Vehicle Control Device and Data Transfer Control Method

Abstract

A frame is divided, and is then transferred on a communication protocol having a different frame size. Provided is a vehicle control device configured to transfer data through a first communication path for transferring data having a low priority and a second communication path for transferring data having a high priority, the second communication path having a transfer speed different from that of the first communication path. First transfer data transferable on the first communication path has a data size different from that of second transfer data transferrable on the second communication path. The second communication path allows at least two types of transfer data to be transmitted and received thereon. When the first transfer data is divided and is then transferred on the second communication path, the data is transferred by controlling at least one of a division size, the number of divisions, or a transfer timing of the first transfer data based on a timing cycle for transferring the second transfer data, a vacant time having no transfer, and a transfer time of the first transfer data on the second communication path.

Claims

1. A vehicle control device configured to transfer data through a first communication path for transferring data having a low priority and a second communication path for transferring data having a high priority, the second communication path having a transfer speed different from a transfer speed of the first communication path, wherein first transfer data transferable on the first communication path has a data size different from a data size of second transfer data transferrable on the second communication path, wherein the second communication path allows at least two types of transfer data to be transmitted and received thereon, and wherein, when the first transfer data is divided and is then transferred on the second communication path, the data is transferred by controlling at least one of a division size, the number of divisions, or a transfer timing of the first transfer data based on a timing cycle for transferring the second transfer data, a vacant time having no transfer, and a transfer time of the first transfer data on the second communication path.

2. The vehicle control device according to claim 1, wherein the second communication path has a transfer speed lower than the transfer speed of the first communication path, and wherein the first transfer data has a data size larger than or equal to the data size of the second transfer data.

3. The vehicle control device according to claim 1, wherein information for identifying a type of the data and information for identifying the number of divisions and a size of the data are added to the first transfer data, and then the first data is transferred on the second communication path.

4. The vehicle control device according to claim 1, wherein the second transfer data intended to be transferred on the second communication path is preferentially transferred on the second communication path in accordance with a priority defined in advance.

5. The vehicle control device according to claim 1, wherein information for identifying a type of data and information for identifying the number of divisions and a size of the data are transferred only initially before the divided data.

6. The vehicle control device according to claim 1, wherein division information on the first transfer data is preferentially transferred on the second communication path in accordance with a priority defined in advance.

7. The vehicle control device according to claim 1, wherein, when the first transfer data is divided and is then transferred on the second communication path, the transfer of the first transfer data is suspended, and the second transfer data is preferentially transferred based on a timing cycle for transferring the second transfer data.

8. The vehicle control device according to claim 7, wherein, after the prioritized transfer of the second transfer data is finished, a remaining part of the suspended first transfer data is transferred.

9. A vehicle control device configured to transfer data through a communication path for transferring data at a predetermined transfer speed, wherein first transfer data transferable on the communication path and another communication path has a data size larger than or equal to a data size of second transfer data transferrable on the communication path, wherein the communication path allows at least two types of transfer data including the first transfer data and the second transfer data to be transmitted and received thereon, and wherein, when the first transfer data is divided and is then transferred on the communication path, the data is transferred by controlling at least one of a division size, the number of divisions, or a transfer timing of the first transfer data based on a timing cycle for transferring the second transfer data, a vacant time having no transfer, and a transfer time of the first transfer data on the communication path.

10. A data transfer control method for transferring data through a first communication path for transferring data having a low priority and a second communication path for transferring data having a high priority, the second communication path having a transfer speed different from a transfer speed of the first communication path, first transfer data transferable on the first communication path having a data size different from a data size of second transfer data transferrable on the second communication path, the second communication path allowing at least two types of transfer data to be transmitted and received thereon, the data transfer control method comprises transferring, when the first transfer data is divided and is then transferred on the second communication path, data by controlling at least one of a division size, the number of divisions, or a transfer timing of the first transfer data based on a timing cycle for transferring the second transfer data, a vacant time having no transfer, and a transfer time of the first transfer data on the second communication path.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 is a view for illustrating a configuration of a drive system for a vehicle according to a first embodiment of this invention.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a timing charts for illustrating related-art transfer timings.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a timing chart for illustrating a transfer timing according to the first embodiment.

[0013] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of transfer control according to the first embodiment.

[0014] FIG. 5 is a timing chart for illustrating a transfer timing according to a second embodiment.

[0015] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of transfer control according to the second embodiment.

[0016] FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram for illustrating a vehicle control device and an in-vehicle network system.

[0017] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of transfer control according to a fourth embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Description is now given of embodiments of this invention.

First Embodiment

[0019] <Vehicle Control Device>

[0020] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a vehicle control device and an in-vehicle network system.

[0021] A first electronic control unit 101 on a transmission side includes a first transfer data frame generation unit 103, a first transfer data transmission buffer 104, and a first transfer data physical interface 105 for processing first transfer data which is a frame having a large data size. The first electronic control unit 101 further includes a second transfer data frame generation unit 113, a second transfer data transmission buffer 114, and a second transfer data physical interface 115 for processing second transfer data which is a frame having a small data size. The first electronic control unit 101 further includes a timing control unit 109 and a data division unit 110. The timing control unit 109 controls a transfer timing of each transfer data frame. The data division unit 110 divides the first transfer data in accordance with control of the timing control unit 109. Meanwhile, a second electronic control unit 102 on a reception side includes a first transfer data physical interface 106, a first transfer data reception buffer 107, and a first transfer data frame analysis unit 108 for the first transfer data which is the frame having the large data size. The second electronic control unit 102 further includes a second transfer data physical interface 116, a second transfer data reception buffer 117, and a second transfer data frame analysis unit 118 for the second transfer data which is the data frame having the small data size. The second electronic control unit 102 further includes a data type identification unit 111 and a data coupling unit 112. The data type identification unit 111 identifies a type of data which has been transferred via the second transfer data physical interface 116. The data coupling unit 112 couples the pieces of data which have been divided and then transferred.

[0022] The transfer data having the large data size is transmitted and received via a bus of a high-speed interface 119. The transfer data having the small data size is transmitted and received via a bus of a low-speed interface 120. In FIG. 1, only a transmission unit of the first electronic control unit 101 and a reception unit of the second electronic control unit 102 are illustrated, but each of the electronic control units 101 and 102 generally has a transmission function and a reception function. However, description is given while the provided transmission function and reception function are omitted. Moreover, the transfer data frame generation units 103 and 113 and the transfer data frame analysis units 108 and 118 are coupled to other circuits and software modules included in the respective electronic control units 101 and 102 and are controlled, but description is given while the other circuits and software modules are omitted. Moreover, in FIG. 1, processing circuit portions for transferring the first transfer data frame having the large data size and the second transfer data frame having the small data size are illustrated, but protocols to be used in the high-speed interface 119 and the low-speed interface 120 are not particularly limited.

[0023] Moreover, description is given while assuming that the first transfer has a larger data size of the frame than that of the second transfer, but the data size of the frame may be the same between the first transfer and the second transfer, and the data size of the frame is not particularly limited.

[0024] <Transfer Timings and Transfer Flow>

[0025] With reference to FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4, description is now given of control to be performed in the in-vehicle network system. FIG. 2 is timing charts for illustrating related-art transfer timings. In FIG. 2(a), transfer timings on respective buses are illustrated. In FIG. 2(b), transfer timings in a case in which a bus is shared without the division are illustrated.

[0026] Hitherto, transfer data 201 having the small data size is transferred via the bus of the low-speed interface 120, and transfer data 202 having the large data size is transferred in parallel via the bus of the high-speed interface 119. When the communication interfaces are independent of each other, the communication can be executed without problem. However, when pieces of transfer data 204 and 205 are transferred while a bus 203 of the low-speed interface 120 is shared with no consideration of division, the bus is occupied for a transfer period of the transfer data 205 having the large data size. Thus, the transfer of the transfer data 204 which has the small data size and is intended to be cyclically transferred is delayed.

[0027] In view of the above, in a first embodiment of this invention, a transfer cycle and a transfer request of each piece of transfer data are measured to control a size of the division and a transfer timing of transfer data (transfer 1) 303 having the large data size. For example, transfer data (transfer 2) having the small data size is control data for control between the electronic control units, and has the small data size, but is transferred via the bus of the low-speed interface 120 which prioritizes real-time property and reliability. Meanwhile, the transfer data (transfer 1) having the large data size is, for example, video data acquired from a camera or the like, and is transferred between the electronic control units. In a physical interface for transferring data having a high speed and a large size, a physical layer, processing circuits, and the like are also required to have an expensive and highly functional configuration in order to achieve high speed and high reliability. In order to achieve this purpose, with reference to a transfer timing chart of FIG. 3 and a flowchart of FIG. 4, description is given of a method of transferring the data (transfer 1) having the large data size without using the bus of the high-speed interface 119.

[0028] In the first electronic control unit 101 on the transmission side, the timing control unit 109 measures, in advance, the transfer cycle of transfer data (transfer 2) 302 having the small data size, or acquires the transfer cycle as information in an initial sequence, and determines whether or not there exists a transfer request for the transfer data (transfer 1) 303 having the large data size (Step 402). The timing control unit 109 further determines whether or not a transfer request for the transfer data (transfer 2) 302 having the small data size exists (Step 403 and Step 405). At this time, the timing control unit 109 determines, in consideration of the transfer cycle of the transfer data (transfer 2) 302 having the small data size acquired in advance, whether or not the transfer request for the transfer data (transfer 2) 302 having the small data size exists within the transfer time of the transfer data (transfer 1) 303 having the large data size.

[0029] As a result, when only the transfer request for the transfer data (transfer 2) having the small data size exists (“Yes” in Step 403), the transfer data (transfer 2) having the small data size is communicated via the bus of the low-speed interface 120 (Step 404). At this time, the transfer data including an identification code for the reception side to identify the type of the transmitted transfer data is communicated.

[0030] Further, when only the request for the transfer (transfer 1) having the large data size exists (“No” in Step 405), the transfer data (transfer 1) having the large data size is communicated via the bus of the low-speed interface 120 (Step 406). In this case, when the communication cycle of the transfer data (transfer 2) having the small data size is not influenced, the transfer data (transfer 1) which is not divided and thus has the large data size may be communicated via the bus of the low-speed interface 120. At this time, as described above, the transfer data including the identification code for the reception side to identify the type of the transmitted transfer data is communicated.

[0031] Meanwhile, when the transfer request for the transfer data (transfer 1) having the large data size overlaps the transfer cycle of the transfer data (transfer 2) having the small data size, the transfer data (transfer 2) having the smaller data size is communicated preferentially (Step 407), and then, the transfer data (transfer 1) having the large data size is communicated (Step 408). In this case, the following control is executed: an appropriate size of division and the number of divisions are calculated in consideration of the transfer cycle of the transfer data (transfer 2) having the small data size in order to avoid collision with the communication of the next transfer 2, the transfer data having the large data size is divided into divisions so that the calculated size of the division and number of divisions are achieved, and the divided transfer data is communicated. In the communication of the transfer data (transfer 1) having the large data size, for example, division information is added to a data portion and is transmitted and received so that the reception side can recognize the size of the division and the number of divisions.

[0032] When the data which has been divided and transferred has a remaining portion (Step 409), and successive transfer of the remaining portion causes a collision with the communication of the transfer data (transfer 2) having the small data size, for example, control of waiting for the next transfer and then transferring the remaining data is executed. As a result, the communication for the transfer data (transfer 2) having the small data size occupies the bus with the highest priority, and the transfer data (transfer 1) having the large data size can be communicated in a communication vacant time of the transfer data (transfer 2) having the small data size.

[0033] Meanwhile, the type of the received data is identified in the data type identification unit 111 of the second electronic control unit 102 on the reception side. The identification code indicating the type of the data is added to the transfer data and is then transferred, and hence the reception side can determine the type of the received data based on this identification code.

[0034] When the transfer data (transfer 2) 304 having the small data size is received via the bus of the low-speed interfaces 120 and 116, the received data is input to the second transfer data frame analysis unit 118 via the second transfer data reception buffer 117, and is processed as a data frame of the second transfer data. Moreover, when the transfer data (transfer 1) 305 having the large data size is received via the bus of the low-speed interfaces 120 and 116, the divided data is restored through coupling of the data by the data coupling unit 112 based on the division information. The resultant data is input to the first transfer data frame analysis unit 108 via the first transfer data reception buffer 107, and is processed as the first transfer data frame.

[0035] As a result, the transfer data having the large data size can also be transferred easily via the low-speed interface 120 without interfering with the transfer of the data having the small data size.

[0036] <Case of Suspension of Transfer>

[0037] In the first embodiment, description has been given of the configuration in which the transfer data having the large data size is divided in advance and is successively transmitted based on the timing control, but when sequence control such as suspension and retransmission is available in the protocol of the physical interfaces, the following control may be executed. Specifically, the transfer of the transfer data (transfer 1) having the large data size is started without the division, the transfer of the transfer data (transfer 1) having the large data size is suspended at a start timing of the transfer of the transfer data (transfer 2) having the small data size, and the transfer of the transfer data (transfer 1) having the large data size is resumed at an end timing of the transfer of the transfer data (transfer 2) having the small data size. Also with this process, the transfer data having the large data size can be transferred easily via the low-speed interface 120 without interfering with the transfer of the data having the small data size.

Second Embodiment

[0038] <Transfer Timing and Transfer Flow: Case of Transfer of Division Information with Highest Priority>

[0039] In a second embodiment of this invention, a transfer timing chart is illustrated in FIG. 5, and a flowchart is illustrated in FIG. 6. The transfer timing chart and the flowchart are different from the transfer timing chart illustrated in FIG. 3 and the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 4 in the first embodiment in that the division information on the transfer 1 is added to only the first divided data. In the second embodiment, differences from the first embodiment are mainly described. Further, the same function and processing as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference symbols, and description thereof is omitted.

[0040] The data division unit 110 on the transmission side adds division information (transfer 1-A) indicating the size of the division, the number of the divisions, and the like to only the first divided data (transfer 1-A1) to transfer the division information (transfer 1-A). In this case, as a priority, the division information is most prioritized, and is transferred first (for example, prioritized over the data of the transfer 2) (Step 601). A data amount of the division information is small, and hence, even when the division information is prioritized over the communication of the transfer data (transfer 2) having the small data size, a wait time of the transfer 2 can be minimized. The division information is not added to the transfer data (transfer 1) having the large data size to be communicated subsequently, and only the divided data portion is transferred (Step 602). As a result, a band occupied by the transfer 1 can be suppressed. Meanwhile, the data coupling unit 112 on the reception side couples the transfer data (transfer 1) having the large data size based on the division information added to the first divided data, to thereby restore the data. The division information is transferred in advance, and hence the data coupling unit 112 can prepare for the coupling processing during the transfer of the divided data, and it is not required to add the division information to the subsequent divided data.

Third Embodiment

[0041] <Vehicle Control Device: Case without Provision of High-Speed Interface>

[0042] In a third embodiment of this invention, a configuration diagram of the vehicle control device and the in-vehicle network system is illustrated in FIG. 7. This configuration diagram is different from the configuration diagram of the vehicle control device and the in-vehicle network system in the first embodiment, which is illustrated in FIG. 1, in that the first transfer data physical interfaces 105, 106, and 119 and the accompanying first transfer data transmission buffer 104 do not exist. In the third embodiment, differences from the first embodiment are mainly described. Further, the same function and processing as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference symbols, and description thereof is omitted.

[0043] The first transfer data having the large data size is divided and is then transmitted and received via the low-speed interface 120. Thus, operation and control equivalent to those in the first embodiment can be provided even in an environment in which the high-speed interface 119 implemented by the first transfer data physical interfaces 105 and 106 is not provided.

Fourth Embodiment

[0044] <Transfer Flow: Case of Priority 1 and Priority 2>

[0045] In a fourth embodiment of this invention, a flowchart is illustrated in FIG. 8. This flowchart is different from the flowchart in the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 in that the transfer is not limited by the transfer 1, the transfer 2, and the frame size, and two types of transfer are defined as transfer of priority 1 and transfer of priority 2. In the fourth embodiment, differences from the first embodiment are mainly described. Further, the same function and processing as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference symbols, and description thereof is omitted.

[0046] When there exist transfer requests for both of the transfer 1 and the transfer 2 (“Yes” in Step 405), the transfer of the priority 1 is transferred preferentially (Step 807), and the size of the division and the number of divisions of the transfer of the priority 2 are controlled in consideration of the transfer cycle of the transfer of the priority 1, to thereby execute the transfer of the priority 2 (Step 808). As a result, as in the first embodiment, the data of the transfer 1 can be transferred via the low-speed interface 120 without interfering with the transfer 2, which is cyclically transferred. It should be noted that the priority of each transfer may be defined in advance to control each transfer in a fixed manner, or the priority of each transfer may be dynamically controlled while content or a period of the data to be transferred are defined.

[0047] In the above-mentioned embodiments, the example in which the two types of transfer data are transferred has been described, but also in a case in which three or more types of transfer data are transferred, an equivalent configuration and control can be provided. For example, in the case in which three or more types of transfer data are transferred, priority may be defined among the divided data.

[0048] Moreover, in FIG. 1 and FIG. 7, the timing control unit 109, the data division unit 110, the data type identification unit 111, and the data coupling unit 112 are illustrated as hardware components in the electronic control units 101 and 102, but the configuration is not limited to this example. An equivalent configuration and control can be provided even when those units are implemented by software as equivalent components or are configured in combination with software.

[0049] As described above, according to the embodiments of this invention, there is provided a vehicle control device, the vehicle control device being configured to transfer data through a first communication path for transferring data having a low priority and a second communication path for transferring data having a high priority, the second communication path having a transfer speed different from a transfer speed of the first communication path, wherein first transfer data transferable on the first communication path has a data size different from a data size of second transfer data transferrable on the second communication path, wherein the second communication path allows at least two types of transfer data to be transmitted and received thereon, and wherein, when the first transfer data is divided and is then transferred on the second communication path, the data is transferred by controlling at least one of a division size, the number of divisions, or a transfer timing of the first transfer data based on a timing cycle for transferring the second transfer data, a vacant time having no transfer, and a transfer time of the first transfer data on the second communication path. Thus, the first transfer data, which is usually transferred via the first transfer data physical interfaces 105 and 106, can be transmitted and received via the second transfer data physical interfaces 115 and 116 by controlling the number of divisions, the size, and the transfer timing of the first transfer data in accordance with the transmission/reception cycle of the second transfer data.

[0050] Moreover, the second communication path has a transfer speed lower than the transfer speed of the first communication path, and the first transfer data has a data size larger than or equal to the data size of the second transfer data. Thus, the number of divisions, the size, and the transfer timing of the frame having the large size can be controlled in accordance with the transmission/reception cycle of the frame having the small size, and the frame having the large size can consequently be transmitted and received through the low-speed interface 120.

[0051] Moreover, information for identifying a type of the data and information for identifying the number of divisions and a size of the data are added to the first transfer data, and then the first data is transferred on the second communication path. Thus, the division information is added to each piece of divided data, and consequently, the reception side can easily determine the attribute of the divided data.

[0052] Moreover, the second transfer data intended to be transferred on the second communication path is preferentially transferred on the second communication path in accordance with a priority defined in advance. Thus, the first transfer data can be transferred without interfering with the second transfer data intended to be transferred on the second communication path.

[0053] Moreover, information for identifying a type of the data and information for identifying the number of divisions and a size of the data are transferred only initially before the divided data. Thus, it is possible to suppress an increase in overhead caused by the transfer of the divided data.

[0054] Moreover, division information on the first transfer data is preferentially transferred on the second communication path in accordance with a priority defined in advance. Thus, the reception side can early acquire the information on the divided transfer data, and can quickly execute the processing of combining the divided data.

[0055] Further, when the first transfer data is divided and is then transferred on the second communication path, the transfer of the first transfer data is suspended, and the second transfer data is preferentially transferred based on a timing cycle for transferring the second transfer data. Thus, the processing executed by the timing control unit 109 can be lightened.

[0056] Further, after the prioritized transfer of the second transfer data is finished, a remaining part of the suspended first transfer data is transferred. Thus, the remaining part of the suspended first transfer data can be transferred without delay.

[0057] There is also provided a vehicle control device, the vehicle control device being configured to transfer data through a communication path for transferring data at a predetermined transfer speed, wherein first transfer data transferable on the communication path and another communication path has a data size larger than or equal to a data size of second transfer data transferrable on the communication path, wherein the communication path allows at least two types of transfer data including the first transfer data and the second transfer data to be transmitted and received thereon, and wherein, when the first transfer data is divided and is then transferred on the communication path, the data is transferred by controlling at least one of a division size, the number of divisions, or a transfer timing of the first transfer data based on a timing cycle for transferring the second transfer data, a vacant time having no transfer, and a transfer time of the first transfer data on the communication path. Thus, the two types of data can be transferred through one physical interface.

[0058] This invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments but includes various modifications. The above-described embodiments are explained in details for better understanding of this invention and are not limited to those including all the configurations described above. A part of the configuration of one embodiment may be replaced with that of another embodiment; the configuration of one embodiment may be incorporated to the configuration of another embodiment. A part of the configuration of each embodiment may be added, deleted, or replaced by that of a different configuration.

[0059] The above-described configurations, functions, processing modules, and processing means, for all or a part of them, may be implemented by hardware: for example, by designing an integrated circuit, and may be implemented by software, which means that a processor interprets and executes programs providing the functions.

[0060] The information of programs, tables, and files to implement the functions may be stored in a storage device such as a memory, a hard disk drive, or an SSD (a Solid State Drive), or a storage medium such as an IC card, or an SD card.

[0061] The drawings illustrate control lines and information lines as considered necessary for explanation but do not illustrate all control lines or information lines in the products. It can be considered that almost of all components are actually interconnected.