CAN bus

(Controller Area Network bus) A rugged, digital serial bus designed for industrial environments. Introduced by Bosch in the mid-1980s for in-vehicle communications, it is used in myriad applications including factory automation, building automation, aircraft and aerospace as well as in cars, trucks and buses. CAN bus replaced bulky wiring harnesses with a two-wire differential cable (the two wires carry inverted voltages to decrease interference).

CAN provides services at layers 1 and 2 of the OSI model and uses a broadcast method for placing frames on the wire somewhat similar to Ethernet. Bus distance is based on speed, ranging from a maximum of 40 meters at 1 Mbps to a maximum of six kilometers at 10 Kbps. At speeds up to 125 Kbps, CAN provides fault tolerance. If one of the two wires is cut or shorted, the other keeps transmitting. See OSI model.

In a vehicle, both low- and high-speed CAN buses are used. For example, window, lighting and seat control only need low speeds, while engine, cruise control and antilock brakes require high speeds. Two or three CAN buses may be used in a vehicle; for example, a high-speed bus may be dedicated only for safety (air bags, seat belt tensioners, etc.).

CAN-FD (CAN-Flexible Data Rate)
Introduced in 2012 by Bosch, CAN-FD increases the frame size from eight to 64 bytes. CAN-FD is no longer limited to the original 1 Mbps data rate and can be whatever the physical layer can handle.

CANopen and CiA
Introduced in 1995, CANopen is a high-level application layer protocol that provides services for processes, data and network management. The international organization that governs the CANopen protocol is CAN in Automation (CiA). For more information, visit www.can-cia.de. See automotive systems and automotive Ethernet.

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References in periodicals archive

A controller area network (CAN) is an ISO-standard computer-network protocol designed for microcontrollers, and devices that communicate with each other without a host computer.

Performance Evaluation of a Method to Improve Fairness in In-Vehicle Non-Destructive Arbitration Using ID Rotation

The new advanced controls offer full graphical, diagnostic and controller area network gateway capability along with an upgraded multi-function joystick with dump control for simpler operation.

Terramac tracked carriers feature customization options

Etschberger, "Controller Area Network: Basics, Protocols, Chips and Applications," IXXAT Automation GmbH., in press.

New vehicle diagnostic system using data combine and communication

Oshkosh said the electronic control system was now integrated into the chassis Controller Area Network (CAN bus) for enhanced troubleshooting, easier servicing and enhanced reliability.

Oshkosh announces HRET enhancements

Meeting federal EPA Tier 4 Final diesel engine standards, the vehicle's 1.8-liter, three-cylinder engine features an electronic fuel injection system with controller area network (CAN-BUS) to maintain horsepower and increase torque while saving fuel.

Small capacity diesel lift truck sports clean-burning engine

These four-cylinder models feature the latest electronic fuel injection systems with Controller Area Network (CAN-BUS) technology to deliver substantial improvements over the previous six-cylinder engines they replace.

Toyota integrates Tier IV power in 8,000-17,000-lb. lift truck series

A controller area network (CAN) provides the central communication link on virtually every modern agricultural machine.

CAN Bus technology enable advanced machinery management