Concurrent flashing of data processing units in hierarchical networks

The present invention provides an electronic network with a plurality of processing units that are arranged in sub-networks in a hierarchical and heterogeneous way. The network features a data stream controller that is coupled to any one of the sub-networks and that is adapted to transmit data to any one of the sub-networks. Further, the network has a data transmission port that is coupled to the data stream controller and that provides a high-speed data transmission to the data stream controller. The data stream controller serves to concurrently provide data and in particular flashing data to the various control units in a way that is adapted to the communication protocol and the data transfer rate of each sub-network. The invention therefore provides fast and autonomous flashing of a plurality of processing units, such as electronic control units in a network embedded system such as commonly used in the framework of automotive electronic networks. The data stream controller and its coupling to the various sub-networks provides a non-hierarchical and direct access to any sub-network and/or control unit of a heterogeneous and hierarchical network.