The BiCDMOS chip, called BD41000FJ-C, enables multiplexing between electronic control units (ECUs) to reduce wiring (see diagram).
“To decrease weight, many systems adopt LIN for multiplex communication,” said Rohm, claiming: “However, with LIN it is difficult to achieve sufficient reliability and communication response when multiplexing in human machine interface applications such as wipers, lights, and steering switches.”
The Japanese Automotive Standards Organization (JASO), according to Rohm, developed CXPI to make multiplexing possible.
The chip has 3uA typical quiescent current and ±8kV ESD resistance (IEC61000-4-2).
Expect samples in February 2016 and OEM quantities in May.