Apparatus for configuring an electronic module and multiplexed bus network with a plurality of lines

Device for configuring an electronic module and multiplexed bus network with several lines

The present invention relates to a device for configuring an electronic module. It also relates to a multiplexed bus network with several lines on which several electronic modules are arranged, each being equipped with such a configuration device.

In the state of the art, networks of electronic modules are known which are connected to each other, and often to a central station by means of a bus comprising a plurality of signal and / or voltage lines d. 'food. This is particularly the case of electronic modules dedicated to the control of electric actuators in a vehicle equipped with an on-board computer, such as electric door locks, headlamp orientators, etc.

In such a network, the bus comprises a conductor for transmitting a positive electrical voltage coming from the battery of the vehicle, an electrical ground conductor and one or more conductors for passing digital messages, directly or in the form of modulation according to a determined protocol of so that in time, a succession of messages transmitting commands from the bus controller or from the master electronic module is assigned to one determined of the electronic modules, which can itself return acknowledgment messages, status messages to the bus controller or to the master electronic module. In response to these exchanges, the electronic module executes the tasks for which it is programmed, such as starting or stopping an electric actuator connected to it, as well as local actuator protection functions such as parameter control. electrical operation, in particular.

To exchange messages on the network, each electronic module must be given a name that identifies it in the network.

In the state of the art, numerous solutions have already been proposed for assigning, for example, when the electronic module is connected to the network, a unique code which allows the electronic module to be inserted into the communication protocol on the network.

In particular, a first technique is known according to which a first mechanical keying device is mounted on the electronic module so that the mounting of the module is only authorized at a location provided on the network. The first polarizer can be mounted on a first connector, for example a female connector, integral with the electronic module. A second mechanical polarizer, reciprocal of the first polarizer, is mounted on a second connector, for example male and connected to the free end of a bundle of conductors, the other end of which is electrically connected to the network. The second connector, for example male, makes it possible to connect the electronic module to the network. The first and second polarizers are configured such that, among all the modules which have been planned to be connected to the network, only one of them connects to the second connector. The address of the electronic module is then made in a fixed manner by its connection position in the network.

In another state of the art, the addressing of a module is performed by conductors of the bundle which are reserved for an addressing function. For this purpose, the bus has p wires reserved for addressing 2p modules if the address coding is of binary type. An address decoding circuit, arranged on the electronic module and which reads the p terminals of the first connector integral with the module and which are connected to the p addressing lines of the bus, makes it possible to know at any time the address that the network assigns to the electronic module and therefore, to distinguish the modules from each other.

In another state of the art, the addressing of an electronic module is carried out using electrical resistors, connected between the positive power supply and the electrical ground supplied by the bus, and a current measurement circuit. that cross resistances. The current measurement circuit produces, during its operation, measurement signals which depend on the values ​​of the resistors and therefore, by an appropriate choice of these values, it is possible to code in a unique way each electronic module of the network and to have at every moment of its identification.

Finally, in a final state of the art, the addressing of an electronic module is carried out according to a method by programming which consists in writing an identification number in a register that can be written once, for example during manufacture or during mounting the electronic module on the network, so that the electronic module is always recognized under this identification number in the network and its protocol.

The drawbacks of these various states of the art lie in the fixed nature of the identification of each module for the most mechanical solutions, and in the complexity of such addressing, generally undergone by a protocol management unit and / or network to adaptively designate such addressing for the most electronic solutions.

The present invention provides a remedy for this state of the art in that it relates to a device for configuring an electronic module in a network of the type comprising a multiplexed bus with several lines, and which is characterized mainly in that it comprises:

a connector comprising, for at least one line of the multiplexed bus, a determined number of terminals of which only a subset is connected to said line;

a circuit for reconstituting the line connected to said subset of terminals, and connecting it to the rest of the module;

a circuit for detecting the relative positions of the terminals connected in said subset of terminals; and

a circuit for generating a single digital datum, on the basis of the detection of the relative positions of the connected terminals, identifying the electronic module.

The invention also relates to a multiplexed bus network with several lines.

The network of the invention comprises a plurality of electronic modules, each electronic module comprising a configuration device according to the invention.

Other advantages and characteristics of the present invention will be better understood with the aid of the description and the appended figures, among which:

- Figures 1 to 3 explain a first state of the art;

- Figure 4 explains a second state of the art;

<td>- the figure</td><td>5 represents</td><td>a</td><td>block diagram</td><td>explaining a</td><td>fashion</td>

<td>favorite of</td><td>achievement of</td><td>'a</td><td>device</td><td>configuration</td><td>according to</td>

<td>invention;</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td>- the figure</td><td>6 represents</td><td>a</td><td>block diagram</td><td>explaining a</td><td>fashion</td>

particular embodiment of a multiplexed bus network with several lines according to the invention;

FIG. 7 represents a block diagram explaining another embodiment of part of a network according to the invention;

FIGS. 8 and 9 represent a particular embodiment of a circuit of the configuration device of the invention;

- Figures 10 and 11: two views of an assembly showing an embodiment of part of the invention.

In Figure 1, there is shown a block diagram of a first state of the art. A bundle 1 of a multiplexed bus comprises here three signal lines and network supply voltages which are respectively

- line 4, a line brought to a positive electric potential of a continuous electric power supply,

- line 5, a line brought to a negative electrical potential of a continuous electrical supply,

- Line 6, one or more lines of digital signals multiplexed in time according to a particular protocol.

The harness 1 is electrically connected to a connector 3 integral with an electronic module 2 connected to the network by the harness 1. The electronic module 2 comprises a DC bias generator circuit 7 intended for the other electronic and electrical circuits of the module 2. The bias voltage generator circuit 7 is connected by lines 9 and 10 to the terminals of connector 3 electrically connected to lines 4 and 5 on harness 1. Output lines 11 and 12 of circuit 7 are arranged to transmit the appropriate electrical polarization to a circuit 8 inserted in module 2.

Circuit 8 is a circuit for processing the information signals which are taken from connector 3 via line 13 which leads the information signals to use circuit 8.

In FIG. 2, the configuration of the signals passing over the multiplexed bus to which the bundle is connected is schematically represented. The timing diagram of the signals represented in FIG. 2 comprises a plurality of frames 14, 15 and 16 of predetermined period. Each frame is divided into two parts by an instant 17 relative to the start of the frame so that a first part 18 of the frame contains an identification datum of the electronic module connected to the network and which is the recipient of the message 19 from the network or sender of the message 19 originating from the electronic module 2. The division of the frames is repeated from frame to frame.

The code contained in the frame part 18 may include the addressing of a subset of electronic modules.

The message contained in the frame portion 19 may include control orders for electromechanical devices such as actuators which are controlled by the electronic module recipient of the message contained in the frame 14.

In FIG. 3, there is schematically represented a circuit making it possible to detect the code of a message of an identification number of the module 2.

The electronic module is connected to a line 13 by an input terminal of a circuit 20 which makes it possible to separate the frame 14 (FIG. 2) into two parts, the identification part 18 and the message part 19. These two parts are sent successively on an output bus 21 internal to module 2.

The first part 18 of the message is taken from the internal bus 21 by a bus 26 which is connected to a first input of a comparator 22, a second input of which is connected by an internal bus 25 to a register 23 which contains a number of unique identification of the electronic module 2.

The identification number stored in register 23 is compared with the data presented at the first input 26 of comparator 22 so that when the two inputs coincide, a signal is activated at the output 27 of comparator 22 which is connected to a circuit. 28 which also receives the frame 14 via the bus 21. In this way, the module 2 is able to know that it is the recipient of the message 19 contained in the frame 14. The mechanism can also operate in transmitter mode and will not be further described here.

However, it should be noted that register 23 must receive, by a writing or recording mechanism via a write bus 24 in register 23, the identification code of module 2.

Such a mechanism increases the technical problems of managing communication networks on a multiplexed bus, a problem that the present invention aims to solve.

₇ 2829255

In FIG. 4, another state of the art has been shown in which the multiplexed bus 30 comprises a plurality of signal lines and supply voltages which are respectively, in the embodiment of FIG. 4:

- Lines 31 and 32, a positive supply voltage and an electrical ground intended to locally generate electrical polarizations for the electronic modules connected to the network;

- Lines 33, 34 and 35 of signals which are each reserved for a plurality of particular modules.

In this state of the art, each module 38, 46, 48 carries a female connector, referenced 37 for the electronic module 38 which is intended to adapt unambiguously to a male connector 36 connected by the appropriate wires of a harness. to the bus 30. The connector 36 can only be connected to the single connector 37 of the module 38.

Indeed, the female connector 37, like the female connectors 45 and 47 drawn, comprises a plurality of terminals, respectively 39, 41 and 43, which are arranged opposite the terminals 40, 42 and 44 of the male connector 36 of the module 38 according to a first geometric distribution.

The male connector (not referenced) associated with the electronic module 46 has another geometric distribution of terminals 49-51 respectively. Note that the geometric distribution of the terminals of the pair of connectors 36 and 37 is incompatible with the geometric distribution of the terminals of the other pairs of connectors. In this way, it is impossible to connect the module 46 to the female connector 36 or to the female connector 47 and the same for the other electronic modules.

It follows that the module 38 is always recognized perfectly in the connection to the bus 30, especially if the signal is intended essentially for the module 38 by the reservation of the line 33 for the module 38, 34 for the module 46, and 35 for the module. module 48.

However, it is noted that this situation does not make it possible to envisage connecting a large number of electronic modules on the same bus, another problem that the present invention aims to solve.

In FIG. 5, there is shown a preferred embodiment of a configuration device intended to adapt to the electronic modules to form a network according to the invention.

Each electronic module M intended for the network of the invention comprises a configuration device D which is connected to a connector C which comprises a plurality of terminals intended to be connected to the wires or lines of the network bus on which the electronic module is intended to be connected. come and connect.

A sub-assembly SE of connector C terminals is reserved for the connection of a particular line of the bus of the network concerned. Unlike the invention, in the state of the art, it is noted that a single terminal is provided for each bus line. According to the invention, it follows that for this line of the bus, there is a plurality of connection possibilities for each of the p terminals of the sub-assembly SE of terminals of the connector C, the p terminals possibly not being all contiguous on connector C. Likewise, each line of the bus, or several of them only, can be assigned a particular subset of terminals on connector G.

Each subset of terminals SE reserved for a particular line is connected by an internal bus of each electronic module M, the bus being referenced BSE in FIG. 5, so that these signals are distributed respectively to a line reconstitution circuit Gen Lig and a Gen ID identification parameter generator.

In addition, the configuration device of the invention comprises a generator of Gen Sel selection signals which is connected by a Sel bus to the suitable inputs respectively of the Gen Lig line reconstruction circuit, on the one hand, and of the generator circuit. Gen ID identification parameter.

The Gen Lig line reconstruction circuit allows the bus line which is connected to the SE terminal sub-assembly of connector C to be transmitted to the rest of the module in the form of a single Ligne_Rec line, represented at the output of the reconstruction circuit of Gen Lig lines.

In one embodiment, the Gen Lig circuit includes a circuit in which N inputs which are all at the same potential or at a floating potential are combined into a single output line. Such a gathering of identical lines or placed at a floating potential is done with a diode combination circuit to protect the inputs.

The identification parameter generator circuit Gen ID of the configuration device D of the electronic module M comprises a circuit for detecting the terminals connected in the terminal sub-assembly SE of the connector C so that an identification number lD_Par is generated from unique way.

To perform such a function, the configuration device also includes a Gen Sel selection order generator which sequentially interrogates each of the terminals of the subset of terminals SE. The Gen ID identification parameter generator comprises means for detecting which terminal is actually connected to the corresponding line of the bus on the SE subassembly of the connector C.

To this end, the selection signal generator Sel comprises a means for performing a scan of the various input terminals of the sub-assembly SE by successively placing each of the lines of the internal bus BSE connected to the sub-assembly SE of terminals of the connector C, to a reference potential so as to be able to detect whether the terminal is actually connected to the bus line or not. This results in a succession of logic signals, to the value TRUE if the interrogated terminal is connected to the bus line or to the FALSE value if the interrogated terminal is not connected. The succession of logic signals for detecting the relative positions of the terminals connected in the subset of terminals SE is used by the circuit to generate a single digital datum identifying the electronic module.

In FIG. 6, there is shown a particular embodiment of a multiplexed bus network with several lines and which comprises electronic modules, here four in number, each of which comprises a configuration device according to the teaching of FIG. 5. For this purpose, the network comprises a master device 50 from which a bus 51 starts, consisting of three lines 52 respectively for supplying positive voltage, 53 for supplying ground, and 54 for signaling. Line 54 may be a single line on which a particular modulation is transmitted or a plurality of signal lines.

Each electronic module 55 - 58 comprises a connector like the terminal 59 for the module 55 and which comprises three subsets of connection terminals, respectively the terminals 60 for a first subset which is connected by a line L to the line of ground, the terminals 61 and 62 which constitute a second sub-assembly are intended to be connected by a line S to the signal line 53, and a terminal 63 and 64 which constitutes a third sub-set of terminals which are intended to be connected to at least one positive supply line A1 on line 52 of bus 51.

Each of the four modules uses a terminal block of the same type, which eliminates the need for keying or special connectors as in the case of the state of the art shown in FIG. 4.

In FIGS. 10 and 11, there is shown an embodiment of a connector mounted on a flexible circuit on which the network bus has been arranged. FIG. 10 corresponds to a front view, in partial section, while FIG. 11 corresponds to a top view, partial.

The network bus is in the example shown of this embodiment of the invention constituted by five conductive tracks 114 to 118, constituted by a thin layer of a conductive alloy deposited on a flexible insulating substrate 120 made of a polymer material. as a polyimide. The flexible circuit can be at any point of its development associated with a connector 110 composed of two parts, respectively, a lower part 11 and an upper part 112, which surround, around a link 113 like a ratchet link, to the like a caliper the flexible circuit 120; 14 to 118.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 10 and 11, the network is a three-wire type network, of which two wires are, according to the invention, multiplied so that:

tracks 114 and 115 are positive bias wires at + Vbatt both connected to the appropriate terminal of the power generator circuit such as the vehicle battery if the device of the invention is installed on a vehicle;

the tracks 116 and 117 are signal wires connected to the + S signal exchange terminal of the control network of the on-board network of the vehicle;

track 118 is a ground wire connected to the ground terminal of the power supply generator circuit such as the vehicle battery if the device of the invention is installed on a vehicle.

In application of the invention, according to the identification of the module with which the connector 110 must be associated, only three of the five wires of the bus 120; 114-118 must be connected to three suitable terminals of the electronic module (not shown in figure 10) to which the connector 110 is associated. There are therefore four connection possibilities for four modules, possibilities which are described in the following table in which each module connection possibility is noted from # 1 to # 4 and each of the 5 lines of the bus are reported so that the lines to which each module #i is connected is denoted by x:

<td>Module identification</td><td> #1</td><td> #2</td><td> #3</td><td> #4</td>

<td> '114</td><td>x</td><td></td><td>X</td><td></td>

<td> '115</td><td></td><td>X</td><td></td><td>X</td>

<td> '116</td><td>x</td><td>X</td><td></td><td></td>

<td> '117</td><td></td><td></td><td>X</td><td>X</td>

<td> '118</td><td>X</td><td>X</td><td>X</td><td>X</td>

In this embodiment, the configuration circuit of each of the electronic modules # 1 to # 4 comprises a circuit for detecting which line or terminal is connected to the lines' 114, '115,' 116, '117 or' 118, knowing that a single line or terminal of one polarity or type of signal, if there are several kinds on the bus, is connected to the electronic module #i.

To increase the number of modules that can be connected to the network with a single address, the invention as will be described later also makes it possible, in another variant not shown here, to detect the number of terminals which are connected to the same potential or to the same type of signal. As a result, in the diagrams of Figures 10 and 11, the connection of a single connector 110 by two suitable terminals to lines '114 and' 115 is differentiated by the circuit for configuring the connection to only one of these two lines. , which further increases the number of cases with 9 electronic modules from # 1 to # 9.

In general, the network of the invention comprises a bus controller, a bus with several lines and at least one electronic module equipped with a configuration circuit. The bus has line redundancy so that the address of each electronic module is provided by the connection diagram of the electronic module to the network bus. The address is then recognized locally by the electronic module configuration circuit.

To electrically connect the electronic module #i (not shown in FIG. 10) to its connector 110, and more particularly the configuration circuit of the invention which equips this electronic module, three crimping punches are used as is known. 121 to 123 which are each composed of two substantially cylindrical and coaxial parts (not shown) which are mounted to each other by force and through a bore made, for example, but not necessarily, when mounting the connector 110 through the flexible bus circuit 120; 114-118. Each cylindrical part is terminated by a head, visible in the drawing so that once clamped one inside the other, and on either side of the flexible circuit 120; 114-118, the two cylindrical parts of each crimping punch 121 to 123 each form a conductive integral part in electrical connection with the conductive track 114 to 118 to which it is connected.

Finally, an electrical connection (not shown) makes it possible to electrically connect the conductive end of a flexible wire (not shown) to one of the punches 121 to 123 and the wire is brought in a known manner through passages 124 to 126 to the electronic module #i with which the connector 110 is associated and more particularly with the configuration circuit of the invention with which the module #i is equipped to allow its unambiguous addressing by the on-board network.

Returning to FIG. 6, in another embodiment, each terminal 60 to 64 of the terminal block 59 is connected directly to a conductive line M, S or AL. The positive supply line AL can be connected either to terminal 3 or to terminal 4, which makes two different connection possibilities. Likewise, the signal line S can be connected either to terminal 62 or to terminal 61, which makes two other possibilities.

Thus, by crossing the cases of connection of lines Al and S, line M still being connected to the first terminal to the left of each of the terminal blocks, it can be seen that four electronic modules can be uniquely connected to the three-wire bus. and recognized separately and distinctly by the master 50.

According to the invention, to increase the capacity of the network to connect electronic modules, we will increase:

- the number of terminals of each subset of terminals allocated to the same line of the bus; or

- the number of lines of the bus which are assigned to distinct subsets of connection terminals to the modules.

In another embodiment, a third means is added to increase the capacity of the network to connect electronic modules according to which several homologous terminals of the same sub-assembly can be connected at the same time to the same signal line. This results in a significant increase in the potential number of electronic modules to be connected to the same network.

It is clear that the device for configuring each of the electronic modules is produced according to the teaching of FIG. 5. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, only a sub-set of terminals SE has been provided. In other cases, as in Figure 6, two or more terminal subsets are provided. The means of the configuration device which have been described are simply repeated for each of the sub-sets of terminals analyzed, and in particular, a global identification parameter generator produces a logical combination of the different identification generators for each of the sub-sets in such a way. in constituting, for example using a logical OR, a binary word uniquely representing the address of the electronic module in the network.

In FIG. 7, there is shown a variant in which each electronic module 61 or 62 of the network comprises a male connector composed of three terminals respectively 68, 69 70 for the module 61 and 74, 75 and 76 for the module 62.

The three-wire bus 60 carries branch bundles 63 and 64 respectively, each of which is terminated at its free end by a female connector 65 for the bundle 63 and 66 for the bundle 64. Each bundle 63, 64 comprises the same signals M, S and A1 described using Figure 6.

The female connector 65 or 66 has three terminals 7173 for the connector 65 and three terminals 77 - 79 for the connector 66. The terminals of each female connector 65 or 66 are distributed geometrically so as to adapt to a single male connector installed on the connector. each of the electronic modules 61 or 62.

In FIGS. 8 and 9, there is shown a particular embodiment of a configuration device suitable for an electronic module of the network embodiment of FIG. 6. In particular, the configuration device is studied here on FIG. base of a sub-set of terminals associated with a connection to a positive DC power supply voltage. It is clear on the one hand that, in the case of a negative power supply, the same device can be used by changing the polarizations, and on the other hand that, for a signal line, filters making it possible to obtain values. averaged or allowing the selection of time frames in which a positive power supply and sensed value can be used to perform the same function on a signal line as the S line.

In FIG. 8, there is shown the two terminals 80 and 81 of the sub-set of terminals from which we will firstly draw a reconstruction line D and secondly, a code 101, 102 shown in FIG. 9, uniquely representative of a code part making it possible to identify the module according to the terminal connected between terminal 80 and terminal 81. It is clear that the terminals 80 and 81 of the configuration circuit are directly connected to the suitable terminals of the sub-assembly concerned on the associated connector of the module.

Each terminal 80 and 81 is connected to ground through a filter capacitor 82, 83 and to potential points A 'and B' connected on a scale of resistors 85, 86 and 87. The potential point A 'is connected to the anode of a first diode 89 while the anode of a second diode 92 is connected to node B'. The two diodes 89 and 92 make it possible to produce a single reconstructed line D which is the local positive supply line of the module.

The cathodes of diodes 89 and 92 are connected together on a node 91. The anodes of diodes 89 and 92 are connected to a node 94 through resistor 90 and 93, while node 94 is connected to a terminal denoted C which will be used in the following circuit shown in figure 9.

Node 94 is also connected to ground via a parallel circuit made up of a resistor 96 and a capacitor 95.

When the module is connected to the network, a protected DC voltage is thus generated which makes it possible to detect which of the two terminals 80 or 81 is actually connected.

For this purpose, the resistance scale 85 to 87 is connected to ground at its two free ends by means of controlled switches 84 and 88. In an embodiment not shown in the drawing, only one of the two switches is 84 or 88 is mounted or controlled in the configuration circuit of the invention. However, to balance the operation of the circuit, according to the supply polarities (in the case of a bipolar supply in particular) it is here (case of a unipolar supply on electric ground) preferable to have two switches 84 and 88.

Each controlled switch 84 or 88 is preferably produced using an N-type Mos transistor with an antiparallel protection diode between its drain and its source. The gate of each Mos transistor is connected to an output A for switch 84 and to an output B for switch 88 to a selection signal generator Sel.

The setting to the active state of each selection signal A or B controls the analysis of the presence of a supply voltage on terminal 80 or on terminal 81. Thus, when signal A is active, the circuit of Figure 8 is grounded between node A 'and switch 84. This results in a first voltage on node 94 which can be measured later.

If the signal is not connected to terminal 80 but to terminal 81, another voltage measurement at node C will be obtained by reading the voltage that exists due to the closing of switch 88 which places node B ' to ground through a resistor 87. This results in a second voltage value which can be detected by the same means.

It also follows that, by detecting the voltages at node 94, it is known whether the battery supply line is connected to terminal 80 or terminal 81, image of the terminal subassembly to which the line has been previously connected. on the module.

In FIG. 9, such a voltage comparison means has been shown.

In FIG. 9, two operational amplifiers have been shown. 97 and 99 which are connected as voltage comparators and of which a first positive terminal of each of them is connected to node 94 via point C.

The second negative input terminals of each of comparators 97 or 99 are respectively connected to node A 'for comparator 97 and to node B' for comparator 99.

Each of the input terminals is likewise connected to ground via a Zener diode 98 or 100.

The comparison of the voltages makes it possible by this means to detect whether the terminal 80 or 81 is connected by detecting an active logic value on the terminal 101 or on the terminal 102.

When several sub-sets of terminals are connected, the comparison means are connected together via an OR gate so as to compose a unique identification word characteristic of the electronic module.

In one embodiment, the network also comprises a means for detecting, after recognition of the address of the electronic module, of a fault state on one of the lines of the bus connected to an electronic module, by the detection of 'an incorrect identifier of the electronic module. In an exemplary embodiment, the positive direct current and ground supply terminals are additionally connected to an electromechanical actuator. In such a situation, the means of the invention also make it possible, by recognizing the address, to detect failure states of the actuator.

When an actuator is not connected, the transmitter of the network such as the transmitter 50 according to the embodiment of FIG. 5, sends an interrogation signal of the modules. Each module can respond at this time to a particular signal sent according to the protocol accepted on the network.

If the module is no longer connected, such a response is then impossible and the failure can then be immediately detected at the level of the central interrogation unit 50.

It is noted that it is not useful to multiply the lines of the bundle to increase the number of modules, but that, on the contrary, it is sufficient to increase the number of terminals on the modules so as to increase the combinatorics of the various subsets.

When an electronic module equipped with a configuration circuit according to the invention is connected to the on-board network bus constituted with a redundancy of wires as has been explained, the module is addressed when the power is turned on. by an interrogation module of the network controller. Then, during network operation, the network controller produces checks so that the electrical module is interrogated and responds if it is properly connected. If a connection becomes faulty, the module's address changes and can in particular conflict with an address already assigned or take an address that is still free, but reserved for another module for another configuration of the network. To detect such situations, the network controller is equipped with a module for detecting the constancy of the address of each electronic module connected to the network bus which keeps the memory of the addresses of the electronic modules already connected, and if necessary the reserved address of electronic modules for other network configurations.

It is also noted that, according to the invention, the fact of connecting a new electronic module, or an additional electronic module is sufficient for the network to recognize the new address by its network controller as soon as it is switched on without a procedure for switching on. address assignment is performed at the network controller. The latter only detects any invalid or conflicting addresses as described above. This avoids the often delicate address determination procedures in the state of the art.

It is also noted that the bus can be easily standardized without it being necessary for the electronic modules intended for it to be all planned in advance. It suffices that the redundancy of the lines of the bus and that the configuration techniques implemented in the configuration circuit of the invention allow an additional number of addresses to add new modules. Thus on a vehicle, a single bus can be designed and installed on all models of a brand or a range of the brand. Depending on the options chosen by the manufacturer, each model of the brand or of the range considered in the brand will be equipped with the desired number and type of electronic modules each equipped with the appropriate configuration circuit.