Topology of the CAN buses

The CAN bus uses line topology. Since this is used by a great deal of bus systems it is called bus topology. All CAN stations can be connected with the actual bus line using relatively short branch lines using this topology.

 

 

 

This topology has the advantage that the bus is still operational for all the other stations even when one station breaks down.

 

However, if the main line is broken at one location, the entire segment is disconnected from the rest of the bus. The remaining segments remain operational, but communication beyond the break location is impossible. This means that functions which require transmission of data beyond the break location are no longer available.