CAN (Controller Area Network)

Overview

CAN (pronounced “can”) is a robust communication protocol commonly used in automotive and industrial applications. It enables efficient communication between various Electronic Control Units (ECUs) within a system.

Key Features

Two-Wire Protocol

  • Utilizes CAN high and CAN low wires.
  • Operates in half-duplex mode.
  • Uses twisted pair wires

Differential Bus Protocol

  • Each message has a unique 11-bit ID.
    • Each node filters for messages based on IDs
  • Supports attachment of multiple nodes or endpoints.
    • Each node is attached to the same pair of wires.
  • Differential signaling ensures:
    • High and low signals are the inverse of each other and add to 5v.
    • Enhanced signal integrity in noisy environments.

Expandability and Architecture

  • Easily expandable with support for multiple nodes.
  • Operates as a multi-master system, allowing multiple controllers to initiate communication.

Speed and Performance

  • CAN 2.0 supports a maximum speed of 1 Mbps.

Applications

  • Commonly used for off-board communication.
  • Facilitates communication between Electronic Control Units (ECUs) in vehicles.

Benefits

  • High reliability in challenging environments.
  • Efficient and scalable design for complex networks.