LIN

LIN (Local Interconnect Network) is a serial network protocol used for communication between components in vehicles. The need for a cheap serial network arose as the technologies and the facilities implemented in the car grew, while the CAN bus was too expensive to implement for every component in the car. European car manufacturers started using different serial communication technologies which led to different proprietary software and hardware implementations. The LIN Consortium was founded by five automakers (BMW, Volkswagen Group, Audi AG, Volvo Cars, Mercedes-Benz), and later joined by several other car manufacturers, to provide a standardized networking protocol, leading to more reliable and simpler systems.

History

The LIN Consortium was founded in November 1999. The first fully implemented version of the new LIN specification (1.3) was published in November 2002. In September 2003, version 2.0 was introduced to expand capabilities and make provisions for additional diagnostics features. The current version of the LIN standard is 2.2A, which was released in 2010.

Protocol

The LIN protocol is a master/slave protocol. Communication is initiated by the master node in the form of a header, which consists of a break signal followed by a sync and an identifier. The identifier determines which of the slave nodes will respond and how long the response will be. The slave node response is called a response.

Applications

LIN is used in various applications such as mirror control and rain sensing in vehicles. It is also used in air conditioning systems, lighting, and seat control.

Advantages

The LIN protocol has several advantages. It is cost effective and simple to use. It also has a robust design which makes it suitable for harsh automotive environments.

Disadvantages

Despite its advantages, the LIN protocol also has some disadvantages. It has a low data rate and limited error detection capabilities. It also lacks the flexibility and scalability offered by other protocols such as CAN.

See also

• CAN bus
• Automotive electronics
• Serial communication

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