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DIAGNOSTICS – MULTIPLEX COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

05J6V–01

SYSTEM DESCRIPTION

The PRIUS primarily uses the 3 types of multiplex communication systems described below.

The Controller Area Network (CAN) is a network of the vehicle control systems (engine electrical,
chassis electrical, and hybrid system) and maintains communication between the ECUs.

The Body Electronics Area Network (BEAN) is a network of the ECUs of the body electric system
control and maintains communication between the ECUs.

The Audio Visual Communication–Local Area Network (AVC–LAN) is a network of the ECUs of
the audio visual system and the audio visual devices and maintains communication between the
devices and the ECUs.

These 3 types of multiplex communication systems are connected to the gateway ECU. The gateway
ECU, which is provided with communication circuits that support the 3 types of multiplex communica-
tion systems, enables communication among the multiplex communication systems that are con-
nected to the gateway ECU.
For example, to enable air conditioning control, the air conditioning ECU receives the engine coolant
temperature signal that is input into the ECM via the CAN, gateway ECU and BEAN.

: BEAN
: CAN
: AVC–LAN

Communication CAN⇔AVC–LAN

CAN Gateway ECU AVC–LAN

Communication Communication
CAN⇔BEAN AVC–LAN⇔BEAN

BEAN

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The CAN in the PRIUS is established among the HV ECU, battery ECU, EPS ECU, ECM, skid control
ECU, steering angle sensor*, yaw rate & deceleration sensor*, gateway ECU and DLC3.
CAN System Diagram

: CAN

Battery ECU ECM

Steering Angle
Sensor*
Junction Junction
Yaw Rate &
Skid Control ECU Connector Connector
Deceleration Sensor*
No. 1 No. 2

EPS ECU

DLC3 Gateway ECU HV ECU

to/from to AVC–LAN
BEAN

* :w/ VSC System

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The BEAN in the PRIUS is established among the body ECU, meter ECU, A/C ECU, transponder key
ECU, power source control ECU, transmission control ECU, smart ECU* and gateway ECU.
BEAN System Diagram

: BEAN

Multiplex Network
Body ECU

Meter ECU A/C ECU

Transponder Key Power Source

ECU Control ECU

Transmission
Smart ECU*
Control ECU

to/from CAN
Gateway ECU
to/from AVC–LAN

DLC3

*: w/ Smart Entry System

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The AVC–LAN is established among the multi – display, audio head unit, navigation ECU* and gate-
way ECU.
AVC–LAN System Diagram

: AVC–LAN

Navigation ECU*

multi – display

Audio Head Unit Gateway ECU

from CAN to/from

BEAN

*: Optional Equipment
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BASIC OF MPX (Multiplex Communication)

1. GENERAL
The PRIUS multiplex communication system uses serial communication, which converts multiple pieces of
information into serial communication data. As a result, they can be transmitted through a single communica-
tion wire.

Conceptual Drawing

Switch
Light
On On

Motor
Off
Battery ECU ECU
Heater

Solenoid

Serial Communication
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Serial communication data consists of bits and frames. A bit is the basic unit that represents the
amount of information. A bit is represented by binary values ”0” or ”1”. A frame is a body of data that
is transmitted together. A frame contains a ”header” that indicates the beginning of the data and an
”end” message that indicates the end of the data.

Frame

Data

Header End Message

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2. NETWORK STYLE
Based on serial communication, various ECUs are connected on a network to exchange various pieces of
information. Such a system is called a multiplex communication system.

The CAN communication on the PRIUS uses the multi star style bus connection. In this style of net-
work, the ECUs are connected in a star shape. The ECUs cannot establish communication with other
ECUs without passing through the master ECUs. For the Prius, the 2 junction connectors are the mas-
ter ECUs and they are connected with main bus lines. Each of the junction connectors extends sub
bus lines and communicates between all the connected ECUs.

Sub
Bus Line
ECU ECU

Main
Junction Bus Line Junction
Connector Connector
ECU ECU

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The BEAN on the PRIUS uses the ring and bus styles of networks to connect ECUs. The connection
method is called a daisy chain. In a daisy chain, communication can be maintained even if there is an
area that has an open circuit. The ECUs are connected in a ring form, which enables a signal that is
output by a transmitting ECU to circle the ring and return to its original ECU. This ring also functions
as a single common communication wire. The transmitting ECUs output signals through a common
communication wire and the receiving ECUs input data through a common communication wire.

ECU ECU

Daisy
Chain

ECU ECU
Open

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The AVC–LAN in the PRIUS uses a star style. This style is centered on a master ECU, which holds
a central control function. The ECUs are connected in a star shape. The ECUs cannot establish com-
munication with other ECUs without passing through the master ECU. For the Prius, the multi display
or audio head unit functions as a master ECU.

ECU

ECU ECU

Multi–display

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3. DIFFERENCE OF CAN, BEAN AND AVC–LAN

Data for respective protocols (CAN, BEAN and AVC–LAN) are arranged differently. Therefore, it is not pos-
sible to exchange data between different protocols. For this reason, data arrangement must be converted
before transferring data to communication bus (CAN, BEAN and AVC–LAN). This conversion is called gate-
way function, which is performed by the gateway ECU.
Chassis Electrical
Control Body Electrical System Control Body Electrical System Control
System Control
CAN BEAN AVC–LAN
Protocol
(ISO Standard) (TOYOTA Original) (TOYOTA Original)
500 k bps
Communication Speed Max. 10 k bps Max. 17.8 k bps
(Max. 1 M bps)
Communication Wire Twisted–pair Wire AV Single Wire Twisted–pair Wire
Drive Type Differential Voltage Drive Single Wire Voltage Drive Differential Voltage Drive
Data Length 1 – 8 Byte (Variable) 1 – 11 Byte (Variable) 0 – 32 Byte (variable)

*: ”bps” stands for bit per second.

Although BEAN and AVC–LAN communicate at almost the same speed, the CAN communication speed is
much faster than BEAN or AVC–LAN. When the vehicle control system uses BEAN or AVC–LAN, which have
a slower communication speed than CAN, it means that the system control could be delayed by the slow
speed. For this reason, the vehicle control system uses CAN, which can send and receive a large volume
of data at one time, in addition to being able to transmit at a faster speed.

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4. COMMUNICATION WIRE
A single, automobile vinyl (AV) wire is used for BEAN communication. A twisted–pair wire is used for CAN
and AVC–LAN communication.

Function Outline

AV Single Wire
Lightweight single communication wire that consists of single core line
surrounded by insulation. Voltage is applied to this line in order to drive
communication. This system is called ”single wire voltage drive”.

Twisted–pair Wire for AVC–LAN Pair of lines is twisted together and covered with insulation. Commu-
nication is driven by applying positive (+) and negative (–) voltage to two
lines in order to send single signal. This system, which is called ”differ-
ential voltage drive”, can reduce noise.

Twisted–pair Wire for CAN Pair of lines is twisted. Communication is driven by applying 1.5 to 2.5
V and 2.5 to 3.5 V of voltage to two lines in order to send single signal.
This system, which is called ”differential voltage drive”, can reduce
Shield
noise.

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