Abstract: A power, ground and communication architecture (100) utilizes hubs (105, 110, 115). Each hub (105, 110, 115) contains computing, communication and power management elements (135, 140). Hubs (105, 110, 115) may be connected to multiple other hubs (105, 110, 115) to distribute communication and power in a freeform web-type arrangement, specific tree, bus or star arrangements are not required. Standardized wiring harness segments (120) are used to join the hubs (105, 110, 115) and control elements. Each of the strands in the web may be an independent point-to-point bus and isolated power line.

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 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 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 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 first vehicle obtains from a certification authority a certification that an authentic vehicle is associated with a cryptographic key. The certification certifies that the cryptographic key is bound to information identifying the authentic vehicle, and may be implemented. The first vehicle utilizes the cryptographic key obtained from the certification authority in cryptographic communication with a second vehicle, and determines whether the second vehicle is the authentic vehicle based on whether the cryptographic key is successfully utilized in the cryptographic communication. Upon determining the second vehicle is the authentic vehicle, the first vehicle may communicate further with the second vehicle.

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 authenticates a service technician and accesses a technician database to determine whether the service technician is indicated as authorized to perform the service operation. If the service technician is indicated as authorized to perform the service operation, the vehicle allows the service technician to perform the service operation.

Abstract: A context (112) of a communication received from a user in a vehicle is determined. The context (112) relates to a characteristic associated with the vehicle. An address of the communication is formed based upon the context (112) of the communication received from the user in the vehicle. The communication is transmitted to a recipient using the address.

Abstract: Methods and systems for distributed failover in a vehicle network, including processor load shedding to reallocate processing power to applications controlling critical vehicle functions and providing for failover in a vehicle network according to the criticality of the affected vehicle function. In embodiments of the presently disclosed vehicle control method and system, the components of the system, including sensors, actuators, and controllers, are implemented as nodes in a network or switch fabric capable of communicating with other nodes.

Abstract: A vehicle accesses a configuration database to determine whether a reconfiguration function is authorized. The reconfiguration function may involve, for example, installing the component in the vehicle, removing the component from the vehicle, replacing the component with another component in the vehicle, replacing another component in the vehicle with the component, modifying the component, upgrading the component and rendering the component operable. Upon determining that the reconfiguration function is authorized, the vehicle allows the reconfiguration function to be performed. The reconfiguration function may be authorized based on a type of the vehicle, a type of the component or a combination of configuration elements in a current configuration of the vehicle.

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: When a mobile communication station detects (101) a plurality of available wireless point-of-attachment opportunities (and where at least one of the mobile communication station and at least one of the plurality of available wireless point-of-attachment opportunities is in motion), the mobile communication station selects (102) a given one of the plurality of available wireless point-of-attachment opportunities as a function, at least in part, of an operational context as corresponds to the mobile communication station to thereby provide a selected available wireless point-of-attachment opportunity.

Abstract: The service technician accesses the prospective vehicle and obtains from a certification authority a certification that an authentic vehicle is associated with a cryptographic key. The service technician utilizes the cryptographic key in cryptographic communication with the prospective vehicle via a secure device having limited accessibility but being accessible by the service technician. The service technician determines whether the prospective vehicle is the authentic vehicle based on whether the cryptographic key is successfully utilized in the cryptographic communication with the prospective vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle obtains from a certification authority a certification that an authentic device is associated with a cryptographic key. The certification certifies that the cryptographic key is bound to information identifying the authentic device. The vehicle utilizes the cryptographic key obtained from the certification authority in cryptographic communication with the remote access device, and determines whether the remote access device is the authentic device based on whether the cryptographic key is successfully utilized in the cryptographic communication. Upon determining the remote access device is the authentic device, the vehicle may communicate further with the remote access device.

Abstract: A component for use in a prospective vehicle obtains from a certification authority a certification that an authentic vehicle is associated with a cryptographic key. The certification certifies that the cryptographic key is bound to information identifying the authentic vehicle. The component utilizes the cryptographic key obtained from the certification authority in cryptographic communication with the prospective vehicle, and determines whether the prospective vehicle is the authentic vehicle based on whether the cryptographic key is successfully utilized in the cryptographic communication. Upon determining the prospective vehicle is the authentic vehicle, the component may allow the prospective vehicle to operate the component.

Abstract: A vehicle subassembly obtains a prospective component for use in the vehicle subassembly. The vehicle subassembly also obtains from a certification authority a certification that an authentic component is associated with a cryptographic key. The certification certifies that the cryptographic key is bound to information identifying the authentic component. The vehicle subassembly utilizes the cryptographic key obtained from the certification authority in cryptographic communication with the prospective component, and determines whether the prospective component is the authentic component based on whether the cryptographic key is successfully utilized in the cryptographic communication.

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 maintains a record of configuration elements, such as components for use in the vehicle, of the configuration of the vehicle. The vehicle also maintains a history of configuration functions for each of the configuration elements. The history may include a type of each configuration function, such as installation of a configuration element into the vehicle, and may also include a record of corresponding times at which the configuration functions have occurred, which can be utilized to determine a configuration of the vehicle at a time of an event. Additionally or alternatively, the vehicle may maintain a service history of at least one service technician performing a service operation with respect to a corresponding one of the configuration elements.

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.