ISO 11898 CAN Bus Communication Standard

Road vehicles - Controller Area Network (CAN) - Part 1: Data link layer and physical signalling specifications for reliable automotive communication networks used in motorcycle diagnostics and key programming systems. Discover professional CAN bus implementation strategies and optimize your diagnostic workflows with industry-standard protocols.

Standard Overview

Standard Code

ISO 11898-1:2015

Publication Date

2015-12-15

Status

Active ISO Standard

Application

Vehicle Communication

CAN Protocol Layers

Physical Layer

Electrical characteristics and signal transmission specifications

Voltage Levels: Dominant: 2.5V, Recessive: 3.5V
Termination: 120Ω at each end
Cable Type: Twisted pair, shielded

Data Link Layer

Frame structure, error detection, and arbitration mechanisms

Frame Types: Data, Remote, Error, Overload
Arbitration: CSMA/CD with priority
Error Detection: CRC, ACK, Form checks

Application Layer

Higher-level protocols and diagnostic services

Protocols: UDS, KWP2000, OBD-II
Services: Diagnostics, Programming
Security: Seed/Key authentication

CAN Bus Speeds and Applications

Low-Speed CAN

Fault-tolerant CAN for body electronics and comfort systems

Data Rate: Up to 125 kbps
Topology: Single wire, fault tolerant
Applications: Body control, lighting, HVAC

High-Speed CAN

Standard CAN for engine management and critical systems

Data Rate: Up to 1 Mbps
Topology: Differential twisted pair
Applications: Engine, transmission, ABS

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ISO 11898?

ISO 11898 is an international standard that defines the Controller Area Network (CAN) bus communication protocol for automotive and industrial applications, specifying data link layer and physical signalling requirements.

What are the main CAN bus speeds defined in ISO 11898?

ISO 11898 defines various CAN bus speeds including low-speed CAN (up to 125 kbps), high-speed CAN (up to 1 Mbps), and CAN FD (up to 8 Mbps for data phase).

How does ISO 11898 apply to motorcycle diagnostics?

ISO 11898 enables standardized communication between motorcycle ECUs, diagnostic tools, and key programming equipment, ensuring reliable data exchange for maintenance and security system programming.

What is the difference between CAN 2.0A and CAN 2.0B?

CAN 2.0A uses 11-bit identifiers (standard format) while CAN 2.0B supports both 11-bit and 29-bit identifiers (extended format), providing more addressing capability for complex networks.

Authority Standards & References

ISO Organization

Official ISO 11898 standard documentation and updates

Visit ISO.org

CAN in Automation (CiA)

International users and manufacturers group for CAN technology

Visit CiA.org

SAE International

Automotive engineering standards and CAN protocol specifications

Visit SAE.org

IEEE Standards

Related communication and networking standards documentation

Visit IEEE.org