Design and implementation of a wireless CAN module for marine engines using ZigBee protocol

Abstract

This paper describes the design and implementation of a wireless control area network (CAN bus) protocol for communication between the smart NOx (nitrogen oxide) sensor on diesel engines and the engine control unit (ECU). In this research, the approach taken is based on a case study of Wärtsilä's smart NOx sensor on a W4L20 diesel engine with the objective of replacing the wired CAN protocol with a wireless CAN communication node. In the current setup, the smart NOx sensor is connected to the engine control unit (ECU) with a wired CAN bus connection. The XBee module, which uses the ZigBee (IEEE 802.15.4) technology was used in the design and implementation of the wireless CAN prototype. With the emergence of 5G networks and the era of IoT, the topic of wireless industrial automation becomes essential in the modern industry. In addition to the great advantages and opportunities that the use of wireless nodes has in automation systems, there are many real challenges. The practical design challenges have been addressed in this paper.