Controller Area Network (CAN)

Central to the information exchange and control strategies of the XK8 engine management and OBD II, is a multiplex digital data bus called Controller Area Network (CAN). This is a communication system which allows control modules to be linked together in a network, thus sharing data without the need for signal translation and multiple input/output wires on each module.

The CAN architecture consists of a two wire link (twisted pair) between each of the following units.
- Instrument Cluster
- "J" gate
- Engine Control Module ECM
- Transmission Control Module TCM
- Anti-lock Braking System/Traction Control Control Module ABS/TC Control Module

The instrument cluster, whilst not a control module, acts as a "gateway" between the two multiplex systems present on the vehicle; the second being the body systems related SCP network.

The 16 way J1962 connector is also connected to CAN thus providing diagnostic access to all control modules connected to the network.