CAN-XL (Controller Area Network eXtra Long) and Automotive Ethernet represent two different approaches to in-vehicle networking. CAN-XL is the upcoming third-generation CAN bus protocol, evolving the classical CAN/CAN-FD architecture to support higher data rates (on the order of tens of Mbit/s) and larger message payloads while retaining CAN’s low-cost, real-time…
Posts published in “Reports”
Comprehensive insights, analysis, and technical reports on SAE J1939 data communication, monitoring tools, industry trends, and vehicle network technologies.
John Deere agricultural vehicles, such as this modern tractor, utilize J1939 CAN networks for critical systems. These in-vehicle networks carry engine, transmission, hydraulic, and safety data, and are designed to be robust and reliable. John Deere’s implementation of J1939 is closed and tightly controlled, reflecting the company’s emphasis on safety,…
SAE J1939 is a communication protocol that standardizes how heavy-duty vehicle components (engines, transmissions, brakes, etc.) exchange data over the CAN bus. Modern trucks, buses, and off-road machines generate a wealth of operational and diagnostic data on these J1939 networks. Traditionally, this data was accessed locally (e.g. via mechanic’s scan…
Introduction SAE J1708/1587 in Today’s Fleet Maintenance: SAE J1708 (often used with the J1587 data protocol) was the dominant heavy-duty vehicle network standard from the early 1990s through the mid-2000s. It formed the backbone for diagnostics on older trucks via the 6-pin diagnostic connector. While modern commercial vehicles have largely…
In the late 1980s and 1990s, heavy-duty vehicles (like diesel trucks and buses) began using electronic networks to share data among engine, transmission, brake, and other control units (ECUs). The industry’s first standardized solution was a combination of SAE J1708 and SAE J1587. In this two-part system, J1708 defined the…
Older diesel vehicles using the SAE J1708 bus (with J1587 protocol) can be retrofitted with modern SAE J1939-based dashboards and instruments by using specialized protocol gateway converters. These devices bridge the hardware (RS-485 vs. CAN) and data-format gap between legacy J1708/J1587 engine networks and new J1939/CAN networks. Below, we survey…
Introduction Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C) and Controller Area Network (CAN) are two widely used communication protocols in embedded systems. Both allow microcontrollers and peripherals (like sensors or other ICs) to exchange data, but they differ significantly in design and capabilities. This report provides an overview of each protocol and a detailed…
Overview of OneNet OneNet is the National Marine Electronics Association’s newest networking standard for marine electronics, positioned as the successor to NMEA 2000®. Unlike its predecessors (NMEA 0183 and NMEA 2000), OneNet is built on modern Internet protocols, using IPv6 over standard Ethernet (IEEE 802.3). This means that OneNet-enabled devices…
Preventive vs. Reactive Maintenance in Diesel Fleets Preventive maintenance is a proactive strategy where vehicles undergo regular inspections and service to address wear-and-tear before major failures occur. In fleets of diesel-engine trucks, buses, and military vehicles, this approach contrasts with reactive (breakdown) maintenance, where repairs are only made after a…
Introduction SAE J1939 is the dominant in-vehicle network protocol for medium and heavy-duty vehicles, traditionally running on Classical CAN at 250 kbps (or 500 kbps) with 8-byte frames. As modern trucks and buses integrate more electronics – from advanced engine controls to ADAS sensors – the bandwidth limitations of classical…
