LIN Bus

LIN Bus is a low speed network that focuses on ulta low cost low speed (5-20 Kbits) applications. It is UART based and provides time deterministic messaging via LIN Frames.

The UART based LIN Frame is consists of a break, break sync, ID, Data bytes and checksum.

The LIN Bus uses a master node to control all communications. Unlike any other protocol, the LIN protocol frame can be composed of data from two separate nodes. The LIN master node supplies the first half of the message consisting of the Break, Sync field and ID. The rest of the frame is filled in by either the master node or slave node depending on the ID.

There are different errors that can occur on a LIN bus including problems with break, sync field, checksum, timing and the unresponsive nodes.

LIN's advantage over CAN and FlexRay is primarily cost. Time determinism is also a major advantage over CAN bus. LIN's relative slowness is the primary disadvantage.

Visit the LIN Consortium Website