Freescale offers an exceptional embedded SLIC module that automates LIN message handling to help increase performance while reducing development time and cost. It allows you to devote more CPU to the application and gives you the ability to use ROM devices or state machines.
SLIC helps increase performance in several ways. True auto-synchronization and auto-bauding find LIN frames and automatically adjust the baud rate without CPU intervention. SLIC reduces interrupt processing up to 83 percent over UART solutions with only two interrupts for any message. This makes it possible to use SYNCH data from messages to trim the oscillator. SLIC also eliminates many steps normally required by UART solutions (trim oscillator, detect break, measure sync signal, adjust baud rate, calculate and verify checksum, handle individual data bytes, detect errors and more).
SLIC helps reduce development time by eliminating message processing steps, simplifying and minimizing driver code to as small as 120 bytes (refer to Freescale’s Application Note AN2633). Minimized driver code translates into shortened debug and development time, which enables you to use your engineering time to debug the application rather than LIN communication.
SLIC helps reduce cost by using only one software driver to handle any LIN speed on any LIN bus. This allows significant code reuse for many applications, regardless of LIN bus speed. No reprogramming is required to change bus speeds, which equates to fewer part numbers to track and stock. High-speed (up to 120 Kbps) end-of-line programming through LIN allows faster module manufacturing times and field re-programmability. Also, smaller
driver code means less flash is required for LIN communication, resulting in more flash available to use for product applications. SLIC does not require oscillator trimming, unlike UART, which simplifies the design.
SLIC emphasizes hardware as an alternative to software message processing and exemplifies Freescale’s technical leadership in LIN communication innovation.