Description:Complete Specification:
The following specification describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

Field of the invention:
[0001] The present invention relates to an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) for a vehicle with a Controller Area Module (CAN) module.

Background of the invention:
[0002] In current system, microcontroller (uC) is programmed through a Controller Area Network (CAN) module/transceiver of the System Basis Chip (SBC) (also referred to as SBC CAN), where there is only one microcontroller. In the system where there are two uCs, the second uC is programmed through CAN-w/o-WAKE module. The CAN-w/o-WAKE module refers to CAN module without wake-up function/feature. That means, the two uCs system must have at least one CAN-w/o-WAKE module which is connected to programmable CAN port in uC to enable programming. But the problem is when customer requests for all CAN buses in the system to be all CAN-WAKE modules. Hence a new solution is required.

[0003] According to a prior art CN2888757Y, a CAN bus waking device for automobile is disclosed. The utility model discloses an automobile CAN bus wake-up device, which relates to an automobile CAN, in particular to a wake-up device of the automobile CAN bus. The automobile CAN bus wake-up device is provided with a wake-up switch, an or gate circuit, a voltage regulator circuit, a control circuit and a power supply module circuit; the input end of the wake-up switch is connected to the microcontroller I/O interface; the input end of the or gate circuit is connected with the wake-up switch and microcontroller I/O interface; the input end of the voltage regulator circuit is connected the output end of the or gate circuit; the input end of the control circuit is connected with the stabilized voltage power supply; the control output end of the control circuit is connected with an automobile power switch; the input end of the power supply module circuit is connected with the automobile power; the 24 V voltage of direct current is reduced to 5 V by the power supply module, then accessed to the power input end of the microcontroller. Only in the case that the CAN module or other power equipment needs operation, can the automobile power supply be waked up for a power supply; thus, the mode of acquiring power based on the requirement is realized, and the power supply dissipation of automobile energy is economized; the utility model is simple in circuit structure, high in reliability, flexible in configuration, and strong in practicability.

Brief description of the accompanying drawings:
[0004] An embodiment of the disclosure is described with reference to the following accompanying drawings,
[0005] Fig. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) for a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention, and
[0006] Fig. 2 illustrates the block diagrams of the ECU to determine source of wake-up signal, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed description of the embodiments:
[0007] Fig. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) for a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The ECU 100 comprises, at least one microcontroller 110 and a Controller Area Network (CAN) module 108. A Standby (STB) pin 126 and an Enable (EN) pin 128 of the CAN module 108 (also referred to as CAN transceiver) is connected to the at least one microcontroller 110, through respective connection line 134. The Inhibit (INH) 124 pin of the CAN module 108 connected to an input pin of a power unit 116 (also referred to as System Basis Chip (SBC). The power unit 116 supplies powers at a specific voltage (such as 5 Volts as an example), to the at least one microcontroller 110, characterized in that, a switching circuit 112 connected to the connection lines 134 through a pair of pull-up resistors 130. The connection lines 134 are between the at least one microcontroller 110 and each of the STB pin 126 and the EN pin 128 of the CAN module 108. A pair of pull-down resistor 136 are also shown which exists in the ECU 100.

[0008] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the switching circuit 112 enables dual functions of the CAN module 108 comprising programing the microcontroller 110 and in-vehicle communication with other control units of the vehicle. Specifically, the availability voltage levels required for STB 126 and EN pin 128 to switch the CAN module 108 (i.e. CAN transceiver with WAKE UP module) to normal mode which allows first time programming to the micro controller 110. The INH pin 124 of the CAN module 108 is connected to the input pin of the power unit 116 through a diode 114 only when the other modules 102-106 are interfaced with the same input pin of the power unit 116. Thus, when other modules 102-106 are not present in the ECU 100, then the INH pin 124 of the CAN module 108 is directly connected to the input pin of the power unit 116 without the diode 114. The input pin is the wake-up pin of the power unit 116. The power unit 116 powers the switching circuit 112 and the microcontroller 110. The power unit 116 is a System Basis Chip (SBC) of the ECU 100. The switching unit 112 comprises semiconductor based switches which are triggered through a signal received through the INH pin 124. The INH pin 124 is connected as input to the switching circuit 112 from a node before connection with the diode 114. In other words, the connection line between the INH pin 124 of the CAN module 108 is branched off and connected to the switching circuit 112.

[0009] According to the present invention, a connection line 138 is branched off from the pull-up resistor 130 connections of the EN pin 128 to a General Purpose Input Output (GPIO) pin 132 of the microcontroller 110.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a source of wake-up signal 140 is determined. The ECU 100 is configured to determine the source of the wake-up signal 140 through a state of GPIO pin 132 of the microcontroller 110. The source is detected to be the CAN module 108 when state of the GPIO pin 132 is detected to be high. The state of the GPIO pin 132 is high only during any one of the initial power ON and reception of the wake-up signal 140. In other words, the GPIO pin 132 goes high when at least one of reception of wake up signal and the initial power ON. The state of the GPIO pin 132 is low when the wake-up signal 140 is received through the modules 102-106 in the ECU 100.

[0011] In accordance to an embodiment of the present invention, a source of the wake-up signal 140 is detected by the ECU 100 through the signal from the GPIO pin 132 of the microcontroller 110 in the ECU 100 and the states of the internal registers of the modules 102-106.

[0012] In accordance to an embodiment of the present invention, the ECU 100 is provided with necessary signal detection, acquisition, and processing circuits. The ECU 100 is the one which comprises input interface, output interfaces having pins or ports, the memory element such as Random Access Memory (RAM) and/or Read Only Memory (ROM), Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) and a Digital-to-Analog Convertor (DAC), clocks, timers, counters and at least one processor (capable of implementing machine learning) connected with each other and to other components through communication bus channels. The memory element is pre-stored with logics or instructions or programs or applications or modules/models and/or threshold values/ranges, reference values, predefined/predetermined criteria/conditions, which is/are accessed by the at least one processor as per the defined routines. The internal components of the controller ECU 100 are not explained for being state of the art, and the same must not be understood in a limiting manner. The controller ECU 100 may also comprise communication units such as transceivers to communicate through wireless or wired means such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), 3G, 4G, 5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet, serial networks, and the like. The ECU 100 is implementable in the form of System-in-Package (SiP) or System-on-Chip (SOC) or any other known types. The ECU 100 comprises but not limited to, microcontroller 110, microprocessor, microcomputer, etc.

[0013] Further, the processor may be implemented as any or a combination of one or more microchips or integrated circuits interconnected using a parent board, hardwired logic, software stored in the memory element and executed by a microprocessor, firmware, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and/or a field programmable gate array (FPGA). The processor is configured to exchange and manage the processing of various AI models.

[0014] In Fig. 1, both the scenarios of accessing the microcontroller 110 through CAN module 108 is disclosed for programing and in-vehicle communications. The ECU 100 is shown with a flex ray module 102, an ethernet module 104, and other modules 106. There may be more or less modules as known in the art and not limited to what is disclosed here. The CAN module 108 is provided with wake function/feature. The CAN module 108 is separate from the CAN transceiver which are already present in the power unit 116. The double arrows to the flex ray module 102, the ethernet module 104, other modules 106 and the CAN module 108 signifies bi-directional communications. The CAN module 108 also comprises the INH pin 124, STB pin 126 and the EN pin 128. The CAN module 108 is interfaced with the microcontroller 110 through the STB pin 126 and the EN pin 128 through the connection lines 134.

[0015] According to the present invention, a working of the ECU 100 with CAN module 108 having wake-up functionality is provided. Consider that the ECU 100 is being programmed for the first time in the manufacturing plant or assembly plant. The state of the INH pin 124 is high after the CAN module 108 is powered ON for the first time. After initial power ON (when battery voltage is supplied to the CAN module 108 for the first time), the monitoring GPIO pin 132 is read high or state of the GPIO pin 132 is high. The high state is due to the INH pin 124 behaviour during initial power ON. The modules 102-106 are inactive as it is the initial power ON, hence the INH pin 124 sends a wake-up signal to the input pin of the power unit 116. The power unit 116 in turn wakes up and powers the microcontroller 110 and the switching unit 112. Since the INH pin 124 is connected to switching unit 112 as well, the high state of the INH pin 124 activates the switching unit 112 and the pull-up resistor 130 are pulled high. The pull-up resistor 130 also makes the STB pin 126 and the EN pin 128 to high thus enabling the CAN module 108 to switch to normal mode and in turn enabling the microcontroller 110 to be programmed through the CAN module 108.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the ECU 100 is configured to enable in-vehicle communication through the same CAN module 108. Consider the vehicle is fit with the ECU 100 and is currently being used by an owner. Assume that the modules 102-106 are inactive, and a wake-up signal 140 request is received by the CAN module 108 which makes the state of the INH pin 124 is high. The INH pin 124 is sends a high signal to the input pin of the power unit 116. The power unit 116 powers the microcontroller 110 and the switching unit 112. The switching unit 112 receives the trigger signal directly from the INH pin 124. On activation, the switching unit 112 pulls-up the pull-up resistor 130 to the high state and thus brings the STB pin 126 and the EN pin 128 also to a high state as well, thereby enabling/allowing the communication with the microcontroller 110.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the ECU 100 is configured to detect a source of the wake-up signal 140 out of multiple modules 102-108. Consider when any module 102-106 receives a wake-up signal 140 request.

[0018] Fig. 2 illustrates the block diagrams of the ECU to determine source of wake-up signal, according to an embodiment of the present invention. A first block diagram 200 in Fig. 2, depicts the scenario when the wake-up signal 140 is received from modules 102-106. Since there is no wake-up signal 140 at the CAN module 108, there INH pin 124 is low, the connections from the INH pin 124 of the CAN module 108 to power unit 116, the switching circuit 112 are inactive. The connection lines 134 are also inactive, w.r.t the wake-up signal 140. The inactivity is shown by dotted lines. The wake-up signal 140 is received by any one of the modules 102-106 and is given as input to the input pin of the power unit 116. The power unit 116 is activated which powers the microcontroller 110 and performs the necessary functions. The modules 102-106 comprises internal registers to detect wake source on reception of the wake-up signal 140. The microcontroller 110 determines the source of the wake-up signal 140. The signal from the INH pin 124 need a series diode 114 to interface with input pin of the power unit 116 to avoid INH pin 118, 120, 122 of modules 102-106 enabling the pull-up circuit 130. The series diode 114 introduces an additional drop which has to be considered for calculating min WAK pin voltage and min Vbat required at connector pin for wake function. Instead of error pin, the monitoring GPIO pin 132 is used to check the wake source detection/recognition of programming/in vehicle communication CAN module 108.

[0019] Consider a second block diagram 210 where the wake-up signal 140 is received by at least one of the modules 102-106 and by the CAN module 108, respectively. The error pin of the CAN module 108 is reset due to the use of pull-up resistors 130 and hence the reading of the same indicates incorrect readings. Thus, the GPIO pin 132 is used for knowing the source of the wake-up signal 140. Consider that the all the modules 102-108 receives the wake-up signal 140, then again the GPIO pin 132 is read by the microcontroller 110 to know the source. As the GPIO pin 132 is high only when the CAN module 108 receives the wake-up signal 140, the microcontroller 110 determines the source correctly. The reference number in Fig. 1 is applicable for first block diagram 200 and second block diagram 210 and is avoided in Fig. 2 for simplicity.

[0020] According to the present invention, the diode 114 isolates the effect of wake-up signal 140 received from the modules 102-106 from the CAN module 108. In accordance to an embodiment of the present invention, the ECU 100 is able to detect the source of the wake-up signal 140 through the status of GPIO pin 132 and internal registers of the modules 102-106 for the programming CAN module 108. During normal operation, i.e. when ECU 100 is ON, the monitoring GPIO pin 132 reflects the state of EN pin 128 due to hardware connection to the EN pin 128.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the present invention, programming of microcontroller 110 with CAN module 108 with wake up feature (or CAN wake module) is disclosed. In other words, the present invention discloses use of CAN wake module for programming as well as in-vehicle-communication as part of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) communication bus modules. The ECU 100 does not need to be redundant/dedicated CAN mod for programming. In addition, the ECU 100 retains all features of CAN wake functions. This invention is considered as a module solution for the projects which need programming of micro-controllers with CAN modules 108.

[0022] It should be understood that the embodiments explained in the description above are only illustrative and do not limit the scope of this invention. Many such embodiments and other modifications and changes in the embodiment explained in the description are envisaged. The scope of the invention is only limited by the scope of the claims.

, C , Claims:We claim:
1. An Electronic Control Unit (ECU) (100) for a vehicle, said ECU (100) comprises:
at least one microcontroller (110);
a Controller Area Module (CAN) module (108) with wake-up function;
a Standby (STB) pin (126) and an Enable (EN) pin (128) of said CAN module (108) connected to said at least one microcontroller (110) through respective connection line (134), and
an Inhibit (INH) pin (124) of said CAN module (108) connected to an input pin of a power unit (116), said power unit (116) supplies power to said at least one microcontroller (110), characterized in that,
a switching circuit (112) connected to said connection lines (134) through a pair of pull-up resistors (130).

2. The ECU (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said switching circuit (112) enables dual functions of said CAN module (108) comprising programing said microcontroller (110) and in-vehicle communication with other control units of said vehicle.

3. The ECU (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said INH pin (124) of said CAN module (108) connected to said input pin of said power unit (116) through a diode (114) only when other modules (102-106) are interfaced with same input pin of said power unit (116).

4. The ECU (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said INH pin (124) connected to said switching circuit (112) from a node before connection with said diode (114).

5. The ECU (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a connection line is branched from said pull-up resistor (130) to a General Purpose Input Output (GPIO) pin (132) of said microcontroller (110).

6. The ECU (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a source of wake-up signal (140) is determined through monitoring of a state of said GPIO pin (132), wherein source is detected to be said CAN module (108) when state of said GPIO pin (132) is detected to be high.

7. The ECU (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein said state of said GPIO pin (132) is high only during any one of an initial power ON and reception of wake-up signal (140), wherein said state of said GPIO pin (132) is low when said wake-up signal (140) is received through the modules (102-106) in said ECU (100).

8. The ECU (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said power unit (116) powers said switching circuit (112) and said microcontroller (110).

9. The ECU (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said power unit (116) is a System Basis Chip (SBC) of said ECU (100).

10. The ECU (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said switching unit (112) comprises semiconductor based switches triggered through a signal received through said INH pin (124).