SAE J1939
SAE J1939: CAN is a differential serial bus; on a conventional high-speed CAN network two 120 Ω end terminations appear as about 60 Ω with the network powered down. The page also includes a worked example and measurement sequence.
Technical frame
SAE J1939: CAN is a differential serial bus; on a conventional high-speed CAN network two 120 Ω end terminations appear as about 60 Ω with the network powered down. The page also includes a worked example and measurement sequence.
The technical values here expose the standard, protocol or physical relationship directly; model-specific service values are linked through the matching model/variant dossier.
The goal is not only to define the term but to let the reader calculate and interpret what the data means in a scan, scope or physical test.
Concrete technical facts
- CAN is a differential serial bus; on a conventional high-speed CAN network two 120 Ω end terminations appear as about 60 Ω with the network powered down.
- CAN-H and CAN-L operate differentially for common-mode noise rejection; checking only one wire voltage is not enough.
- The arbitration identifier sets priority between nodes transmitting at the same time; a dominant bit overwrites a recessive bit.
- Classical CAN is standardized up to 1 Mbit/s, while CAN FD can use a higher bit rate in its data phase.
- CAN error handling tracks bit, stuff, CRC, form and ACK errors through error counters; a node can progress to error-passive or bus-off as counters rise.
- A Classical CAN data frame carries 0–8 payload bytes; CAN FD can carry a longer payload and use a different data-phase bit rate.
Worked example
- J1939 example: for the same SPN, FMI 3 (voltage above normal) and FMI 4 (voltage below normal) do not automatically condemn the same part; supply, signal and circuit direction must be tested separately.
Measurement and verification sequence
- Measure termination resistance with the network powered down/asleep.
- Capture CAN-H/CAN-L both separately and differentially with a scope.
- Log bit rate, error frames and bus-off state.
- Do not randomly disconnect ECUs without understanding network topology.
Fault-separation logic
- Is a valid command present and are power/ground/network healthy?
- Does feedback follow the command?
- Does an independent physical measurement confirm the output?
- Is the fault limited to a specific temperature/load/speed condition?
- Does the result remain stable when the original condition is repeated after repair?
Technical sources
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Sources & freshness
Exact technical values, prices and failure rates are not invented without verified vehicle/manufacturer evidence.