Subscriber station for a serial bus system, and method for data transmission in a serial bus system

A subscriber station for a serial bus system. The subscriber station encompasses: a communication control device for controlling communication with at least one further subscriber station of the bus system; a transmission/reception device for receiving a message from a bus of the bus system, which message was created by the communication control device or by the at least one further subscriber station of the bus system and is being transferred on the bus; an interference detection unit that is configured to detect interference in the context of transfer of the message on the bus; and an interference processing unit that is configured to evaluate the interference detected by the interference detection unit in terms of the nature and magnitude of the interference, and to adapt communication control by the communication control device to the result of the evaluation of the interference.

FIELD

The present invention relates to a subscriber station for a serial bus system and to a method for data transfer in a serial bus system, in which a diagnosis of interference in the bus system, for example with reference to EMC, is executable, and strategies at a system level are ascertained and applied.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

CAN bus systems are used, for example in vehicles or in industrial facilities, for communication between control devices. In CAN bus systems, messages are transferred using the CAN and/or CAN FD protocol, as described in the current ISO 11898-1:2015 constituting the CAN protocol specification with CAN FD. Also known as a further variant of CAN or CAN FD is an LVCAN, in which the messages are transmitted at least in part at a transmission level, by the fact that the voltage supply is reduced as compared to the usual level of 5 V, in particular to 3.5 V.

Communication in the bus system generally proceeds in real time. This means that safety-relevant data, which may require a quick reaction by a control device or by actuators that are controlled by the control device, can also be sent over the bus system.

Interference in communications in the bus system can occur during operation of a vehicle or of an industrial facility, however, as a result of certain events. As a solution to this, errors in the context of transmission and reception are counted by the subscriber stations. In a CAN bus system, transmission errors have a greater weighting than reception errors.

If at least one error counter exceeds a value of 127, the subscriber station transitions into the Error Passive state. In the Error Passive state, errors are signaled only with a recessive level. In addition, the Error Passive subscriber station must observe an additional delay time of 8 bit times when transmitting messages. If the transmission error counter exceeds 255, a Bus Off state is initiated, in which the subscriber station cannot participate in bus events until the next reset.

In vehicles, connection of all devices to the Internet (IoT) is now being required. As a result, low-priority data are increasingly being transmitted via the bus of the CAN bus system so that those data can be evaluated at a later point in time.

It is problematic, however, that lower-priority data can also cause the error counters to increment, and thereby cause a subscriber station to transition more quickly into the Bus Off state. In addition, in conditions in which bandwidth must be limited, the low-priority data can jeopardize the real-time capability of the CAN bus system.

SUMMARY

An object of the present invention is to provide a subscriber station for a bus system, and a method for data transfer in a bus system, which solve the problems recited above. The present invention provides a subscriber station for a bus system, and a method for data transfer in a bus system, in which conditions that jeopardize the real-time capability of the CAN bus system can be detected more promptly and can be appropriately reacted to.

The object may be achieved by a subscriber station for a serial bus system in accordance with example embodiments of the present invention. In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, the subscriber station encompasses: a communication control device for controlling communication with at least one further subscriber station of the bus system; a transmission/reception device for receiving a message from a bus of the bus system, which message was created by the communication control device or by the at least one further subscriber station of the bus system and is being transferred on the bus; an interference detection unit that is configured to detect interference in the context of transfer of the message on the bus; and an interference processing unit that is configured to evaluate the interference detected by the interference detection unit in terms of the nature and magnitude of the interference, and to adapt communication control by the communication control device to the result of the evaluation of the interference.

Thanks to the measurement of the interference on the bus and compliance with electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) by the subscriber station, critical bus states caused, for instance, by radiation with reference to EMC can be detected and reacted to before the first interference occurs. The results of the measurement are usable, for example, for an early warning system, for instance in safety-critical systems such as a motor vehicle or in industrial facilities. Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) determines the ability of the subscriber station not to interfere with other subscriber stations of the bus system as a result of undesired electrical or electromagnetic effects, or to be interfered with by other subscriber stations.

Interference can thus be detected more promptly with the example subscriber station. As a result thereof, the bus system is more robust with respect to short-term EMC interference, since communication can be better adapted to changes in environmental conditions. For that purpose, the subscriber station can modify communication strategies with other subscriber stations of the bus system, in particular with control devices, on the basis of the measurement results. If several control devices utilize this technique, or if one of the subscriber stations can detect interference separately for the individual subscriber stations, a localization of interference in the network is then possible. Optimum operation, and easier and more economical repair of the bus system, are thereby possible.

Advantageous further embodiments of the subscriber station in accordance with the present invention are described herein.

The interference processing unit is possibly configured to distinguish between external and internal interference with the transfer of the message on the bus.

In an example embodiment of the present invention, the interference detection unit can have an individual level monitoring module for monitoring individual levels of differential bus signals. Additionally or alternatively, the interference detection unit can have a differential voltage monitoring module for monitoring whether a differential voltage lies outside a predetermined range. Additionally or alternatively, the interference detection unit can have a common mode interference monitoring module for monitoring whether the average voltage of the differential bus signals deviates, more quickly than prespecified or for a prespecified time, from a prespecified value. Additionally or alternatively, the interference detection unit can have a band interference monitoring module for monitoring prespecified frequency ranges of the aforementioned signals.

It is possible in this context for the individual level monitoring module to be configured to monitor whether one of the levels is changing particularly quickly and/or is deviating for a longer time from a prespecified range; and/or the individual level monitoring module is configured to monitor whether one of the levels is sufficiently high that a limitation by internal protective diodes due to electrostatic discharge, or a high common mode caused by EMC incoupling, cannot be ruled out.

It is possible for the differential voltage monitoring module to be configured to monitor whether the signal of the differential voltage is changing unusually quickly or unusually slowly; and/or the differential voltage monitoring module is configured to monitor whether the signal of the differential voltage is moving, over a prespecified time, unusually close to a decision threshold, established in the transmission/reception device, with which the transmission/reception device is configured to decide whether the signal of the differential voltage corresponds to a recessive bus state or to a dominant bus state.

The band interference monitoring module possibly has a filter in order to pick out the specific frequency ranges, the filter being at least one bandpass and/or at least one high-frequency rectifier circuit, and the filter being connected at its output to at least one analog/digital converter. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, the interference processing unit can be configured to adapt communication control by the communication control device by way of at least one of the following actions, namely: reporting the interference with a message to at least one of the other subscriber stations in the bus system; and/or forgoing the transmission of lower-priority messages; and/or transmitting safety-relevant messages redundantly via a further communication channel or with a time offset; and/or adapting at least one bit timing parameter for the message depending on the detected interference; and/or not increasing the data rate after the arbitration phase for a CAN FD message, even though an error counter has not yet reached the threshold normally necessary therefor; and/or not reducing the maximum amplitude of the differential voltage for an LVCAN message and thus not increasing the data rate, even though an error counter has not yet reached the prespecified threshold therefor.

According to an exemplifying embodiment of the present invention, the interference processing unit is configured to report the interference with a message at least to a sensor that is connected to the subscriber station.

According to an exemplifying embodiment of the present invention, the subscriber station furthermore has an error counter that is configured to add up separately, for each subscriber station of the bus system, the at least one interference instance that is produced by transmission of the message with the transmission/reception device.

The subscriber station described above can be part of a bus system that furthermore encompasses a bus by way of which at least two subscriber stations are connected to one another in such a way that they can communicate with one another. The at least two subscriber stations can be configured to transmit data regarding the interference to a control center for use in a map that geographically depicts the EMC impact corresponding to the interference.

The object described above is also achieved by a method according an example embodiment of the present invention for data transfer in a serial bus system. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, in the method, at least two subscriber stations in the bus system are connected to one another via the bus in such a way that they can communicate with one another. The method has the steps of: serially receiving, with a transmission/reception device of one of the subscriber stations, a message from the bus which was created by a communication control device of the subscriber station or of the at least one further subscriber station of the bus system and is being transferred on the bus; detecting, with an interference detection unit, interference in the context of transfer of the message on the bus; evaluating, with an interference processing unit, the interference detected by the interference detection unit in terms of the nature and magnitude of the interference; and adapting communication control by the communication control device to the result of the evaluation of the interference.

The method offers the same advantages as those described above with regard to the subscriber station.

Further possible implementations of the present invention encompass combinations, including ones not explicitly recited, of features or embodiments described above or hereinafter with regard to the exemplifying embodiments. One skilled in the art will also add individual aspects, as improvements or supplements, to the respective basic form of the present invention, based on the present disclosure.

In the Figures, identical or functionally identical elements are labeled with the same reference characters unless otherwise indicated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

FIG.1shows a bus system1for serial transfer of data. Bus system1is, for example, a CAN bus system and/or a CAN FD bus system and/or an LVCAN bus system, etc. Bus system1can be utilized in a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, an aircraft, etc., or in a hospital, etc. Bus system1is not limited, however, to the aforementioned variants of CAN-based systems.

InFIG.1, bus system1has a plurality of subscriber stations10,20,30that are each connected to a bus40having a first bus wire41and a second bus wire42. Bus wires41,42can also be referred to as CAN_H and CAN_L, and serve to couple in the dominant level in the transmitting state. Messages45,46,47, in the form of signals, are transferrable via bus40between the individual subscriber stations10,20,30. Data that are to be transferred from one of subscriber stations10,20,30to at least one other of subscriber stations10,20,30can thereby be converted into signals on bus40. Message45is, for example, a message having a normal priority. Message46is, for example, a message having a low priority, also referred to as a “low-priority” message. Message47is, for example, a message having a high safety relevance or a high priority, which is also referred to as a “high-priority” message. If one of subscriber stations10,20,30detects an error in the communication on bus40, that subscriber station10,20,30transmits onto bus40an error message48that is received by the other subscriber stations10,20,30. The error can occur, for example, as a result of interference50in the transfer of one of messages45,46,47on bus40.

Subscriber stations10,20,30are, for example, control devices or indicating apparatuses or sensors or actuators of a motor vehicle or of an industrial facility or the like.

As shown inFIG.1, subscriber station10has a communication control device11that has an interference processing unit111, and a transmission/reception device12that has an error counter121and an interference detection unit122. Subscriber station20has a communication control device21and a transmission/reception device22having a fault counter221. Subscriber station30has a communication control device31that has an interference processing unit311, and a transmission/reception device32having an error counter321and an interference detection unit322.

Transmission/reception devices12,22,32of subscriber stations10,20,30are each directly connected to bus40, although this is not depicted inFIG.1.

Communication control devices11,21,31respectively serve to control communication by the respective subscriber station10,20,30via bus40with another subscriber station of subscriber stations10,20,30connected to bus40. Communication control devices11,31can be embodied, except for interference processing units111,311, like a conventional CAN controller and/or CAN FD controller and/or LVCAN controller. Communication control device21can be embodied like a conventional CAN controller and/or CAN FD controller and/or LVCAN controller.

Transmission/reception devices12,32serve to transmit the respective messages45,46,47. Transmission/reception device22likewise serves to transmit one of messages45,46,47. Error counters121,221,321serve to count the errors that the pertinent transmission/reception device12,22,32has detected in the context of communication on bus40. Except for the functions described below as being different for transmission/reception devices12,32, transmission/reception devices12,22,32can otherwise be configured like a conventional CAN transceiver and/or CAN FD transceiver and/or LVCAN transceiver.

As shown inFIG.2in each case as a voltage U over time t with reference to message45, for a CAN frame at the top inFIG.2and for a CAN FD frame at the bottom inFIG.2, CAN communication on bus40can be subdivided in principle into two different time segments. Messages46,47can be constructed in the same manner.

The two different time segments of message45encompass arbitration phases451,453(depicted merely schematically) and a data region452, which in CAN FD can also be called a “data phase” and in which the useful data of message45are transmitted. In CAN FD, as compared with conventional CAN, at the end of the arbitration phase the data rate for the subsequent data phase is increased, for instance, to 2, 4, 8 Mbps. It is thus the case that with CAN FD, the data rate in arbitration phases451,453is lower or faster than the data rate in data region452. With CAN FD, data region452is considerably shortened as compared with data region452of the CAN frame.

In arbitration phase451,453, a determination is made with the aid of an identification number451x,453xas to which of the currently transmitting subscriber station(s)10,20,30of bus system1at least temporarily gets exclusive, collision-free access to bus40of bus system1in the subsequent data region452. A transfer of the useful data of message45by the subscriber station that has won the arbitration takes place in data region452.

FIG.3shows, as an example, voltage curves over time t for bus signals CAN_H, CAN_L. The voltage curves can occur during normal operation, i.e., with no interference50on bus40, in a signal of messages45,46,47. A sequence of a recessive bus level49, a dominant bus level48, and a recessive bus level49is shown as an example. The voltage curves of bus signals CAN_H and CAN_L show a considerably slower change of state upon a transition from a dominant bus level48to a recessive bus level49than upon a change from recessive bus level49to dominant bus level48. With CAN FD, the length over time of dominant bus level48and of recessive bus level49is shorter in the data phase than in the arbitration phase, as is also evident fromFIG.2and the description thereof.

According toFIG.3, the bus signal CAN_H normally (i.e. with no interference50on bus40, and for a CAN voltage supply Vcc=5 V) has levels between 2.5 V and 3.5 V, which corresponds to levels between Vcc/2 and Vcc/2+X. Conversely, the bus signal CAN_L normally (i.e. with no interference50on bus40, and with a CAN voltage supply of 5 V) has levels between 1.5 V and 2.5 V, which corresponds to levels between Vcc/2−X and Vcc/2. The levels for CAN_H and CAN_L are correspondingly reduced for LVCAN, with a CAN voltage supply of, for example, 3.5 V.

As shown inFIG.4, a differential voltage VDIFF=CAN_H−CAN_L, resulting from the bus signals CAN_H, CAN_L, therefore normally has levels between 0 V and 2 V, for a CAN voltage supply of 5 V and if no interference50is occurring on bus40. This corresponds to levels of the voltage VDIFFof between 0 V and 2X V. If the differential voltage VDIFFfalls below a decision threshold of 1 V or X V, transmission/reception device12detects a recessive bus signal level. If the differential voltage VDIFFexceeds decision threshold120of 1 V or X V, transmission/reception device12detects a dominant bus signal level. Decision threshold120is correspondingly reduced with a CAN voltage supply of, for example, 3.5 V for LVCAN, in particular to 0.5 V, 0.4 V, 0.2 V, etc.

If interference50occurs on bus40, the bus signals CAN_H, CAN_L, and thus also the differential voltage VDIFF, change over time t as compared with the normal or expected (and thus prespecified) signal curves shown inFIG.3andFIG.4. Those changes are detected by interference detection unit122, as described below.

FIG.5shows, in more detail, interference detection unit122, which is constructed identically to interference detection unit322. Interference detection unit122has at least one of the following modules1221to1224for monitoring and detecting different interference instances50that can occur during the operation of bus system1, namely an individual level monitoring module1221and/or a differential voltage monitoring module1222and/or a common mode interference monitoring module1223and/or a band interference monitoring module1224. Interference detection module122is connected via an interface13and/or at least one terminal125to interference processing unit111.

Individual level monitoring module1221monitors the individual levels of bus signals CAN_H, CAN_L, monitoring whether one of the levels is changing particularly quickly, in particular whether the edge slope at a transition between states49,48is greater than normal, as shown inFIG.3. Additionally or alternatively, it is possible to monitor whether one of the levels is deviating to an unusual degree from the usual or prespecified range, namely from the prespecified range from 2.5 V to 3.5 V for CAN_H and from the prespecified range from 1.5 to 2.5 V for CAN_L. Additionally or alternatively, monitoring occurs as to whether one of the levels is sufficiently high that a limitation by internal protective diodes, e.g. ≈+−58 V, due to electrostatic discharge, or a high common mode caused by EMC incoupling, cannot be ruled out.

Differential voltage monitoring module1222monitors whether or not differential interference50is present. What is monitored here is whether the signal of the differential voltage VDIFFlies outside the expected or prespecified range from 0 V to 2 V, as shown inFIG.4. Additionally or alternatively, monitoring occurs as to whether the signal of the differential voltage VDIFFis changing unusually quickly or unusually slowly. “Unusually quickly” means in particular that the transition between the individual bus states48,49or49,48takes place more quickly than in the context of a normally long (and thus prespecified) bit duration, as shown inFIG.4. “Unusually slowly” means in particular that the transition between the individual bus states48,49or49,48takes place more slowly than in the context of a normally long (and thus prespecified) bit duration, as shown inFIG.4.

Additionally or alternatively, what is monitored is whether the signal of the differential voltage VDIFFmoves, over a longer period of time, unusually close to decision threshold120of 1 V, as shown inFIG.4. What is monitored in particular is therefore whether the signal of the differential voltage VDIFFis approximately equal to decision threshold120of 1 V for longer than a prespecified time.

Common mode monitoring module1223monitors whether the average voltage of the two signals CAN_H, CAN_L deviates particularly quickly, or particularly strongly over a longer period of time, from the expected value of 2.5 volts (the common mode signal). “Particularly quickly or over a longer period of time” means in particular that the edge slope of the signals CAN_H, CAN_L upon transitions between bus states49,48is steeper than the prespecified value shown inFIG.3as a normal curve, or upon transitions between bus states48,49is flatter than the prespecified value shown inFIG.3as a normal curve.

Band interference monitoring module1224monitors at least one prespecified frequency range of at least one of the aforementioned signals, namely the individual signal (CAN_H, CAN_L), differential signal (VDIFF), and common mode signal. For this, the at least one prespecified frequency range is picked out by way of a filter1224A, and the output signal of filter1224A, which corresponds to the at least one prespecified frequency range, is conveyed to at least one analog/digital converter1224B. Filter1224A can be embodied as at least one bandpass and/or as at least one HF rectifier circuit.

Interference detection unit122of transmission/reception device12, more precisely its modules1221to1224, measure the respective interference instances50present on bus40and report to communication control device11regarding the nature and magnitude of interference50. More precisely, the report is made from interference detection unit122to interference processing unit111. Interference processing unit111is constructed identically to interference processing unit311.

The report from transmission/reception device12to communication control device11, or from unit122to unit111, either can occur by way of data interface13that may already be present, for example SPI, I2C, etc., and/or can be effected using additional special terminals125on transmission/reception device12, for instance digital-signal, PWM, SENT, analog, etc., as illustrated inFIG.5as a special example.

As a reaction to the report from transmission/reception device12as to which interference instances50are currently present on bus40, and at what magnitude, communication control device11, in particular its interference processing unit111, can adjust its communication appropriately. For that purpose, communication control device11can take at least one of the following actions to control its communication, namely:report the at least one detected interference instance50to the other subscriber stations20,30in bus system1; and/orforgo transmission of low-priority messages; and/ortransmit safety-relevant messages redundantly via a further communication channel or with a time offset; and/oradapt the bit timing parameters, for example bit rate prescaler, sample point, synchronization jump width, etc. depending on the at least one detected interference instance50; and/orfor CAN FD: not increase the data rate after arbitration, even though error counter121has not yet reached the threshold normally necessary therefor; and/orfor LVCAN: not reduce the magnitude of the voltage supply and thus the maximum amplitude of the differential voltage VDIFF, and not increase the data rate, even though error counter121has not yet reached the threshold normally necessary therefor.

Using the report from transmission/reception device12, communication control device11, or more precisely its interference processing unit111, can distinguish between external interference50and internal interference50, since external interference50occurs upon both transmission and reception of the signals, but internal interference50occurs principally upon transmission of the signals. The distinction between external and internal interference50is important for service personnel, since in the context of an attempt to eliminate interference50in bus system1, that distinction allows quicker isolation of the cause of interference, and quicker elimination of the fault responsible for interference50.

With subscriber stations10,30, interference50can thus be detected more promptly. As a consequence thereof, bus system1is more robust with respect to short-term interference50, in particular EMC interference, since communication can be better adapted to changes in environmental conditions, as described above. This makes possible optimal operation and, in the context of reporting of interference50between subscriber stations10,30, easier and more economical repair of bus system1.

According to a modification of the above-described exemplifying embodiment of the present invention, it is possible for at least one subscriber station of subscriber stations10,20,30to know which messages45,46,47are being transmitted by which subscriber station10,20,30. In this case that at least one subscriber station10,20,30can, while messages45,46,47are being received, add up separately for each individual subscriber station10,20,30, for example using a plurality of counting units of error counter121, the interference instance(s)50caused by transmission, and can store them for later readout by service personnel. This additionally facilitates troubleshooting. Storage can be accomplished, for example, with the aid of a memory function of interference processing device111.

FIG.6shows error counter121in more detail in order to explain a second exemplifying embodiment of the present invention. In the second exemplifying embodiment, the counting procedures for reception error counter121A and transmission error counter121B of error counter121are adapted as follows:

In order to detect and process interference50that causes a reception error, reception error counter121A is, as before, incremented by 1 for each detected reception error. If, however, subscriber station10is the first of all the subscriber stations10,20,30to detect the reception error or interference50, reception error counter121A is incremented by a further 8, only at subscriber station10, if the detected interference instance(s)50during reception were small. The larger the interference instances50during reception, the less the additional incrementing of reception error counter121A.

Transmission error counter121B is furthermore incremented by at least 1 for each detected transmission error. In addition, transmission error counter121B is incremented by further points the smaller the interference instances50before or after transmission of the message (end-of-frame or interframe space, error delimiter), and by that many further points, the larger the interference instance(s)50during transmission.

Very generally, reception error counter121A and transmission error counter121B are incremented or decremented depending on the nature of the interference and/or the time of occurrence in the context of transmission of one of messages45,46,47via bus40.

In general, what is to be detected on the basis of error counters121A,121B and corresponding error counters of subscriber station30is how well or how poorly subscriber station10,30can receive under good EMC conditions. If the EMC conditions are poor, however, it is to be expected that subscriber station10,30will receive many messages45,46,47erroneously, with no need for that to necessarily indicate a defect in transmission/reception device12,32. Error counter121and/or error counters121A,121B, and the corresponding error counters of subscriber station30, are therefore not incremented as quickly under poor EMC conditions as under good EMC conditions.

Additionally or alternatively, thresholds1211to121N for error states can be adapted. For example, thresholds1211to121N for the transition to the Error Passive state and/or to the Bus Off state can be increased if interference50has been detected for a longer period of time between the transmission of messages45(end-of-frame or interframe space, error delimiter).

FIG.7shows a system5according to a third exemplifying embodiment of the present invention. In system5, a message55is created and transmitted, using interference elimination modules111,311, as an advance warning for other sensors61,62, taking into account the fact that the conditions with regard to electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) usually act not only on bus system1but also on the sensor system. Alternatively or in addition to the advance warning by way of message55, a lowering of the confidence index is possible in specific sensor data that are present in the context of interference50on bus40, and that can therefore be negatively affected, in particular distorted or destroyed, by bus interference50.

FIG.8shows a system7having a control center8, according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Here at least one system7, which can be in particular a vehicle, a tool, etc. having GPS reception, transmits the EMC irradiation from radiation sources9, for example high-voltage pylons, neon lamp ballasts, etc., to control center8, which is in particular a cloud, a traffic control center, etc. A geographic map80with EMC impact can then be created at control center8.

This makes possible even earlier interventions by bus system1. It is possible, for example, for (an) occupant(s) of autonomous vehicles, constituting system7, to be prompted in timely fashion to take control of the vehicle themselves in advance of locations having elevated EMC irradiation (such as radiation sources9).

All the above-described embodiments of bus system1, of systems5,7, of subscriber stations10,20,30, and of the method can be utilized individually or in all possible combinations. In particular, all features of the above-described exemplifying embodiments and/or modifications thereof can be combined or omitted in any way. The following modifications, in particular, are possible:

The above-described bus system1according to the exemplifying embodiments is described with reference to a bus system based on the CAN protocol or CAN FD protocol. Bus system1according to the various exemplifying embodiments can, however, also be another type of communication network. It is advantageous, but not an obligatory prerequisite, that in the context of bus system1, exclusive, collision-free access by a subscriber station10,20,30onto bus40is guaranteed at least for specific time spans.

Bus system1according to the exemplifying embodiments is, in particular, a CAN network or a CAN FD network or a FlexRay network or an SPI network.

It is possible for one of the two bus wires41,42to be connected to ground and thus to be a ground wire, and for the other of the two bus wires41,42to be a signal wire on which the bus signal for messages45,46,47is transferred.

The number and disposition of subscriber stations10,20,30in bus system1according to the exemplifying embodiments is arbitrary. In particular, only subscriber stations10or subscriber stations30can be present in bus systems1of the exemplifying embodiments.

The functionality of the above-described exemplifying embodiments can be implemented not only as described above. Additionally or alternatively, the functionality can be integrated into existing products, for example into one of communication control devices11,31or into one of transmission/reception devices12,32. It is possible in particular for the functionality in question to be implemented as a separate electronic module (chip), or to be embedded in an integrated total solution in which only one electronic module (chip) is present for communication control device11, transmission/reception device12, and the functionality of units111,122and/or of counters121.