Kvaser Introduces PCIe 4xLIN for High-Precision LIN Network Testing and Validation

Kvaser has introduced the PCIe 4xLIN, a new four-channel LIN interface designed for deterministic communication, precise timing analysis, and scalable validation environments. Integrating four independent LIN channels on a single PCI Express card, the interface is aimed at desktop, industrial, and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) applications where accurate network analysis and debugging are essential.

The low-profile PCIe card combines galvanic isolation with synchronized timestamping, providing engineers with enhanced visibility into LIN communication during development, testing, and system validation.

Four Galvanically Isolated LIN Channels

The PCIe 4xLIN features four individually galvanically isolated LIN channels powered by Kvaser’s FPGA-based LIN-IP technology. Supporting communication speeds of up to 20 kbaud with 1 µs timestamp resolution, the interface enables developers to capture timing-critical events with high precision and improve analysis during debugging and validation.

The interface can also operate simultaneously with multiple Kvaser devices, allowing test systems to scale efficiently as vehicle architectures and embedded applications become more complex.

Thomas Roberts, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) at Kvaser, commented:

“LIN continues to play a critical role in modern vehicle architectures, particularly as the number of distributed electronic functions grows. As systems scale, the challenge is no longer simply accessing LIN data, but capturing and correlating it reliably across channels and interfaces. That is exactly what the PCIe 4xLIN is designed to address.”

Seamless Integration with Existing Development Tools

The PCIe 4xLIN is fully compatible with applications developed using the standardized Kvaser LINlib API, enabling existing software to run without modification. Applications originally built for other Kvaser LIN interfaces can be migrated directly to the new hardware, reducing development time and simplifying project transitions.

Supporting both Windows and Linux, the interface works with the Kvaser CANlib SDK, which includes LINlib, additional APIs, and example applications for C, C++, C#, Python, Delphi, and Visual Basic. Installed directly into a PCI Express slot and powered by the host system, the card minimizes cabling requirements and simplifies integration into compact industrial systems and test racks.

System-Wide Time Synchronization

The PCIe 4xLIN supports Kvaser’s software-based TimeSync technology, enabling synchronized timestamps across multiple interfaces and devices. In distributed test environments, this improves event correlation between LIN and CAN networks while reducing the need for manual log analysis.

On Linux platforms, the interface also exposes a Precision Hardware Clock (PHC) device for synchronization with a host-referenced clock using standard tools such as phc2sys. This capability provides a reliable foundation for synchronized data logging, automated testing, and accurate event analysis across connected systems.

Designed for Industrial Applications

Engineered for industrial and embedded environments, the PCIe 4xLIN operates across a temperature range of -40°C to +85°C. Its low-profile PCIe design includes both short and full-height mounting brackets, allowing flexible installation in a wide range of systems.

A single 26-pin high-density D-SUB connector provides access to all four LIN channels, helping reduce installation space while simplifying system architecture.

Typical applications include:

• Electronic Control Unit (ECU) development
• Automotive body electronics
• Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing
• Multi-channel data logging
• Industrial LIN communication systems

The Kvaser PCIe 4xLIN is scheduled to become available in July 2026.