“The Controller Area Network (CAN) specification describes a
networking stack aimed at a specific environment: embedded,
realtime controller networks. At the physical layer, it uses a
differential serial technology which is intended to be highly
resistant to electrical noise. The higher-level protocols use short
datagrams (eight bytes maximum payload) and extensive checksumming
to minimize the effect of errors. The protocols are simple in the
extreme, placing the smallest possible demand on embedded
controllers. CAN will be found in relatively small and hostile
environments–inside automobiles, for example. So it makes sense
that an automobile manufacturer–not the sort of company known for
leading-edge Linux kernel development–is working to get a CAN
implementation into the mainline kernel…”