Can-Network (Controller Area Network): Overview

CAN (Controller Area Network) is a standardised system for multiplex communication. Multiplex communication means that you can transmit messages between one or more control modules on the same wires without communication between the various control modules disrupting one another. Volvo has produced a new standard for multiplex communication, known as VOLCANO. VOLCANO is a further development of CAN and works with real-time processing, as well as prioritisation. The description of prioritisation is based on VOLCANO but named CAN.

The standard for Control area network (CAN) specifies:

• That two cables should be used (CAN H and CAN L)
• Which voltage levels should be used
• What a message should look like
• How transfer errors should be handled.