Local area network for vehicle

Disclosed is a local area network for a vehicle which comprises a plurality of terminal stations each having an input/output port for various signals, a main-loop formed by series connection of the terminal stations and transmission lines, a sub-loop arranged in parallel to the main-loop and formed by series connection of the terminal stations and transmission lines, and controllers. One of the terminal stations receives a large amount of information such as an audio signal from an audio transmitter and one of the other terminal stations supplies a large amount of information such as an audio signal to an audio receiver. When the main-loop is in a normal operation state, the main-loop operates as a token-passing system and the sub-loop acts as a direct transmission route from one of the terminal stations to another terminal station, and when the main-loop is in an abnormal operation state, the main-loop is coupled with the sub-loop and the transmitting of information such as an audio signal is stopped, and simultaneously, the sub-loop is switched to the token-passing system. Thus, the double loops, i.e., the main-loop and the sub-loop, are effectively utilized. In addition, any decrease in the reliability of various signals transmission when a failure of the main-loop occurs, can be prevented.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
(1) Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to a local area network (hereinafter 
abbreviated to LAN) for a vehicle with a double loop constitution and for 
a multiplex transmission of various signals in an automobile. 
(2) Description of the Related Art 
Hitherto, to simplify wiring inside a vehicle, it was proposed that a 
plurality of nodes be arranged in the automobile, the nodes being 
interconnected with one another by multiplex signal transmission lines. 
Switching signals, diagnostic signals, and the like from various 
apparatuses equipped on the vehicle could then be transmitted as a 
multiplex signal. Also, in order to withstand noise, the use of an optical 
fiber transmission line was proposed. Star type, loop type, and the like 
LAN systems using an optical fiber are known. In these systems, the loop 
type LAN is advantageous because the total length of the optical fiber is 
short and the optical fibers are simply arranged. 
In the loop type LAN, however, a problem arises in that if only one portion 
of the loop breaks down or causes abnormal operation, none of the nodes 
will be able to transmit signals. To resolve this problem, another system 
has been proposed wherein the loop is formed in a double loop 
constitution, i.e., main-loop and sub-loop using this system, if the 
main-loop cannot transmit the signals, a portion of the sub-loop is used 
to transmit the signals as a loopback system instead of the main-loop; and 
the reliability against failure is increased. 
Nevertheless, in this case, as long as the LAN is in a normal operation 
state the other (sub-loop) of the double loops is not necessary. Also, the 
size of the LAN system must be increased to enable use of this 
countermeasure to an abnormal operation, and this is very uneconomical. 
The inventors of the present invention have conceived an effective 
application of the sub-loop in the case of the double loop constitution. 
The vehicle signals transmitted by the LAN include signals such as an audio 
signal which transmits a large amount of information at a certain time 
interval, and signals generated intermittently at a certain time interval 
such as signals detecting an abnormal state, e.g., lamp breakdown or the 
like, and turning the switches ON or OFF in the various apparatuses. 
Accordingly, another problem arises in that when an attempt is made to 
transmit all of the abovementioned signals by using only one transmission 
line which is comparatively small in scale, such as an LAN for a vehicle, 
the audio signal, for example, is band limited when played back. 
The related arts for this invention are disclosed in Japanese Unexamined 
Patent Publications (Kokai) Nos. 58-70655 and 58-70658. 
The present invention was made in consideration of the above-mentioned 
problems. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
An object of the present invention is to provide a local area network for a 
vehicle wherein most urgent signals are transmitted by a main-loop using a 
token-passing system, and in addition to the main-loop, a sub-loop is 
provided and less urgent signals and a large amount of information 
transmitted at a certain time interval can be transmitted thereon at a 
high speed. Also, when an abnormal state occurs in the main-loop, the 
main-loop is connected to the sub-loop and the sub-loop becomes the 
transmission line using the token-passing system. 
In the present invention, in order to accomplish the above-mentioned 
object, the following LAN for a vehicle is provided. 
This LAN comprises a plurality of terminal stations located in the vehicle 
and having input/output ports for various signals; transmission members 
for interconnecting the plurality of terminal stations; a main-loop formed 
by series connection of the plurality of terminal stations and the 
transmission members; and a sub-loop having other transmission members, 
formed by series connection of the plurality of terminal stations and the 
other transmission members, and arranged parallel to the main-loop. 
The plurality of terminal stations comprises a first terminal station to 
which an input device is connected to receive a large amount of 
information in a certain time interval; and a second terminal station to 
which an output device is connected to supply a large amount of 
information in a certain time interval. In addition, the LAN comprises a 
control means provided in at least one of the plurality of terminal 
stations; by which, when the main-loop is in the normal operation state, 
the main-loop is used as a token-passing system and the sub-loop is used 
as a direct transmission line from the first terminal station to the 
second terminal station; and when the main-loop is in an abnormal state, 
the main-loop is coupled to the sub-loop and the transmission of the 
signal from the input device is stopped, and the sub-loop is used as the 
token-passing system. 
By using the above-mentioned LAN, when the main-loop is in a normal 
operation state, information except for the information supplied from the 
input device to the first terminal station is transmitted multiplexly 
through the main-loop by the token-passing system. In addition, a large 
amount of information generated in a certain time interval is supplied to 
the first terminal station, and when the information passes through the 
other terminal stations, processing of the information is not carried out, 
and the information is transmitted directly to the second terminal 
station. Therefore, when the transmission of a large amount of information 
in a certain time interval, such as audio information, is necessary, the 
information can be transmitted at a very high speed without influence from 
other information. Also, distortion of the output signal in the output 
device can be reduced. 
Further, if the main-loop is in an abnormal operation state, the control 
means couples the sub-loop to the main-loop, and the transmission system 
is switched from the direct system to the token-passing system. Thus, the 
most urgent information formerly transmitted multiplexly through the 
main-loop can be then transmitted through the sub-loop without 
interruption. 
According to the present invention, in a normal operation, a packet signal 
including a wheel revolution signal or the like, which requires a high 
transmission reliability is transmitted by the token-passing system 
through the main-loop, and a signal such as an audio signal, which 
requires a high speed transmission and continuous processing can be 
transmitted through the sub-loop, at a high speed without distortion, and 
thus the double loop can be utilized very effectively. If the main-loop is 
in an abnormal operation state, the signal transmission through the 
sub-loop is interrupted, a portion of the sub-loop or all of the sub-loop 
is switched to the token-passing system, backup measures such as a 
loop-back or the like are taken, signals requiring a high transmission 
reliability, i.e., wheel revolution signal or the like, are transmitted 
without interruption, and thus the reliability of the transmission 
operation is maintained at a high level.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
The present invention will now be explained based on an embodiment shown in 
the figures. FIG. 1 shows an arrangement of each terminal station 
(hereinafter called node) of a multiplex signal transmission apparatus for 
an automobile (i.e., LAN for an automobile) and apparatuses connected to 
the nodes in a car body 1. 
The apparatus shown in FIG. 1 comprises a ring type network constituting a 
double loop. A wheel revolution signal which is necessary to control the 
traction of the vehicle, and which requires real time control, is 
transmitted through one of the loops, i.e., the main-loop. The other loop, 
i.e., the sub-loop, transmits an audio signal from a car stereo player or 
the like, which requires an extremely high transmission speed and 
continuous processing, at the same time as the main-loop carries out 
transmission of the wheel revolution signal. 
In the apparatus of FIG. 1, reference numerals 2 to 6 denote nodes, 1a to 
5a denote optical fibers (or optical fiber cables) which are transmission 
members and constitute the main-loop A for the signal transmission 
together with the nodes 2 to 6, and 1b to 5b denote optical fibers which 
constitute the sub-loop B for the signal transmission together with the 
nodes 2 to 6. Numeral 7 denotes an audio transmitter which supplies a 
digital audio signal, which is applied to the node 4, and numeral 8 
denotes an audio receiver which receives the digital audio signal from the 
node 5 and converts it to perceivable audio. Numerals 12, 13, 15, and 16 
denote revolution sensors which detect the number of revolutions of each 
wheel and supply number of revolutions signals to the nodes 2, 3, 5, and 
6, respectively. 
FIG. 2 shows the constitution of the node 4. A optical signal from the 
optical fiber 5b is converted to an electric signal through an 
optical/electric converter 41 (O/E), and is applied to a terminal 451 of 
an LAN interface 45. An electric signal from a terminal 452 of the LAN 
interface 45 is converted to an optical signal through an electric/optical 
converter 42 (E/O) and supplied to the optical fiber 5a. Similarly, an 
optical signal from the optical fiber 1a is converted to an electric 
signal through an O/E 44 and applied to the LAN interface 45. An electric 
signal from a terminal 453 of the LAN interface 45 is converted to an 
optical signal through E/O 43 and supplied to the optical fiber 1b. 
A terminal 401 is connected to the audio transmitter 7 through a signal 
line C shown in FIG. 1. A digital audio signal is applied to the LAN 
interface 45 via the terminal 401 and a terminal 455. A switch 
electrically connecting the terminals 451 to 454, and a token-passing type 
LAN controller, are provided in the LAN interface 45. The LAN interface 45 
is controlled in the manner shown by the flowcharts in FIGS. 8 and 9. 
Also, the LAN interface 45 is connected to a microcomputer 46 and an 
input/output (I/O) port 47 through bus lines. The microcomputer 46 
controls the traction of the vehicle in accordance with the signal 
transmitted to the LAN interface 45. 
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the constitution of the node 5, which 
constitution is substantially the same as that of the node 4 in FIG. 2, 
except that the digital audio signal is supplied to the audio receiver 8 
via terminals 555 and 501. 
The other nodes 2, 3, and 6 are the as same as the node 4 in FIG. 2 except 
that they are not provided with input/output terminals for the digital 
audio signal. 
The operation of the LAN during a normal operation is now explained. 
The main-loop (constituted by the optical fibers 1a to 5a and the nodes 2 
to 6) of the LAN for the automobile according to an embodiment of the 
present invention shown in FIG. 1 is constructed as a token-passing type 
loop network. In the main-loop, a specific bit series (e.g., 8 bits), 
called a token packet, circulates through the loop. Only the node 
obtaining the token packet is given access, and thus can receive or 
transmit the signal. 
In the LAN for the automobile in FIG. 1, during a normal operation, each 
node operates so that the main-loop in FIG. 4 is formed. That is, in the 
node 5 in FIG. 3, the following signal flow is formed. Node 
6.fwdarw.optical fiber 2a.fwdarw.O/E 54.fwdarw.LAN interface 55 (LAN 
controller).fwdarw.E/O 52.fwdarw.optical fiber 1a.fwdarw.node 4. 
Similarly, in node 4 in FIG. 2, the signal flow is as follows: node 
5.fwdarw.optical fiber 1a.fwdarw.O/E 44.fwdarw.LAN interface 45 (LAN 
controller).fwdarw.E/O 42.fwdarw.optical fiber 5a.fwdarw.node 3. 
In the nodes 3, 2, and 6, the signal is processed in the same way as in the 
nodes 5 and 4, and the signal is transmitted sequentially. As a result, 
the main-loop is formed as shown in FIG. 4, and the signal circulates 
through the main-loop. Thus the token-passing type loop network is 
completed. 
In the main-loop, as a safety device for the vehicle 1 in FIG. 1, since a 
traction control mechanism is provided, revolution signals from the 
revolution sensors 12, 13, 15, and 16, which detect the number of wheel 
revolutions, must be transmitted to node 4. At node 4, the transmitted 
revolution signals are processed for the traction control, the processed 
signal drives an oil pressure valve (not shown) to prevent a loss of 
traction and vehicle safety is thus assured. 
The signals from the revolution sensors 12, 13, 15, and 16 are applied to 
the nodes 2, 3, 5, and 6, respectively, and transmitted to the node 4 
through the main-loop. For example, in the case of the revolution sensor 
15, the revolution signal N5 is applied to a terminal 502 of the node 5 in 
FIG. 3, and then applied to a microcomputer 56 through the input/output 
(I/O) port 57. The token packet successively gains access to the nodes in 
the counterclockwise direction of the main-loop. FIG. 9 shows a flowchart 
for the node 5. When the main-loop is in a normal operation state, the 
process advances from step S501 to step S502, and in the node 5, detection 
of the token packet reception (access by node) takes place. After the 
detection, at step S503 the signal reception is processed, and a YES or NO 
answer to a transmission request from the node 4 regarding the revolution 
signal N5 is examined. If YES at step S504, the revolution signal N5 is 
applied to the LAN interface 55 from the microcomputer 56, and the 
revolution signal N5 is connected to the token packet and transmitted to 
the node 4. 
Similarly, in the nodes 6, 2, and 3, the revolution signals N6, N2, and N3 
from the revolution sensors 16, 12, and 13 are applied to the nodes 6, 2, 
and 3, respectively. When each node is accessed by the token packet and 
the transmission request for the revolution signal is supplied from the 
node 4, each revolution signal is connected to the token packet by the LAN 
interface of each node, and transmitted to the node 4. 
FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of the process at the node 4. At step S401, the 
node determines whether or not the main-loop is in a normal operation 
state. Then, at step S402, if the operation state is normal, detection of 
the token packet reception takes place. After the detection, the signal 
reception process is performed at step S403. At step S404, if the 
revolution signal has been transmitted from each node, the LAN interface 
45 receives the revolution signals and transmits them to the microcomputer 
46. The microcomputer 46 operates to control the traction, after receiving 
each of the revolution signals N2, N3, N5, and N6, and the operating 
results are supplied from the input/output port 47 to drive the oil 
pressure control valve (not shown). 
During a normal operation, the audio signal is transmitted through the 
sub-loop as shown in FIG. 4, without using the token-passing system. 
Namely, in the node 4 in FIG. 2, the following signal flow is formed: audio 
transmitter 7.fwdarw.terminal.fwdarw.401.fwdarw.LAN interface 45 (the 
terminal 455 is connected to the terminal 453 by inner 
connection).fwdarw.E/O 43.fwdarw.optical fiber 1b. A signal processing is 
not performed in the LAN interface 45, as the signal is only passing 
through. Similarly, in the node 5 in FIG. 3, the signal flow is as 
follows: optical fiber 1b.fwdarw.O/E 51.fwdarw.LAN interface 55 (the 
terminal 551 is connected to the terminal 555 by inner 
connection).fwdarw.terminal 501.fwdarw.audio receiver 8. The signal only 
passes through the LAN interface 55 and is transmitted directly from the 
O/E 51 to the terminal 501. 
As mentioned above, the digital audio signal is transmitted from the audio 
transmitter 7 to the audio receiver 8 through the node 4, the optical 
fiber 1b, and the node 5. That is, using a portion of the sub-loop, the 
audio signal is continuously transmitted. Although, in this embodiment, 
the interval between the nodes 4 and 5 in the sub-loop is used for the 
audio signal transmission, it is possible for the other node intervals 
(for example, the interval between the nodes 4 and 2) to be used; the 
audio signal passing directly through the nodes, and being transmitted 
through the node interval. The designation of the node interval is 
determined by sending a command signal from the node 4 to each node on the 
main-loop. 
The process for an abnormal operation state is now explained. In the LAN 
for the automobile in FIG. 1, if the signal cannot be transmitted through 
the optical fibers 1a to 5a forming the main-loop because, for example, of 
a partial disconnection, the main-loop is in an abnormal operation state. 
An abnormal operation state of the main-loop is determined at step S401 of 
the control flowchart in the LAN interface 45 of the node 4 shown in FIG. 
8, by measuring the time taken for the token packet to circulate around 
the main-loop. If the time is longer than a predetermined time, the 
operating state is determined to be abnormal, and the process flows to 
step S405 to enable a countermeasure to the abnormal state to be taken. 
Details of the countermeasure taken for an abnormal state, by which the 
node 4 sends commands to the other nodes, is now explained using three 
cases as examples. In the countermeasure for an abnormal operation, these 
transmission of the audio signal through the sub-loop is stopped, a 
portion or all of the sub-loop is connected to the main-loop, and the 
token packet and the revolution signals are successively and continuously 
transmitted through the sub-loop as a bypass route. 
The loop constitutions during an abnormal case are as in the three cases 
shown in FIGS. 5 to 7. 
In the case shown in FIG. 5, where a plurality of portions of the main-loop 
have failed, the main-loop is not used in its entirety at all, and the 
sub-loop is used instead of the main-loop. Namely, the operations carried 
out by the main-loop are completely taken over by the sub-loop. 
In the case shown in FIG. 6, where a point P or both points P and Q on the 
optical fiber 3a are disconnected, the loop is turned at the node 2 and 
the node 6 (loop-back method) and the signal flows as follows: node 
4.fwdarw.optical fiber 5a.fwdarw.node 3.fwdarw.optical fiber 
4a.fwdarw.node 2.fwdarw.optical fiber 4b.fwdarw.node 3.fwdarw.optical 
fiber 5b.fwdarw.node 4.fwdarw.optical fiber 1b.fwdarw.node 
5.fwdarw.optical fiber 2b.fwdarw.node 6.fwdarw.optical fiber 
2a.fwdarw.node 5.fwdarw.optical fiber 1a.fwdarw.node 4. 
In the above route: optical fiber 4b.fwdarw.node 3.fwdarw.optical fiber 
5b.fwdarw.node 4.fwdarw.optical fiber 1b.fwdarw.node 5.fwdarw.optical 
fiber 2b of the sub-loop, the signal is passed through the LAN interfaces 
in the nodes 3, 4, and 5. For example, in the node 5 shown in FIG. 3, the 
signal from the optical fiber 1b is applied to the terminal 551 of the LAN 
interface 55 through the O/E 51, the signal is passed through the LAN 
interface 55 to the terminal 553 as it stands, and is then supplied to the 
optical fiber 2b through the E/O 53. The nodes 3 and 4 operate in the same 
way as the node 5. In the node 2, the signal from the optical fiber 4a is 
applied to the LAN interface through the O/E, and supplied to the optical 
fiber 4b through an LAN controller located in the LAN interface and the 
E/O. Similarly, in the node 6, the signal from the optical fiber 2b is 
supplied to the optical fiber 2a through the LAN interface in the node 6. 
By the above-mentioned method shown in FIG. 6, another loop is formed to 
replace the main-loop for a normal operation, if there is a failure in a 
portion of the optical fiber in the main-loop. 
In the case shown in FIG. 7, where the node 6 is in an abnormal operation 
state, the loop is turned back at the nodes 2 and 5 (loop-back method), 
and the signal flows as follows: node 4.fwdarw.optical fiber 
5a.fwdarw.node 3.fwdarw.optical fiber 4a.fwdarw.node 2.fwdarw.optical 
fiber 4b.fwdarw.node 3.fwdarw.optical fiber 5b.fwdarw.node 
4.fwdarw.optical fiber 1b.fwdarw.node 5.fwdarw.optical fiber 
1a.fwdarw.node 4. 
In the above route: optical fiber 4b.fwdarw.node 3.fwdarw.optical fiber 
5b.fwdarw.node 4.fwdarw.optical fiber 1b of the sub-loop, the signal is 
made to pass through in the same way as in the case of FIG. 6 by operating 
the LAN interfaces in the nodes 3 and 4. 
By the above-mentioned method shown in FIG. 7, if the node 6 is in an 
abnormal operation state, a signal except for the signal related to the 
node 6 is transmitted normally and a failure of the whole of the LAN can 
be avoided. 
In the above-explained three cases shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, although it is 
necessary to stop transmitting the audio signal through the sub-loop, the 
traction control function or the like which is important for the safety of 
the automobile can be performed without fail. 
In the above description, only the revolution signal has been treated as a 
signal transmitted through the main-loop. However, in practice, signals 
relating to various switches, lamps, motors, sensors, and the like are 
transmitted.