Statement of Intent

The Controller Area Network (CAN), developed in the 1980s by Robert Bosch [1], is one of the most important networks in the field of real-time embedded systems; allowing for short real-time messages to be transmitted and received at speeds of up to 1 Mbit/sec.

The nature of CAN permits messages to be transmitted to multiple nodes simultaneously as CAN passes messages with a specific identifier, not messages with a specific destination. Each node chooses whether or not it will act upon a specific message by filtering the message's identifier. This can be done using either hardware or software. Although this technology was originally developed several decades ago, it is still widely used today in control applications for aircrafts, factories and automobiles.

This project aims at investigating, designing and implementing such a network and a software library + API to complement the previous SPUTNIC [Single-chip Processor Unit Together with Network Interface Chips] Projects which were based on the Motorola HCS12 single-chip processor and undertaken in 2002/03 and 2003/04. The creation of software libraries and an API will allow future SPUTNIC projects to utilise the capabilities of the Controller Area Network .

Furthermore, this project will also investigate the use of UDP/IP and/or TCP/IP as a gateway to the Controller Area Network (CAN) as well as the possible limitations introduced by using such protocols.

[1] CAN Specification Version 2.0, Parts A and B, by Robert Bosch GmbH