Simulation of Signal Transmission in Motion Simulator Using Controller Area Network (CAN-bus)

The modelling of a proposed Automotive Driving Simulator (Motion Simulator) based on the Controller Area Network (CAN-bus) is described in this paper. The simulation of the CAN-bus communication was carried out using the Simulink software package and Vehicle Network Toolbox. The Driving Simulator has also been modelled as a 3D multi-body in order to visualize the dynamics of the system in 3D animation and to better understand the effects of the CAN-bus communication on the system. The 3D modelling was done using SimMechanics blocks in Simulink. When the simulation was run, it was found that at the high bus speed, the CAN-bus communication met the real time response needed from the system while at the low bus speed, the real time response was compromised.