A LOCAL INTERCONNECT NETWORK (LIN) connects often multiple and equally built LIN slave units (e.g. actuators). In order to distinguish the LIN slave units in the network, unique slave-node addresses are programmed during module manufacturing. As a result of such “end of line” programming, although equally built, each LIN slave unit is handled individually after production. In order to simplify logistics and manufacturing it is desirable to keep all LIN slave units identical in hardware and software until time of installation at the car manufacturer and to configure the LIN slave units in its target network.
The LIN Switch Method (LSM) offers a solution to use one LIN slave implementation for all installation locations within a LIN network. After installation into a car, the position of these LIN slave units can be detected and unique slave node addresses (NAD) are assigned to each LIN slave unit. The proposed method is backwards compatible with the existing LIN standards LIN 2.x and SAE J2602 and allows even mixed networks with and without LSM.
The LIN consortium has developed the LSM in close cooperation with NXP Semiconductors in order to ensure interoperability of LSM LIN slave units from various vendors. Since August 2012, the specification has its final status.
Based on an application example, the LSM is explained in the following in more detail. Besides advantages of this method, also constraints and restrictions are presented. Finally, measures and results to prove the LSM performance are mentioned.