TwinCAN: one module for two nodes

The ability to use one module to control two CAN nodes provides benefits including reduced hardware and software requirements, improved functionality, and lower CPU load, according to Infineon researchers.

Automotive applications that use a large number of coupled functional units with different tasks typically contain more than one independent bus system. This allows developers to regroup the functional units and optimize each communication channel according to application-specific requirements. One of the buses is generally built as a high-speed (500 kbit/s to 1 Mbit/s) system to control powertrain modules for engine management, fuel injection, or ignition. Slower modules that operate from 50 to 250 kbit/s are used for body/convenience applications such as electrical seat-positioning systems, heating/ventilation, air conditioning, or door modules.

Controller area network (CAN) bus systems provide for easy connection between the functional electronic control units (ECU) via their built-in multimaster capability. They enable easy communication between modules (called CAN nodes), since all CAN chips communicate with each other according to a standard protocol (Figure 1).