DE102007043707A1 - Communication system for data transmission between control devices of motor vehicle, has FlexRay bus system transmitting data frames between network nodes, where user data are packed in frames which are transmitted relative to attribute - Google Patents

Abstract

The system has a FlexRaybus system (FRB) transmitting FlexRaydata frames between FlexRaynetwork nodes (FR1-FR3). Each FlexRayattribute e.g. addressing information, is associated to the frames. The nodes are arranged such that user data and Internet protocol (IP) addresses are provided by a transport layer e.g. transmission control protocol (TCP) layer, and are delivered to an adaption layer (AL) by an IP-communication interface (IPS). The user data are packed in the frames which are transmitted corresponding to the attribute over the FRB.

Description

The The invention relates to a communication system with a Flex-Ray bus system.

to data transfer between motor vehicle control units At present, the so-called Flex-Ray standard is being established a predetermined protocol specification is described.

Flex-Ray should the raised Requirements of future Fulfill networking in the vehicle, especially higher Data transfer rate Real-time capability and reliability. However, the current focus is on priority the higher one Data rate, which is due to the continuous increase of distributed applications, For example, driver assistance systems in premium vehicles today necessary is.

Around a Flex-Ray network node, e.g. As a controller to operate on a Flex-Ray bus, are usually used two components: the bus transceiver and the communication controller.

Of the Bus Transceiver establishes the direct connection to the data line: On the one hand, he writes the logical information that is sent should, in the form of voltage pulses on the bus; on the other hand reads he sent out the signals sent by other subscribers on the bus become. This layer is called Physical Physical Layer or Physical Layer called. Furthermore Flex-Ray still includes the bus protocol. The bus protocol regulates how a network starts, how a bus clock is established and which ECUs at which time to send.

Of the Communication Controller implements the bus protocol in each ECU, for example he packs the items to be transferred Information in a data packet and passes this data packet to the right one Time for transmission to the bus transceiver

The Internet Protocol (IP) is a widely used in computer networks Network protocol. It is a (or the) implementation of the Internet layer of the TCP / IP Reference Model or Network Layer the OSI reference model. IP is the first of the transmission medium independent Layer of internet protocol family. An IP address (Internet Protocol address) is used for unique addressing of computers and other devices in one IP network.

Of the The invention is based on the object, a flexible communication system specify.

These The object is solved by the features of the independent claim. advantageous Further developments of the invention are the dependent claims remove.

One inventive communication system includes a Flex-Ray bus system via which Flex-Ray data frames are transmitted between Flex-Ray network nodes. The Flex-Ray data frame in each case at least one Flex-Ray attribute is assigned.

At least a Flex-Ray network node is set up by a first communication layer user data and an IP address provided be over passed an IP communication interface to a second communication layer be that the second communication layer, the IP address, in particular according to a given mapping table, converted into a Flex-Ray attribute and that the user data into a Flex-Ray data frame in the dynamic and / or static part of the Flex-Ray protocol, according to the Flex-Ray attribute over the Transfer Flex-Ray bus system becomes.

The first communication layer advantageously comprises one, in particular known per se, transport layer, for example, according to a Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and / or a user datagram Protocol (UDP). Communication applications can be part of the first communication layer be or part of another, in the sense of communication technology over the be the first communication layer lying communication layer.

The IP communication interface allows transfer of data, in particular payload data and an IP address, from the first communication layer to the second communication layer in a given format. Advantageously, this corresponds the given format known formats, so that in the context the invention, the first communication layer on a per se known transport layer and / or a known per se applications can be based. This makes the compatibility of the invention with itself known transport layers (TCP, UDP, etc.) and / or known per se Applications guaranteed. For example, the IP communication interface may be to a socket interface or a kernel module for the internal system communication between TCP and IP layer act.

For example, a Flex-Ray attribute includes addressing information, a Flex-Ray frame ID (Flex-Ray slot number), a Flex-Ray cycle counter (Flex-Ray slot number). and / or a Flex-Ray channel number, etc., or is determined thereby.

Thereby This data is obtained from a variety of known Hardware engineering or program equipment, in particular from a known first communication layer, for example based on a TCP protocol or a UDP protocol, can emerge over one proven, especially for Automotive vehicle environment proven and suitable to transfer bus system can be. It can so the benefits of IP technology with the advantages of Flex-Ray technology be combined. Overall, it will be a stable, reliable, flexible, powerful and economically feasible communication system, in particular for a motor vehicle, created. proven and known per se hardware and program IP solutions can be simple and economically in a motor vehicle to be integrated.

It can in addition to the inventively furnished Flex-Ray network nodes, of course, too conventional Flex-Ray network nodes are provided by the no IP data packet packed in Flex-Ray data frames.

Next The IP address can be at least one more IP attribute, such as a sender address, a data type, a packet type, a port number and / or prioritization information, etc. in or at least another Flex-Ray attribute will be implemented.

Especially flexible is a communication system that uses an IP network and a Flex-Ray bus system includes, the IP network through a router coupled to the Flex-Ray bus system.

Of the Router is preferably set up such that the user data be extracted from a received Flex-Ray data frame and in an IP data packet that the Flex-Ray attribute of the received Flex-Ray data frame, in particular according to the given mapping table, is converted into an IP address, and that the IP data packet to a IP network node is transmitted with the IP address. This is advantageously the IP address also packed in the IP data packet to one Addressing ZieI-IP network nodes.

Thereby can by an IP application or an IP transport layer (TCP, UDP, etc.) provided data efficiently via a Flex-Ray bus system transmitted to IP network nodes become.

Corresponding is for the other direction of communication of the router preferably such set up the payload from a received IP data packet be extracted and packed into a Flex-Ray data frame, that the IP address of the received IP data packet, in particular according to the given Mapping table, is implemented in a Flex-Ray attribute, and that the Flex-Ray data frame according to the Flex-Ray attribute over the Transfer Flex-Ray bus system becomes.

Thereby can efficiently provide data provided by an IP hub Flex-Ray bus system to be transmitted to a Flex-Ray network node.

Of the Receiving Flex-Ray network nodes is then advantageously such set up the payload of a received Flex-Ray data frame The Flex-Ray data frame will be extracted by a second Communication layer a Flex-Ray attribute of the received Flex-Ray data frame, in particular according to the given Mapping table, is converted into an IP address, which with the extracted user data via passed an IP communication interface to a first communication layer becomes.

Especially preferred is a communication system in which at least one IP network node of IP network is set up so that in an IP data packet a Flex-Ray attribute is packed, and in which the router is set up so that the User data of the IP data packet (after receiving the IP data packet) completely or partially packed in a Flex-Ray data frame, the according to the Flex-Ray attribute, that read from the IP data packet will, over the Flex-Ray bus system is transmitted to the intended Flex-Ray network node.

Within the scope of the invention, an IP data packet comprises data packets which are formed in accordance with the Internet Protocol, but also data packets which are derived from such an Internet Protocol-compliant data packet or are formed on the basis of such data packets in accordance with the Internet Protocol, such as for example, an Ethernet packet. For example, within the scope of the invention, an IP data packet also comprises data packets which are formed in accordance with the Internet Protocol but which comprise further data or parts of data packets which are formed in accordance with the Internet Protocol. Likewise, in the context of the invention, the term "IP data packet" comprises data packets which emerge directly or indirectly from an Internet protocol layer. As a rule, the IP data packet comprises an IP address or destination address. For example, if the IP data packet to be transmitted by means of a Flex-Ray data frame is larger than the payload portion of the Flex-Ray data frame, the IP data packet can be segmented into multiple parts; The individual segments are then reassembled, for example, at the receiver (router or network node) to form a complete IP data packet.

in the The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to FIG closer to the following figures explains:

1 shows a simplified representation of a communication system;

2 shows a simplified protocol layer representation;

3 shows a data transfer from a first communication layer to a second communication layer via an IP communication interface.

1 shows a communication system comprising a Flex-Ray bus system FRB and an IP network IPN, which are coupled together by a router R.

The Flex-Ray bus system FRB connects a plurality of Flex-Ray network nodes FR1, FR2, FR3 together.

Within of the IP network IPN are multiple IP network nodes IP1, IP2, IP3 via a IP switch connected together.

The IP network nodes IP1, IP2, IP3 and / or the Flex-Ray network nodes FR1, FR2, FR3 can each comprise a motor vehicle control unit (not shown) or be coupled with it.

Around Data between the network nodes with each other and / or with the router To exchange, is on the network node a communication protocol installed, which is divided into different layers.

at the Flex-Ray network node FR1, FR2, FR3, the lowest layer (physical layer) is formed through the Flex-Ray specification or the appropriate layer of the Flex-Ray protocol.

The about that lying network layer ("second Communication layer ") includes a conversion layer AL (adaptation layer), by which Flex-Ray attributes in IP attributes, especially in an IP address to be implemented and vice versa.

Above lies as transport layer ("first communication layer") for example the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) or the User Datagram Protocol (UDP). About that Different applications are implemented in the application layer.

Between the conversion layer AL and the transport layer is an IP communication interface IPS, about which through the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) or the user Datagram Protocol (UDP) in a specific for these protocols Format provided data, in particular user data and an IP address, to the network layer ("second Communication layer "), in particular conversion layer AL, are passed.

By The applications are generated data and in a defined form the transport layer passed. Through the transport layer these are Data supplemented in particular by tax data and in a defined form (User data and IP address) via the IP communication interface IPS to the network layer passed. Through the network layer, in particular the conversion layer AL, the IP address is translated into at least one Flex-Ray attribute, and the payload is passed to the Flex-Ray layer. If the payload greater than is the payload portion of the Flex-Ray data frame becomes a Segmentation of the user data in several parts performed. In the Flex-Ray layer, the payload for physical bit transmission over the Flex-Ray data bus into a Flex-Ray data frame with defined Format packed. This Flex-Ray data frame will then according to the the IP address based FlexRay attribute over the Transfer Flex-Ray bus system. This process can be for the reception of data by a Flex-Ray network node FR1, FR2, FR3 proceed in the opposite direction.

at the IP network node IP1, IP2, IP3 is the lowest layer (physical layer) formed by the Ethernet protocol or the corresponding layer of the Ethernet protocol. About that is the network layer, the IP (Internet Protocol) layer. Above lies as transport layer, for example, the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) or the User Datagram Protocol (UDP). About it are in the application layer realized various applications.

As already described above, are also at the IP network node IP1, IP2, IP3 generated by the applications data and in defined Form passed to the transport layer. Through the transport layer these data are supplemented in particular by tax data and passed on in a defined form to the network layer. By the network layer, the data in particular to control data further added Packed in IP data packets and passed to the Ethernet layer. There are the IP data packets for physical bit transmission over the Ethernet packed into an Ethernet data frame. This process can for the Reception of data by an IP network node again in reverse Proceed in the direction.

The Implementation of the Flex-Ray data packets in IP data packets and / or Ethernet data packets and vice versa done in the router R. Also, the implementation of IP addresses in Ethernet addresses and vice versa done in the router R. Likewise If necessary, IP attributes are converted into FlexRay attributes by the router and / or vice versa.

In 2 By way of example, a Flex-Ray network node FRK and an IP network node IPK with the associated protocol layers are shown, which are coupled to one another by a router R.

In the conversion layer AL is based on an allocation table an IP address in a corresponding Flex-Ray attribute, especially one corresponding frame ID, a corresponding cycle counter and / or a corresponding channel number of the Flex-Ray communication cycle, implemented. According to this Flex-Ray attribute then the Flex-Ray data frame, in the those belonging to the IP address User data is packed over transmit the Flex-Ray bus system.

For example All user data sent to an IP network node with the IP address XXX within a data frame in the second time window of the Flex-Ray communication cycle via the Flex-Ray bus system. As a result, the IP address no longer needs to be explicit with the user data or the Flex-Ray data frame but is implicitly coded in the number of the time window. The router then sets in a conversion unit UE automatically the Flex-Ray attribute "second Time window "in the IP attribute "IP address XXX "um and addressed the payload that it receives from the Flex-Ray data frame in the second time window takes, as part of an IP data packet automatically to the IP network node with the IP address XXX. This procedure can be analogous in the reverse direction expire.

3 shows again in detail the transfer of data from the first communication layer TCP / UDP to the second communication layer AL via an IP communication interface IPS. In this case, in addition to the user data and the IP address, further parameters are transferred to the conversion layer AL. The IP address and optionally the further parameters are translated in the conversion layer AL into at least one Flex-Ray attribute. The payload data, if appropriate, in addition to further data, is packed in whole or in part in a Flex-Ray data frame, which is finally transmitted in accordance with the at least one Flex-Ray attribute via the Flex-Ray data bus system. Moreover, in the 3 in addition to the just described transmission direction and the receiving direction shown. The steps just described for the transmission direction run in the reverse order accordingly.

Claims (6)

communication system - with a Flex-Ray bus system (FRB), about which Flex-Ray data frame between Flex-Ray network nodes (FR1, FR2, FR3), - in which each assigned a Flex-Ray attribute to the Flex-Ray data frame is and - at the at least one Flex-Ray network node (FR1, FR2, FR3) is set up in this way is that by a first communication layer user data and an IP address be provided over an IP communication interface (IPS) to a second communication layer (AL) are passed, that by the second communication layer (AL) the IP address is converted into a Flex-Ray attribute, and that the payload are packed into a Flex-Ray data frame, which corresponds to the Flex-Ray attribute over transmit the Flex-Ray bus system (FRB) becomes. Communication system according to claim 1 - with a IP network (IPN), and - With a router (R) by which the IP network (IPN) is coupled to the Flex-Ray bus system (FRB). Communication system according to one of the preceding claims - in which the router (R) is set up in such a way - that the payload from a received Flex-Ray data frames are extracted and into an IP data packet be packed - that the Flex-Ray attribute of the received Flex-Ray data frame into a IP address is implemented, and - that the IP data packet to an IP network node is transmitted with the IP address. Communication system according to one of the preceding claims - in which the router (R) is set up in such a way - that the payload from a received IP data packet and into a Flex-Ray data frame be packed - that converted the IP address of the received IP data packet into a Flex-Ray attribute will, and - that the Flex-Ray data frame corresponding to the Flex-Ray attribute over the Flex-Ray Bus System (FRB) becomes. Communication system according to one of the preceding claims - in which at least one Flex-Ray network node (FR1, FR2, FR3) is set up in such a way that - That the payload of a received Flex-Ray data frame are extracted from the Flex-Ray data frame, - that is converted by a second communication layer, a Flex-Ray attribute of the received Flex-Ray data frame in an IP address, which with the extracted user data is transferred via an IP communication interface to a first communication layer. Communication system according to one of the preceding claims at the at least one IP network node (IP1, IP2, IP3) of the IP network (IPN) is set up so that in an IP data packet a Flex-Ray attribute is packed, and where the router is set up that the payload of the IP data packet are packed in a Flex-Ray data frame, which according to the Flex-Ray attribute on the Flex-Ray Bus System (FRB) becomes.