End of the wire crisis due to CAN bus
The acronym CAN stands for Controller Area Network and describes a serial bus system, thus, a system for the data transmission between a number of participants via a common transmission route. The maximum transfer rate for a (High speed-) CAN bus is 1 Mbit/s, but also depends on parameters such as cable length and the bus traffic load.
The purpose of the system that was developed from Bosch in 1983 is, reducing cable harness in cars – at this time they were up to 2 kilometers long.
The CAN bus in vehicles
Since cars produce more and more data, also the electronics assembly is focused. In order that the electronic devices in vehicles can work together properly, a consistent communication or platform is needed. This is ensured with the CAN bus.
Ranked among the electronic devices are sensors and control units. Of latter, in modern upper class cars, up to 50 can be found. Each of it is connected with the bus via a CAN port and checks the data on the content and priority. In case many control units want to send information simultaneously, the message with the highest priority is sent first, followed by the other in descending priority. Due to so-called “Identifier” the information is then processed by the correct device.
Benefits when using the CAN bus:
- Less wiring effort
- More economical and easier realization of across system communication, such as ESP
- Clear recognition of errors and interruptions due to high transmission safety
Mini-PCs in vehicles
Also among our Mini-PCs there are some models that suit various application scenarios in vehicles. These include, on one hand, the MOVE series and, on the other hand, our RUGGED series, which just got a new member the RUGGED Ryzen. All models can optionally be equipped with a CAN bus module, to suit the before described scenario.
More about vehicle PCs, what distinguishes them and where they can be used, is already mentioned in another article.
