The Vehicle Power Line as a Redundant Channel for CAN Communication

Automotive safety applications require communication reliability whose level is much higher than currently achievable by using a Controller Area Network (CAN) whose nodes are interconnected via twisted pair cables. Using the automotive power line as a redundant communication channel for the CAN network, provides increased reliability without the additional weight, space and wiring required by a solution employing a second CAN network. This paper proposes an architecture according to which a redundant physical channel for the CAN network is obtained by using the existing battery power lines. The redundant communication activity is part of the Secure Propulsion using Advanced Redundant Control (SPARC) project, funded by the European commission and coordinated by DAIMLERCHRYSLER AG.