Module Communications Network: Other Ford Flex I

Network Termination And Gateway Function

The Controller Area Network (CAN) uses 120 ohm resistors across the data (+) and data (-) at each end of the network main circuit branch, or "backbone", to improve communication reliability. Typically, the 2 termination resistors are located inside modules referred to as "termination modules". With 2 termination modules on each network, the 120 ohm resistors are arranged in a parallel circuit configuration which makes the total network impedance, or total resistance, 60 ohms.

Network termination improves bus message reliability by

1. stabilizing bus voltage.
2. eliminating electrical interference.

The Instrument Cluster (IC) is the gateway module, translating messages on the HS-CAN to the MS-CAN and vice versa. This function allows a message to be distributed throughout both networks.

Controller Area Network (CAN) Fault Tolerance

Note. The oscilloscope traces below are from the Integrated Diagnostic System (IDS) oscilloscope taken using the IDS pre-configured CAN settings. The traces are for both data (+) and data (-) taken simultaneously (2-channel) at a sample rate of 1 mega-sample per second (1MS/s) or greater.

Traces below are viewed at 500mV per division (vertical axis) and 20 microseconds (20μs) per division (horizontal axis). Readings taken with a different oscilloscope vary from those shown. Compare any suspect readings to a known good vehicle.

Scheme 132

The data (+) and data (-) circuits are each regulated to approximately 2.5 volts during neutral or rested network traffic. As messages are sent on the data (+) circuit, voltage is increased by approximately 1.0 volt. Inversely, the data (-) circuit is reduced by approximately 1.0 volt when a message is sent.

Successful communication of a message can usually be identified by the slight spike at the end of a message transmission. Any signals that are significantly different than the normal CAN waveform may cause network DTCs (U-codes) to set or may cause a complete network outage.

Scheme 133

In the event that the data (+) and data (-) circuits become shorted together, the signal stays at base voltage (2.5V) continuously and all communication capabilities are lost.

Scheme 134

In the event that the data (+) circuit becomes shorted to ground, both the data (+) and data (-) circuits are pulled low (0V) and all communication capabilities are lost.

Scheme 135

In the event that the data (-) circuit becomes shorted to ground, the data (-) circuit is pulled low (0V) and the data (+) circuit reaches near-normal peak voltage (3.0V) during communication but falls to 0V instead of normal base voltage (2.5V). Communication may continue but at a degraded level.

Scheme 136

In the event that the data (+) circuit becomes shorted to battery voltage, the data (+) circuit is pulled high (12V) and the data (-) circuit falls to abnormally high voltage (above 5V) during communication and reaches battery voltage (12V) for peak voltage. Communication may continue but at a degraded level.

Scheme 137

In the event that the data (-) circuit becomes shorted to battery voltage, both the data (+) and data (-) circuits are pulled high (12V) and all communication capabilities are lost.

Scheme 138

Rhythmic oscillations, inductive spikes or random interference can disrupt the network communications. The corruption signal source may be outside electrical interference such as motors or solenoids or internal interference generated from a module on the network. In some cases, an open in either the data (+) or data (-) circuit to a network module may cause the module to emit interference on the one circuit which is still connected. The trace shown is an example of a "sawtooth" pattern transmitted from a module with one open network circuit.

Other corruptions may be present when a module is intermittently powered up and down. The module on power up may initiate communication out of sync with other modules on the network causing momentary communication outages.

Controller Area Network (CAN) Multiplex Messages

Modules on the CAN utilize simultaneous communication of 2 or more messages on the same network circuits. The following chart summarizes the messages sent and received on the network.

CAN Module Communication Message Chart

Note. This chart describes the specific HS-CAN and MS-CAN messages broadcast by each module, and the module(s) that receive the message.

CONTROLLER AREA NETWORK (CAN) MODULE COMMUNICATION MESSAGE CHART