New Automotive Chip Provides Unlimited Short Circuit Protection at Low Cost; Alcatel Introduces V1.2 LIN Transceiver Chip to the Automotive Industry

    BRUSSELS, Belgium & DALLAS--Oct. 25, 2001-- Alcatel (Paris: CGEP.PA) announces the release of an extremely low-cost, single chip LIN transceiver that provides optimum performance and safety for today's automotive In-Vehicle-Networking (IVN) requirements.
    The LIN transceiver chip (MTC-30600) achieves this by providing unlimited short circuit protection in the event of a fault. Alcatel is also helping define the standardization of a low-cost LIN communication protocol, through its partner status in the LIN consortium. This certification will mean that LIN products are fully compliant with the LIN Specification -- ensuring real interoperability.
    Alcatel's LIN transceiver samples are available today for customer evaluation. These devices can be used with Alcatel's evaluation boards and software to demonstrate master & slave LIN functions and to verify the device functionality and behavior under working conditions. Volume shipments will commence in January 2002.
    Tony Denayer, Alcatel's General Manager, Automotive and Peripheral Products, stated: "This product is the first step towards the development of an ASSP family with an integrated LIN transceiver. The intellectual property from this transceiver will be used in the new low-cost ASSP family, consolidating high- and low-voltage circuitry onto one piece of silicon. This product family will make a significant contribution to the worldwide automotive industry -- in need of advanced low-cost products utilizing the LIN network."
    The transceiver chip is designed to interface between a LIN protocol controller and the physical bus. The controller formats the LIN commands from the application software, and then routes this data to the bus, via the LIN transceiver (see notes on LIN bus below). The transceiver is implemented in Alcatel's own I2T100 (BiMOS/CMOS/DMOS) technology -- enabling both high-voltage analog circuitry and digital functionality to co-exist on the same chip.
    M. A. Coustre, technical coordinator for Electrical Electronic System Engineering at PSA -- Peugeot Citroen, France, added: "The presence of semiconductor components in vehicles has increased during recent years. The market for multiplexed automotive electronics, of which the LIN market is relevant, continues to show steady growth. From 2003 onwards, we estimate that 3 to 10 LIN nodes will be installed in new cars. With a worldwide production of 50 million vehicles per year, the LIN market can be regarded as significant."
    An automotive standard in low-end multiplex communication has yet to be established. The LIN-consortium was developed to standardize a serial low-cost communication concept, in conjunction with a development environment. This will enable the car manufacturers and their suppliers to create, implement, and handle complex hierarchical multiplex systems in an extremely cost-efficient way.

    About Local Interconnect Network (LIN)

    The LIN bus is designed to communicate low-rate data from control devices such as door locks, mirrors, car seats, and sunroofs at the lowest possible cost. The bus is designed to eliminate as much wiring as possible and is implemented using a single wire in each node. Each node -- e.g., a door panel including door lock, window lift and mirror positioning -- has a slave MCU-state machine that recognizes and translates the instructions specific to that function, for example, winding a window up or down.
    The main attraction of the LIN bus is that all the functions are not time critical, and usually relate to passenger comfort. Typical applications for the LIN bus are assembly units such as doors, seats, climate regulation, lighting, rain sensor, or alternator. For more information on LIN and the Standard, please visit http://www.lin-subbus.org.

    About Alcatel's Automotive Chip Solutions

    Alcatel is a leading-edge supplier of automotive electronics solutions for car equipment makers worldwide, offering a one-stop-shop service from spec definition to manufacturing. Chips are fabricated in Alcatel's own facilities using the mixed-signal HV (high voltage) semiconductor technology that best supports the application. The automotive ASIC and ASSP solutions include chips for powertrain, safety, body, dashboard, IVN, sensor and actuator applications. To date, Alcatel has shipped in excess of 5O million transceivers, and is a member of the LIN Consortium. For more information on Alcatel's automotive electronics solutions, visit http://www.alcatel.com/microelectronics.

    About Alcatel

    Alcatel builds next-generation networks, delivering integrated end-to-end voice and data networking solutions to established and new carriers, as well as enterprises and consumers worldwide. With sales of $29 billion (EURO 31 billion) in 2000 and 110,000 employees, Alcatel operates in more than 130 countries.