Slave node and local interconnect network (LIN network) having same
First Claim
1. A slave node for use in a Local Interconnect Network (LIN network), comprising:
- an input circuit for receiving an incoming message from the LIN network, said input circuit having a first signal input coupled to the LIN network and a first signal output;
an electronic processing device for interpreting the incoming message and/or compiling an outgoing message, said electronic processing device having a second signal input coupled to said first signal output and a second signal output; and
a transmitting device for transmitting the outgoing message to the LIN network, said transmitting device having a third signal input coupled to said second signal output, and a third signal output coupled to the LIN network;
wherein said input circuit is separate from said transmitting device, such that said transmitting device can remain in an inactive sleep mode during reception of the incoming message and said electronic processing device wakes up said transmitting device from said inactive sleep mode when it is needed to transmit the outgoing message to the LIN network.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A slave node for use with a Local Interconnect Network (LIN network) receives incoming messages from the LIN network in a manner that reduces operating current, power consumption and/or operating temperature. The slave node generally includes an input circuit, an electronic processing device, associated components such as an Integrated Glass Fog Sensor (IGFS) unit, and a transmitting device all mounted on a single circuit board. The input circuit, which can either be separate from or incorporated within the electronic processing device, pre-filters an incoming message from a LIN bus such that it only wakes the transmitting device out of its low-current sleep mode when required. Stated differently, the transmitting device is removed from an incoming message path so that it is only active when it is transmitting an outgoing message.
-
Citations
15 Claims
-
1. A slave node for use in a Local Interconnect Network (LIN network), comprising:
-
an input circuit for receiving an incoming message from the LIN network, said input circuit having a first signal input coupled to the LIN network and a first signal output; an electronic processing device for interpreting the incoming message and/or compiling an outgoing message, said electronic processing device having a second signal input coupled to said first signal output and a second signal output; and a transmitting device for transmitting the outgoing message to the LIN network, said transmitting device having a third signal input coupled to said second signal output, and a third signal output coupled to the LIN network; wherein said input circuit is separate from said transmitting device, such that said transmitting device can remain in an inactive sleep mode during reception of the incoming message and said electronic processing device wakes up said transmitting device from said inactive sleep mode when it is needed to transmit the outgoing message to the LIN network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A slave node for use in a Local Interconnect Network (LIN network), comprising:
-
a level-shift circuit for shifting the voltage of the signals of an incoming message from the LIN network; a ground-shift circuit for compensating for fluctuations in a ground signal; a wave-shaping circuit for shaping the signals of the incoming message; an electronic processing device for interpreting the incoming message; and a transmitting device for transmitting an outgoing message to the LIN network, said transmitting device can be maintained in a sleep mode and is coupled to the LIN network; wherein at least one of said level-shift, ground-shift and wave-shaping circuits is integrated into said electronic processing device and said electronic processing device wakes up said transmitting device when it is needed to transmit the outgoing message to the LIN network. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A Local Interconnect Network (LIN network), comprising:
-
a LIN bus; a master node coupled to said LIN bus; and a slave node coupled to said LIN bus, said slave node comprising; a level-shift circuit for shifting the voltage of the signals of an incoming message from said LIN bus; a ground-shift circuit for compensating for fluctuations in a ground reference; a comparator having a first input terminal coupled to said level-shift circuit and a second input terminal coupled to said ground-shift circuit; an electronic processing device for interpreting the incoming message; and a transmitting device for transmitting an outgoing message to the LIN network, said transmitting device is usually maintained in a sleep mode and is coupled to the LIN network; wherein said electronic processing device interprets the incoming message and only wakes up said transmitting device when it is needed to transmit the outgoing message.
-
Specification