What is a Controller Area Network (CAN)?
Harry answered 3 years ago
The Controller Area Network (CAN) is a serial communications protocol that efficiently supports distributed real-time control with a very high level of security. Its domain of application ranges from high-speed networks to low-cost multiplex wiring. In automotive electronics, engine control units, sensors, anti-skid-systems, etc. are connected using CAN with bitrates up to 1 Mbit/s. At the same time, it is cost-effective to build into vehicle body electronics, e.g. lamp clusters, electric windows, etc. to replace the wiring harness otherwise required. The intention of this specification is to achieve compatibility between any two CAN implementations. Compatibility, however, has different aspects regarding e.g. electrical features and the interpretation of data to be transferred. To achieve design transparency and implementation flexibility CAN has been subdivided into different
layers.
• the (CAN-) object layer
• the (CAN-) transfer layer
• the physical layer