Low-cost transceiver enables in-vehicle networking

Alcatel has released an extremely low cost single-chip LIN transceiver that provides optimum performance and safety for automotive in-vehicle-networking (IVN) requirements.

Alcatel has released an extremely low cost, single-chip LIN transceiver that provides optimum performance and safety for automotive in-vehicle-networking (IVN) requirements.

The MTC-30600 transceiver achieves this by providing unlimited short circuit protection in the event of a fault.

Alcatel is also helping define the standardisation of the low-cost LIN communication protocol, through its partner status in the LIN consortium.

This certification will mean that LIN products are fully compliant with the LIN specification - ensuring real interoperability.

Alcatel's LIN transceiver samples are available today for customer evaluation.

These devices can be used with Alcatel's evaluation boards and software to demonstrate master and slave LIN functions and to verify the device functionality and behaviour under working conditions.

Volume shipments will commence in January 2002.

Tony Denayer, Alcatel's General Manager, Automotive and Peripheral Products stated: "This product is the first step towards the development of an ASSP family with an integrated LIN transceiver.

The intellectual property from this transceiver will be used in the new low-cost ASSP family, consolidating high and low-voltage circuitry onto one piece of silicon.

This product family will make a significant contribution to the worldwide automotive industry - in need of advanced low-cost products utilising the LIN network".

The transceiver chip is designed to interface between a LIN protocol controller and the physical bus.

The controller formats the LIN commands from the application software, and then routes this data to the bus, via the LIN transceiver.

The transceiver is implemented in Alcatel's own I2T100 (BiMOS/CMOS/DMOS) technology, enabling both high-voltage analogue circuitry and digital functionality to coexist on the same chip.

An automotive standard in low-end multiplex communication has yet to be established.

The LIN-consortium was developed to standardise a serial low-cost communication concept, in conjunction with a development environment.

This will enable the car manufacturers and their suppliers to create, implement, and handle complex hierarchical multiplex systems in an extremely cost efficient way.

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