Node-based scheduling method for easy migration from CAN to FlexRay in in-vehicle networking systems

As vehicles become more intelligent, in-vehicle networking (IVN) systems such as controller area network (CAN) are essential for the convenience and safety of drivers. To expand the applicability of IVN systems, attention is currently being focused on chassis networking systems that require increased network capacity and real-time capabilities. FlexRay was developed to replace CAN protocol in chassis networking systems, to remedy the shortage of transmission capacity and unsatisfactory real-time transmission delay of conventional CAN. However, FlexRay network systems require a complex scheduling method, which is a barrier to their implementation as chassis networking systems. In particular, if we want to migrate from a CAN network to a FlexRay network using the well-defined CAN message database, which has been specifically constructed for chassis networking systems by automotive vendors, a new type of scheduling method is necessary to reduce scheduling efforts during the software development process. This paper presents a node-based scheduling method for easy migration from a CAN network to a FlexRay network system. To demonstrate the feasibility of the technique, its performance is evaluated in terms of various software complexity indices.     

汽车ECU通讯新平台——FLexRay(V2.1)协议规范

FlexRay是基于时间触发的车载网络通讯协议,由FlexRay共同体组织编写。本文简单介绍车载网络,详细阐述FlexRay(V2.1)协议规范。     

Schedule construction under precedence constraints in flexray in-vehicle networks

As embedded time-triggered applications have widely replaced mechanical systems in modern automobiles, holistic scheduling of tasks and messages of such applications on in-vehicle networks has become a critical issue. For offering QoS (Quality of Service) guarantees, the holistic schedule must satisfy numerous constraints such as protocol specifications, delay constraints and precedence constraints between tasks schedules and messages transmissions. Existing approaches to this problem search through a vast design space of all possible joint task and message schedules. This leads to a high complexity and limits the scalability of such approaches for scheduling the large scale systems. To cope with this problem, we propose an approach that divides the holistic scheduling problem to two sub-problems: the sub-problem of message scheduling and the sub-problem of task scheduling, while precedence relations and end-to-end information passing between task instances and messages are preserved and the end-to-end deadlines are guaranteed. This helps to reduce the workload on the problem solvers and improves efficiency and scalability. In the first sub-problem, our approach optimizes scheduling the set of messages and allocates time windows for scheduling each task with respect to precedence constraints, end-to-end deadlines and FlexRay protocol specifications. The length of each time window helps to preserve the respective tasks schedulability and to provide flexibility for both task and message scheduling. The objective is defined with respect to extensibility issues. In the second sub-problem, our approach optimizes schedule of the set of tasks with respect to their allocated time windows and timing constraints. The objective is defined with respect to latency issues. We optimize the solution to each sub-problem using Mixed Integer Linear Programming optimization framework. Performance evaluations show that, compared with existing holistic scheduling approaches, our approach is more scalable and obtains better solutions in a reasonable amount of time.     

汽车FlexRay总线动态段时长及消息窗口优化

为解决FlexRay网络利用率的问题,对FlexRay动态段进行了研究。在基于最小时间片的FlexRay动态段研究的基础上,进行系统建模,对动态段时长进行优化配置,并提出以最大网络利用率为基础的动态消息调度算法。以CANoe为仿真平台对优化方法进行验证,结果表明该优化方法能够有效的提高动态网络利用率。     

Design framework for FlexRay network parameter optimization

Because the FlexRay protocol has more than 70 configuration parameters and these parameters correlate with each other, designing a FlexRay network is a complex and difficult task. In this study, we propose a design framework that optimizes the two main FlexRay network parameters that are highly relevant to the application algorithm. The design process is composed of two steps for optimizing parameters. In the first step, the static slot length is optimized using a frame-packing algorithm. This algorithm binds network signals into static frames based on their periods and signal groups. In the second step, the communication cycle length is optimally designed with frame-scheduling algorithm and worst-case reponse time analysis. Based on the frame-scheduling algorithm, the response times are analyzed. The proposed design framework was applied to a unified chassis control system as a case study, and the analytical results were verified.     

基于AUTOSAR标准的网络管理协议的设计

汽车开放架构标准AUTOSAR为不同的汽车解决方案提供了统一的平台,降低了汽车制造商整合的成本。AUTOSAR平台中的网络管理标准,为汽车车载总线网络管理管理协议的开发提供了标准与规范。本文设计了一套符合AUTOSAR网络管理标准的基于CAN总线网络管理协议。并将其应用于实际的车载网络中,实现了各节点同步休眠与状态检测。经过仿真分析,验证了该协议具有较高的实时性,可以保证车载总线可靠、安全地通信。相较于OSEK网络管理机制AUTOSAR网络管理控制算法简单,软硬件开销小,同时实时性较高,可以满足CAN总线以及FlexRay总线在内的多种车载总线的需求。     

Approximate optimal AUTOSAR software components deploying approach for automotive E/E system

The AUTOSAR has been developed as the worldwide standard for automotive E/E software systems, making the electronic components of different suppliers to be employed universally. However, as the number of component-based applications in modern automotive embedded systems grows rapidly and the hardware topology becomes increasingly complex, deploying such large number of components in automotive distributed system in manual way is over-dependent on experience of engineers which in turn is time consuming. Furthermore, the resource limitation and scheduling analysis make the problems more complex for developers to find out an approximate optimal deploying approach in system integration. In this paper, we propose a novel method to deploy the AUTOSAR components onto ECUs with the following features. First, a clustering algorithm is designed for deploying components automatically within relatively low time complexity. Second, a fitness function is designed to balance the ECUs load. The goal of our approach is to minimize the communication cost over all the runnable entities while meeting all corresponding timing constraints and balancing all the ECUs load. The experiment results show that our approach is efficient and has well performance by comparing with other existing methods in specific and synthetic data set.     

基于CANoe的混合动力电动车TTCAN建模与仿真

针对混合动力电动车控制器网络的特点,使用对独占窗和仲裁窗分别调度的系统矩阵设计方法设计了时间触发CAN总线(TTCAN)协议。在对网络仿真系统CANoe进行二次开发、增加应用层和会话层模型的基础上,对所设计协议进行了仿真分析,并利用实车试验对仿真结果进行验证。结果表明:周期型信息实时性好、抖动小;事件型信息的实时性受仲裁窗调度的影响较大。     

OSEK网络管理规范在FlexRay总线中的研究与实现

网络管理能保证车载网络的安全性和可靠性。通过分析OSEK网络管理规范及FlexRay总线的特点,提出在FlexRay总线通信周期动态段中实现OSEK网络管理的方案,给出了FlexRay总线网络管理协议数据单元的定义,分析和研究了FlexRay总线的OSEK网络管理过程及网络管理消息在动态段中延迟发送问题。最后在自行设计的实验平台上进行了实验,验证了本方案的可行性。     

Expanding transmission capacity of can systems using dual communication channels with kalman prediction

The controller area network (CAN) protocol is widely used for in-vehicle network (IVN) systems, and many automotive companies also use the CAN in chassis network systems. However, the increasing number of electronic control units (ECUs) dictated by the need for more intelligent and fuel-efficient functions requires an IVN system with a greater transmission capacity and less network delay. Automotive companies have tried several approaches such as segmenting CAN systems and developing time-triggered protocols. This paper presents a practical method for increasing the transmission capacity and reducing the network delay in CAN systems using dual communication channels with a traffic-balancing algorithm based on Kalman prediction to forecast the traffic on each channel and allocate frames to the one that is most appropriate. An experimental testbed using commercial microcontrollers with two or more CAN protocol controllers was used to demonstrate the feasibility of the Kalman traffic-balancing algorithm. Experimental results show that the traffic-balancing CAN system with Kalman prediction reduced the transmission delay of all priority messages compared to that of a simple method, such as a channel-switching CAN, without sacrificing the performance for high-priority messages.     

Mixed Harmonic Runnable Scheduling for Automotive Software on Multi-Core Processors

The performance of automotive electronic control units (ECUs) has improved following the development of multi-core processors. These processors facilitate fast computing performance without increasing clock speed. System developers partition automotive application runnables to have parallelizability and avoid interference between various software modules. To improve the performance of such systems, an efficient scheduler is necessary. In this regard, for multi-core ECUs, the automotive open system architecture (AUTOSAR) suggests partitioned static priority scheduling for parallelized software. In the AUTOSAR approach, clustering and partitioning of runnables for specific cores becomes difficult, but there is no exact criterion followed for partitioning the runnables. Consequently, cores are not balanced against loads, and under contingency conditions, there is a chance that tasks will miss deadlines. In this study, we address this problem by exploring a mixed harmonic runnable scheduling algorithm that includes partitioned scheduling. We tested this algorithm using high load conditions under contingency consequences, and we evaluated it using models of periodic runnables, periodic interrupts, and event-triggered interrupts. The performance parameters considered in this paper are balancing performance and the deadline missing rate. Our results indicate that the proposed algorithm can contribute toward improving the functional safety of vehicles.     

Heuristic resource allocation and scheduling method for distributed automotive control systems

This paper presents a heuristic resource allocation and scheduling method, which is based on an integrated architecture that enables multiple missions to be embedded in a single electronic control unit (ECU) and a single mission to be distributed over multiple ECUs. The proposed design method is composed of resource(e.g. task and message) allocation, scheduling, and attribute assignments. From a given target application’s task graph, the method generates a scheduling table specifying the release, start, and completion timings of tasks and messages. After that, all relevant attributes(e.g. priority of tasks and messages) are automatically assigned. In order to guarantee the functional and temporal requirements of target applications, design constraints such as the worst case response time, deadline, precedence relations, and physical limitations are concurrently considered. A chassis control system consisting of electronic stability control, an electro-mechanical brake, continuous damping control, and electronic air suspension is employed for evaluating the proposed method. The conventional chassis control system which is composed of seven ECUs was redesigned by only four ECUs without the degradation of control performance. Consequently, it is expected that the development time and production cost of distributed automotive control systems can be significantly reduced by the proposed design method.     

基于AT91RM9200的嵌入式线控转向技术

介绍了FlexRay总线技术的发展及其协议特点,详细论述了基于AT91RM9200的线控转向系统的设计。整个系统以ARM为核心,采用Freescale公司的MFR4200通信控制器和菲利浦公司的SJA1080总线驱动器构成转向盘节点和转向器节点,两节点之间通过FlexRay总线通信,并且给出了相关的系统硬件连接和软件流程图。整个系统集成度高,为汽车线控技术的总成奠定了基础。     

循环取货模式下入库道口车辆调度问题研究

在对汽车零部件物流循环取货模式及车辆调度问题分析的基础上,建立了零部件循环取货入库道口车辆调度问题的数学模型。在此基础上,用遗传算法对调度参数进行了优化。最后,通过实例计算验证了所设计的模型和算法的有效性和良好寻优性。     

Integrated approach to an optimal automotive timing chain system design

Ensuring engine efficiency is a crucial issue for automotive manufacturers. Several manufacturers focus on reducing the time taken to develop and introduce brand new vehicles to the market. Thus, a synergic approach including various simulations is generally adopted to achieve a development schedule and to reduce the cost of physical tests. This study involved proposing a design process that is very useful in the preliminary development stage through effective support from simulations. This type of simulation-based design process is effective in developing timing chain drives; the use of this process, based on results from multiple trials, showed improvements in performance including low friction and vibration, improved durability, and cost-effective part design when compared to conventional processes. This study proposes an integrated approach to the preliminary design of an automotive timing chain system. The approach involves structural and dynamic analyses. The details of the design process are described by using the case of a virtual engine. This study conducted and summarized a dynamic and structural analysis as well as topological optimization to describe a process to obtain optimal results. The results of this study indicated the following improvements in overall performance factors: 12.1 % improvement in transmission error, 10.1 % reduction in chain tension, 46 % reduction in tensioner arm weight, and 11 % reduction in transversal displacement.     

TTCAN调度算法及其在汽车控制系统中的应用

TTCAN协议是一种新的基于时间触发机制的CAN高层协议。针对周期性信号的特点,提出了基于平均数目分析的静态调度算法;针对非周期信号的随机性,为了避免信号的死锁提出了基于信号截止期的优先级提升动态调度算法。最后以汽车自动控制系统为背景进行了调度分析,与IEC／ISA相比既满足了信号的实时传输,又提高了网络资源的利用率。     

Innovative design optimization strategy for the automotive industry

In order to effectively solve modern automotive design problems including the results of nonlinear FEA and multi-body dynamics, a progressive meta-model based design optimization is presented. To reduce the number of initial sample points, two sampling methods are introduced. Then, for efficient and stable construction of meta-models, three metamodel methods are newly introduced which are numerically based on the singular value decomposition technique. To design a practical system considering manufacturing tolerances and optimizing multiple performances, a robust design optimization, 6-sigma constraints and multi-objective strategies are implemented when solving the approximate optimization problem constructed from the meta-models. Until the convergence criteria are satisfied, the initially developed meta-models are progressively improved by adding only one point that minimizes the approximate Lagrangian in the consecutive optimization iterations. Finally, one validation sample and four automotive applications are solved to show the effectiveness of the proposed approach.     

汽车离合器摩擦片数量选择及其参数优化设计

本文从理论计算上阐述了如何就汽车离合器的几种不同功能因素；转矩容量、滑磨功及摩擦片强度等几个方面来选择摩擦片数目的方法，并在此基础上提出了建立数学模型进行优化设计，选取参数的另一种方法。     

基于EMD和AR模型的汽车变速器齿轮故障诊断方法

提出了基于EMD和AR模型的汽车变速器齿轮故障诊断方法。该方法采用EMD将齿轮振动信号分解成若干个平稳的IMF分量,对每一个IMF分量建立AR模型,以模型的自回归参数和残差的方差作为特征向量建立Mahalanobis。距离判别函数,进而识别齿轮的工作状态。实验分析表明,该方法能有效地应用于变速器齿轮的故障诊断。     

Adaptive Ride Control In Active Suspension Systems

The paper describes the development of an adaptive control algorithm for active suspension systems based on optimal regulation methods. The objective is to design an algorithm which will automatically tune at start-up to changed vehicle conditions and adaptively re-tune to changes in driving conditions (in particular road generated disturbances). The proposed algorithm is a self-tuning regulator based on generalised minimum variance (GMV) control. Simulation results obtained for a 3 degree-of-freedom (DOF) quarter car suspension demonstrate potential benefits of fully adaptive control in automotive suspensions.