Micronas and ihr GmbH announcing cooperation in LIN network solutions

Expanding the offer involving LIN-based embedded microcontrollers by the LDC (LIN Driver Configuration Tool), a software generator for producing application-specific LIN drivers.

Freiburg, March 1, 2010 - Micronas (SIX Swiss Exchange: MASN), leading developers and makers of innovative and application-specific IC and sensor system solutions for automobile electronics, and ihr GmbH headquartered in Rheinmünster, Germany, announce their close cooperation in the field of network solutions with the aim of using the synergies of each of their solutions based on the LIN automobile standard.

Micronas’ contribution to the venture is the HVC 22xyA / HVC 24xyA microcontroller platform. These are highly integrated microcontrollers with integrated LIN transceiver which can be operated directly at the 12V on-board car electrical system. ihr GmbH adapts its LIN tools, in particular the LIN Driver Configuration Tool (LDC), to Micronas’ microcontroller. “We are pleased that, with ihr GmbH, we have found an extremely competent partner in the field of LIN software tools. Our two companies working together will allow our customers to drastically cut the development lead time in their LIN applications. And, next to the substantially lower system costs, we give our customers another competitive edge“, says Peter Zimmermann, Marketing Director of Micronas.

With the LIN driver and the configuration tool (LDC) developers can now include a LIN interface in their project without much effort. The LDC tool supports the LIN standards 1.3, 2.0 and 2.1. Only the LDF file is needed to configure the LIN interface. The built-in parser checks the LIN syntax. Once the LIN node to be developed and other project parameters have been specified, the LDC tool generates the required C-code and the header files for the embedded project. Standard services such as “Diagnosis” and “Node Configuration” are fully supported.

“Our customers implement their core know-how in their projects. Our configurable driver tool is designed to help them focus on the essentials. The configuration of the LIN communication level is handled by the LDC tool”, says Jörg Holzberg, managing director of ihr GmbH.

Owing to the direct connection to the 12V on-board electrical system in cars, effort and costs are extremely low when using the Micronas HVC 22xyA / HVC 24xyA microcontroller family. The integrated functions for current limitation, software monitoring (watchdogs), dual oscillator and voltage monitoring provide maximum security and safety levels.

Various operating modes and power saving modes (Fast/PLL, Sleep, Stand-by, Idle, Slow/Deep Slow) allow the selection of the most effective and power-efficient mode of operation, with the changeover between the different modes perfectly adaptable to the application in hand (interrupts via LIN, UART, Timer, etc., Wake-up via LIN, Port, Timer, etc.).