Virtual CAN Network for Remote Development of ISOBUS Devices

ABSTRACT

In this paper, we present the technical design of a virtual CAN network system allowing engineers from different sites to work on a single CAN segment. The system was originally developed for interconnecting students in online university classes, due to COVID-19 pandemic – to learn together the principles of SAE J1939 and ISO 11783 technologies in guided programming exercises. The developed system is based on a centralized server located on the university network and multiple clients connecting to the central server. The protocol to tunnel CAN messages is based on TCP/IP. The unsecured CAN tunnel operates in a secured VPN tunnel. The system design leverages virtual CAN channels provided by two dongle manufactures Kvaser and Vector – this driver level technology also allows easy access of PC software to the virtual CAN network without any physical CAN hardware. Within the university network, round trip times of under 50 ms were recorded between bus segments when all users were in Germany. © 2022, VDI Verlag GMBH. All rights reserved.