CAN Bus Explained - A Simple Intro [v2.0 | 2021] 🌟

What is CAN bus?

CAN bus (ISO 11898) is a vehicle bus standard that enables robust, efficient and decentralized communication between electronic control units. It is today the de facto standard in practically all automotives (cars, trucks, tractors, buses, motorcycles, ...), maritime vessels, aerospace applications and industrial machinery.

Want all our CAN intros in one 100+ page PDF? Then get your free 'Ultimate Guide' now:

In this "v2.0" video tutorial we explain the basics of the Controller Area Network (CAN bus):

- 00:00 Introduction
- 00:20 What is CAN bus?
- 02:13 The top 4 benefits of CAN bus
- 03:29 The history of CAN bus
- 04:27 The CAN frame incl. the 8 message fields
- 06:24 CAN bus data logging use case examples
- 07:37 How to record CAN bus data in practice
- 09:03 How to decode CAN bus data to physical values
- 12:38 Higher layer protocols like OBD2, J1939 and CANopen

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INTROS TO CAN BASED PROTOCOLS

This video is part of our extremely popular series of CAN protocol intros. Below you'll find links for our full playlist, as well as the more detailed articles.

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RECORDING & DECODING CAN BUS DATA

If you're interested in learning more about logging CAN bus data, we recommend that you check out our below intros to our CANedge CAN bus data loggers, our CANmod sensor-to-CAN modules and our free software/API tools:

Learn about CAN bus data logging:

Learn about the CANedge and CANmod:

See also our full intros to practical data logging:

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ABOUT CSS ELECTRONICS

At CSS Electronics we specialize in simple-to-use, pro specs and interoperable CAN bus data loggers - like the CANedge and CLX000 series. The devices let you record raw data from e.g. cars, trucks, industrial machinery and other CAN based applications onto an 8-32 GB SD card. The devices are interoperable, meaning you can process the data in your favorite existing software - or use our 100% free and open source software/API tools.

We offer 100% free technical sparring - contact us:

[CSSElectronics-CAN-Logger-X]

*We hope you'll enjoy this updated CAN bus intro video!* If any questions let us know!

[laurv]

Randomly running into one of the best introductory videos about CAN Bus (trust me, I have many years of making my daily bread writing code for it!). Kudos!

[AC-bibz]

Nice explanation … easy to follow and not overburdened with too much technical details. Really appreciate it!

[jenniferbetley]

Thank you! Extremely helpful. Much appreciated!

[jqwqeef]

Well done on this video! As a CAN newbie, this really helped me understand the lay of the land.

[govindsankarmr]

Teaching is a talent and you definitely got it.

[Sarcastix]

Super informative, really well presented and easy to understand and follow along. Thank you

[coolminded]

One of best intro video on this subject. 👌 keep it up.

[araz]

Great job on making a very informative video... Thanks.

[jamieb]

Great video! Helped me get my head round CAN which I use at work

[nickayivor]

CSS Electronics Good Afternoon
👌 Great tutorial thank you 👍
From Nick Ayivor from London England UK 🇬🇧

[moriver]

This is somewhat similar to the old IBM token Ring network, and network dataframes. Thanks for the info.

[kgmcejf]

First time commenting on a video, just wanted to say thank you! this is amazing

[drmosfet]

Good video👍 on a difficult subject, technology can make are lives ether easer or be used to make are lives more difficult, anyone that grown up around auto industry knows they like to make it a difficult as possible with total disregard for anyone who must repair there 4 wheels nightmares.

[bhavinrathod]

Canbus 2.0a is same as can layer 2 with 11 bit identifier?

[ahmadabuazzeh]

wow thank you so much for this well explained CAN bus video.
It would be perfect if you make a video with real components of CAN bus and how to connect them

[shudonghan]

Daniele Cerchierini beautiful! Is it in production now? Or a product from the past? thank you!

[NipunBharadwaj]

we have procured this device and looking for assistance for installation in heavy machinery.

[andygoulding]

Hi, I would like to swop a Subaru engine with cantus. Can I fit this into a 1967 vw beetle.

[edenpindoria]

Can I just confirm the term ECU and Node r used interchangeably and are pretty much the same thing… Is that right?