LEMON Manuals: Even more car manuals for everyone: 1960-2025
Home >> Lexus >> 2008 >> IS F >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Accessories & Equipment >> Communication Devices >> Networking >> Multiplex Communication System >> System Description
April 5, 2026: LEMON Manuals is launched! Read the announcement.

System Description

  1. MULTIPLEX COMMUNICATION SYSTEM BASICS 
    1. The LEXUS IS F Multiplex Communication System (MPX) uses serial communication, which converts multiples pieces of information into serial communication data. As a result, they can be transmitted through a single communication wire.
      Fig 1: Switch Circuit Diagram
      G05205742Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
    2. Serial communication data consists of bits and frames. A bit is a basic unit of information represented by the binary values "0" and "1" The amount of information is represented by the number of bits. A frame is a group of bits. A frame contains a "header" that indicates the beginning of the frame and an "end message" that indicates the end of the frame.
      Fig 2: Communication Diagram
      G05205743Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
    3. 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
      Fig 3: Serial Communication Diagram
      G05753957Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
      1. The BEAN uses a ring and bus style of network to connect ECUs. This style of communication method is called a daisy chain. In a daisy chain, communication can be maintained even if the network has an open circuit.
        Fig 4: Communication Diagram
        G05205745Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
      2. The AVC-LAN uses a star style, which is centered on the multi-display or audio head unit.
      3. For BEAN, if DTC of ECU communication stop is output, connectors may be disconnected, or communication buses may be open at 2 points It will not become abnormal with only 1 communication bus open
        Fig 5: ECU Communication Diagram
        G05753959Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
      4. For BEAN, if 2 communication buses are open at the position as shown in the illustration, DTC of ECU communication stop between those 2 buses is output
        Fig 6: Gateway ECU Communication Diagram
        G05753960Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
    4. Difference of CAN, BEAN and AVC-LAN
      1. The CAN, BEAN and AVC-LAN protocols have set guidelines for data. The guidelines include communication speed, type of communication wire, drive type and data length These guidelines are established to facilitate ECU data communication
        BODY ELECTRICAL CONTROL SYSTEM CHART

        Control Driving Control System Body Electrical Control System Body Electrical Control System
        Protocol CAN (ISO Standard) BEAN (LEXUS Original) AVC-LAN (LEXUS Original)
        Communication Speed 500 kbps* (Max 1 Mbps) Max 10 kbps* Max 17 8kbps*
        Communication Wire Braided-pair Wire AV Single Wire Braided-pair Wire
        Drive Type Differential Voltage Drive Single Wire Voltage Drive Differential Voltage Drive
        Data Length 1 to 8 Bytes (Variable) 1 to 11 Bytes (Variable) 0 to 32 Bytes (Variable)
        HINT
        • *. The abbreviation "bps" stands for "bits per second"
        • The CAN uses the multi star style bus connection. The 2 junction connectors are connected with a main bus line. The junction connector extends a sub bus line and enables communication between all the connected ECUs
      2. A single, Automobile Vinyl (AV) wire is used for BEAN communication A braided-pair wire is used for CAN and AVC-LAN communication
        COMMUNICATION CHART

        Communication Wire Outline
        AV Single Wire for BEAN Lightweight single communication wire that consists of insulated 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"
        • Braided-pair Wire for AVC-LAN
        • Braided-pair Wire for CAN
        Pair of insulated lines braided together Communication is driven by applying positive (+) and negative (-) voltage to 2 lines in order to send single signal This system, which is called "Differential Voltage Drive", can reduce noise
  2. GATEWAY ECU 

    The gateway ECU of the LEXUS IS F has the following functions

    COMPONENT FUNCTION CHART

    Function Outline
    Gateway Data for respective protocols (CAN, BEAN and AVC-LAN) are arranged differently Therefore, it is not possible 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 gateway function, which is performed by gateway ECU
    Diagnosis (only for BEAN) By connecting the Techstream to DLC3 and operating tester, technicians can access ECUs via gateway ECU and BEAN In this manner, DTCs can be output from BEAN, Data List (for checking ECU data) and Active Test (to actuate desired actuator) can be performed