In today's world distributed electronic systems in automotive applications are becoming increasingly complex. Even so, they must continue to meet even higher demands and greater cost reductions, as electrical systems can now represent up to thirty percent of a car's manufacturing cost. In the next generation of automobile platforms, the realization of electrical systems will be extremely costly unless a holistic approach can be used.

The Controller Area Network (CAN) protocol answered the first call for help, and thus has become the standard for in-vehicle networking. While it does introduce a cost-effective and fast means of in-vehicle network communication, it still does not fit perfectly for all applications. Imagine buying a pentium computer to run PacMan. While it runs the application fantastically, the speed is not needed, the cost is still too high, and at times, the machine may be too complex. There are applications which do not necessarily need the performance of CAN and may require a solution at lower cost. For these applications more inexpensive and resource-efficient techniques can be used.

Understanding the need for a low-end multiplex solution to complement the CAN protocol, Audi, BMW, Daimler Chrysler, Motorola, Volcano Automotive, Volks Wagon, and Volvo formed the Local Interconnect Network (LIN) Consortium in early 1998. Its goal was to release a LIN Protocal, a universal format for describing an entire network, as well as describing the interface between the network and the application. LIN was developed mainly as a cost-effective alternative to communicate with actuators and intelligent sensors in motor vehicles. It is especially effective in applications where bandwidth and time do not pose a critical issue such as simple mechatronics, alarm sensors, power window motors and light controls.