Kit puts programmable SoC in charge of LINbus

Edited by the Electronicstalk editorial team Jan 13, 2003

A new design kit provides automotive manufacturers with a complete and cost-effective solution for implementing the LINbus communication protocol.

Cypress MicroSystems is collaborating with Melexis Microelectronic Integrated Systems to provide automotive manufacturers with a complete and cost-effective solution for implementing the LINbus (Local Interconnect Network) communication protocol.

Customers can take advantage of the interoperability between Cypress MicroSystems' PSoC mixed signal array and Melexis' family of LIN transceivers TH808x and TH806x to streamline their vehicle designs.

LINbus is a low-speed communications protocol used to connect many of the electronic systems in an automobile, including body control, driver information, climate control, safety equipment and cockpit electronics.

Cypress MicroSystems has developed a controller-based design kit that handles the higher layers of the communications protocol, while the Melexis LIN transceiver implements the physical layer of the standard - offering a complementary set of capabilities to simplify LIN bus implementations.

"As auto manufacturers utilise more electronic systems to increase the safety, comfort and fuel-efficiency of their vehicles, they are turning to LIN bus as the communications protocol-of-choice", said Nathan John, Director of Strategic Marketing for Cypress MicroSystems.

"Melexis already leads the LIN market with a range of intelligent solutions in production at automotive manufacturers.

By augmenting their LIN transceivers with the PSoC reference board and software, we can offer exceptional embedded control support for LIN applications".

"The LINbus Consortium estimates that every automobile sold in 2004 will include three to ten LINbus nodes", said Lutz Langelueddecke, business unit manager of internal communications for Melexis.

"To capitalise on this growing market, Melexis and Cypress MicroSystems are combining our respective strengths to provide a best-in-class solution that eliminates the search for the perfect LIN components".

Melexis designs and manufactures products for the automotive sector, specialising in electronic control applications that require sensors, signal conditioning, signal processing, actuation, and programmability.

The family of LIN transceivers from Melexis (TH808x, TH806x) provides LINbus architects with an efficient way of developing LIN nodes.

Melexis offers a wide range of LIN transceivers, from single up to highly integrated slave ICs, that combine a LIN transceiver with a low drop voltage regulator - all on one die.

These transceivers also offer very low current consumption and excellent EMI behaviour.

The combination of Cypress MicroSystems' mixed signal array with Melexis LIN transceivers makes it possible to develop simple, powerful and less expensive LINbus slave nodes that can be connected directly to the power line.

Cypress MicroSystems' LINbus design kit (CY3220LINBUS-RD) includes LINbus reference software (separately available for free download at http://www.cypressmicro.com/download) and a $199 reference board, which includes one master node and two slave nodes.

Customers can connect the reference board to a PC via the serial port to observe commands being transmitted over the LINbus network.

The design kit is based upon the PSoC IC, a configurable mixed-signal array with an onboard controller.

(This was Electronicstalk's Top Story on 10 January 2003).