CAN-BUS vs OBD2
I am pretty sure you will come across other “higher-layer protocols” that are related to CAN-BUS like OBD2 BUT they are not the same!
- The CAN standard does not specify how to handle messages larger than 8 bytes or how to decode the raw data. Therefore, a set of standardized protocols are developed to further specify how data is communicated between ECUs of a given network and OBD2 is one of them.
- OBD which stands for on-board diagnostics is your vehicle’s built-in self-diagnostic system. OBD2 can use one of (many) different bus systems to transfer diagnostic data from and to your car.
- One simple analogy I would use to differentiate between the two of them will be OBD2 is like a language that we speak where we use CAN as a communication device like a phone to talk to someone which in this case a vehicle and its state of health.
- To read more about OBD2, you can check out the Wiki Page on OBD.
