Keywords
Citation
(2003), "Allegro MicroSystems integrates voltage regulators into Lin Bus transceivers", Sensor Review, Vol. 23 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/sr.2003.08723daf.007
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2003, MCB UP Limited
Allegro MicroSystems integrates voltage regulators into Lin Bus transceivers
Allegro MicroSystems integrates voltage regulators into Lin Bus transceivers
Keywords: Networks, Sensors
A family of LIN Bus transceivers with integrated voltage regulators has been developed by Allegro MicroSystems (Plate 6).
The local interconnect network (LIN) Bus is a low-cost serial communications bus based on an open standard developed by a consortium of organisations in the automotive sector. Unlike the more sophisticated CAN and J1850 buses, it is intended to provide relatively low-speed communication for controlling on/off devices and simple sensor/actuator applications.
Plate 6
LIN Bus transceivers with integral voltage regulators from Allegro
MicroSystems
LIN Bus systems are based around a single-master/multiple-slave concept using a low-cost single-wire implementation with speeds of up to 20 kbit/s and self-synchronisation with no requirement for crystals or resonators.
Most LIN nodes within an automotive system require a LIN interface plus a regulated voltage, which is normally provided by a separate voltage-regulator IC. However, any regulators used in this application have to withstand the automotive environment. "Since the LIN interface has to withstand the automotive environment in any case, Allegro engineers decided to remove the need for the additional regulator", comments Allegro's European Technical Manager Bob Christie: "This allows the user to build a simple LIN node without the need for additional regulator circuits".
The initial product offering from Allegro will include three LIN Bus transceiver interface ICs: the A8421 with a 50 mA linear regulator with an "enable" function; the A8422 with a 200 mA switched-mode regulator; and the A8423 with a permanently enabled 50 mA linear regulator. All the devices are compatible with Lin Bus 1.2 systems, and are specifically designed to withstand automotive transients and ESD effects.
For further information, please contact: Allegro MicroSystems Europe Ltd, Balfour House, Churchfield Road, Walton- on-Thames, Surrey, KT12 2TD. Tel: +33 (0) 4 50512359; Fax: +33 (0) 4 50512083; E-mail: allegroeurope@wanadoo.fr; Web site: www.allegromicro.com