The MLX80002/4 can reduce LIN physical layer system costs by 20% compared to the multiple single-transceiver ICs found, for example, in a vehicle's body control module (BCM). The MLX80002/4 expands Melexis' existing product line of LIN transceivers and system base chips.
The LIN bus continues to be successfully adopted in automotive and industrial applications with the introduction of LIN version 2.x and the SAE J2602 network specification. This robust and cost-effective communication system enables numerous basic network functions in subsystems that were previously considered unprofitable for intelligent drives and controls.
Thanks to the successful implementation of numerous different LIN applications, there is a need for BCMs that can manage different LIN bus subsystems simultaneously. The demand for simple and cost-effective solutions is met by the MLX80002/4.
The MLX80002/4 combines two or four LIN transceivers in a single circuit and its operation is compatible with the current reference standard, MLX80001. It enables the development of cost-effective multi-LIN network master modules. Integrated 1kΩ LIN master termination resistors and decoupling diodes further reduce system costs. In addition, the integrated power management function simplifies the management of the different LIN channels. This 2/4-channel LIN transceiver is manufactured using 0.35-micron HV-CMOS technology and is based on the well-known single-channel MLX80020 transceiver.
The electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) behavior of LIN bus ICs is a critical aspect in automotive applications. The MLX80002/4 design is notable for its robustness under high-frequency interference. The IC exhibits very low electromagnetic emissions, further simplifying the challenges of designing communication networks in harsh automotive environments. It is fully compliant with the requirements of all OEMs and achieves the highest electrostatic discharge resistance in the world. A special slow-response mode is available for data transmission according to SAEJ2602.
The MLX80002/4 covers the automotive temperature range of -40°C to 125°C and incorporates protection against over-temperature, 40V load dump, and LIN-to-ground short circuits. Integrated standby management ensures that the MLX80002/4 can be "woke up" from the LIN bus itself or directly from a connected microcontroller or other external source. Other integrated safety mechanisms, such as RXD and TxD time limits and a sleep timer, increase LIN bus availability in the event of failures. To meet the demand for lower quiescent current, the typical sleep current consumption can be as low as 10 µA. Approved samples are already available and supplied in a compact, RoHS-compliant 25-pin 4x4 QFN package. Using the same package for both IC versions facilitates scalability of LIN channels in the application, depending on customer requirements. The IC is fully PPAP and AECQ-100 compliant.
