CAN Bus Communication Explained & Built with ESP32, Arduino Due & MCP2515 | Full Project-Part1

In this project, we build a CAN communication system from scratch using an ESP32, Arduino Due, and MCP2515 CAN modules. The goal is simple: send a 2-byte speed value from the ESP32 to the Arduino Due through a CAN bus and understand what is happening behind the code. But this project is not just about making the communication work. We go deeper into how CAN actually works. In this video, we cover: • ESP32 and Arduino Due CAN communication • MCP2515 CAN controller • SPI communication between the microcontroller and MCP2515 • CAN bus wiring and termination • CAN_H and CAN_L • Differential signalling • CAN IDs and message priority • CAN arbitration • CAN frame structure • DLC — Data Length Code • Sending and receiving a 2-byte speed value • Standard CAN vs Extended CAN • Introduction to CAN FD • Testing CAN communication using the Serial Monitor • Understanding the complete journey of data from the microcontroller to the CAN bus The ESP32 is used as the Master and the Arduino Due as the Slave in this project for simplicity. However, CAN itself does not use a Master–Slave architecture. All CAN nodes have equal access to the bus, and arbitration determines which message gets transmitted when multiple nodes want to communicate at the same time. AI-assisted engineering AI tools were used to help write and troubleshoot parts of the code. However, the goal was not simply to copy and paste code. The goal was to understand why the code works, how the MCP2515 communicates, and what actually happens on the CAN bus. Coming next In the next video, we’ll take this project one step further by using an oscilloscope to analyze the actual CAN_H and CAN_L waveforms and decode the transmitted CAN frame. We’ll go from the software message all the way down to the physical CAN signal. If you’re interested in CAN, automotive communication, embedded systems, electronics, mechanical engineering, or engineering projects, follow along for the next part. Build it smartly. Test it. And most importantly — understand it. #CAN #CANBus #CANCommunication #MCP2515 #ESP32 #Arduino #ArduinoDue #EmbeddedSystems #AutomotiveEngineering #Electronics #Engineering #CANFD #Microcontroller #Oscilloscope