DEVELOPMENT OF A CAN PROTOCOL FOR ENGINE DYNAMOMETER TEST BENCH CONTROL AND MONITORING

Abstract

Laboratory-scale engine dynamometer test benches often evolve through incremental additions of stand-alone measurement and actuation units, which results in fragmented interfaces, limited interoperability, and poor time alignment across subsystems. This paper develops a CAN-based communication protocol intended for modular, multi-purpose integration of test-bench subsystems under a common message and diagnostic framework. The protocol specifies node roles, message identifiers, data scaling and units, update rates, command/feedback semantics, fault codes, and fail-safe behavior to support plug-and-play interchangeability across different benches and configurations. As a reference implementation, an electronic fuel supply and gravimetric fuel-consumption module is realized as an independent CAN node and integrated with an existing bench controller via minimal hardware and software modification. The same protocol structure is designed to generalize to additional subsystems—including load generation and speed–torque–power measurement, load-command actuation (throttle or pump rack), and secondary-fuel supply—without requiring modifications to the original engine control unit. The proposed protocol and modular architecture enable standardized bench upgrades, synchronized data logging, and scalable subsystem reuse, with direct applicability to teaching laboratories and automotive workshop test facilities.