socketCAN

SocketCAN is an open-source Linux kernel framework that enables communication over Controller Area Network (CAN) bus interfaces through standard Unix domain sockets. Introduced as part of the Linux kernel in 2007, SocketCAN provides a user-space interface for CAN applications, allowing developers to interact with CAN hardware via familiar socket programming APIs.

The framework abstracts the complexities of CAN protocol handling, offering a consistent interface for sending and receiving CAN messages. CAN messages are structured as 11-bit or 29-bit identifiers paired with up to 8 bytes of data, transmitted over a shared bus typically used in automotive, industrial, and embedded systems. SocketCAN supports both classic CAN (ISO 11898) and CAN FD (Flexible Data-rate), the latter offering extended data payloads and improved bandwidth.

Key components of SocketCAN include the CAN core, which manages message routing, and virtual CAN interfaces (vcan), which allow software-based CAN simulation without physical hardware. The interface is compatible with various CAN controllers, such as Intel’s 82527 and CAN FD-capable chips, and supports features like bitrate switching, error handling, and message filtering.

SocketCAN is widely used in automotive diagnostics, robotics, and IoT applications due to its efficiency and integration with Linux. Tools like `candump`, `cansend`, and `can-utils` leverage SocketCAN for testing and debugging. The framework’s modular design also facilitates custom implementations for specific use cases, making it a versatile solution for CAN-based communication in diverse environments.