LIN - Local Interconnect Network

Sorion has extensive experience in implementing assembly and test systems for LIN based products and assemblies.

LIN is a new low cost serial communication system intended to be used for distributed electronic systems in vehicles, which complements the existing portfolio of automotive multiplex networks (see figure below).

LIN is a holistic communication concept for local interconnect networks in vehicles. The specification covers in addition to the definition of the protocol and the physical layer also the definition of interfaces for development tools and application software.

LIN enables a cost-effective communication for smart sensors and actuators where the bandwidth and versatility of CAN is not required. The communication is based on the SCI (UART) data format, a single-master/multiple-slave concept, a single-wire 12V bus, and a clock synchronization for nodes without stabilized time base.

Until today no automotive standard in low end multiplex communication has established. The LIN consortium has been developed to standardize a concept of a serial low cost communication concept in conjunction with a development environment, that enables the car manufacturers and their suppliers to create, implement, and handle complex hierarchical multiplex systems in a very cost competitive way. 

The LIN standard will reduce the manifold of existing low-end SCI based multiplex solutions and will cut the cost of development, production, service, and logistics in vehicle electronics.

The LIN specification covers the transmission protocol, the transmission medium, the interfaces for development tools, and application software. LIN guarantees the interoperability of network nodes from the viewpoint of hardware and software, and a predictable EMC behaviour.

This concept allows the implementation of a seamless chain of development and design tools and enhances the speed of development and the reliability of the network.

The key features of LIN are:

• Low cost single-wire implementation

• Enhanced ISO 9141, V_BAT-Based 

• Speed up to 20Kbit/s

• Acceptable speed for many applications (limited for EMI-reasons) 

• Single Master / Multiple Slave Concept 

• No arbitration necessary 

• Low cost silicon implementation based on common UART/SCI interface hardware

• Almost any microcontroller has necessary hardware on chip

• Self synchronization in the slave nodes without crystal or ceramics resonator

• Significant cost reduction of hardware platform

• Guaranteed latency times for signal transmission 

• Predictable systems possible

For further information on LIN please visit the LIN Bus website.