Transformation of CANdb into a hierarchical communication model

CAN2FUN transforms CANdbc files into a fully graphical ESCAPE communication model. It generates busses, nodes and a library of messages and signals.

The transformation also includes the definition of signals and value tables as data types. Messages are transformed into engineering objects. Thus the bus communication can be handled with existing PDM systems without the need for CANdb or own tool development.

• Graphical representation of busses, nodes, messages und signals of a whole vehicle
• Messages, signals and data type library incl. value tables and interaction layer
• Search function including wildcards, consistency checks
• Structure elements for hierarchical decomposition of the communication model
• Drag and drop move function for nodes and messages with automatic generation of messages and signals across hierarchies
• Navigation from source to sinks and vice versa

Example: CAN-Communikation network of a field harvester

At the Transformation CAN2FUN generates a library of Messages and signals. CAN2FUN generates a “Sender”-object and a “Receive”-object for each messages as a type in the library. There will be a “Sender.message”-instance in the sending node and a “Receive-message”-instance in each receiving node.

Each message object has an interface representing the message itself and the signals mapped to the message.

The terminal representing the sender message will automatically be connected with the message terminal of all receiving messages (see the picture below)

The attributes of signals usually are defined in the CANdb. These attributes will all be transformed into the attributes of datatypes.

Each message object keeps an interface for the CAN message and all the signals mapped to a message. Each signal has a unique datatype which defines the signal with all its values and significations.

The definition of a datatype for a signal is the single point of truth for a signal throughout the whole engineering process. Attributes can be handled with existing data management systems like PDM/PLM.

Version- and variant management thus can also be applied to interface objects and software variables.

Example: CAN-Message with two receivers (here: ECU_gearbox and ECU_rear)

CAN-communication network (Connections of one node)

CAN-Communication network (effects of a fault of a node)

Graphical analysis of the Communication network