Multiplexed Networks for Embedded Systems: CAN, LIN, FlexRay, Safe-by-Wire...

Part B

New Multiplexed Bus Concepts: LIN, FlexRay, Fail-safe SBC, Safe-by-Wire

It may be strange to use the word ‘parallel’ to describe serial links, but it is true that many other serial communication protocols have been developed in ‘parallel’ with CAN (controller area network).

Following my presentation of the HS (high-speed), LS (low-speed), LS FT (fault-tolerant) and one-wire CAN buses, I shall now devote some fairly brief chapters to a description of other major protocol families and allies of CAN. These are used in the world of on-board multiplexed networks, found throughout the motor vehicle, aeronautical and industrial markets, and all related more or less closely to CAN, this system often acting as the ‘back-bone’ of a set of networks.

These other serial links are dedicated to data transfer applications which may operate at lower speeds than CAN, or more commonly at higher speeds. They include, for example, digital data transfer, high-speed communications, audio, video, navigational aid and safety links, etc.

To make matters clearer, I have broken down these newcomers into two major groups: those in which the links consist of wire elements (‘wired’) and those in which the links consist of radio waves, known as ‘wireless’ systems. The most fashionable systems include

• in ‘wired’ technology:
  • LIN,
  • TTCAN,
  • X-by-Wire: TTP/C and FlexRay,
  • Safe-by-Wire,
  • I2C/D2B,
  • MOST,
  • IEEE 1394,
  • CPL;
• in ‘wireless’ technology:
  • Bluetooth,
  • Zigbee,
  • IEEE 802.11,
  • NFC,
  • RKE, PKE, passive go,
  • TPMS, ...