CAN Bus Based Vehicle Monitoring
CAN Bus Based Vehicle Monitoring
Abstract— This paper presents a comprehensive embedded technology to enhance real-time data
system for real-time vehicle monitoring leveraging collection, processing, and remote monitoring. By
the CAN (Controller Area Network) protocol. The tapping into the CAN network, the system can gather
system utilizes the TI MSPM0G3507 microcontroller critical vehicle parameters such as engine temperature,
for robust data processing, the ESP8266 for wireless fuel levels, and RPM, ensuring comprehensive tracking
communication, and a 20x4 LCD to provide intuitive of vehicle health. To enable remote access, the system
parameter visualization. Designed for modern integrates wireless data transmission using the ESP8266
automotive ecosystems, the system aims to optimize module, allowing users to monitor their vehicle's status
vehicle diagnostics, reduce operational inefficiencies, in real-time from a distance. At its core, the ARM
and enhance vehicular safety. The proposed Cortex-based TI MSPM0G3507 microcontroller
architecture ensures scalability, accuracy, and handles data processing efficiently while maintaining
reliability, with a modular design for easy low power consumption, making it ideal for continuous
integration into existing vehicular networks. vehicle diagnostics. By combining high-speed data
acquisition, wireless connectivity, and low-power
Keywords — CAN Protocol, MSPM0G3507, ESP8266, processing, this system offers a robust, scalable, and
Realtime vehicle monitoring, Operational intelligence, intelligent solution for modern vehicle monitoring. It
Parameter Visualization, Vehicular Safety. ensures that users—whether individual drivers, fleet
operators, or automotive professionals—have access to
real-time, accurate, and actionable vehicle insights,
ultimately improving safety, efficiency, and
I. INTRODUCTION maintenance capabilities.
As vehicles become more advanced, the need for II. LITERATURE REVIEW
efficient monitoring and diagnostics has grown
significantly. Traditional systems often rely on
proprietary interfaces and limited data visualization,
making them less adaptable and lacking real-time
insights. This is where the CAN protocol steps in as a
game-changer, providing a standardized and reliable
communication system among various Electronic
Control Units (ECUs) in a vehicle. This project focuses
on designing and implementing an intelligent vehicle
monitoring system that leverages the CAN protocol and
The evolution of vehicle monitoring systems has been research focus. A study by Shi et al. [10] examines IoT-
shaped by the convergence of embedded systems, based systems for fleet management, emphasizing the
wireless communication, and robust protocols such as role of real-time data collection and analysis in
the Controller Area Network (CAN). This literature optimizing vehicle performance.
review explores these domains to provide a
comprehensive foundation for the proposed system. The architecture proposed by George et al. [11]
The CAN protocol, introduced in the 1980s by Bosch, incorporates IoT devices into traditional vehicle
has become the de facto standard for in-vehicle monitoring systems, demonstrating the benefits of
communication, enabling efficient data exchange remote monitoring for both individual vehicles and
between ECUs. Research by Bosch et al. [1] highlights large fleets. This work aligns with the proposed use of
the advantages of CAN in terms of fault tolerance, ESP8266 for transmitting CAN data wirelessly.
reliability, and scalability in automotive networks. Later Efficient data processing is a cornerstone of vehicle
studies, such as those by Ziermann et al. [2], emphasize monitoring systems. Studies by Lee et al. [12]
the importance of CAN's real-time performance in investigate
safety-critical applications, making it an ideal choice for the use of
vehicle monitoring. Recent advancements in CAN
technology include the development of CAN FD
(Flexible Data Rate), which offers higher data
transmission speeds and enhanced efficiency. Work by
Farsi et al. [3] demonstrates how CAN FD improves
performance in modern vehicles, addressing the
growing demand for high-bandwidth communication.
The ARM Cortex-M series is widely recognized for its
balance of performance and low power consumption.
The TI MSPM0G3507, based on the ARM Cortex-M0+ microcontrollers for real-time decoding of sensor data,
core, inherits these characteristics. Research by Furber focusing on the low latency requirements of automotive
et al. [4] explores the ARM architecture's versatility, applications. Bansal et al. [13] discuss multithreading
which makes it suitable for real-time applications such techniques in embedded systems, illustrating how these
as vehicle monitoring. Similarly, Hasan et al. [5] approaches can improve system responsiveness and
evaluate the application of ARM Cortex ensure concurrent execution of tasks, such as CAN
microcontrollers in IoT-based systems, showcasing their message decoding and wireless transmission. Security
efficient handling of concurrent tasks. Studies on the remains a critical consideration in IoT-enabled vehicle
ARM Cortex-M0+ by Bianchi et al. [6] reveal its systems. Research by Patel et al. [14] provides a
optimization for energy efficiency, which is critical in comprehensive review of encryption techniques suitable
automotive systems that operate under power for automotive applications, suggesting methods for
constraints. Furthermore, the integration of CAN securing CAN messages during wireless transmission.
controllers into ARM microcontrollers simplifies the Scalability is another important factor, as highlighted by
system design for in-vehicle applications. The ESP8266 Zhang et al. [15], who propose modular architectures
module has revolutionized IoT applications by offering for IoT systems that can easily adapt to varying
cost-effective, robust wireless connectivity. Work by numbers of sensors and ECUs.
Rajesh et al. [7] describes the module's application in
automotive telemetry, enabling real-time data III. METHODOLOGY
transmission to cloud-based systems. Its compatibility
with HTTP and MQTT protocols facilitates seamless The methodology of the Operational Intelligence
integration with existing IoT infrastructures. The use of Vehicle Monitoring System centres around the
the ESP8266 for vehicle diagnostics is further validated integration of the CAN Bus Protocol, TI MSPM0G3507
by Chen et al. [8], who implemented wireless fault code microcontroller, ESP8266 Wi-Fi module, and 20x4
reporting systems using this module. Their findings LCD for robust, real-time vehicle monitoring. This
demonstrate the ESP8266's reliability in transmitting section provides a granular breakdown of each
critical vehicle data under varying network conditions. subsystem, the interactions between them, and the
The 20x4 LCD is a staple in embedded applications due operational workflow.
to its simplicity and readability. Research by Kumar et
al. [9] explores its use in automotive interfaces,
highlighting its advantages in displaying real-time data
with minimal power consumption. The integration of
IoT into vehicle monitoring systems is a significant
CAN bus communication highly effective in automotive
and industrial applications.
V. RESULT
This formula calculates the data transmission speed by The image shows a fully functional prototype of an
multiplying the clock frequency by the number of data embedded system designed for real-time data collection
bits transmitted per cycle. It helps determine the overall and processing. Built on a cardboard chassis, the setup
data throughput of a system. includes a 20x4 LCD screen displaying system outputs,
a servo motor for mechanical movement, and a
breadboard connecting various components. Two
microcontroller development boards are managing data
processing and communication, likely interacting with
)×100
UsefulData sensors and actuators. The carefully routed wiring and
U=( structured assembly suggest a well-thought-out design.
Total Data
This formula calculates the data efficiency (U) by
dividing the useful data by the total transmitted data and
multiplying by 100, representing the percentage of
effective data in the transmission.sensor is derived from
the ADC value:
The Operational Intelligence Vehicle Monitoring [4] Wen Gao and GaolinFanga,” A Chinese sign
System successfully demonstrates the potential of language recognition system based on
integrating the CAN Bus Protocol with modern SOFM/SRN/HMM. Journal of Pattern
embedded systems to achieve real-time vehicle Recognition”.2389-2402,2004.
parameter monitoring. The use of the TI MSPM0G3507
microcontroller, with its ARM Cortex-M0+ architecture, [5] Nicholas Born., “Senior Project Sign Language
ensures efficient data processing, low latency, and Glove”, electrical engineering dept. California
reliable communication. The integration of the Polytechnic State University,1- 49,2010.
ESP8266 Wi-Fi module provides seamless wireless data
transmission, enabling remote monitoring, while the
[6] Kirsten Ellis and Jan Carlo Barca.” Exploring
Sensor Gloves for Teaching Children Sign Language.
Advances in Human-Computer Interaction”.1-8.,2012