CAN was originaly designed for the in-vehicle networking of passenger cars. Nowadays, it is used in any kind of transportation system. The different requirements of the vehicle classes lead to different solutions. Vehicle classes are categorizes as:
The automotive industry uses CAN as the in-vehicle network (IVN) for the engine management, for comfort electronics like door and roof control, air conditioning, and lightning, as well as for the entertainment control. CAN is also used as on-vehicle network for special-purpose cars, e.g. police cars and cabs/taxis.
In trucks, buses, off-highway and off-road vehicles, CAN is used as in-vehicle network (IVN) for power-train applications, and as embedded network for superstructures and implements. The range of vehicles using CAN includes agricultural and forestry vehicles as well as special vehicles for mining, aircraft towing, road construction, etc. In many of these vehicles the implements (add-on sub-systems such as harvester, cranes, etc.) are also connected to the CAN networks. Fork-lift and lift-trucks are also equipped with CAN-based networks.
CAN is used in a variety of railway applications ranging from streetcars, trams, undergrounds, light railways to long-distance trains. In addition, some cargo trains and rail-construction trains use CAN networks. CAN is not just used in locomotives and power-cars to control the engine, but also as vehicle bus. In addition, some passenger rail vehicles use CAN in the passenger information system.
CAN in maritime electronics is used for power management, engine and generator control, cargo pumps and valves as well as for navigation systems. In order to satisfy safety concerns, redundant network architectures with automatic switching capability are employed.
CAN is used as a backbone network in aircrafts for flight state sensors, navigation systems and research PCs driving displays installed in the cockpit. Within the aircraft CAN networks are used to analyze in-flight data or together with a voice/video installation to analyze crew assistance provided by the cockpit interfaces. CAN is also used in aerospace applications, e.g. in engine control systems such as fuel systems, pumps and linear actuators.
