Role of Bluetooth in Automotive Applications

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bluetooth in cars

The new generation of cars will have an increased number of micro controllers connected through two or more networks. One advantage of this is that the car can be individually adapted by software, another that to a large extent the car can have self-diagnostic functions. To fully utilize such features, there must be a bidirectional communication between car systems and production equipment as well as service equipment for downloading new software and parameters and uploading status and diagnostic messages Is. These production and service equipment will be largely based on PC technology. The connection between the car system and the tool is made either via a cable or directly to the CAN (Controller Area Network) bus via a gateway. The cheapest way is to connect the PC directly to the drip line from the CAN bus but it should be short. According to the CAN standard it should be less than 39 cms at 1 Mbit/s bitrate. Compare with USB and Bluetooth, the mobility and versatility have made Bluetooth highly performant.

bluetooth in car production:

In car production a lot of software is downloaded as the last step in the production line. This is one application where Bluetooth would be ideally suited. The Bluetooth base station is connected to the output field bus. When the car connects to the Bluetooth base station online, it uploads its serial number. The production computer then downloads the software for the corresponding car via field bus to the base station, which in turn transmits it to the car. However, this is a dedicated use and no Bluetooth units other than those installed in cars should be connected to the cell.

For Bluetooth Car Service:

A scenario for using Bluetooth could be:

1) When the car enters the service station, its Bluetooth station communicates with the main computer of the service station. It has previously exchanged information with the car computer through the cell phone system.

2) The main computer of the service station alerts the service man to assign the task and his PC establishes contact with the car and downloads any necessary information.

3) Servicemen get the necessary work instructions on their PC. While servicing the car, he can control and adjust many functions via PC, such as any lights, windows, climate control, engine parameters, etc. He can also download the latest software version for any Electronic Control Unit (ECU).

CAN/Bluetooth Basics:

Developed as a basis for highly reliable communication via a twisted pair of wires that can be implemented from very simple tasks to advanced real-time control. To achieve this goal, it is based on the principle that each node in the system simultaneously examines each bit transmitted on the bus. By this principle a series of problems like access to buses, collision detection, data consistency etc. are solved in an elegant way. However, the condition that each node must see the same bit at the same time requires a controlled wave propagation time. This is easily achieved in wired systems but difficult to achieve in wireless systems. Therefore, any wireless transmission in a CAN system has to be done through a gateway and Bluetooth offers the best possibilities for this task among the available radio standards.

Bluetooth concept ideal for diagnostics:

The ideal Bluetooth concept for diagnostics should have the following properties:

1 low cost

2 performance as required

3 standard as required

To reach these goals we must have a low cost, high performance Bluetooth unit that can be used for any application. Then it needs to be separated from everything that is not needed by everyone, that is, such a concept as CAN. Any controller can provide the basic features required for the network, but the required features have to be provided by an additional higher layer protocol. The basic bluetooth block should take care of the RF part and the essential part of the baseband protocol which is of no or minor interest to any application but is essential to bluetooth functionality.

Communication during production:

The use of wireless communication between the vehicle and the automation system of the production line can open the way for completely new functions in the production process. Depending on the stage in the process, for example during final assembly, the vehicle controller and the controller of the production line are able to exchange status information about both the product and the process.

Communication during service:

Potential applications during service can be easily derived from the production process scenario described above. Wireless communication between the vehicle and the service station’s computer can be used to exchange status information and service specific information. This step can be supported by previous data exchange using telecommunications. Wireless communication in combination with mobile service computers provides optimum flexibility to service personnel.

Advantages and Benefits:

The most important advantage of wireless technologies for technical work is more or less hidden from the vehicle customer. The advantage of such a solution is increased flexibility, modularity and reliability. Although the benefit may not be directly experienced by customers, it is still significant to the automotive industry. In addition the ability for wireless communication at the technical functions level between intelligent instruments and control units inside the vehicle as well as between control units and man-machine interfaces in the vicinity of the car can enable new functionality and increased flexibility during production and service. The benefit to the customer is increased reliability. The increased flexibility is a huge advantage for the phases of product development. There are advantages to a simplified cable harness and wireless interface construction. Wireless interfaces are beneficial for disassembling and connecting parts for service, maintenance and repair. Additionally, wireless communication opens up possibilities for man-machine interfaces and flexible connections to diagnostic systems. Although in general an electronic component for a wireless transmission unit is more expensive than a cable, there are many possibilities to reduce product cost, for example through standardization and reduction of assembly efforts.

conclusion:

If Bluetooth can be used for real-time control and other technical functions, automakers have the potential to market hundreds of millions of Bluetooth nodes per year. A major trend in vehicle development for many years has been the increasing number of electrical and electronic systems. Many of these systems have been introduced to offer innovations to the customers by enhancing functionality, comfort and safety. Another reason is the partial replacement of mechanical components by electrical ones or their integration into mechatronic systems.

Reference

1) Bluetooth in Automotive Applications

Lars-Berno Fredriksson, KVASER AB

2) Bluetooth potential in automotive applications

Horst Wunderlich and Martin Schwab, DaimlerChrysler R&T, Germany Lars-Berno Fredriksson, Quasar AB, Sweden

3) Adaptation of Bluetooth wireless technology

As the ideal interface for car diagnostics – Lars-Berno Fredriksson, Quasar AB, Sweden

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