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The growing number of electronic components used in automobiles lately has given rise to problems concerning the increasing number, size and weight of the wiring harnesses. As one approach to resolving these problems, the authors proposed a multiplex method based on the direction of signal flow in 1988 (SAE880589). However, the need to reduce the number of wiring harnesses circuits further made it necessary to develop a more sophisticated system. This paper presents an on-board Class A local area network (LAN) system that overcomes the problems in conventional multiplexing systems through the use of a master-slave configuration, a polling selection method and a system that integrates of electronic circuits with switch modules.

This paper describes a new approach to solving various problems inherent in conventional multiplexed wiring systems. These problems include the fact that the quantity of cut leads, which determines the cost, is not reduced even though the bulk of the wire harness is decreased. Another problem is that the communications system has a very complex configuration. With the approach proposed here it has been found that the number of cut leads can be reduced by housing the communications circuits individually in each piece of electrical equipment. This can be accomplished by grouping together the wiring in which the signals activating electrical load units all flow in the same direction. Custom LSI circuits have been developed to simplify the communications circuits. All of these developments have been combined into practical multiplexed wiring systems for controlling the power Windows, automatic door locks and power seats.