Relaying Controller Area Network Frames over Wireless Internetworks for Automotive Testing Applications

In this paper we describe how controller area network (CAN) frames can be relayed over a wireless Internet connection, enabling remote access to the CAN buses of vehicles for applications in automotive telematics. This opens up many new possibilities for diagnostics, monitoring, testing, analysis and verification, which we believe can significantly reduce the time required for the testing and verification phases of automotive development. A CAN-over-IP tunneling protocol is described and the design and implementation of a generic system for remote access to the CAN bus of vehicles is presented. Examples of applications of the technology are given and implications in terms of new possibilities and challenges in automotive engineering are discussed.