DLIN IP Core — Efficient, Reliable LIN Controller for Automotive Applications

High-Efficiency LIN Communication for Intelligent Sensors and Actuators

The DLIN IP Core from DCD-SEMI is a UART half-duplex enhanced Local Interconnect Network (LIN) controller, designed to deliver maximum efficiency and ultimate reliability even at modest data rates. Supporting transmission speeds from 1 kb/s to 20 kb/s, DLIN ensures seamless transmission and reception of LIN messages compliant with:

• LIN 1.3

• LIN 2.1

• LIN 2.2A

DLIN acts as a bridge to APB, AHB, and AXI bus interfaces, providing a versatile softcore solution for both FPGA and ASIC implementations. Its compact, cost-effective design makes it ideal for intelligent sensors, actuators, and automotive nodes, where full CAN bandwidth is unnecessary.

Flexible Master and Slave Operation

The DLIN IP Core can operate as either a master or slave node, with work modes determined by the connected microprocessor or microcontroller. The core continuously reports the status of transfers and detects a wide range of LIN error conditions, including:

• Overrun

• Framing

• Parity

• Timeout

A programmable timer further enhances reliability by detecting synchronization and timeout errors, ensuring robust communication across automotive networks.

Safety-Enhanced Design with ISO 26262 Compliance

The DLIN IP Core is offered in two versions:

• Basic Version — optimized for standard LIN applications

• Safety-Enhanced Version — developed as an ISO 26262-10 Safety Element out of Context (SEooC)

The Safety-Enhanced variant includes optional functional safety mechanisms and comes with comprehensive ISO 26262 soft IP SEooC documentation, including:

• Full FMEDA (Failure Modes, Effects, and Diagnostic Analysis)

• Step-by-step integration instructions

• System-level safety analysis guidance

• Verification through independent third-party audits

ASIL-B Ready for Automotive Safety Systems

Safety metrics confirm compliance with Automotive Safety Integrity Level ASIL-B:

• SPFM > 90% (Single Point Fault Metric)

• LFM > 60% (Latent Fault Metric)

This makes the DLIN IP Core suitable for integration into ASIL-B automotive safety systems, with optional availability for higher ASIL-level designs upon request.

Why Choose DCD-SEMI DLIN IP Core

• Supports LIN 1.3, 2.1, and 2.2A standards

• UART half-duplex enhanced, 1–20 kb/s transmission

• Works as master or slave node

• Bridges APB, AHB, and AXI bus interfaces

• FPGA & ASIC ready

• Safety-Enhanced version with ISO 26262 SEooC compliance

• ASIL-B ready with full FMEDA and third-party audited documentation

LIN FuSa white papers

ALL DCD’S IP CORES ARE TECHNOLOGY AGNOSTIC, ENSURING 100% COMPATIBILITY WITH ALL FPGA AND ASIC VENDORS.

For technical specifications, integration support, or safety-enhanced options, contact

info@dcd-semi.com

• Conforms with LIN 1.3, LIN 2.1 and LIN 2.2A specification
• UART half-duplex functionality (available only in basic version)
• Automatic LIN Header handling
• Automatic Re-synchronization
• Data rate between 1Kbit/s and 20 Kbit/s
• Master and Slave work mode
• Time-out detection
• Extended error detection
• “Break-in-data” support
• Available system interface wrappers:
  • AMBA – APB / AHB / AXI Lite Bus
  • Altera Avalon Bus
  • Xilinx OPB Bus