LIN headers and schedule tables
Understand why a configured signal remains silent when its frame is never scheduled.
Header and response
The LIN commander sends a header containing break, sync and protected identifier. The configured publisher provides the response data and checksum. The publisher can be the commander itself or a responder. LIN does not use CAN-style bitwise arbitration.
The schedule decides access
A schedule table defines when headers are sent. Slot duration must cover header, response and allowed timing tolerances. Unconditional frames have a known publisher. Diagnostic and event-triggered behaviour have additional scheduling rules.
Debug from the wire
If there is no header, investigate the active schedule and commander state. If the header exists without a valid response, inspect power, wake-up, node configuration, protected identifier, publisher assignment and timing. A configured frame is not proof that the active schedule polls it.
Follow each transition
Select schedule
The active table determines which frame is due.
Conceptual sequence. Timing is slowed for learning; it is not a hardware measurement.
Your investigation
A response disappears after switching schedule tables. What would you compare first?
Reveal the investigation checklist
- Capture the PID sequence before and after the switch.
- Confirm the target frame exists in the active table.
- Check the intended publisher and node wake state.
- Measure response timing and checksum validity.
Who initiates a LIN frame header?
Answer the knowledge check correctly to complete this lesson.
Think through LIN headers and schedule tables
Ask for an explanation, an automotive example or a question that tests your understanding.
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