and before a data portion 333 or it may be inserted at any location in data portion 333 of data frame 31. Frame end 334 follows data portion 333.

[0056] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the sporadic transmission of supplemented data frames 33 by a user station such as user station 12 may be supplemented by the cyclical transmission of separate training sequence 32 and separate data frame 31 by other user stations 11 and 13 through N. However, here, too, it holds true that user station 12 does not have to send the channel-status information in each message 3. Thus, if a supplemented data frame 33 has already been transmitted as message 3 prior to a predefined time, user station 12 may next send a data frame 31 again initially, i.e., data without training sequence 332.

[0057] In the exemplary embodiment at hand, required training sequence 32 is thereby able to be transmitted in a cyclical manner, for example, via dedicated CAN frames, as shown for user stations 11 and 13 through N. In contrast thereto, however, user station 12 sporadically inserts required training sequence 332 as an optional supplement in a CAN frame or in supplemented data frame 33. The supplementation thus takes place according to need, which in particular is not cyclical. For example, via an identifier (flag) in CAN frame head 331, a corresponding announcement is made to the receiving user station of user stations 11 and 13 through N. The sum display Σ in FIG. 6 shows the total occupancy of parallel bus of bus system 1.

[0058] In this particular exemplary embodiment, training sequence 332 according to FIG. 7 thus is no separate message 3 with its own frame head and frame end; instead, it includes only the information from the data portion of training sequence 32 according to the first exemplary embodiment that is required for ascertaining the channel-status information. Here, too, at least data field 331, and possibly also training sequence 332, has/have a high-rate data format in order to transmit data according to the specification for CAN-FD or at an even higher data-transmission rate. If training sequence 332 likewise has a high-rate data format, then the net data rate in the bus system is able to be increased even further.

[0059] FIG. 8 shows the structure of user station 12 resulting therefrom. User station 12 has a communications control unit 121, a memory unit 122, a correction device 123, and a transmit/receive device 124. Communications control unit 121 includes a data-frame preparation device 1211 for preparing an individual message 3 as a supplemented data frame 33 in the form of a signal for bus line 10. A training sequence 332, prepared by training-sequence preparation device 1212, is embedded in data frame 33, as previously described.

[0060] In all other respects, the bus system according to the exemplary embodiment at hand has the same structure as bus system 1 according to the first exemplary embodiment.

[0061] In the exemplary embodiment discussed here, user stations 11 and 13 through N thus transmit cyclical training sequences 32 in the form of separate frames, while user station 12 embeds a sporadic training sequence in a CAN frame, i.e., supplemented data frame 33.

[0062] The configuration according to the exemplary embodiment at hand is also advantageous in a network having only a few users, as in bus system 1 according to the first exemplary embodiment; the reason for this is that the required time for estimating the channel-pulse responses h(t) is also markedly shortened by the method according to the present invention. Here, too, the emission of training sequences 32 is able to be carried out as a function of the user and no longer as a function of the message, at least for user stations 11 and 13 through N, but also for user station 12.

[0063] According to FIG. 9, user station 12 in a third exemplary embodiment may either embed a sporadic training sequence in a frame 33, as described for the second exemplary embodiment, or it may sporadically transmit individual training sequences 32 and individual data frames 31 as separate frames, as described for the first exemplary embodiment. In all other respects the bus system according to the present exemplary embodiment has the same structure as bus system 1 according to the first exemplary embodiment.

[0064] In this particular exemplary embodiment as well, as in the case of the first exemplary embodiment, the transmission of training sequences 32, 332 for all user stations 11 through N may be transmitted as a function of the user and not as a function of the message.

[0065] All previously described further developments of bus system 1, of user stations 11 through 19, and of the present method may be used on their own or in all kinds of possible combinations. In particular, all of the features of the previously described exemplary embodiments are able to be combined as desired. Especially the following modifications are conceivable in addition.

[0066] Previously described bus system 1 according to the exemplary embodiments is described with the aid of a bus system based on the CAN protocol. However, bus system 1 according to the exemplary embodiments can also be another type of communications network. It is advantageous but not a mandatory precondition that an exclusive, collision-free access of a user station 11 through 19 to a shared channel be ensured at least for certain periods of time in bus system 1.

[0067] Bus system 1 according to the exemplary embodiments is a CAN network or a TTCAN network or a CAN-FD network, in particular.

[0068] The cyclical emission of training sequences 32 may take place in blocked form so that all user stations 11 through 19 transmit their training sequences 32, in corresponding frames, in a temporally coordinated manner according to a fixed scheme, in particular synchronously but at a time offset.

[0069] Each user station 11 through 19 may also transmit its messages 3 to another user station or other user stations of user stations 11 through 19 in an asynchronous manner and specify the instant according to its own scheme, e.g., via a timing circuits (timers) having a session timeout functionality (timeout function).

[0070] The use of cyclical and sporadic (or embedded in the CAN frame) training sequences 32, 332 may be defined as a function of a user or a user station so that an optimization of the transmission efficiency is achieved, in particular in the sense of the lowest possible overhead component created by frame head 3-1, 331 and frame end 3-3, 333.

[0071] Training sequences 32, 332 may be mathematically optimized for the ascertainment of the channel-status information or the channel-pulse response, especially with regard to the employed lengths of sequence 32, 332. Known sequences such as pseudo-noise, Gold codes, Walsh codes, Kasami codes, Barker codes etc. may be used as an alternative.

[0072] To emit separate or dedicated frames as training sequences 32 that include no further data contents, certain priorities may be allocated for the prioritization in bus system 1. Among other things, the priority of a training sequence 32 should be selected higher than the priority of all messages 3 emitted by a user station 11 through 19.

[0073] In addition to ascertaining the channel-pulse response h(t), training sequences 32, 332 may also be used for ascertaining disturbance variables. In this case, in particular the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) may be determined. A recipient may use this ratio to determine whether a noise level at which a reception is longer able to be ensured is possibly present.

[0074] Through the regular monitoring of channel characteristics with the aid of channel-pulse responses h(t), the monitoring may be utilized for detecting changes in the network characteristics of bus system 1. In particular, a non-allowed intervention in the network of bus system 1, e.g. by additional user stations of user stations 11 through 19 being switched on, is able to be detected.

[0075] A use of bidirectional channel-pulse responses h(t) may be employed on both sides for the purpose of generating keys for encrypting messages, which offers a confidentiality protection. For example, if one looks at the two user stations 14, 15, which would like to communicate with each other in encrypted form, then the current channel-pulse response h(t) is available at both user stations 14, 15 following a cycle. Current channel-pulse response h(t) may be used to generate a key (physical key generation), which is not otherwise known to any other user station since the other user stations see different channel-pulse responses h(t).

[0076] The number and the placement of user stations 11 through 19 in bus system 1 of the exemplary embodiments are freely selectable. In particular, it is also possible that only user stations 11 or user stations 12 etc. are present in bus system 1 of the exemplary embodiments.

[0077] The partitioning of the previously described functionality of data-frame preparation device 1111 and training-sequence preparation device 1112 in a communications device 11 may also be realized in such a way that the previously described functionality is distributed to a plurality of components. In this way, a development that is as similar as possible and corresponds to current CAN controllers and CAN transceivers may be attempted. Analog as well as digital interfaces may be used for the connection of a plurality of components.

[0078] Particularly for CAN-FD and systems having higher data rates, user stations 11 through 19 represent an option for raising the reception quality of CAN-FD and such systems to the range of conventional CAN transmissions while utilizing a clearly higher data rate.

[0079] For example, the method executed in user stations 11 through 19 is able to be implemented in a transceiver or a transmit/receive device 114, in a communications-control unit 111, etc. In addition or as an alternative, it is able to be integrated into existing products.