CAN-Bus
Description
Controller Area Network
A modern automobile may have as many as 50 control units for various subsystems. Typically the biggest processor is the Engine Control Unit; others are used for transmission, airbags, antilock braking, cruise control, audio systems, windows, mirror adjustment, etc. Some of these form independent subsystems, but communications among others is essential. A subsystem may need to control actuators or receive feedback from sensors. The CAN standard was devised to fill this need.
The CAN bus may be used in vehicles to connect engine control unit and transmission, or (on a different bus) to connect the door locks, climate control, seat control, etc. Today the CAN bus is also used as a fieldbus in general automation environments: this is especially because of the cheap prices of some CAN Controllers and processors. On the other hand any official use of CAN requires that a fee for the CAN Protocol License is to be paid to Bosch who developed the protocol and hold patents.
from Wikipedia
Pin-assignment
