Communication in Simulink
R2026bThe Vehicle Network Toolbox™ block library includes sets of blocks that allow you to perform CAN or CAN FD communication in Simulink models.
Blocks
 | CAN Configuration | Configure parameters for specified CAN device |
 | CAN Pack | Pack individual signals into CAN message |
 | CAN Receive | Receive CAN messages from specified CAN device |
 | CAN Transmit | Transmit CAN message to selected CAN device |
 | CAN Unpack | Unpack individual signals from CAN messages |
 | CAN Replay | Replay logged CAN messages |
 | CAN Log | Log received CAN messages |
 | CAN FD Configuration | Configure parameters for specified CAN FD device |
 | CAN FD Pack | Pack individual signals into message for CAN FD bus |
 | CAN FD Unpack | Unpack individual signals from CAN FD messages |
 | CAN FD Receive | Receive CAN FD messages from specified CAN FD device |
 | CAN FD Transmit | Transmit CAN FD message to selected CAN FD device |
 | CAN FD Log | Log received CAN FD messages |
 | CAN FD Replay | Replay logged CAN FD messages |
Functions
canMessageBusType | Create Simulink CAN message bus |
canFDMessageBusType | Create Simulink CAN FD message bus |
canMessageReplayBlockStruct | Convert CAN messages for use as CAN Replay block output |
Topics
- CAN Communication Workflows in Simulink
Common CAN model workflows.
- Vehicle Network Toolbox Simulink Blocks
Introduction to the Vehicle Network Toolbox block library.
- Open the Vehicle Network Toolbox Block Library
How to access the block library in Simulink.
- Build CAN Communication Simulink Models
Examples of using Vehicle Network Toolbox blocks.
- ARXML File Support for CAN in Simulink
CAN Pack and CAN Unpack blocks support ARXML files, including Protocol Data Unit (PDU).
- Timing in Hardware Interface Models
Determine block execution frequency and relate to real-world time.
- CAN Frame Structure, Byte Order, and Bit Counting
AUTOSAR and Vehicle Network Toolbox behavior regarding CAN frame structure.
- Create Custom CAN Blocks
Create custom
ReceiveandTransmitblocks to use with hardware not directly supported by the toolbox. - Supported Block Features
Supported features of blocks in the Vehicle Network Toolbox block library.
Related Information
Featured Examples
Get Started with CAN Communication in Simulink
Use MathWorks® virtual CAN channels to set up transmission and reception of CAN messages in Simulink.
Get Started with CAN FD Communication in Simulink
Use MathWorks® virtual CAN FD channels to set up transmission and reception of CAN FD messages in Simulink®. The virtual channels are connected in a loopback configuration.
CAN Message Reception Behavior in Simulink
Observe the message processing behaviors of the CAN Receive and CAN Unpack blocks in multiple modeling scenarios. This example demonstrates two cases, with and without using the function trigger f() port of the CAN Receive block. The outputs of the model indicate the number of CAN messages unpacked for downstream processing in each case. The example uses MathWorks® virtual CAN channels to send CAN messages from MATLAB® to the Simulink® model. These modeling practices and behavior also apply to the CAN FD protocol using the Vehicle Network Toolbox™ CAN FD blocks.
Periodic CAN Message Transmission Behavior in Simulink
Set up periodic transmission and reception of CAN messages in Simulink® using MathWorks® virtual CAN channels. The virtual channels are connected in a loopback configuration.
Event-Based CAN Message Transmission Behavior in Simulink
Use event-based CAN message transmission in Simulink® with Vehicle Network Toolbox™. This feature allows for CAN and CAN FD message transmission when a change in data from one time step to the next is detected.
Log and Replay CAN Messages
Log and replay CAN messages using MathWorks® Virtual CAN channels in Simulink®. You can update this model to connect to supported hardware on your system.
Log and Replay CAN FD Messages
Log and replay CAN FD messages using MathWorks® virtual CAN FD channels in Simulink®. You can update this model to connect to supported hardware on your system.
Develop a CAN Replay Model
Choose a modeling approach for injecting replayed CAN messages into a model.
Programmatically Build Simulink Models for CAN Communication
Programmatically construct a Simulink® model to introduce CAN or CAN FD communication using a CAN DBC file. With the add_block and set_param functions of Simulink, one can add and fully configure Vehicle Network Toolbox™ blocks to add network communication to a basic algorithm. The DBC file contains the CAN messages and signal details. The primary focus is to programmatically configure CAN and CAN FD Pack and Unpack block parameters. This can significantly increase model construction efficiency.
Develop an App for a Simulink Model Using CAN
Use App Designer to construct a test application user interface (UI) and connect it to a Simulink® model using virtual CAN channels.
Implement Distributed ECU Network over CAN in Simulink
Use Vehicle Network Toolbox and Simulink to implement a distributed Electronic Control Unit (ECU) network over CAN for an automobile.
Implement CAN Network for Robotic Arm in Simulink
Use Vehicle Network Toolbox and Simulink to implement a Controller Area Network (CAN) in a remote manipulator arm.
Set Up Communication Between Host and Target Models
Set up CAN communication between host-side CAN Vector blocks and target models. This example uses:
Get Started Accessing ARXML Files in Simulink for CAN Communication
Use ARXML files with the CAN Pack and CAN Unpack blocks.
Perform XCP Data Acquisition over CAN FD in Simulink
Use XCP blocks to acquire measurement values over CAN FD in Simulink® from the XCP Sample server.
Mux and Transmit Multiple CAN Messages
Transmit and receive multiple CAN messages simultaneously in Simulink.
Arbitrarily Triggered CAN Message Transmission in Simulink
Transmit CAN messages upon a generic condition.
Control Output Data Type of the CAN Unpack Block
Control the output data type of the CAN Unpack block using Signal Specification blocks.
Dynamically Change CAN IDs by CAN Pack Block Input Ports
Dynamically control the CAN identifier (CAN ID) provided to the CAN Pack block by specifying the CAN ID through an input port.
Multiplexing and Demultiplexing of CAN Messages
Apply multiplexing and demultiplexing to CAN messages.
CAN Communication in Simulink Using PackNGo
Use the PackNGo functionality to create a ZIP file containing the generated code from a CAN communication Simulink® model.
