System Level Modeling, Simulation And Verification Of A CAN Physical Layer Star Network Using Behavior Modeling Language

The star topology is sometimes used in automotive applications to overcome wiring constrains within a car. It has to be mentioned that star topology is neither covered by ISO11898 nor by SAE J2284 therefore it is recommended to prove the feasibility of a specific topology in each case by simulations or measurements on a system setup (NXP-Semiconductors 2006). This paper considers the verification of an 8-node CAN physical layer star network by using behavior modeling and simulation in comparison to measurement. The main purpose is to verify the CAN transceiver behavioral model together with other CAN physical layer simulation components against measurements at system level. The measurement environment of the CAN network modeling methodology is discussed, showing how to get the measurement and simulation results matched. This demonstrates that it is a reliable simulation solution, which is highly desirable and very important for the verification requirement in CAN physical layer design. Last but not least, the paper also shows that different network topologies at different transmission rates can also be simulated to gain better understand about the behavior of CAN network in the early phase of design process.