Session 4

Automotive Communication Protocols

Session Speaker: Tracy Austina Z.

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 Session Objectives

• The following are the objectives of this session :

– To understand the benefits of In vehicle networking
– To understand the classification of vehicle buses
– To understand various automotive communication protocols

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 Session Topics
• Need of in-vehicle networking
• Benefits of In–vehicle networking
• Concept of vehicle multiplexing
• CAN, LIN, FlexRay and MOST

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 Introduction

• The past few decades have witnessed an exponential increase in the number and
sophistication of electronic systems in vehicles.

• Today, the cost of electronics in luxury vehicles can amount to more than 40 percent
of the total manufacturing cost

• The growth of electronic systems has had implications for vehicle engineering. For
example, today's high-end vehicles may have more than 4 kilometers of wiring—
compared to 45 meters in vehicles manufactured in 1955.

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 Introduction

• The resulting demands on power and design have led to innovations in electronic
networks for automobiles

• Just as LANs connect computers, control networks connect a vehicle's electronic

equipment. These networks facilitate the sharing of information and resources
among the distributed applications.

• In the past, wiring was the standard means of connecting one element to another.

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 Introduction

• Added wiring increased vehicle weight, and weakened performance made adherence
to reliability standards difficult

• Complex wiring harnesses took up large amounts of vehicle volume, limiting

expanded functionality and eventually became the single most expensive and
complicated component in vehicle electrical systems

• Today's control and communications networks, based on serial protocols, counter the
problems of large amounts of discrete wiring

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 Need for In-Vehicle Networking

• To achieve communication between circuits, sensors, and many other electrical

components within vehicles.

• Dedicated wire through point-to-point connections between switches, sensors,

motors, and other electrical devices

• Results in a number of connections.

• Enormous dedicated wiring

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 Need for In-Vehicle Networking

• Dedicated inter-module communication requires:

– Point-to-point wiring
– Bulky
– Expensive
– complex
– difficult to install wiring harnesses

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 In-Vehicle Networking

• Transfers data among distributed electronic modules via a serial data bus

• Combine signals on a single wire through multiplexing

• Information sent to individual control modules controlling respective functions

• Makes the wiring connections simple & helps in easy fault detection

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 Benefits of In-vehicle Networking

• Decreased number of dedicated wires

• Improved system cost, weight, reliability, serviceability, and installation.

• Data can be shared, thus eliminating the need for redundant sensors

• Provides greater vehicle content flexibility as functions can be added or deleted with
ease

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 Multiplexing Standards

• The early days of networking involved proprietary serial buses using generic UART
(Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter) or custom devices

• Proprietary protocols pose many difficulties with suppliers who need many special system
designs to conform to the different protocols

• Standard protocols allow modules from many suppliers to easily link together forming a
type of `open architecture.'

• An open architecture will allow standardized diagnostic and emissions testers and will
allow suppliers to benefit from the economies of scale of mass-produced standard
protocol devices.

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 Vehicle Multiplexing

• In-vehicle networking, also known as Multiplexing, is a method for transferring data

among distributed electronic modules via a serial data bus

• Multiplexing is the technology of applying serial data communications to the

electric/electronic functions of a vehicle

• Common sensor and control data, such as vehicle speed, engine temperature, etc. are
available on the network, so data can be shared, thus eliminating the need for
redundant sensors

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 Vehicle Multiplexing

• Multiplexing allows control of multiple functions through a single

pair of wires, eliminating the need for complex wiring harnesses.

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 Vehicle Multiplexing

• Multiplexing allows the distribution of electronic control

judiciously to various quadrants or input/output concentration
areas on the vehicle, coordinating electronic sensors and
operator inputs with output devices and actuators using
computer logic

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 Vehicle Multiplexing

• Engine Control

– Communications with Engine Control Modules (ECM), enables task-based control of

engine operating/idle speed.

– Helps to monitor engine conditions (overheating, transmission status, etc) from the
operator station and automatically control vehicle load conditions to prevent engine
stall.

• Self-diagnosis and reporting

– Multiplexing simplifies the hardware / software interface and makes it easier to locate
problems and alert operators

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 Vehicle Multiplexing

• Modules are programmed for their use within the system and are linked using a CAN
network. The system functionality can be rapidly changed by modifying the software, often
without changing or adding new hardware. This modular design makes such modifications
easy to perform and reliable in use.

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 Standardized Data Link

• Easier for vehicle manufacturer to source ECUs and integrate them into the
automobile

• Common connectors to chose from

• Many standards to chose from depending on the application

• Protocols grouped into classifications based on functions and bit rate

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 Illustration of Basic Multiplexing

Brake
Controller

Body
Controller
Multiplexing
Scheme

Engine Bus Serial Data Link

Controller

Door
Relays

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 Multiplexed Electrical Systems

• In a multiplexed electrical system, several components share

the same circuitry

• One can regard multiplexed electrical systems as ordinary data

networks or data buses (e.g. TCP/IP) where a common
infrastructure is used to distribute information

• Instead of using separate control wires for each function in

each component, say 4 functions in 4 different components
(=16 wires), it is possible to use one “data bus”-wire

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 Multiplexed Electrical Systems

• This data wire will then be used to send special commands to the different
components

• Adding ground and feed to the data wire, 13 lines are saved in the example above

• The meaning of components is anything in the truck that is electrically connected to

another component (e.g. switches, sensors, and displays) or to an ECU

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 Multiplexed Electrical Systems

• The components in a multiplexed electrical system must contain logic that enables
them to react on certain messages on the bus (e.g. start a stepping motor, light a
LED, or give an answer with a sensor reading)

• Further it is required that a certain communication protocol is used on the bus over
which the components talk

• This makes it necessary for the components to follow a certain standard or

specification

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 Multiplexed Electrical Systems

• In today’s modern vehicles (especially cars), there are several different multiplexed
systems covering a number of functions

• As the safety-, performance- and legally related requirements (OBD) differ, so does
the network type

• An example of a car making fully use of multiplexed electrical systems, that might be
a reality in the not so far future, can be seen in the next slide.

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 Today’s typical vehicle network architecture

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 Important Terms and Definitions

• Intramodule Versus Intermodule Communication:

• Intramodule Communication:
– Data sharing inside a node
– Eg. SPI,SCI,8/16/32-bit parallel address/ data interfaces etc.

• Intermodule Communication:
– Data sharing between ECUs
– Serial channel involving relatively large distances

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 Five Components of Data Communication

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 Data Flow

• Data can move either

in one direction or
both directions.

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 Simplex

• Simplex data flows move in

one direction only, such as
radio or cable television
broadcasts.

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 Half-Duplex

• Half Duplex data

flows both ways, but
only one direction at
a time. E.g.: Walkie-
Talkie

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 Full-Duplex

• In Full Duplex signals

going in either direction
share the capacity of the
link. E.g.:Video-
conferencing.

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 Need For Standards & Standardization

• Earlier many of the networks that were built used different hardware and software
implementations.

• They were incompatible and it became difficult for networks using different
specifications to communicate with each other.

• To address the problem of networks being incompatible and unable to

communicate with each other, the International Organization for Standardization
(ISO) researched various network schemes.

• The ISO recognized there was a need to create a NETWORK MODEL that would help
vendors create interoperable network implementations.

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 Need For Standards & Standardization

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 ISO - Organization For
Standardization

• The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is an International standards

organization responsible for a wide range of standards, including many that are
relevant to networking

• In 1984 in order to aid network interconnection without necessarily requiring

complete redesign, the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) reference model was
approved as an international standard for communications architecture

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 The OSI Reference Model

• The model was developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
in 1984

• Now considered the primary Architectural model for inter-computer communications

• The Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) reference model is a descriptive network

scheme.

• It ensures greater compatibility and interoperability between various types of

network technologies

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 The Seven OSI Reference Model
Layers

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 The OSI Reference Model

• The OSI model describes how information or data makes its way from application
programmes (such as spreadsheets) through a network medium (such as wire) to
another application programme located on another network

• The OSI reference model divides the problem of moving information between
computers over a network medium into SEVEN smaller and more manageable
problems

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 A Layered Network Model

• The OSI Reference Model is composed of seven layers, each specifying particular
network functions

• The process of breaking up the functions or tasks of networking into layers reduces
complexity

• Each layer provides a service to the layer above it in the protocol specification

• Each layer communicates with the same layer’s software or hardware on other
computers

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 A Layered Network Model

• The lower 4 layers (transport, network, data link and physical —Layers 4, 3, 2, and 1)
are concerned with the flow of data from end to end through the network

• The upper four layers of the OSI model (application, presentation and session—
Layers 7, 6 and 5) are orientated more toward services to the applications

• Data is Encapsulated with the necessary protocol information as it moves down the
layers before network transit

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 The ISO/OSI Reference Model

• The three upper layers, are collectively concerned mainly with software application
issues and not with the details of network and internet implementation

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 Electromagnetic Compatibility

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 Electromagnetic Compatibility

• The main areas of concern in electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) are:

– Radiated emissions
– Radiated susceptibility
– Conducted emissions
– Conducted susceptibility

• Electromagnetic noise is produced in the source due to rapid current and voltage
changes, and spread via the coupling mechanisms (conductive, inductive, capacitive,
magnetic, radiative).

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 Classifications of Vehicle Buses

• Class A
• Class B
• Class C
• Class D
• Emissions/Diagnostics
• Mobile Media
• X-by-Wire

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 In-Vehicle Communication Protocols

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 Class A

• A multiplex wiring system which reduces wiring by transmitting and receiving multiple
signals over the same signal bus

• The multi-purpose bus replaces individual wires performing the same function

• Normally Class A defines general purpose UART communication with bit rates 10kbps to
125kbps

• Most of the Class A functions require inexpensive, low-speed communication and typically
utilize generic UARTs

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 Class B

• A multiplex wiring system which transmits data between

nodes

• The nodes replace existing stand-alone modules

• Used as a non-critical 125kbps to 1Mbps bus.

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 Class C

1. A multiplex wiring system which reduces wiring by using real-time high-data signals

2. Operating between 1Mbps to 10Mbps

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 Class D

• Consists of data bus used to carry data at the rate higher than 10 Mbps

• Mainly used to carry real time data such as car navigation and also used transferring
car multimedia

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 In-Vehicle Communication Protocols

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 Emissions/Diagnostics

• Handle either Emissions or Diagnostics buses

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 Mobile Media

• Buses handle Mobile Media equipment

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 X-by-Wire

• Is the collective term for the addition of electronic systems into the vehicle to
enhance and replace tasks that were previously accomplished via mechanical and
hydraulic systems

• Automotive temperature requirements are -40C to +125C

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 "It is becoming clear that regardless of carmaker, new vehicles are made using LIN
for the lowest data-rate functions, CAN for medium speed, MOST for the high-
speed data rates and FlexRay, for safety-critical applications such as steer- and
brake-by-wire." from Automotive Industries.

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 Vehicle Level

• Most topologies in vehicle networks may be implemented with one wire, two wire
and fiber optics

• The nodes can be connected in various topologies, Bus and ring topologies being the
most common ones

• It’s a good idea to use the same physical layer circuit at each and every node on the
network. However, as different nodes may have different requirements, gateways can
be used to provide interface between different media types

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 Vehicle Level

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 Multiple Vehicle Networks

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 High-Speed & X-by-Wire Systems

• High speed
– To meet increasing data processing requirements, future
systems and concepts must be able to support high
communication bit rates, with all that this implies in terms of
physical layer performance, transmission quality, internode
synchronization, etc.

• X-by-Wire
– The generic term X-by-Wire conceals all applications using
‘systems controlled by wire links’, and therefore not having ‘any
control provided via a mechanical interface’.

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 High-level Application Requirements

• High efficiency
– The devices must be optimized in every possible way, up to the physical limits of the
principles followed and the components of the physical layer

• Speed of communication
– Because of the larger amount of data to be conveyed, and the increase in the content
and quality of the data, the bit rate of the high-speed CAN network (1Mbps) used
hitherto is no longer sufficient

– The gross bit rate required for these new systems must be of the order of 10 Mbps on a
‘single-channel’ medium (net bit rate approximately 5Mbps) or on a ‘two-channel’
structure at a higher rate with the possibility of redundancy

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 High-level Application Requirements

• Physical layer
– The physical medium used for the communication must be capable of being supported
by at least two different technologies, for example wire (differential pairs, for example)
and optoelectronic (plastic optical fibers, for example), and must allow the network
nodes to be put into sleep mode and woken up by means of the medium in question

– Signals traveling along the physical layer must not pollute the radio-frequency band
(low emission of radio interference) and must have a high immunity to external signals

– Containment errors must be managed with the aid of an independent bus monitoring
element, called the ‘bus guardian’

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 Automotive Communication Protocols

• Numerous protocols are already found in top-range vehicles or concept cars, in the
form of ‘wired multiplexed’ systems

• Each has its own characteristics relating to speed, possibilities, performance and cost

• The most popular names are HS, LS CAN, TTCAN, LIN, I2C, D2B, MOST, IEEE 1394, X-
by-Wire, FlexRay, Safe-by-Wire, etc.

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 Automotive Communication Protocols

• High-speed CAN

– The links in the power section, including the engine control, gearbox and brake, are
provided by a high-speed CAN link, because of the numerous exchanges that must take
place at high speed (250 kbps or more generally 500 kbps and 1Mbps)

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 Automotive Communication Protocols

• Low-speed CAN

– It forms an integral part of the design of the vehicle, although to a (supposedly) slightly
lesser degree.

– These links primarily serve the nodes located in the passenger compartment (body part)
areas.

– The conventional speeds used (often 125 kbps) cover links between nodes such as the
‘openings’ (doors, opening roofs, boots) and also seat adjustments.

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 Automotive Communication Protocols

• Local Interconnect Network (LIN)

– Considered by its designers as a sub-bus of CAN, LIN is mainly used for low-speed links
(maximum 20 kbps)

– Used mainly for electrically controlled adjustment, heating and rear view mirror folding,
within the ‘door’ function

• X-by-Wire and FlexRay

– On the operating principles of TTCAN, FlexRay and X-by-Wire applications),

communications based on these protocols are very fast and can be considered ‘real-
time’

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 Automotive Communication Protocols

– the devices controlled by these protocols are such as steering column systems, brake,
clutch, suspension, road holding systems, etc.

– These critical applications requires high speeds (of the order of 7–10 Mbps)

• Safe-by-Wire

– Used for point-to-point links for safety systems, such as the airbag triggering systems
and safety belt pre-tensioning devices

– These links, directly related to the physical safety of the vehicle occupants, must be able
to operate as soon as there is an impact on the vehicle

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 Automotive Communication Protocols

– They are based on principles of fast communication between the detected data (impact
detector, accelerometer, inertial controller, etc.) and the squib actuators, seat belt pre-
tensioning and other devices

• Audio and video systems

– Audio and video distribution is becoming common in motor vehicles

– As the technologies evolve, we have seen the establishment of communications

networks with data transfer via the I2C and then the D2B bus, followed by MOST at the
present time, and IEEE 1394 in the near future

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 Automotive Communication Protocols

• I2C bus

– I2C (inter-integrated circuit), the ancestor of these systems, is still the bus most
commonly used for mass production vehicles, mainly for providing links for control
commands (stop, play, change tracks, etc.) between the car radio and the CD changer
located in the boot

• D2B bus

– For a long time, D2B (domestic digital bus) was the main bus used for transferring
digital audio data to car radios from conventional CD audio players which are often
located in the boots of vehicles

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 Automotive Communication Protocols
• MOST:

– MOST (media-oriented systems transport) is a bus having the primary function of audio
distribution in the vehicle

– It is also used for video applications in a vehicle, when the bit rates can be adapted to
the on-board applications

• Radio-frequency communications
– Still in the field of internal applications, there are numerous applications using a
radiofrequency medium for digital communications

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 Radio-frequency Applications

• Radio
– Namely the AM/FM/digital radio receiver, which may or may not have antennae
incorporated in the windscreen or in a rear screen system

• Immobilizer or start prevention

– The immobilizer function (vehicle start-prevention device) using RF transponders
(operating on a 125 kHz carrier) has been well known for some years
– A contact less element (transponder) located in the head of the contact key (or in a
badge) is made to communicate at a few kilobits per second, with encryption, to allow
the operation of the ignition/injection part of the vehicle in which the decryption
system is located (as a buried layer) and to enable the engine to be started

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 Radio-frequency Applications

• RFID
– applications in the reception departments of garages, branches, dealers, etc.
– applications in passive entry systems
– applications in anti-theft or anti-intruder systems

• TPMS
– The TPMS is designed to measure the individual tyre pressures, correct them according
to the tyre temperature and transmit them to the driver; it sends these data or alerts at
radio frequency (433, 868 or 915 MHz, depending on the country) every 1 or 2 min
when everything is running smoothly, or much more frequently if there is a problem.

• Technologies such as GSM and Bluetooth are also used in Telematics applications

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 Ethernet in the Automotive Industry

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 Timing and Bandwidth Requirements of Typical Future In-
car Applications

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 CAN-Ethernet Gateway

• The CAN-Ethernet Gateway enables the integration of CAN buses to existing Ethernet
topology
• This allows for applying the CAN-Ethernet Gateway to high-layer protocols such as
CANopen or DeviceNet. The access via Ethernet is possible over TCP and UDP

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 Summary

• Complex wiring harnesses took up large amounts of vehicle volume, limiting

expanded functionality and eventually became the single most expensive and
complicated component in vehicle electrical systems.

• Transfers data among distributed electronic modules via a serial data bus. Combine
signals on a single wire through multiplexing.

• To address the problem of networks being incompatible and unable to

communicate with each other, the International Organization for
Standardization (ISO) researched various network schemes.

83 © KPIT Technologies Limited

 Summary

• An open architecture will allow standardized diagnostic and emissions testers and will
allow suppliers to benefit from the economies of scale of mass-produced standard
protocol devices.

• Modules are programmed for their use within the system and are linked using a CAN
network. The system functionality can be rapidly changed by modifying the software,
often without changing or adding new hardware.

• This modular design makes such modifications easy to perform and reliable in use.

84 © KPIT Technologies Limited

 Summary

• For automotive applications, one assumes that errors are going to occur and the goal
is to be as fault tolerant as possible

• Numerous protocols are already found in top-range vehicles or concept cars, in the
form of ‘wired multiplexed’ systems

• Each has its own characteristics relating to speed, possibilities, performance and cost

• The most popular names are HS, LS CAN, TTCAN, LIN, I2C, D2B, MOST, IEEE 1394, X-
by-Wire, FlexRay, Safe-by-Wire, etc.

85 © KPIT Technologies Limited