WO2004084066A1

WO2004084066A1 - Device and method for controlling one or more subsystems of a technical integral system

Info

Publication number: WO2004084066A1
Application number: PCT/EP2004/001385
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hans-Peter Hellwig
Original assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
Priority date: 2003-03-19
Filing date: 2004-02-13
Publication date: 2004-09-30

Abstract

Technical processes (8) of an integral system (1) are controlled in such a manner that priorities are dynamically allocated to the individual process (8). These priorities depend on the current status of the integral system (1) and the maximally available computing power of the central processing unit (3). The available computing power should only be shared out between the currently required processes (8) in accordance with their priority.

Description

Description ,

Device and method for controlling one or more subsystems of an overall technical system

The invention relates to a device and a method for controlling one or more subsystems of an overall technical system, in particular a motor vehicle.

A known motor vehicle control system (DE 198 25 817 Cl) has at least two control devices which are connected to one another via a data bus. The two control units alternately access one and the same computing unit within different time periods. Thus, only a single arithmetic unit is required to control several processes that run at different time periods.

The time periods are fixed from the start and cannot be changed. While one subsystem is inactive, the other is active and vice versa.

With data processing in real-time operation and the control of technical processes, it is known to process the processes in certain sequences. For example, the FIFO principle (first-in, first-out) is known, in which the processes are processed in the order in which they arrive. The opposite principle, the lifo principle (last-in, first-out) first processes the last incoming processes and then those that arrived first in time. Processes are also processed according to dynamic ones

Priorities known. The processing order of the technical processes is determined by a priority. The priority is predetermined and results from the processes involved. Such processes only remain active if no process with a higher priority is waiting to be processed. If this is the case, the current process is interrupted and the higher priority process is processed. Subsequently the interrupted process is continued. This is "'-; also known as" interrupt routines ". The priorities are fixed right from the start and cannot be changed.

Since computer systems are becoming more and more extensive and powerful, many processes run almost simultaneously. Even with interrupt routines, the currently suspended processes are still active in the background and therefore still consume computing power. Real multitasking cannot be guaranteed with such systems, unless the individual processes are nested in such a way that the response times would still be acceptable. However, such a system must be designed to be very complex and therefore expensive.

The invention is based on the problem of creating an apparatus and a method for controlling one or more subsystems of an overall technical system which is simple in construction and requires a low computing power on average.

This object is achieved by a device with the features of claim 1 and by a method with the feature of claim 4. There is a central control unit that controls the technical processes of subsystems of an overall system. For the individual technical

Processes are assigned dynamic priorities, through which the processes are processed depending on the current state of the overall system.

The dynamic assignment of priorities means that only those processes are processed that are currently needed for safe operation. As a result, the computing power is adjusted according to the actual requirements. An increase in computing power for short peaks is avoided by dividing the computing power into the processes that are currently required. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are _"represented by the dependent claims. Thus, the technical processes are controlled by the central control unit via a priority interface, whereby each is allocated a priority process to be controlled. The priority may thereby according to the technical process to be permanently assigned or variable depending on operating conditions.

Several signal transmitters are therefore arranged in the overall system, each of which is assigned to one or more processes.

The status signals of the signal transmitters are supplied to the central control unit as input variables. The status signals reflect the status of the individual technical processes and thus the overall system. Depending on these conditions, the priority can then be assigned to the individual technical processes, and this can also be done variably during process execution.

Technical processes that are then not required or are only required slightly are given a low priority and processes that are needed more or more in the respective state are given a higher priority. The computing power required for controlling the processes can thus be distributed among the currently most important processes, and computing power for technical processes that are not currently required can be made available for other processes that are currently more important.

The priority can be assigned depending on the current status of the overall system or also depending on the current utilization of the central control unit. The priorities define a time frame for processing and a ranking of the technical process within all processes to be controlled. This definition happens dynamically depending on the operating state. If the priority of a process is increased, it is equivalent to a partial or complete processing of a technical process. Lowering the priority is equivalent to lower computing power that is made available for this process. This can also result in the respective technical process being completely ended or simply being interrupted. If there is an interruption, no computing power is available to the respective process.

The priorities determine the technical processes at different times, with different processing times and / or different processing scope (provided computing power). This means that the different processes and their dynamic prioritization can be dealt with flexibly. The priorities can be fixed and used according to a table or reference list. It is also possible to assign the priorities variably depending on the state of the overall system, the priorities themselves being variable compared to comparable operating states.

The invention is used to control one or more subsystems of an overall technical system. An overall system is understood to mean an electrical machine, a device or an apparatus. The overall system is characterized by its functions (ongoing, technical processes) in which a substance (mass), energy and / or information is converted, transported and / or stored. In terms of its shape, an overall system is a spatial structure with a geometrically defined shape and is made up of individual components and components.

Several technical processes that form a self-contained part of the overall system are called subsystems. These subsystems then consist of several components and are functionally interconnected to form the Perform functions of the subsystem. With ^' * "θ-in a complete system, for example, the keyless access control is a subsystem that, for example, the technical processes" lock or unlock the doors "," lock or unlock the trunk "," lock or unlock the steering wheel lock "," Release immobilizer "," Detect position of the encoder ", etc.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of the schematic drawings. Show it:

1 shows a block diagram of a device according to the invention and FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a control system in a motor vehicle.

A device for controlling one or more subsystems 2 (FIG. 1) of an overall technical system 2, here the exemplary embodiment of an overall “motor vehicle” system, has at least one central control unit 3. This central control unit 3 contains a computing unit 4 (microcomputer, microprocessor), a memory 5 (E ² PROM), an interface 6 (interface) with a priority manager 7 (priority allocation unit) and further serial or parallel interfaces (I / O ports 9) for performance control of processes 8 or for receiving signals.

The central control unit 3 is connected to the subsystems 2, the technical processes 8 of which are to be controlled, via a parallel bus 10 or the I / O ports 9. A subsystem 2 also has an interface 6 with a priority manager 7. Technical processes 8 are controlled via subsystem 2. The central control unit 3 can also control the technical processes 8 directly via the other input / output lines (I / O ports 9). Also, ^'' is the Zentralsteuef-t nit 3 via the bus lines 10 and other input / output lines (I / O ports 9) connected to signal generators 11, provide the status signals as input to the central control unit. 3 The status signals represent the status of the individual technical processes 8 and / or the operating status of the overall system 1.

A motor vehicle is explained in more detail here as an example of the overall system 1. This motor vehicle has several subsystems 2, which are controlled by a central control unit 3 as a common control device. Access control 20 (FIG. 2) incl. Immobilizer 21, the direction indicator (turn signal), the wiper 22, the interior lighting 23, the alarm system 24, the window regulator 25 and / or the tire pressure measuring device 26 are controlled by the central control unit 3.

These subsystems 2 are advantageously controlled by the central control unit 3 via a CAN bus 10. Technical processes 8 of the individual subsystems 2 are to be controlled in a targeted manner according to predetermined input variables, if necessary via power control stages 30. The technical processes 8 are influenced by corresponding actuators after the signal processing.

The central control unit 3 is connected to the signal transmitters 11 via the CAN bus 10 or separate, serial I / O ports 9. Sensors or switches (switch position sensors) on the door locks 27, on the ignition lock 28 or on a wiper-wash switch 29 can serve as signal transmitters 11.

However, since all technical processes 8 for the operation of the overall system 1 “motor vehicle” are not required at the same time, the central control unit 3 ranks them

(Priority) dynamically specified when and to what extent a technical process 8 should run. Through the priority The technical processes 8 of the subsystems © 2 are structured according to a hierarchy in which the responsibility or the function of the individual processes 8 or the sequence of the individual tax steps is determined by the hierarchy. The priorities are formed depending on the state of the overall system 1 “motor vehicle”, the computing power of the central control unit 3 also being able to be taken into account. Impairment of the technical processes 8 just required should be avoided, ie the computing unit 4 of the central control unit 3 must not be overloaded Likewise, the computing unit 4 should not constantly work at the load limit, ie peak computing power should be prevented or distributed over time depending on the operating state .. The priority assignment is dynamic since the ranking can change during operation depending on the operating state.

The device and the method are explained in more detail below on the basis of the specific example of a motor vehicle. As long as a vehicle is parked, the signal transmitters 11 indicate the state of the vehicle as parked on the door locks 27 and on the ignition lock 28. As a result, the priority manager 7 specifies that the subsystem 2 "alarm system" 24 currently has the highest priority. This is because the interior of the motor vehicle is monitored for unauthorized intrusion in this operating state. For this purpose, it is known that the interior / passenger cabin is scanned and ultrasound or radar signals comparing the patterns obtained (in part by multiple reflections on the panes / walls) with reference patterns, which requires a rather high computing power in the central control unit 3.

In this operating state, the access control 20 and the tire pressure measuring system 26 are given a medium priority. At access control 20, an intermittent check must be made as to whether a wirelessly transmitted unlocking signal has been received by a portable code transmitter or whether a valid, authorized code transmitter approaches the K---aftfahrzeug. Since the receiving unit is not constantly active for this purpose, but only intermittently, only average to small computing power is required on average. The tire pressure measurement system 26 should check every now and then during parking whether the tire pressure of the tires is still within a permissible range, so that the driver receives a warning about insufficient tire pressure as soon as he gets in.

All other subsystems 2 have a low priority in this “parking” operating state. No computing power is then made available to these subsystems 2 that are not required. The subsystems 2 that are not required are in a quasi-standby state, from which they can be switched at any time a restricted or complete operating state can be transferred by the prioritization, such subsystems 2 being, for example, the immobilizer 21, the adjusting device for seats and mirrors or other comfort system in the motor vehicle.

If door locks 27 are now unlocked (position of the locking bolt is detected by a sensor as signal transmitter 11), then the priority for the immobilizer 21 and, for example, the interior lighting 23 is increased since the interior lighting 23 is switched on as a result of opening a door and probably the motor vehicle is started, for which purpose the immobilizer 21 must be released. The priority for the alarm system 24, on the other hand, can be reduced, since the doors are authorized to unlock and an unauthorized entry into the motor vehicle does not need to be detected in this operating state.

If the immobilizer 21 is released and the internal combustion engine is started, the priorities for the windshield wipers 22, the window regulators 25 or other subsystems 2 to be operated by the user while driving can be set to a medium one Priority will be increased. Because it must be constantly monitored whether an associated switch for actuating the windshield wiper 22 or the window lifter 25 is actuated manually. The priority of the tire pressure measurement system 26 can also be increased. The priority can also be increased depending on the speed as an operating state, since the tire pressure should be checked more often when driving fast for safety reasons than when driving slowly or when stationary.

The priorities for access control 20 and alarm system 24 are set to zero since they are not required in the current operating state. The computing power that was available for these processes 8 can now be made available to the higher-priority processes 8 or subsystems 2.

If the wiper switch 29 is actuated while driving, the signal generator 11 there sends a signal to the central control unit 3 that the computing power for the windshield wiper / interval wiper 22 must be increased. A rain sensor can also serve as the signal generator 11. The priority manager 7 recognizes this requirement and then changes the priority if there is still sufficient computing line available at the moment. If not, a less important process 8 may need to be reduced in priority so that the higher priority requirement can be met.

If the driving light is switched off while driving, no interior lighting 23 is usually required either. The priority for the interior lighting 23 can thus be reduced. If, on the other hand, the driving light is switched on or a brightness sensor as signal generator 11 detects that it is dark, the priority for the interior lighting 23 is increased so that the interior light or parts of the interior lighting 23 can be switched on when the user requests it. In this way, more computing power is made available to the subsystems 2 required in the current operating state or the currently active technical processes 8 due to the higher priority. In contrast, the processes 8 or subsystems 2 that are not or only partially required are provided with less or no computing power. Thus, all subsystems 2 networked with the central control unit 3 and their technical processes 8 can be controlled with a dynamic, hierarchical rank (priority) according to the operating state of the motor vehicle.

The computing power of the central control unit 3 is divided between the control of these processes 8 depending on the technical processes 8 currently running or about to start, while little or no computing power is provided for the at least partially dormant technical processes 8.

The priorities can be set according to a fixed reference list for each technical process 8 and depending on the operating state. The priorities can also be varied depending on the operating status. As a result, simpler computing systems (microprocessors) can be used, and yet a powerful central control unit 3 is available. An optimized number of control processes 8 can run virtually simultaneously, with each technical process 8 being provided with sufficient computing power.

When assigning priorities, the technical processes 8 can be assigned dynamically according to the priorities. The system utilization (computing time) and the overall operating state of the overall system 1 or individual subsystems 2 are taken into account. The connection of technical process 8 - associated priority is determined when the overall system 1 is configured after the overall system 1 has been manufactured. The assignment can, however, be variable and change during operation of the vehicle in accordance with predefined sample cases.

The overall system 1 can thus be controlled in a timely manner in accordance with the system requirements, without increasing the hardware expenditure and avoiding idle phases of the overall system 1 (with regard to the computing power). The computing power is only divided among the processes 8 actually required in the respective operating state, power peaks in the computing power are reduced and on average the computing power is optimally adapted to the overall requirements.

Priority interfaces (priority manager 7) are arranged in the interfaces to the subsystems 2 or the individual processes 8, which recognize the respective and the following operating state on the basis of the status reports of the signal transmitters 11 and, depending on this, set the priorities for the subsystems 2 or the technical processes 8 , Depending on this, the computing power for the processes 8 is then provided and the individual subsystems 2 are controlled accordingly.

The priorities determine the time frame for processing (when and for how long) and a ranking level of process 8 (share of the total computing power) within the overall processes 8 to be controlled. The priorities determine the control of the technical processes 8 at specific times (starting time of the control), with a specific processing time and / or different processing scope.

The proportion of computing power can also depend on how much the central control unit 3 is doing

Control of technical processes 8 is busy. However, there always has to be as much computing power for a technical zess 8 are made available / that no or only ^ - 'low safety or comfort restrictions are associated with it.

The device and the method for controlling one or more subsystems 2 of an overall technical system 1 can be used not only in a motor vehicle as an overall system 1, but also in all overall systems in which several technical processes 8 and / or several subsystems 2 from a common central control unit 3 to be controlled.

Claims

• claims

1. Device for controlling one or more subsystems

(2) of an overall technical system (1), in particular a motor vehicle, the device having at least one central control unit (3) with which the technical processes (8) of the subsystems (2) are controlled, characterized in that the central control unit (3) has a Priority allocation unit (7), which dynamically assigns priorities for the individual processes (8) such that only the processes (8) currently required are controlled depending on the current state of the overall system (1).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the central control unit (3) controls the technical processes (8) in each case via a priority interface (6, 7), whereby each process (8) is dynamically assigned a priority.

3. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the overall system (1) a plurality of signal transmitters (11) are arranged, each of which is assigned to one or more technical processes (8) and the status signals as input variables for the central control unit

(3) deliver, the status signals indicating the status of the individual technical processes (8) and thus of the overall system

Play (1).

4. Method for controlling one or more subsystems (2) of an overall technical system (1), in particular a motor vehicle, in which technical processes (8) within the overall system (1) are controlled in such a way that the individual processes (8) are dynamically assigned priorities that are dependent on the current operating state of the overall system (1) or the individual subsystems (2) and / or the currently available computing power of a central control unit (3).

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that the priorities define a time frame for the processing and a ranking of the technical process (8) within the overall processes (8) to be controlled.

6. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that changing the priority is associated with a complete or partial execution of a control of a technical process (8) or a complete stop or an interruption of the control.

7. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the central control unit (3) assigns the priorities depending on the state of the overall system (1) and the load on the central control unit (3) when controlling the processes (8) ,

8. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the control of the technical processes (8) is determined by the priorities at different times, with different processing times and / or different processing requirements.

9. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the priorities are set according to a predetermined list.

10. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the priorities are set variably and depending on the operating state of the overall system (1).