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CANbedded

Legacy solution for information exchange over CAN and LIN Bus
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For over 30 years, Vector’s CANbedded software components have powered millions of ECUs worldwide. Trusted by nearly all major OEMs, CANbedded is the foundation behind most vehicles equipped with CAN or LIN networks – delivering proven reliability for ECUs in established and resource-constrained vehicle platforms. 

CANbedded basic software enables communication between ECUs over the CAN bus. As part of the ECU software, it handles communication tasks in line with OEM specifications. This allows your ECU to exchange data efficiently with other ECUs in the vehicle and with external service testers. CANbedded is available in variants for many OEMs and a wide range of microcontrollers.

With CANbedded, you can focus on your functional software. The stack takes care of sending and receiving CAN messages according to OEM requirements. Vector provides OEM-specific CANbedded variants for most manufacturers.

Key Benefits at a Glance

These features give you a solid foundation for efficient ECU communication and integration. CANbedded combines proven functionality with flexible deployment across platforms and OEM requirements.

  • Application-specific, scalable source code
  • Low memory footprint and fast runtimes 
  • Supports a wide range of hardware platforms 
  • Available in platform-specific and OEM-specific variants 
  • Clearly defined, consistent interfaces 
  • Easy to port across platforms and OEMs 
  • Integrates into your ECU software setup easily

Key Functions of CANbedded

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CANbedded CAN communication

Useful Extensions

Extend the CANbedded stack with additional basic software from Vector for your specific application.

The CANbedded Gateway transfers data between networks such as CAN-CAN or CAN-LIN by forwarding only the signals and messages required for communication. This supports efficient data exchange and reduces unnecessary network load.

It offers configurable routing options, including signal routing, message routing with or without data queuing, and transport protocol routing. As a mature and efficient software component, it provides a reliable foundation for gateway ECUs and is available for many OEM platforms.

CANdesc and DEM - Software Components for Diagnostics

CANdesc provides a consistent implementation of diagnostic protocols across different automotive OEMs. It is generated based on the diagnostic specification (CDD file) and offers a signal-based interface to the application, enabling straightforward integration of diagnostic functions into your ECU software.

Extend CANdesc with the DEM component to implement error memory. DEM stores Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) when errors are detected in the application software, completing the diagnostic functionality of your ECU.

CANdesc and DEM are available for a wide range of OEMs, including an OEM-independent variant. 

Diagnostic tools

Vector provides a consistent diagnostics toolchain that covers the full workflow from definition to execution of diagnostic functions and flash processes. This includes tools such as CANdelaStudio, CANoe, CANape, and Indigo.

XCP Professional

Use the XCP (Universal Calibration Protocol) to measure, calibrate, and test in-vehicle ECUs. XCP is standardized by ASAM with leading contribution from Vector and supports consistent data access across development.

On the PC side, CANape or CANoe acts as the XCP master, while the ECU implements the XCP slave through the XCP Professional software component. In addition to the defined ASAM functionality, it offers extensions such as automatic generation of BSW status variables to A2L and the option to disable functionality for production use.

XCP Professional supports CAN and LIN. For other networks, you can use the Vector basic software MICROSAR Classic.

Solution for Multiple-Configuration ECUs

Identities define how an ECU is configured and activated at runtime, for example to distinguish between different variants such as left or right door control. The active identity is set during ECU initialization and is based on a corresponding description file.

As ECUs become more powerful, the number of variants continues to increase. This raises the effort required to manage configurations and drives up costs. Reducing this complexity requires structured and efficient handling of variants.

Based on long-term collaboration with automotive OEMs and suppliers, Vector provides solutions tailored to these recurring use cases. They help you manage variants efficiently, simplify ECU development, and reduce administrative effort and associated costs.

CANbedded J1939 provides a robust software stack for standardized communication in SAE J1939-based ECU networks. 

Designed for commercial vehicles and agricultural machinery, it ensures reliable data exchange across powertrain and chassis systems. 

  • Highly configurable software components enable efficient code execution and flexible adaptation to project-specific requirements. 

  • A hardware-independent API ensures portability and simplifies integration across different platforms. 

  • Seamless integration of additional components such as diagnostics and transport protocols supports end-to-end development workflows. 

  • With convenient configuration and proven scalability, CANbedded J1939 accelerates development and ensures reliable system performance.

Supported Hardware and Compilers
CANbedded is largely hardware-independent, providing high flexibility across platforms and project setups. By sharing your required combination of derivatives, compilers and basic software modules at an early stage, you ensure a perfect fit for your specific requirements. This enables Vector to deliver a tailored solution and support a smooth and efficient project start.
Overview of Supported Hardware and Compilers

CANbedded LIN Communication

In addition to CAN, CANbedded also supports LIN (Local Interconnect Network) communication. 

CANbedded LIN delivers a proven software stack for reliable and cost-efficient communication in distributed ECU networks. 

  • Standardized, scalable components enable fast adaptation to project-specific requirements while keeping resource usage low. 
  • Optimized for runtime efficiency and minimal memory footprint, it ensures high performance even on constrained hardware. 
  • Automatic configuration and seamless integration simplify development processes and reduce engineering effort. 
  • Full compatibility with Vector’s toolchain supports efficient workflows from configuration to validation. 
  • Ideal for cost-sensitive ECU subsystems, CANbedded LIN complements existing bus systems and accelerates time-to-market.
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CANbedded LIN communication

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