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Not only computers, vehicles also have an internal network called the Controller Area Network or Controller Area Network (CAN) Bus. Like a nervous system connecting different parts of the body, the CAN Bus enables communication between Electronic Control Units or Electronic Control Unit (ECU). These ECUs are essentially the brains of a vehicle’s computerised systems—there are different ECUs that control the engine, air conditioning, transmission, electrics, and more. The CAN Bus extracts data directly from these control units and can facilitate interaction between the various systems within the vehicle.
Accurate Vehicle Information from CAN Bus
The data obtained from the CAN Bus is accurate because it is extracted directly from the vehicle’s system control units. Some types of information that can be obtained from the CAN Bus include seat belt status, doors, odometer readings, fuel levels, and driving behaviour.
Seat Belt Status
The CAN Bus can detect whether the seat belt status of the driver and passengers is active or inactive. Some vehicles can even process this CAN Bus data to take further actions. For example, when the seat belt is fastened, the parking brake may automatically disengage once the driver starts accelerating.
Door Status
The CAN Bus knows when each vehicle door is opened or closed. The CAN Bus can also transmit signals that enable interaction with the electrical lighting system, where the lights can switch on when a door is opened and turn off automatically when the door is closed.
Odometer
The CAN Bus accurately monitors the odometer, allowing you to know the vehicle’s total mileage as well as the distance travelled for each trip.
Fuel
CAN Bus records fuel activity and volume, including refuelling and fuel loss, including fuel consumption.
Driving Behaviour
CAN Bus provides information related to several driving behaviour parameters, such as speeding, idling, acceleration, braking, and cornering.
CAN Bus Integration with Vehicle GPS Tracking System
These CAN Bus data can be integrated into a fleet management system (fleet management system) based on GPS tracking through an additional CAN Bus clamp feature. This allows CAN Bus data to be displayed on the fleet management software platform. In Fleet Web, Cartrack’s web-based fleet management platform, CAN Bus data is presented in automated reports. You can also set up automatic alerts through the Alerts menu for monitoring CAN Bus data in your vehicles, for example when a seat belt is unfastened, hazard lights are activated, etc.
However, not all vehicle types or brands have a fully comprehensive CAN Bus communication system. Vehicles (passenger cars, buses, or trucks) from brands such as Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Scania, and other European manufacturers are among those that require a CAN Bus clamp to be integrated with a GPS tracking-based fleet management system. Some vehicle models even require only a CAN Bus clamp (without additional fuel sensors) to monitor fuel consumption within a fleet management system. This is because all electrical systems controlling engine power in these vehicles do not operate in an analog manner.
If you have vehicles with a CAN Bus system, contact us to consult on the implementation of Cartrack’s fleet management system for your vehicles. Our consultants and technical team will provide the best fleet management and monitoring solution based on your vehicle types and requirements.
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