Project Advantys

Project Advantys was the first attempt to use CAN (in the form of CANOpen) in ijndustrial automation applications.

By the late 1990s microprocessor-based controls had replaced the previous generation of purpose-built digital controls in industrial automation applications.  The trend was relentless towards faster compute nodes and networks over lighter cabling.

CAN provides a low cost physical layer, and CANOpen provides application-layer functionality on top, geared for automation but with significant limitations.

To get maximum performance out of the system, several enhancements were added, among them: a triggered mode, a change of state mode, and an error-correction scheme.  These resulted in several patents and the “Modicon STB” product line.