Abstract: A vehicle communication network (200) includes a plurality of network elements (208-212) and a plurality of communication links (214-230) communicatively coupling the network elements in a point-to-point configuration. A portion of the communication capability is reserved according to a class of message traffic.

Abstract: A method of configuring a network within a vehicle, wherein the network includes a plurality of network elements and a plurality of communication links communicatively coupling the plurality of network elements for point-to-point communication, includes storing a last known configuration state of the network. Then, the network is monitored to determine a change in the configuration state of the network to establish a current configuration state. The current configuration state is then point-to-point propagated through the network via the communication links, and is stored at each of the plurality of network elements.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a flexible, extensible, modular approach to electrical and communication system architecture in a vehicle. In accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention, standardized, high-volume housings and components referred to as Plug-In Modules (PIMs) are used in vehicle electrical centers. By carefully designing standardized PIMs, the same PIMs can be used (in differing quantities) on any vehicle in the range of vehicles manufactured. Furthermore, the same PIMs can even be used across different vehicle manufacturers. The use of standard modules and standard housings allows for very high-volume production, thereby dramatically reducing the cost of the electrical centers. At the same time, there can be virtually zero giveaway in vehicles with lower option content. Methods of power and signal distribution using the disclosed electrical and communication system are provided. Methods of manufacturing the electrical and communication system are further provided.

Abstract: A vehicle communication network (200) includes a plurality of network elements (202–212) and a plurality of communication links (214–230) communicatively coupling the network elements in a point-to-point configuration. At least a portion of the plurality of communication links are specified in accordance with a shared-access bus protocol. The plurality of communication links are arranged to communicate data packets between the network elements, and data packets are modified for transport via the plurality of communication links.

Abstract: Nodes which include additional sensing and communication capability as compared to prior nodes. The sensing capability allows determination of actual current flows through the particular nodes, including each port of the node, to allow a determination of power flow to better control operations. Because of this understanding of power flow, smaller modules or nodes can be utilized if desired. For protection of a lower power node, an upstream node can open the link to the node should it go overcurrent or otherwise fault. Further, with the additional sensing capability, actual load balancing and multiple controllable flows, such as for standby, can be developed. The additional communication in combination with the sensing also allows better fault isolation. By being able to determine the actual location of the fault, other operations in the vehicle can continue with just the faulty area being disconnected.

Abstract: A vehicle network and method for communicating information within a vehicle. The network includes a plurality of network elements joined by communication links. A data frame is provided for communicating information between a first device and a second device attached to the network. A network element in the network is capable of mapping a first resource on an incoming communication link of the network element to a second link resource of an outgoing communication link of the network element. The network element further has ports for receiving the data frame from the first link resource of the incoming communication link and for communicating the data frame to the second link resource of the outgoing communication link. The mapping may be done statically or dynamically such as based on information stored in the network element or based on information stored in the data frame.

Abstract: A system and method for coordinating parameters in a switch fabric network (22) of a vehicle (20). The network (22) has a plurality of nodes (24) that are interconnected by communication links for the transmission of data packets there between. Events in the vehicle (20) may be handled in connection with a vehicle parameter. One example of a vehicle parameter that may be used in the vehicle is the rotation of a crank shaft in the vehicle. An application uses that information to make a determination whether change a setting of a device in the vehicle (20). If so, the application generates a command data packet and transmits the command data packet over the switch fabric network (22). The command data packet transmitted by the application includes the new setting for the device along with a value of the vehicle parameter when the new setting should occur in the device.

Abstract: A system and method for time synchronizing nodes in a switch fabric network of a vehicle. The network has a plurality of nodes that are joined by communication links for the transmission of data there between. Each node of the switch fabric may include a processor, a memory, a clock, a transceiver, and an input capture. The memory is adapted to store and retain timer offsets associated with communication links with neighboring nodes. The transceiver is adapted to transmit and receive synchronization messages between the node and neighboring nodes. The input capture is adapted to capture a timestamp associated with the transmission of synchronization messages. The processor is configured to compute the timer offsets associated with the communication links with neighboring nodes based on the captured timestamps by the input capture function. The computed offsets may then be broadcast and stored by the nodes for subsequent use in time synchronizing data packets through the switch fabric network.

Abstract: A system and method for reprogramming nodes in an automotive switch fabric network using a diagnostic interface. The switch fabric network includes a plurality of nodes joined by communication links for the transmission of data there between. The plurality of nodes includes at least one target node. The target node includes a processor, a transceiver, and a memory. The memory includes an erasable memory portion and a protected memory portion. The processor in the target node switches from executing instructions in the erasable memory portion to executing instructions in the protected memory portion during a reprogramming period when the target node erases a current software component and stores a new software component in its erasable memory portion. The diagnostic interface is adapted to transmit the new software component to the target node.

Abstract: A system and method for time synchronizing nodes in a switch fabric network of a vehicle. A synchronization request message is transmitted from a requesting node to a neighboring node. At the time the synchronization request message is sent, the requesting node will store a unique message identification associated with the request message as well as a first timestamp that is associated with the time that the synchronization request message was transmitted by the requesting node. The neighboring node will receive the synchronization request message and store a second timestamp associated with the time that the synchronization request message was received by the neighboring node. Thereafter, the neighboring node will transmit to the requesting node a synchronization response message that includes the message identification and the second timestamp. The requesting node will then calculate a timer offset value that is based on the first timestamp and the second timestamp.

Abstract: A system and method for evaluating the performance of an automotive switch fabric network using a diagnostic interface. A diagnostic device and interface is connected to an automotive switch fabric network, comprising of a plurality of communication nodes, through one of the nodes in the switch fabric network. The diagnostic device and interface configures the switch fabric network to operate in a test mode. The diagnostic device and interface will issue a first command to one node to start traffic across a test node at a predetermined traffic rate and a second command to another node to generate a test message that passes through the test node. The test node contains message processing logic that will process the messages as they pass through the test node. A plurality of timestamps is generated in the message processing logic of the test node to monitor the progression of the messages through the processing logic.

Abstract: A system and method for tunneling standard bus protocol messages through an automotive switch fabric network. When a bus protocol message arrives on a connecting node in the network, a bus driver in the node will capture the message and store it into a message buffer where the message can be further processed by a tunneling application. Each received bus protocol message will be broken, or combined, to suit the available packet size of the underlying transmit layer of the switch fabric network. Data portions such as message identification, sequence number, port number, bus data type, and data length are reserved in each data packet. If the message is being broken down, the sequence number is used to differentiate the broken segments of the bus protocol message. The bus data type is used to indicate the type of protocol data being transmitted over the switch fabric. The same tunneling application may be used to reassemble the bus protocol message at a receiving node.

Abstract: A system and method for streaming sequential data through a vehicle switch fabric network. This is particular useful in areas such as reprogramming nodes in the automotive switch fabric network where relatively large records or messages need to be transmitted through the switch fabric, although the invention may be used in other areas. In sum, the system and method described herein takes large data records and breaks them down into smaller units (data packets) that fit within the constraints of the physical layer on which communication links in the switch fabric network is built. The smaller data packets are assigned with a message identification and a sequence number. Data packets associated with the same data record or message are assigned with the same message identification but may differ in their sequence number. Each data packet is transmitted over the vehicle switch fabric network to a destination node.

Abstract: A vehicle network architecture includes an interrupted shared-access bus and a switch fabric incorporated therein at the point of interruption. The switch fabric permits incorporation of a feature or device into the shared access bus architecture without modification or revisions of the shared access bus protocol or legacy devices.

Abstract: A vehicle communication network (200) includes a plurality of network elements (208-212) and a plurality of communication links (214-230) communicatively coupling the network elements in a point-to-point configuration. At least a portion of the plurality of communication links may be specified in accordance with a shared-access bus protocol. The plurality of communication links are arranged to communicate data packets between the network elements.

Abstract: A vehicle communication network (200) includes a plurality of network elements (208-212) and a plurality of communication links (214-230) communicatively coupling the network elements in a point-to-point configuration. A portion of the communication capability is reserved according to a class of message traffic.

Abstract: A vehicle communication network (200) includes a plurality of network elements (208-212) and a plurality of communication links (214-230) communicatively coupling the network elements in a point-to-point configuration. At least a portion of the plurality of communication links may be specified in accordance with a shared-access bus protocol. The plurality of communication links are arranged to communicate data packets between the network elements.

Abstract: A vehicle communication network (200) includes a plurality of network elements (202-212) and a plurality of communication links (214-230) communicatively coupling the network elements in a point-to-point configuration. At least a portion of the plurality of communication links are specified in accordance with a shared-access bus protocol. The plurality of communication links are arranged to communicate data packets between the network elements, and data packets are modified for transport via the plurality of communication links.

Abstract: A method of configuring a network within a vehicle, wherein the network includes a plurality of network elements and a plurality of communication links communicatively coupling the plurality of network elements for point-to-point communication, includes storing a last known configuration state of the network. Then, the network is monitored to determine a change in the configuration state of the network to establish a current configuration state. The current configuration state is then point-to-point propagated through the network via the communication links, and is stored at each of the plurality of network elements.

Abstract: A vehicle communication network (200) includes a plurality of network elements (208-212) and a plurality of communication links (214-230) communicatively coupling the network elements in a point-to-point configuration. Message traffic on the communication links is controlled by at least one of controlling the communication links and controlling message traffic access to the communication links.