IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,374,785
Granted Patent B2
US 11,374,785 · App. 16/763,890 · Granted Jun 28, 2022

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

Inventors: Jürgen Lerzer (Neumarkt, DE); Matthijs Paffen (Karlskron, DE); Hans Georg Gruber (Ingolstadt, DE); Michael Schmailzl (Kösching, DE); Christoph Dalke (Kipfenberg, DE)
Assignee: Audi AG
H04L12/40B64D11/0015H04L2012/4028
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,374,785
App. No.
16/763,890
Filed
May 13, 2020
Granted
Jun 28, 2022
Kind
B2
Art Unit
2685
USPC
370/252
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.

Claims (40)

1. A modular computer architecture of a cockpit and infotainment system for a vehicle, comprising:

an input/out (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,

wherein region-specific, series-specific and vehicle brand-specific functions and associated interfaces are implemented in the I/O module;

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, wherein an upgrade or a replacement for the region-specific, series-specific and vehicle brand-specific functions and associated interfaces is carried out in the I/O module independently from the first computing module.

2. The modular computer architecture according to claim 1 , 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.

3. The modular computer architecture according to claim 1 , 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.

4. The modular computer architecture according to claim 1 , wherein the I/O computing node is further configured to perform the host functions with a critical latency behavior.

5. The modular computer architecture according to claim 1 , wherein the I/O computing node is connected to a driver assistance system module via a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus.

6. The modular computer architecture according to claim 1 , wherein the I/O computing node comprises a first USB interface.

7. The modular computer architecture according to claim 1 , wherein the I/O computing node comprises a second display interface.

8. The modular computer architecture according to claim 1 , wherein the I/O computing node comprises a first camera interface.

9. The modular computer architecture according to claim 1 , 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.

10. The modular computer architecture according to claim 1 , wherein the first computing node comprises a second interface of the vehicle bus system.

11. The modular computer architecture according to claim 1 , wherein the first computing node comprises a second USB interface.

12. The modular computer architecture according to claim 1 , 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.

13. The modular computer architecture according to claim 1 , wherein the I/O computing node and the first computing node are connected to each other via PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) interfaces.

14. The modular computer architecture according to claim 13 , wherein the backplane is configured to connect the PCIe interfaces with data communication lines.

15. The modular computer architecture according to claim 14 , 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.

16. The modular computer architecture according to claim 15 , wherein the microcontroller comprises a third interface of the vehicle bus system.

17. The modular computer architecture according to claim 1 , wherein the I/O computing node is further configured to perform administrative functions or auxiliary functions of the cockpit and infotainment system.

18. The modular computer architecture according to claim 1 , 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.

19. The modular computer architecture according to claim 1 , further comprising:

an expansion module having an expansion node for functional expansions of the cockpit and infotainment functions.

20. The modular computer architecture according to claim 1 , wherein the first computing module comprises a second camera interface.

21. The modular computer architecture according to claim 1 , wherein the I/O module and the first computing module each comprises an Ethernet interface as a vehicle interface.

22. The modular computer architecture according to claim 21 , 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.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 23, 2020
From: LERZER, JÜRGEN; PAFFEN, MATTHIJS; GRUBER, HANS GEORG; SCHMAILZL, MICHAEL; DALKE, CHRISTOPH
To: AUDI AG
Reel/Frame 053289/0721 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 10 2017 220 464.8 · Nov 16, 2017 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20210111920A1 · Apr 15, 2021
Cited By (1)
US 12,387,010