FI109623B - Procedure for configuring an intelligent control system for electricity distribution - Google Patents

Description

109623

A method for configuring an intelligent control system for power distribution.

The present invention relates to a method for configuring an intelligent power distribution control system comprising a plurality of communicating nodes to which control and / or controllable devices can be connected, which nodes include a node software and a node configuration that identifies the functions controlled by the node software to .

10 For example, a distributed control system for vehicle electrification has a large number of controllable devices connected to the control unit, i.e. nodes, which can be, for example, their smart pins directly connected to the cable from the control unit. The functions of each control unit are different. The problem is how to build such a system into a configuration that is easy to configure and maintain 15 and at the lowest possible cost.

Attempts have been made to solve the problem e.g. so that each control unit is designed individually for both hardware and software. The solution is difficult to configure and maintain as the control unit has to be handled as different • · v20 entities. In addition, this known solution requires that the control unit's subcontractors have access to • special equipment provided by the car manufacturer to ensure version compatibility.

• ·:. '·! automotive version control system.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a configuration method for solving the above problem so that the construction of configurations is supported in a libraries, whereby, for example, in vehicle production, country-specific and model-specific * I · The '· 1' configurations can be built from a one-off configuration template ':' ': automatically based on the order code, or if modifications or additions 30 are needed, they can be easily incorporated into the pre-configured template.

* 1 1 * »· | This object is achieved on the basis of the features set forth in the attached claims 1 or 5. Preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.

The method according to the invention is particularly well suited for use in connection with a power distribution system as described by the applicant in International Patent Applications WO 99/25585 and WO 99/25586. These known systems include a standard node software and a separately downloadable node configuration that identifies the functions controlled by the node software.

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In the following, the invention will be illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 shows a general diagram of data flows in an electricity distribution control system according to the invention; and Figure 2 shows an embodiment diagram of a configuration method according to the invention.

; .v 20 Before explaining the method of the invention, the following terms are defined: .i: by which the invention is described.

t »« · · • · ·

An operation is an entity consisting of one or more functions.

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· '/ This entity can be selected to be included when defining the system configuration »» ·' · '' 25. Example operations: car indicators, windscreen wiper, bus stop signal buttons.

I · · t t · * t ·

A function is an indivisible logical entity serving a single control function. The function uses one or more input values, from which the function calculates one or more output values. The values can be obtained either from devices connected to the same node or from another node:: over the network. For example, the operation "bus flashing" could consist of the following functions: Right Front Flasher, Left Front Flasher, Right Rear Flasher, Left Rear Flasher.

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An option is an option associated with an operation. The configurator can choose from the options associated with the operation. Based on the options selected, a number of additional functions will be added to the operation. The options may be completely optional, or you may only select one of the options. The "Bus 5 Indicators" operation could have the following options: Side Indicators (Optional), Rear Indicators Model Normal / Rear Indicators Model Double (Whichever to Choose Always).

A node is a physical hardware unit containing node software and a node configuration to which a certain number of controlling and / or controllable devices are connected. For example, nodes used in vehicle power distribution systems are intelligent from a control unit having an input interface, an output interface and a connection to the cable power and data cables.

The control system consists of an arbitrary number of communicating nodes 1 communicating with each other, the function of which is to jointly control a particular piece of equipment which constitutes a power distribution control system configurable according to the invention.

Node software is a standard software that is present in each node 1 and which · · · / 20 is capable of adapting node functions "V to specific node-connected devices 2, 1.1. These devices may be connected" based on the node configuration. / or to the output interface 2.2.

Input and output indicate the direction of the data flow of the nodes. These attributes are not »· · 25 used independently, but appear in connection with the following concepts: pin, interface, device, driver, value.

• · I I · ·

The pin is a physical pin at node 1 and enables the transmission of incoming and outgoing information through the interfaces to the node software. The interface may be node input-30 interface 1.2 or it may be node 1 interface to a common data bus on cable 3.

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The device is a controllable or controlling physical entity of the system that may be connected to one or more interfaces 2.2, 1.2 to node 1. An example of a device is a windshield wiper motor.

5 The interface transmits a single signal from node 1 to device 2 or device 1.1.2 to node 1.

A driver is a piece of node software that can write a value to a pin or read a value from a pin. The node software uses the drivers according to the driver parameters defined in the driver graphs 10.

Value is a logical data unit that the function uses in its calculation. The input and output values communicate with the system outside the node.

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Configuration is a process that results in a system configuration.

This process will be explained in more detail below with reference to Figure 2.

The system configuration is an entity that contains all * · · ♦ ·! 20 node configuration information and their dependencies.

• «1 · · · I ·«

The node configuration contains the configuration information for a single node, which are> · ·, ·; ·, * functions performed by the node and the values used by them, as well as the required driver-1 * · *: ·. vaajat. Based on the node configuration, the node software can determine

• I

25 which pins are in use and how to read and input values.

»· * #: * · The configuration file is a file that stores the single-node node configuration and can be downloaded to the node 1 flash memory.

• t 30 Parameter is an attribute that affects the function or driver behavior. function Parameters

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'*: [To be defined when defining the system configuration. The function can

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calculate new values for parameters while running. Example of function parameter: i 5 109623 Number of sweeps of the windscreen wiper wash function. Example of driver parameter: supply current of the device 2 to be controlled.

A driver descriptor is a node configuration block that defines how a particular 5 driver is used in a given context. The driver graph contains the default values for the driver parameters.

A function graph is a node configuration block that defines the behavior of a single function.

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The order code is a selector that selects, for each individual blind configuration, a subset of functions associated with that selector from the system configuration. The blind configurations can be generated for any number of subscription codes.

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Figure 1 shows a general flow diagram of the data streams of the node or socket 1. The necessary part of the sockets 1 is provided with an input device 1.1 which is connected to the socket input terminal 1.2 by a socket input pin 1.3. The input value read from pin 1.3 of the Input driver 1.4 serves as a basis for calculating function 1.6. As a result of the * *,, * * 20 function 1.6 contained in operation 2.1, the output value 1.7 of the function 1.6 is written with the * * ♦ 'Y output driver 1.8 to the output pin 1.9 of the socket, from which the output value 1.7 is passed. via output device 2, which adjusts its operation based on • », 'Y output value 1.7.

• * »« * * * · 1 »♦ 25 Configuring Drivers, Values and Functions for the Power Distribution System as a whole; ·, The system configuration is performed as follows.

The driver editor 4 shown in Figure 2 defines the * * »· t parts of the node software that are capable of writing values, that is, the logic units * · 30 used by the function to compute the output pins of node 1 or read values from the node input and output pins, drivers in a form that can be called * * »· * functions. The drivers are stored in the driver library 5, which is used as an input to the fiction editor 6.

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After determining the drivers, an essential part of the configuration process is to determine the operations 2.1 and the functions 1.6 required by one or more distribution systems, each of which serves the individual control function of the controlling or controlled device 1.1.2. Once the functions have been defined, a function description of each function is generated in the function editor-5a6 and stored in the function library 7.

The information description for the individual function 1.6 includes a description of the calculation performed by the function 1.6, information on the input and output values 1.5, 1.7 used by the function, and information on alternative control and command devices 1.1,2 that can be used to read and write the input and output values 1.5, 1.7. , and the driver graphs required for these devices 1.1.2.

The configuration editor 8 then generates a system configuration, which may be a system configuration for each individual control system or a common system configuration for multiple individual control systems. The system configuration contains configuration information for all nodes in the system (or systems) and the dependencies between them. System Configuration: When configured, the function input of configuration editor 8 is function! i * function information descriptions in library 7. The configuration editor 8 • *: 20 lists and selects system operations 2.1 and operation options, which together define the system configuration functions 1.6, the function parameters used by 1.6 and the controlling and controlling devices 1.1.2 used by functions 1.6, and assigning device input and output interfaces • · 1.2, 2.2 for input and output pins 1.3, 1.9 of node 1. In addition, the * 25 available order codes 12 and the choices that each order code affects are determined.

'' ': The generated system configuration is stored in the system configuration file 9.

* · 30 Once the above process steps have been performed once for one or more power distribution systems, they need not be repeated when the corresponding systems are configured. Instead, the system configuration file 9 is generated by the translator 10 by means of a predetermined order code 12 109623, which is stored in a node configuration file 11, from which the node configuration information is loaded into the memories of the individual nodes 1 in the system. Naturally, the nodes must have index numbers so that the operations and devices already defined in the system configuration setup step II can be assigned to the specified nodes as required by the order code in production step III.

At the stage when the system configuration is first created by the configuration editor 8, its functionality is checked by simulation 14, 10 where it is possible to simulate, for example, the functions of the vehicle in different operating situations. If deficiencies or errors in the system configuration are detected in the simulation, corrective action is taken by the configuration editor 8.

As already stated, the determinations need only be made once for each system configuration or for a combination of multiple system configurations. For example, in the production of power distribution systems for buses, the configuration can be made by constructing, for each order, its own system configuration 9, which is given an order number. Instead, for passenger car power distribution systems, orders are identified by order code combinations so that node configuration files corresponding to different system configurations 9 'are obtained from different common system configurations 9'.

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The invention achieves e.g. The following benefits.

\ * * 25 - The method allows standardized node software to be used regardless of the ringtone variations and the devices to be connected to each node.

:: - The configuration method is an integral part of the power distribution system production.

"": The system's overall production process becomes simpler and more flexible.

- Using this method, clear interfaces are created between the different steps of the configuration process.

109623 8 I - The method supports the construction of different configurations in a libraries such that country and model specific configurations (e.g. 30 countries x 5 models = 150 configurations) can be built from the same base, which are selected at the order stage based on the order code.

5 - The method is independent of the vehicle type (bus / passenger car / boat / etc.). Naturally, non-vehicle power distribution systems can also be configured using the method of the invention.

10 - The method allows the ordering and production process of the power distribution system to be structured optimally from a business point of view, since the configuration process can be modularized so that, at the top level, configuration means making "tick-box" operation choices.

- The method is independent of hard node changes that are applied to limited parts of the Aino-15 node software.

- The method provides effective support for the provision of customized documentation.

: - The method makes it possible to integrate a configuration system with a test system which can be used to ascertain the correspondence of both the functions of the completed configuration with the desired one (eg car factory) and the correctness of the function libraries supplied to the car factory.

'· · * - The method supports fine version control to ensure compatibility between function libraries 7 and configurations 9.

'·' '- The method effectively supports the maintenance of configured control systems 25 (addition of new devices, configuration changes).

* ': - The method allows verification of certain configurations at the workstation by means of a separate simulation testing system 14 before physically configuring the nodes 1.

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Claims (5)

9 109623 A method for configuring an intelligent power distribution system comprising a plurality of intercommunicating nodes (1) having 5 controllable and / or controllable devices (1.1, 2), the nodes (1) comprising a node software and a node configuration that identifies the functions controlled by the node software. functions required by the devices (1.1, 2) connected to each node (1), characterized by: - defining the functions (1.6) required by one or more distribution systems, each serving a single control function of the controlling or controlling device (2); generating, by means of the function editor (6), an information description of each function; - storing the function information descriptions in the function library (7); forming a system configuration of one or more distribution systems including configuration information and interdependencies between all nodes (1) of the system or systems; :: - creating a system configuration with a configuration editor (8) using function information mappings in the function library (7) as input data and listing and selecting the functions (1.6) and the devices that control them (1.1, 2); , and assigning the interfaces of the devices (1.1, 2) to different nodes (1); · '* - storing the system configuration in the system configuration file (9); - selecting, from the system configuration file, node-specific configuration information based on a predetermined order code '' s' (12), which is stored in the node * \ * 25 configuration file (11); and "· - Downloading the node-specific configuration information from the node configuration file to the memory of the individual nodes (1) in the system. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the driver editor (4) generates drivers which can be used to control parts of the node software capable of writing values, i.e. logical units used to calculate the function, to output pins or read values from function information descriptions. from the input or output pins of the nodes (1); - storing the drivers in the driver library (5); and - using the drivers in the driver library (5) as input to the function editor (6). Method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the method configures a power distribution control system, wherein the nodes (1) are intelligent from the control unit which are connected directly to the wires of the cable (3) with their projecting connecting pins for power supply and communication. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the orders of the distribution system are identified by order code combinations such that the node configuration files (11) corresponding to different system configurations (9 ') are obtained from the common system configuration (9) by different order codes (12). 15 5. A method for configuring an intelligent power distribution system comprising:.:. · The system consists of a number of nodes (1) communicating with each other, including:. i: switchable control and / or controllable devices (1.1, 2) and which nodes (1) include a node software and a node configuration that identifies the node software:. Functions controlled by the devices (2) connected to each node (1); functions, characterized in that standard node software is used on different nodes of the system, regardless of node hardness variations and devices to be connected to each node, and that the node software is configured individually; * _ function by means of order code combinations such that node configuration files (11) corresponding to different system configurations are selected from different common order configurations (9), from which the node-specific configuration data is loaded into the individual cells of the system. 11 109623