CANcentrate: an active star topology for CAN networks

Abstract
Distributed embedded systems that require real-time performance need a network capable of deterministic m- cess delay. CAN is one such network that became widespread in recent years due to its electrical robustness, low price, and priority-based uccess control. Howevez its use in safety-critical applications has been controver- sial due to dependability limitations that arise from its bus topology and non-guarunteed atomic broadcast. In this pa- per: we propose an active star topology that allows solv- ing many of the limitations related to the first aspect by means of strong error confinement. Nodes are intercon- nected through an active hub that is fully compatible with existing CANcontrollers. The paper compares bus andstar topologies, analyzes related work and discusses the hub im- plementation and dependability properties.

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