Controller Area Network (CAN) Basics

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1999 Microchip Technology 1AN713Controller area Network (CAN) BasicsINTRODUCTIONController area Network (CAN) was initially created byGerman automotive system supplier Robert Bosch inthe mid-1980s for automotive applications as a methodfor enabling robust serial communication. The goal wasto make automobiles more reliable, safe and fuel-effi-cient while decreasing wiring harness weight and com-plexity. Since its inception, the CAN protocol has gainedwidespread popularity in industrial automation andautomotive/truck applications. Other markets wherenetworked solutions can bring attractive benefits likemedical equipment, test equipment and mobilemachines are also starting to utilize the benefits of goal of this application note is to explain some ofthe Basics of CAN and show the benefits of choosingCAN for embedded systems networked OVERVIEWMost Network applications follow a layered approach tosystem implem

For example, an automotive airbag sensor can be con-nected via CAN to a safety system router node only. This router node takes in other safety system informa-tion and routes it to all other nodes on the safety system network. Then all the other nodes on the safety system network can receive the latest airbag sensor informa-

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