Modular processor architecture of a cockpit and infotainment system for a vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2021111920-A1
Application number	US-201816763890-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 9, 2018
Priority date	Nov 16, 2017
Publication date	Apr 15, 2021
Grant date	—

Abstract

The approach relates to a modular computer architecture of a cockpit and infotainment system for a vehicle that includes an I/O module with an I/O computing node (2.0) with at least one data memory, the I/O computing node being designed for processing audio data and as a host computer for performing host functions with ASIL safety requirements. The I/O module also includes a tuner with associated antenna interface, and at least one interface of a vehicle bus system. The modular computer architecture further includes at least one computing module with a computing node with at least one data memory for performing cockpit and infotainment functions, and at least one display interface.

First claim

1 .- 23 . (canceled)

24 . A modular computer architecture of a cockpit and infotainment system for a vehicle, comprising:
an I/O module, comprising:
an I/O computing node with a first data memory, the I/O computing node configured to process audio data and perform, as a host computer, host functions with ASIL (Automotive Safety Integrity Level) safety requirements;
a tuner with associated antenna interface; and
a first interface of a vehicle bus system;
a first computing module, comprising:
a first computing node with a second data memory for performing cockpit and infotainment functions; and
a first display interface; and
a backplane comprising slots for the I/O module and the first computing module.

25 . The modular computer architecture according to claim 24 , wherein the I/O computing node is further configured to perform the host functions with a shortest startup time in a system start-up phase of the cockpit and infotainment system.

26 . The modular computer architecture according to claim 24 , wherein the I/O computing node is further configured to perform the host functions at least in part after a system shutdown of the cockpit and infotainment system during a run-on phase.

27 . The modular computer architecture according to claim 24 , wherein the I/O computing node is further configured to perform the host functions with a critical latency behavior.

28 . The modular computer architecture according to claim 24 , wherein the I/O computing node is connected to a driver assistance system module via a PCI bus.

29 . The modular computer architecture according to claim 24 , wherein the I/O computing node comprises a first USB interface.

30 . The modular computer architecture according to claim 24 , wherein the I/O computing node comprises a second display interface.

31 . The modular computer architecture according to claim 24 , wherein the I/O computing node comprises a first camera interface.

32 . The modular computer architecture according to claim 24 , wherein the I/O computing node is further configured to perform the host functions in compliance with safety standards according to ISO (International Organization for Standardization) 26262.

33 . The modular computer architecture according to claim 24 , wherein the first computing node comprises a second interface of the vehicle bus system.

34 . The modular computer architecture according to claim 24 , wherein the first computing node comprises a second USB interface.

35 . The modular computer architecture according to claim 24 , further comprising:
a memory module with a non-volatile memory configured to:
store programs and data for execution and usage by the first computing node; and
connect to the first computing node by a PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) interface.

36 . The modular computer architecture according to claim 24 , wherein the I/O computing node and the first computing node are connected to each other via PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) interfaces.

37 . The modular computer architecture according to claim 36 , wherein the backplane is configured to connect the PCIe interfaces with data communication lines.

38 . The modular computer architecture according to claim 37 , wherein the backplane further comprises a microcontroller, the microcontroller configured to
perform administrative functions or auxiliary functions of the cockpit and infotainment system; and connect, via serial interfaces and/or hardware lines, to the I/O computing node and the first computing node.

39 . The modular computer architecture according to claim 38 , wherein the microcontroller comprises a third interface of the vehicle bus system.

40 . The modular computer architecture according to claim 24 , wherein the I/O computing node is further configured to perform administrative functions or auxiliary functions of the cockpit and infotainment system.

41 . The modular computer architecture according to claim 24 , further comprising:
a second computing module, comprising a second computing node wherein
the first and the second computing nodes each comprises an internal cache memory; and
the first and the second computing nodes are connected with each other via an interface with cache coherence by data communication lines.

42 . The modular computer architecture according to claim 24 , further comprising:
an expansion module having an expansion node for functional expansions of the cockpit and infotainment functions.

43 . The modular computer architecture according to claim 24 , wherein the first computing module comprises a second camera interface.

44 . The modular computer architecture according to claim 24 , wherein the I/O module and the first computing module each comprises an Ethernet interface as a vehicle interface.

45 . The modular computer architecture according to claim 44 , wherein the Ethernet interfaces of the I/O module and the first computing module are connected via an Ethernet switch function and comprise a common Ethernet interface as the vehicle interface.

Assignees

• Audi Ag

Inventors

• Lerzer Jürgen
• Paffen Matthijs
• Gruber Hans Georg
• Schmailzl Michael
• Dalke Christoph

Classifications

• H04L2012/4028

  the transportation system being an aircraft · CPC title

• B64D11/0015

  Arrangements for entertainment or communications, e.g. radio, television · CPC title

• H04L12/40 Primary

  Bus networks · CPC title

• G06F15/7803 Primary

  System on board, i.e. computer system on one or more PCB, e.g. motherboards, daughterboards or blades · CPC title