Modeling and simulation of CAN network based on OPNET

To analyze controller area network protocol and evaluate CAN network performance, this paper provides a way in which the Layered modeling method is adopted to build the CAN network model in the OPNET Modeler simulation environment. The models of Logical Link Control and Medium Access Control of CAN protocol with the functions of error handling and channel status detection were established in the OPNET node Layer; and the model of CAN bus physical layer was designed to implement collision detection and nondestructive arbitration functionality in the OPNET Pipeline Stages. A case model was simulated in a specifically network environment, through analyze the simulation result, a research was made into the CAN bus performance such as End-to-End delay and throughput. These results show that the OPNET model can effectively describe and analyze the communication behavior of CAN bus, and set up a good basis for further design and realization of communication protocols.