CAN Bus Baud Rate Detection for Secure Service Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Material handling vehicles require trained personnel to enter a service mode, which can be time-consuming and may inadvertently affect the vehicle's configuration, necessitating a method to simplify and secure access.

Innovation Solution

A method for automatic baud rate detection on a CAN bus that determines the baud rate by active and passive listening, using a set of predetermined rates, and enables a single device to interact with vehicles of varying baud rates without prior knowledge, ensuring secure access and preventing bus overload.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a dedicated key or service mode unlocking procedure is used to limit service mode access to trained personnel, then security and control are improved, but the time required to access service mode increases and the risk of inadvertent configuration changes increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice mode access controlVSAvoidtime to unlock service mode
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The service device automatically detects the baud rate of the CAN bus through active and passive listening methods, eliminating the need for manual configuration or pre-knowledge of the baud rate. The system performs self-configuration by transmitting test frames and analyzing responses, thereby reducing access time while maintaining secure service mode protection through automated protocol compliance verification

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The service device performs preliminary baud rate detection and configuration before attempting to communicate with the ECU. By pre-establishing the correct communication parameters through automated detection sequences, the system eliminates time-consuming manual setup and ensures ready-to-use service mode access

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple single baud rate devices are carried to accommodate different CAN bus baud rates, then compatibility with various vehicles is improved, but device complexity and portability are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with different baud ratesVSAvoidnumber of devices to carry
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The service device incorporates a single multi-functional CAN interface capable of operating at multiple baud rates (125 kbps, 250 kbps, 500 kbps, 1000 kbps). The interface automatically adapts to the target vehicle's CAN bus baud rate through detection algorithms, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated devices while maintaining full compatibility across different vehicle models and manufacturers

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The CAN bus interface dynamically adjusts its operating baud rate based on real-time detection of the target vehicle's communication parameters. The system transitions from a static single-baud-rate configuration to a dynamic multi-baud-rate capability, allowing the same physical device to adapt its communication speed to match the specific requirements of different vehicles

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If an incorrect baud rate is attempted on the CAN bus, then communication attempts are made, but the bus becomes overloaded with messages and system reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic communication attemptVSAvoidCAN bus message overload
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The baud rate detection mechanism uses feedback from the CAN bus responses to determine whether the current baud rate is correct. By monitoring acknowledgment frames and communication responses, the system automatically adjusts its transmission rate, preventing message overload caused by incorrect baud rate attempts while maintaining reliable communication

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary baud rate verification through passive listening and test frame transmission before initiating full communication sequences. By detecting the correct baud rate in advance and confirming communication capability, the system prevents harmful message overload conditions that would occur with incorrect baud rate attempts

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentEP4586556A1Method, device, system and computer program for automatic baud rate detection of a can bus
Publication Date: 2025.07.16 TOYOTA MATERIAL HANDLING MFG SWEDEN
  • EP4586556A1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP4586556A1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP4586556A1 patent drawingFigure 1c

AI summary

A method (100) for automatic baud rate detection of a controller area network, CAN, bus. The method comprises determining (S200), at a first CAN node connected to the CAN bus, if the CAN bus is active; based on the CAN bus being active, determining (S300) a baud rate of the CAN bus based on a first message from the CAN bus; and based on the CAN bus not being active, determining (S400) a baud rate of the CAN bus based on a response triggered by a frame transmitted by the first CAN node, the first CAN node being configured to participate on the CAN bus at a baud rate selected from a set of predetermined baud rates.