NEC Electronics' LIN-Family

Description

LIN is the new upcoming low-cost network for in-car use. With its standardized structure, it complements the CAN bus by taking over different applications in sub-networks. These sub-networks are usually connected by CAN-to-LIN gateway controllers. Some LIN-specific formats require special microcontroller implementations that are served by NEC Electronics' standard UART and the new enhanced LIN UART. The standard UART is made LIN-capable through optimized driver routines that deal with the LIN-specific frames. The standard UART including LIN driver is implemented on all existing NEC Electronics microcontrollers. NEC Electronics' new enhanced LIN UART has built-in hardware support to handle the LIN-specific frames. All new designs use the enhanced LIN UART as a base.

LIN@NEC

Microcontrollers with NEC Electronics' standard UART and the new enhanced LIN UART work in LIN networks as master or slave. For speed- or code-optimized use, NEC Eletronics has implemented special functionality for handling LIN frames in the LIN header. NEC Electronics' 8-bit 78k0 family is suited for LIN slave applications, the 32-bit V850 family is optimized for use as CAN/LIN gateway controllers. Various LIN applications have already been implemented, mainly for the automotive body segment. These include door modules (mirror steering, door lock control and window control), seat control, climate control, switching units and other automotive control modules.

Enhanced UART

LIN consortium

NEC Electronics is building-up know-how in LIN since 1999.
Since early 2000, NEC Electronics joined the LIN-consortium as associated member and participates energetic in the finalization of the LIN-standard.