LIN slave MLX80105 enables easy Local Interconnect Network communication of switch modules and IO-Extensions

November 9, 2011 - Tessenderlo, Belgium. Melexis extends its family of smart LIN slave IC's with a new Generation of reconfigurable LIN switch slave. The LIN bus standard, and it’s SAE version, J2602 experience rapid growth in automotive networking due to the cost effective and robust nature of the protocol and its compatibility to CAN bus. The MLX80105 connects any door, roof, seat, steering wheel, dashboard, HVAC, light control or similar switch module requiring easy access via LIN. The integration of LIN physical layer, voltage regulator and integrated application IO’s result in a reduction in component cost. The integration of LIN controller and approved LIN driver make switch modules speak LIN in no time.

Incorporating the Melexis LIN transceiver physical layer, Melexis LIN ASSPs (Application Specific Standard Products) guarantee world leading integrated ESD protection results. The LIN protocol handler meets all LIN standards like LIN2.0, LIN2.1 as well as SAE J2602.

The MLX80105 is a fully integrated LIN slave on a single chip. All of the necessary components; physical layer LIN transceiver, LIN controller, voltage regulator, application controller are integrated along with the supporting functions ADC, PWM generation and high voltage capable IOs. This high integration level reduces the BOM dramatically and enables the development of very compact and small LIN slave modules. The well established Melexis dual task microcontroller implementation, an already approved LIN driver, is used allowing the application development to be completely decoupled from the LIN network load considerations. Application software tasks are taken up by a 16-bit RISC microcontroller.

A complete C-based development environment is provided. Software development in an IDE along with low level LIN driver and software library functions are re-used from the well known MLX80104 uniROM IC available. New customers will find an easy and fast path for application development and deployment, current MLX80104 customers can seamlessly include the MLX80105 into existing or new projects.

The MLX80105 draws less than 50uA of current in sleep mode and it is wake-up capable via the LIN Bus as well as via connected switches or other wake-up sources. The LIN slave supports switches in matrix as well as single switch configurations connected to the 18 available IOs. All IOs are high voltage resistant for safely supporting remote off module connections. Via eight interrupt capable IOs rotary encoder are supported. Position monitoring and control for control dials and knobs, motors or actuators is dramatically simplified with added appeal to have direct physical input or software control and signal sharing among different systems. Analog inputs can convert any analog signal, like resistive encoders and resistive switches, to BUS messages for use by network connected devices. An internal battery monitor enables supply voltage dependent functions.

To illuminate the switch module panel, 8 open drain PWM outputs are available with configurable PWM base frequency from 45Hz to 45kHz. With a message from the LIN master the LED output intensity can be adjusted according to OEM specific requirements.

All the above functions are implemented on one piece of silicon in an very small 5x5mm QFN package. This enables together with a minimum of external components LIN slave application on very small PCB space.

“The MLX80105 is the perfect example of a LIN ASSP” says Michael Bender, LIN product line manager at Melexis. “From an application point of view it incorporates state of the art application expertise with maximum configurability into a miniature 5 by 5mm package. The integrated function gives all needed design freedom, while minimizing design time and qualification effort. There is absolutely no better choice in terms of risk, cost and performance for switch suppliers that want to catch the LIN wave”