Powertrain Control Software: Multiplexing

1999 Mercury Tracer LS, 4D Sedan, StandardSECTION Multiplexing
WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 32 other vehicles, including the 2011 Mercury Milan, 2011 Mercury Mariner, 2011 Mercury Grand Marquis, 2011 Lincoln Town Car, and 2011 Lincoln Navigator L. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The increased number of modules on the vehicle necessitates a more efficient method of communication. Multiplexing is a method of sending 2 or more signals simultaneously over a single circuit. In an automotive application, multiplexing is used to allow 2 or more electronic modules to communicate simultaneously over a single media. Typically this media is a twisted pair of wires. The information or messages that can be communicated on these wires consists of commands, status or data. The advantage of using multiplexing is to reduce the weight of the vehicle by reducing the number of redundant components and electrical wiring.

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