DE102022207475A1 - Circuit arrangement for communication interfaces and/or ignition interfaces within a vehicle for outputting a central wake-up or go-to-sleep signal - Google Patents

Abstract

What is proposed is a circuit arrangement for communication interfaces and/or ignition interfaces within a vehicle, which is set up to output wake-up and/or go-to-sleep signals to predetermined components, comprising at least one generation unit for generating a first wake-up or Go-to-sleep signals, as well as a circuit per unit to which the first wake-up or go-to-sleep signal is transmitted. Each of the circuits is designed to process the first wake-up or go-to-sleep signal such that a predetermined threshold voltage, which indicates whether the components should be placed in an operating mode or a sleep mode, is determined. Furthermore, an output unit is provided to which a predetermined battery voltage is applied and which is set up to output a second wake-up or go-to-sleep signal to the components depending on the threshold voltage determined in the circuits. The output unit outputs the second wake-up or go-to-sleep signal in the form of the battery voltage applied to it, which puts the components into a wake-up or go-to-sleep mode.

Description

The present invention relates to a circuit arrangement for communication interfaces and/or ignition interfaces within a vehicle for outputting a central wake-up or go-to-sleep signal, in particular for various power supplies of a control unit.

Many controls in the vehicle have a sleep mode in which they only consume low power. This mode is used to protect the vehicle battery. The controls are usually brought from rest mode to operating mode using a communication interface such as CAN, Ethernet, etc. via the vehicle bus and/or using terminal 15 (KL15=ignition). The operating mode is activated by connecting the vehicle's battery voltage via a wake-up capable communication interface or KL15 to the wake input of the system base chip of the controller. The system base chip, in turn, generates the supply voltages for most of the electronic components of the control.

Modern vehicle controls also often have electronic circuits that are powered independently of the system base chip, for example to provide an emergency function for the transmission control if the system base chip fails or to ensure the power supply to sensors. These independent circuits (voltage supplies, drivers) also have a rest and operating mode, the change of which must be addressed via the communication interface or terminal 15 in a similar way to the system base chip.

The wake-up signals from the communication interfaces as well as the KL15 signals are currently routed in parallel to the system base chip and the independent circuits. The problem is that the independent circuits usually have different activation/deactivation thresholds compared to the system base chip. This results in different voltage ranges for the independent circuits with regard to the communication interfaces and terminal 15 for switching between sleep and operating modes compared to the system base chip. It is therefore possible that some parts of the circuit are active and some parts of the circuit are inactive. This is undesirable because the control unit is in a permanent undefined state.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved circuit arrangement for communication interfaces and/or ignition interface within a vehicle, which enables improved switching between idle and operating modes. This object is achieved according to the invention by the features of the independent patent claims. Advantageous refinements are the subject of the dependent claims.

What is proposed is a circuit arrangement for communication interfaces and/or ignition interfaces within a vehicle, which is set up to output wake-up and/or go-to-sleep signals to predetermined components, comprising at least one generation unit for generating a first wake-up or Go-to-sleep signals, as well as a circuit per unit to which the first wake-up or go-to-sleep signal is transmitted. Each of the circuits is designed to process the first wake-up or go-to-sleep signal such that a predetermined threshold voltage, which indicates whether the components should be placed in an operating mode or a sleep mode, is determined. Furthermore, an output unit is provided to which a predetermined battery voltage is applied and which is set up to output a second wake-up or go-to-sleep signal to the components depending on the threshold voltage determined in the circuits. The output unit outputs the second wake-up or go-to-sleep signal in the form of the battery voltage applied to it, which puts the components into a wake-up or go-to-sleep mode.

By providing the additional circuits in which the first wake-up or go-to-sleep signal is processed, and the output unit in which, depending on the threshold voltage evaluated in the circuits, a wake-up signal is sent by switching the battery voltage through the output of the output unit, also known as the wake buffer, or a go-to-sleep signal is transmitted to the subsequent components, it can be achieved that the components synchronously switch to operating or sleep mode. Due to the fact that each generation unit has its own circuit, there are no interactions between the individual wake sources, i.e. the generation units.

In one embodiment, when the predetermined threshold voltage is exceeded, a wake-up signal is sent to the components, and when the threshold voltage falls below, a go-to-sleep signal is sent to the components. The threshold voltage depends on the circuit and application, ie in particular the battery voltage used and the respective customer requirements.

In one embodiment, the output unit has at least one transistor and a pull-down structure, the transistor being switched into a conductive state by the threshold voltage, in which the battery voltage is passed to the components as a second wake-up signal, or into a non-conducting state in which no voltage is passed to the components via the pull-down structure as a second go-to-sleep signal.

In one embodiment, if the threshold voltage determined in one of the circuits is above a respective, predetermined threshold value, the transistor associated with the circuit is put into a conductive state, and the output unit outputs the second wake-up signal, through which the components be put into an operating mode. If all threshold voltages determined in the circuits are below a respective predetermined threshold value, each transistor (of the circuits) is put into a non-conducting state and the output unit outputs the second wake-up signal as a go-to-sleep signal which puts the components into sleep mode.

This logical OR operation puts the components into an operating mode as soon as one of the circuits outputs a corresponding signal to the output unit. Since the output of the output unit is advantageously provided with a pull-down resistor, 0V is output when the output unit is not active. This is the case when all circuits, i.e. their evaluation units, signal go-to-sleep.

In one embodiment, a first circuit is formed as a CAN interface, and/or a second circuit is formed as an Ethernet interface, and/or a third circuit is formed as a terminal 15 interface.

In one embodiment, the components have different voltage thresholds from one another in order to enter the operating mode (wake-up mode) or sleep mode (go-to-sleep mode). Due to the processing in the circuits associated with the generation units (wake sources) and the actual switching on by the output unit (wake buffer), which serves as a switch, the components do not have to be designed for different threshold voltages. This means that there are no longer any intermediate states that lead to undefined states in the control unit. If there are such intermediate states, for example when the battery voltage is already falling, they are already present in front of the output unit, are processed in the circuits (more precisely, evaluation units of the respective interfaces) and may lead to the output unit switching or not switching, but no longer lead to undefined states for the overall control unit with regard to the individual supply components.

In one embodiment, the components consist of a system base chip and independent components.

In addition, the circuit arrangement is intended to be used in a transmission control or an inverter of a vehicle, comprising a car (passenger car) or a commercial vehicle (commercial vehicle), in particular a truck (lorry).

Furthermore, a transmission control of a vehicle or inverter of a vehicle is provided, having the proposed circuit arrangement.

Further features and advantages of the invention result from the following description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, based on the figures of the drawing, which show details of the invention, and from the claims. The individual features can be implemented individually or in groups in any combination in a variant of the invention.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawing.

1 shows an abstracted representation of a circuit arrangement according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In 1 a circuit arrangement for communication interfaces C1, C2 and/or ignition interfaces KL15 within a vehicle 100 is shown, through which a representation of a central wake-up/go-to-sleep function (wake buffer, hereinafter also referred to as output unit 200) is shown. from different sources such as communication interfaces C1, C2, in particular CAN and/or Ethernet, and/or terminal 15 KL15, i.e. the ignition interface, for the system base chip as well as electronic circuits independent of the system base chip.

A voltage source (vehicle battery) is provided within the vehicle 100, which serves to supply a wide variety of components 1-4, which are electrical consumers. These components 1-4 can be the system base chip or other electronic circuits. Depending on the application, other/additional components 1-4 are also provided here.

In order to put components 1-4 into an operating state, i.e. to wake them up (using a wake-up signal), or to put them into sleep mode (using a go-to-sleep signal), a corresponding signal must first be generated 1 referred to as WAKE1. This signal WAKE1 can be output by generation units, i.e. the ignition interface KL15 (i.e. terminal 15) or by other communication interfaces C1, C2 such as CAN or Ethernet. Depending on the application, only one interface is used for signal output. However, several interfaces can also output the WAKE1 signal, for example for different component groups. The WAKE1 signal is usually just a switching signal and is not used to supply power to components 1-4. These are usually powered by a vehicle battery. If the battery voltage V_Bat is present as a switching signal, components 1-4 are active, i.e. in an operating state. If there is no battery voltage V_Bat, i.e. 0V, components 1-4 are in a rest state. A pull-down structure at the output of the output unit 200 (wake buffer) advantageously ensures a level close to 0V in the event that the output unit 200 signals go-to-sleep to the subsequent components.

So far, as already mentioned above, the WAKE1 signal was looped directly (without circuit IC1, IC2, IC15 and output unit 200) to components 1-4. Since the components 1-4 respond to signals from each generation unit KL15; C1, C2 have to be able to react accordingly, this led to the wake-up sources or generation units KL15; C1, C2 influence each other in terms of the threshold voltages. This means that the threshold voltages that arrive at components 1-4 become blurred, especially when the battery voltage is low, and it can happen that they are not put into operating mode at the same time, but one after the other or, depending on the incoming threshold voltage, not at all.

In order to solve this problem, it is proposed that the WAKE1 signal is processed via an interface with an associated evaluation unit, hereinafter referred to as circuit IC1, IC2, IC15, for each generation unit C1, C2, KL15. The resulting (voltage) signal is passed on to a subsequent output unit 200. This output unit 200 serves as a switch and is designed in such a way that when the threshold voltage in one of the circuits IC1, IC2, IC15 exceeds a predetermined value, it sends the battery voltage V_Bat applied to it (obtained via KL30) to the components 1-4 passes through, i.e. transmits a wake-up signal. The respective threshold value detection and evaluation takes place in the circuits IC1, IC2, IC15, more precisely in the evaluation units provided there. The battery voltage V_Bat is therefore not used to supply voltage to components 1-4. If the output threshold voltage in all circuits IC1, IC2, IC15 falls below a predetermined value, no voltage (0V) is output to the components 1-4, since almost 0V is present at the output of the output unit 200 due to the pull-down structure, i.e. on Go-to-sleep signal transmitted.

Both the output unit 200 and the circuits IC1, IC2 and IC15 are advantageously formed as discrete circuits which have at least one transistor. The transistor of the circuits IC1, IC2 and IC15 serves to output the threshold voltage evaluated in the circuit IC1, IC2 and IC15 to the output unit 200. The transistor in the output unit 200 serves to output a WAKE2 signal, which either puts the components 1-4 into the operating state, i.e. serves as a wake-up signal (transistor lets the threshold voltage through, is in the conductive state) , or put into the idle state, i.e. serves as a go-to-sleep signal (transistor does not pass the threshold voltage, is considered to be in a non-conducting or blocking state).

The type of WAKE2 signal depends on the threshold voltages evaluated in the circuits IC1, IC2 and IC15. When a predetermined threshold voltage is exceeded in one of the circuits IC1, IC2 and IC15, the WAKE2 signal is output as a wake-up signal by making the transistor assume a conductive state by passing the battery voltage V_Bat to the components 1-4 and thus wakes them up. If the threshold voltages in all circuits IC1, IC2 and IC15 are undershot, the WAKE2 signal serves as a go-to-sleep signal and the transistors of the circuits IC1, IC2 and IC15 assume a non-conducting state. This means that GND is present via the pull-down structure and components 1-4 are put into sleep mode.

Threshold voltage thresholds to output a wake-up signal or a go-to-sleep signal depend on the application, i.e. the type of vehicle, the on-board electrical system used, e.g. 12V, 24V, and customer requirements. Typically for a 24V electrical system, e.g. in commercial vehicles, a threshold voltage of <2.5V becomes a go-to-sleep signal and a threshold voltage of >7V becomes a wake signal. Lead up signal. For a 12V vehicle electrical system, e.g. in the car sector, a threshold voltage of <2.5V will typically result in a go-to-sleep signal and a threshold voltage of >5V will result in a wake-up signal.

The proposed circuit arrangement provides a central, precise and synchronous representation of mode changes (wake-up and go-to-sleep) for vehicle controls when using different wake-up sources (generation units KL15; C1, C2) and several autonomous electrical circuits (components 1-4). By providing circuits IC1 (for C1), IC2 (for C2), IC15 (for KL15) per generation unit KL15; C1, C2 can meet the requirements of each of the generation units KL15; C1, C2 must be fulfilled separately. There is no longer any mutual influence as before, since each component 1-4 no longer has to be suitable for switching to the operating or idle state for the threshold voltages coming from each of the circuits IC1, IC2, IC15. The circuit arrangement can therefore be designed in such a way that it is independent of which generation unit KL15; C1, C2 receives the WAKE1 signal, can output a unique WAKE2 signal to which all components 1-4 react synchronously.

The improved circuit arrangement for communication interfaces and/or ignition interfaces within a vehicle enables an improved change between rest and operating mode for the entire control unit (system base chip and circuits supplied independently of the system base chip). In addition, a wide variety of customer requirements regarding different interfaces and associated threshold values of the wake-up/go-to-sleep signals can be addressed with standard electronics.

The circuit arrangement is intended to be used primarily in the area of transmission control, but also in inverters of an electronic module in an electric drive of a vehicle. However, the circuit arrangement can also be used in other areas in which several components 1-4 should receive a wake-up or go-to-sleep signal at the same time.

Reference symbol list

100

vehicle

1-4

Components

C1, C2, KL15

Generation unit (CAN, Ethernet, Terminal 15/KL15)

IC1, IC2, IC15

Switching per generation unit

200

Output unit

WAKE1, WAKE2

Wake-up or go-to-sleep signal

KL30

Clamp 30

Claims (10)

Circuit arrangement for communication interfaces and/or ignition interfaces within a vehicle (100), which is designed to output wake-up and/or go-to-sleep signals to predetermined components (1-4), comprising: - at least one generation unit (KL15; C1, C2) for generating a first wake-up or go-to-sleep signal (WAKE1), and one circuit (IC1, IC2, KL15) for each unit (KL15; C1, C2) , to which the first wake-up or go-to-sleep signal (WAKE1) is transmitted, each of the circuits (IC1, IC2, KL15) being designed such that it receives the first wake-up or go-to-sleep signal (WAKE1) is processed in such a way that a predetermined threshold voltage, which indicates whether the components (1-4) should be placed in an operating mode or a sleep mode, is determined, and - an output unit (200), to which a predetermined battery voltage (V_Bat) is applied, and which is used to output a second wake-up or go-to-sleep signal (WAKE2) to the components (1-4) depending on one The threshold voltage determined in the circuits (IC1, IC2, KL15) is set up, and the output unit (200) outputs the second wake-up or go-to-sleep signal (WAKE2), through which the components (1-4) be put into an operating mode or sleep mode. Circuit arrangement according to Claim 1 , whereby when the predetermined threshold voltage is exceeded, a wake-up signal is passed to the components (1-4), and when the threshold voltage is undershot, a go-to-sleep signal is passed to the components (1-4). Circuit arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the output unit (200) has at least one transistor and a pull-down structure, the transistor being switched into a conductive state by the threshold voltage, in which the battery voltage (V_Bat) as a second wake-up Signal (WAKE2) is passed to the components (1-4), or in a non-conducting state in which no voltage (0V) is sent via the pull-down structure as a second go-to-sleep signal (WAKE2). Components (1-4) is directed, is offset. Circuit arrangement according to Claim 3 , whereby if the threshold voltage determined in one of the circuits (IC1, IC2, KL15) is above a respective, predetermined threshold value, the transistor associated with the circuit (IC1, IC2, KL15) is put into a conductive state, and the output unit ( 200) outputs the second wake-up signal (WAKE2), through which the components (1-4) are put into an operating mode, and where all threshold voltages determined in the circuits (IC1, IC2, KL15) are below a respective, predetermined threshold value is, each transistor is put into a non-conducting state, and the output unit (200) outputs the second wake-up signal (WAKE2) as a go-to-sleep signal, through which the components (1-4) in be put into sleep mode. Circuit arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a first circuit (IC1) is formed as a CAN interface, and/or a second circuit (IC2) is formed as an Ethernet interface, and/or a third circuit (KL15) as a terminal 15 interface is formed. Circuit arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the components (1-4) have different voltage thresholds from one another in order to go into the operating mode or sleep mode. Circuit arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the components (1-4) consist of a system base chip (1) and components (2-4) independent thereof. Use of the circuit arrangement according to one of the preceding claims in a transmission control of a vehicle or an inverter of a vehicle. Use of the circuit arrangement Claim 8 , where the vehicle is a car or a commercial vehicle. Transmission control of a vehicle or inverter of a vehicle, comprising the circuit arrangement according to one of Claims 1 until 7 .

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