Modeling controller area network communication

The article deals with the research and development of reliable fieldbus communication using software tools. Since modification and testing of the fieldbus communication on real life targets can be both time consuming and expensive an appropriate simulation tool was being sought for. The tool should enable the user easy adding of new messages and/or nodes. Furthermore, changing the underlying communication protocol, e.g. Controller Area Network (CAN), to another one, e.g. Time Triggered CAN, should be possible.