JP5979025B2 - Vehicle gateway device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicular gateway apparatus that performs communication frame reception processing and transmission processing by connecting a plurality of communication networks.

  When a retrofit device is attached to the vehicle after purchasing the vehicle, if the device is configured to use the information in the vehicle to implement the function, the information in the vehicle cannot be used or limited information In some cases, the functions of the apparatus cannot be fully utilized, and the convenience of the user may be limited.

  This is because when designing the functions of a vehicle, the functions required for the vehicle are defined, and no further functions or new technologies / functions to be generated in later years are assumed. Some functions may be provided as options, but remain within the scope of the current technology. Therefore, even if the user wants to add a device based on a new technology later in the year, the vehicle side cannot provide information required by the device, and as a result, a new function may not be realized.

  It is known that a plurality of communication networks are connected one-to-one via a gateway, or a plurality of communication networks are connected to each other via a gateway. In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, for example, an in-vehicle gateway device capable of improving the performance by updating a transmission data processing program and adding a new function to be compatible with a retrofit device is disclosed. (See Patent Document 1).

  Further, when the vehicle unit is replaced, or when the vehicle unit is added to add a function, when the vehicle is shipped or when the engine is started, the ID assignment of the communication means is changed and the vehicle network is changed. An in-vehicle communication device that can construct a vehicle network excellent in responsiveness of an in-vehicle unit by reconfiguring the in-vehicle unit is disclosed (see Patent Document 2).

JP 2004-192278 A JP 2006-295426 A

  In the configuration of Patent Document 1, it is necessary to rewrite the processing program. When a new device is added, the vehicle must be brought to a dealer or the like, and the user cannot easily add the device.

  In the configuration of Patent Document 2, it is necessary to change the ID assignment of the communication means every time the configuration of the in-vehicle unit is changed, and the processing load increases.

  With the above problems as a background, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle gateway device that can reduce the burden on the user when adding a device with a simple configuration.

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention

In order to solve the above problems, a plurality of networks in which control units are connected by communication lines are formed, and in a vehicle gateway device to which a plurality of networks are connected, a control unit that performs overall control of the vehicle gateway device; Executed by the transfer processing unit that receives the communication frame from the network and transfers the communication frame to the transfer destination network based on the routing map in which the route information defining the transfer route of the communication frame is registered, and is executed by the control unit A storage unit that stores a control program and a routing map, and the storage unit is route information corresponding to a state in which a standard control unit group including a control program and a predetermined control unit is connected to a network. Program storage area for storing the standard routing map in which is registered Not include the contents of the standard routing map, when the control unit which is not included in the standard control unit group is connected to the network, it stores the extended routing map for registering the routing information corresponding to the control unit, the program storage area seen including, control unit and a data storage area provided separately from the, when receiving the communication frame, first, when referring to the standard routing map, as a result, it is necessary to refer to extended routing map, extended Browse the routing map.

  With the above configuration, when a new device (control unit) is connected to the network, data required by the device can be acquired from the network, so that a function required by the user can be realized. Moreover, since it becomes possible to cope with new technology even after the vehicle is sold, it is possible to prevent the vehicle itself from becoming obsolete. Furthermore, the original function of the vehicle can be prevented from being impaired by making the routing map a separate area.

The figure which shows the system structural example of the gateway apparatus for vehicles of this invention. The figure which shows the structural example of a memory. The figure which shows the structural example of a communication frame. The flowchart explaining an extended routing map registration process. The figure which shows the structural example of a standard routing map. The figure which shows the structural example of an extended routing map. The flowchart explaining a communication frame transfer control process.

  Hereinafter, the gateway device for vehicles of the present invention is explained using a drawing. As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of in-vehicle communication networks (network of the present invention) 40, 50, 60 are connected to the vehicle gateway device 1.

  An in-vehicle communication network (generic name for 40, 50, 60, and the same below) uses CAN (Controller Area Network) as a communication protocol. Of course, a communication protocol other than CAN may be used, or a different communication protocol may be used for each in-vehicle communication network. The in-vehicle communication network is configured, for example, for each vehicle function.

  In the in-vehicle communication network 40, ECUs (control units of the present invention) A to C are connected to a communication bus 41. Examples of these ECUs include a VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) ECU for stabilizing the turning behavior of the vehicle, an air conditioner ECU for controlling air conditioning in the vehicle, and a travel control system ECU such as an engine ECU for engine control. A sensor group and an actuator group necessary for control are also connected to the ECU.

  ECUs D and E are connected to the communication bus 51 in the in-vehicle communication network 50. These ECUs include a seat ECU for adjusting the position or height of the seat, a power window ECU for controlling opening and closing of the window, an electric mirror ECU for storing and unfolding the electric mirror, and the unlocking of the door lock device. / A vehicle body ECU such as a door lock ECU that locks the vehicle.

  ECUs F and G are connected to the communication bus 61 in the in-vehicle communication network 60. Examples of these ECUs include multimedia devices such as audio devices and navigation devices.

  The ECUs A to G described above correspond to the standard control unit group of the present invention. The standard control unit group is a general term for ECUs that are attached to a vehicle at the time of factory shipment, for example.

  The vehicle gateway device 1 includes a control unit 20, a transfer processing unit 31, a protocol conversion unit 32, and a communication interface 33.

  Each unit of the above-described vehicle gateway device 1 includes a CPU, various memories, and the like, and may be configured as one or a plurality of ICs, ASICs, or the like, and part or all of them are software. Alternatively, it may be built on a memory.

  The control unit 20 includes a microprocessor (MPU) 21, a memory 22 (a storage unit of the present invention) composed of a nonvolatile storage medium such as a flash memory, and peripheral circuits (not shown) such as a signal input / output circuit. The entire vehicle gateway device 1 is controlled. In particular, the identification information included in the communication frame received from the in-vehicle communication network is acquired, and the route information registered in the routing map that defines the transfer destination of the communication frame stored in the memory 22 is referred to. Based on the above, the communication frame transfer control is performed.

  Based on an instruction from the control unit 20, the transfer processing unit 31 refers to the route information registered in the routing map and transfers the communication frame to the destination in-vehicle communication network.

  The protocol conversion unit 32 converts packet data of a specific protocol received from the connected in-vehicle communication network into intermediate packet data and outputs the intermediate packet data to the transfer processing unit 31. Also, the intermediate packet input from the transfer processing unit 31 The data is converted into a unique protocol of the communication network to which it is connected and transmitted to the communication network. Of course, if the vehicle communication network is configured with the same protocol, the protocol conversion unit 32 may be unnecessary.

  In addition to the known data transmission / reception circuit, the communication interface 33 includes a transceiver having a function of checking a signal flowing through the connected in-vehicle communication network and the vehicle gateway device 1 and detecting a collision.

  FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of the memory 22. As is well known, the flash memory is configured as a set of memory blocks (also referred to as “erase blocks”, hereinafter referred to as “MB”) indicating data erasing units, and writes data in units of 1 byte and erases data in units of memory blocks. To do.

  In the example of FIG. 2, the memory block is composed of five blocks MB1 to MB5. Among these, MB1 to MB3 are used as the program area 22a. In the program area 22a, MB1 and MB2 store a control program (1, 2) for controlling the vehicle gateway device 1. Further, MB3 stores a standard routing map M1 that defines route information in a configuration including only the standard control unit group in the in-vehicle communication network as described above.

  The program area 22a (at least including the standard routing map M1) can be read by the control program, but cannot be rewritten. Further, even when an external device such as a well-known diagnostic tool is connected to the vehicle gateway device 1, rewriting requires password authentication, authority is set for each user, or the rewriting area is limited. It can only be performed under limited conditions.

  MB4 and MB5 are used as the data area 22b. Among these, in MB4, an extended routing map M2 defining route information of ECUs not included in the standard control unit group is stored in the in-vehicle communication network. The data area 22b (at least the extended routing map M2) is an area writable by the control program. In addition, data can be read and written even when an external device is connected to the vehicle gateway device 1.

  The above-described configuration corresponds to a standard routing map that is restricted from being rewritten and an extended routing map that is not restricted from being rewritten. With this configuration, for example, by setting the standard routing map to “non-rewritable”, it is possible to ensure at least the realization of the function at the time of vehicle sales and not to impair the original function of the vehicle.

  In addition, in the configuration of the memory 2 described above, the storage unit is configured to include a flash memory, the flash memory has a plurality of memory blocks, and the standard routing map and the extended routing map (or the program area and the data area) are Correspond to those allocated to different memory blocks. With this configuration, it is possible to more reliably prevent erroneous data writing or erasure by utilizing the features of the flash memory.

  The extended routing map M2 and the standard routing map M1 have different security levels (for example, authority required for rewriting) and commands required for rewriting, so that the standard routing map M1 can be used for the vehicle. Even if it can be written at the factory, it can be prevented from being rewritten after the vehicle is sold.

  FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of the communication frame. The communication frame includes node information indicating a node (ie, ECU) that is a transmission source of the communication frame, identification information for identifying the communication frame, and data.

  The extended routing map registration process that is included in the control program stored in the memory 22 and executed by the MPU 21 will be described with reference to FIG. In this process, when a control unit not included in the standard control unit group is connected to the network, the control unit generates route information based on the communication frame received from the control unit and registers it in the extended routing map. It corresponds to. With this configuration, for example, it is not necessary to connect an external device and perform a registration operation at a dealer maintenance shop or the like. This configuration has the same format as so-called “plug and play”.

  Further, in this processing, the communication frame includes identification information for identifying the communication frame, and when a control unit not included in the standard control unit group is connected to the network, the control unit The control unit obtains identification information of a communication frame for which transfer is requested, and corresponds to the information obtained by associating the identification information with the network to which the control unit is connected as path information.

  First, a communication frame is received from the in-vehicle communication network (S11). Next, node information is acquired from the received communication frame (S12), and it is checked whether or not the node (that is, ECU) is stored in the node information storage area included in the memory 22. In the node information storage area, the ECU included in the standard configuration is stored in MB3, and the other information is stored in MB4.

  When node information is registered in either MB3 or MB4 (S13: No), this process ends. On the other hand, when node information is not registered in either MB3 or MB4 (S13: Yes), the node is requested for route information and obtained (S14). Even if the route information is not requested, the control unit may send the route information until the vehicle gateway device 1 sends a stop request. At this time, the node information is stored in MB4. Then, the acquired route information is registered in the extended routing map M2 (S15).

  In FIG. 4, among the devices (that is, control units) newly connected to the in-vehicle communication network, node information is not registered in any of MB3 and MB4, and a predetermined registration condition is satisfied Only the route information may be registered in the extended routing map M2. This determination is also performed in step S13. This is done in order not to permit connection of a device that is estimated to have an adverse effect on the operation or use of the vehicle, such as a device intended for vehicle theft. Thereby, the safety of a vehicle can be ensured by making only the apparatus which has the validity of connecting with a vehicle into the object of registration to the extended routing map M2.

For example, the diagnosis is performed as follows by applying the diagnostic communication defined in ISO (for example, 15031-7), and in particular, the security access function.
First, a numerical value called SEED (data of 2 bytes or more) is transmitted from the vehicle gateway device 1 (that is, the control unit 20) to the control unit, and the control unit uses the special key from the received SEED to execute KEY. The numerical value called is calculated and transmitted.
Next, the control unit 20 compares the received KEY with the value of the KEY calculated by itself, and determines that the registration condition is satisfied if they match.

  FIG. 5 shows a configuration example of the standard routing map M1. FIG. 6 shows a configuration example of the extended routing map M2. Each routing map stores, for example, identification information that is, for example, a three-digit hexadecimal number and a corresponding transfer destination communication network in association with each other.

  In the example of FIG. 5, for example, when the vehicle gateway device 1 receives a communication frame of identification information: 000, the communication frame is transferred to the in-vehicle communication networks 40 and 50. In other words, the ECU connected to the in-vehicle communication network shows the identification information of the data requesting transmission in association with the in-vehicle communication network. For the standard routing map M1, route information in a configuration including the ECUs A to G is registered.

  In the example of FIG. 6, when an ECU H (see FIG. 1) is newly added to the in-vehicle communication network 60, according to the request of the vehicle gateway device 1, the ECU H is used as identification information of a communication frame that requests transmission. Identification information: 000 and 008 are transmitted. The vehicular gateway apparatus 1 (that is, the control unit 10) that has received the identification information can identify the in-vehicle communication network that is the transmission source of the identification information, so that communication frames corresponding to the identification information: 000 and 008 are transmitted to the in-vehicle communication network 60. Is registered in the extended routing map M2.

  As for the identification information registered in the standard routing map M1 as in the identification information 000 in FIG. 6, the new transfer destination communication network is also registered in the extended routing map M2. This is because writing to the standard routing map M1 is restricted or prohibited.

  3, 5, and 6 described above, the communication frame includes identification information for identifying the communication frame, and the path information associates the identification information with the network to which the communication frame is transferred. It corresponds to what is. With this configuration, the route information becomes “to which network the communication frame is transferred”, and the routing table is more efficient than the configuration “the following communication frame needs to be transferred to this network”. Can be configured. For this reason, memory consumption can be reduced. Furthermore, the time required to acquire necessary route information with reference to the routing table is shortened.

  A communication frame transfer control process executed by the MPU 21 included in the control program stored in the memory 22 will be described with reference to FIG. First, a communication frame is received from the in-vehicle communication network (S31). Next, identification information is acquired from the received communication frame (S32).

  Next, the standard routing map M1 is referred to and it is checked whether route information corresponding to the acquired identification information is registered (S33). When route information is not registered in the standard routing map M1 (S34: No), the process proceeds to step S36. On the other hand, when the route information is registered (S34: Yes), the received communication frame is transmitted to the transfer destination in-vehicle communication network based on the registered content. That is, the communication frame is relayed (S35).

  In step S36, the extended routing map M2 is referred to, and it is checked whether or not route information corresponding to the acquired identification information is registered. When route information is not registered in the extended routing map M2 (S37: No), this process is terminated. On the other hand, when the route information is registered (S37: Yes), the received communication frame is transmitted to the transfer destination in-vehicle communication network based on the registered content (S38).

  The above-described configuration corresponds to the control unit referring to the extended routing map when the communication frame is received and the route information corresponding to the received communication frame is not registered in the standard routing map. With this configuration, appropriate route information can be acquired and the processing load can be reduced.

  Even when the route information is registered in the standard routing map M1 described above, the configuration in which the extended routing map M2 is referred to corresponds to the received communication frame in the standard routing map when the control unit receives the communication frame. Even when the route information is registered, it corresponds to checking whether route information corresponding to the communication frame is registered in the extended routing map. With this configuration, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, it is possible to cope with a case where a retrofit ECU requests transfer of a communication frame registered in the standard routing map.

  If the extended routing map registration process is executed prior to the communication frame transfer control process, it does not lead to a situation in which route information is not registered in either the standard routing map M1 or the extended routing map M2.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and the knowledge of those skilled in the art can be used without departing from the spirit of the claims. Various modifications based on this are possible.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Gateway apparatus for vehicles 20 Control part 31 Transfer processing part 22 Memory (memory | storage part)
22a Program storage area 22b Data storage area 40, 50, 60 In-car communication network M1 Standard routing map M2 Extended routing map

Claims (6)

In the vehicle gateway device in which a plurality of networks in which the control units are connected by communication lines are formed, and the plurality of networks are connected,
A control unit that performs overall control of the vehicle gateway device;
A transfer processing unit that receives a communication frame from the network and transfers the communication frame to a transfer destination network based on a routing map in which route information defining a transfer route of the communication frame is registered;
A storage unit for storing the control program executed by the control unit and the routing map;
With
The storage unit
A program storage area for storing the control program and a standard routing map in which route information corresponding to a state in which a standard control unit group including a predetermined control unit is connected to the network is registered;
When a control unit that does not include the content of the standard routing map and is not included in the standard control unit group is connected to the network, an extended routing map that registers route information corresponding to the control unit is stored, A data storage area provided separately from the program storage area;
Only including,
When the control unit receives the communication frame,
First, the gateway apparatus for a vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the standard routing map is referred to, and as a result, when the extended routing map needs to be referred to, the extended routing map is referred to . The standard routing map is restricted from being rewritten,
The vehicle gateway device according to claim 1, wherein rewriting of the extended routing map is not restricted. When the control unit receives the communication frame,
The vehicle gateway device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the route information corresponding to the received communication frame is not registered in the standard routing map, the extended routing map is referred to. When control units not included in the standard control unit group are connected to the network,
4. The vehicle gateway device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit generates the route information based on a communication frame received from the control unit and registers the route information in the extended routing map. 5. The communication frame includes identification information for identifying the communication frame,
The vehicle gateway device according to claim 4, wherein the route information associates the identification information with a network to which the communication frame is transferred. The communication frame includes identification information for identifying the communication frame,
When control units not included in the standard control unit group are connected to the network,
The control unit acquires, from the control unit, identification information of a communication frame that the control unit requests to transfer, and associates the identification information with a network to which the control unit is connected as the path information. The vehicle gateway device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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