Software Standardization Facilitates Measurement and Calibration Protocols

During the development process, software developers use calibration and data acquisition techniques to “fine-tune” the ECU (Electronic Control Unit) for specific operating conditions. Standards are available for measurement and calibration of an ECU. Measurement and calibration is commonly done via serial data links. The serial link used in modern ECUs is CAN (Controller Area Network). One requirement for the use of standard protocols on a CAN network is the need for two CAN identifiers.

To help raise the awareness of the need for a fixed assignment of CAN identifiers for use in development, and perhaps extending into manufacturing, this paper gives a short technical background on how standard measurement and calibration protocols use the CAN identifiers and suggests several potential SAE proposals for assigning fixed CAN identifiers for the industry.