H. F. Othman, Y. R. Aji, F. T. Fakhreddin, A. R. Al-Ali
Computer Engineering Department
American University of Sharjah, UAE aali@aus.edu Abstract
This paper presents Controller Area Networks (CAN), their architecture, protocol, and standards. As a result, an overview of CAN applications, in both the industrial and non-industrial fields, is surveyed. We also propose the extension of CAN applications to home automation. The proposed system is a stand-alone single-chip embedded system equipped with 5 CAN ports to monitor and control home appliances locally. Home owners can also remotely access their homes via GPRS modem to control and monitor their home appliances.
Index Terms — Controller Area Networks (CAN), Home Automation, Home Appliances, Industrial Applications, Non-industrial Applications, GPRS Network.
I. Introduction
Nowadays, major communication networks can be divided into four types, namely: IP Core Network/Internet, Wireless LAN, 3G/4G Cellular Network and Ad-hoc PAN [1]. The common usage for these networks is to carry text, audio and video content. Recently, some of these networks have been utilized in industrial automation to monitor and control industrial plants [2-5].
Another type of networks is the Controller Area Network. CAN is intended as a communication network between the control units in vehicles. Nowadays, CAN applications are gaining ground and it is extending to industrial automation including marine and aircrafts electronics, factories, cars, trucks and many others [8].
The backbone of the Controller Area Network is a fast serial bus that is designed to provide a reliable, efficient, and a very economical link between sensors and actuators. CAN uses a twisted-pair cable to communicate at speeds up to 1 Mbits/sec, with up to 40 devices. CAN was originally developed to simplify the wiring in automobiles. In the past, automobile manufacturers used to connect
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