Innotrans 2026

CiA participates with a booth in hall 27 (stand 290). The exhibition addresses railway technology (rolling stock and train systems), railway infrastructure (rack, signaling, and control technology), public transport (infrastructure, services, and operational systems), interiors (vehicle design, seating, and passenger comfort) as well as tunnel construction (machinery, equipment, and safety).

In the past, CAN networks have been used in rolling stock (locomotives, coaches, trainsets, commuter trains, metros, cargo sprinter, utility trains, etc.) as integration networks, connecting subsystems, and embedded networks, linking devices. CANopen has been standardized in IEC 61375-3-3:2012 (Electronic railway equipment – Train communication network (TCN) – Part 3-3: CANopen Consist Network). This standard specifies the data communication inside train consists as part of the TCN architecture as described in IEC 61375-1.

CiA has also developed several CANopen interfaces for subsystems (CiA 421 series). Additionally, CiA has released CANopen application profiles for embedded networks such as external and internal lighting (CiA 426 series respectively CiA 433 series), door control (CiA 424 series), and train auxiliary operating systems (CiA 430 series). The CiA 423 series specifies CANopen interfaces for (diesel) locomotives.

In future rolling stock applications, CAN-based networks are migrating also into deeply-embedded applications. The train OEM (original equipment manufacturer) does not see these deeply-embedded networks. They connect devices in the driver’s cab, brakes, HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning) subsystems. CAN and CANopen become in-visible. But the number of installed CAN/CANopen nodes is still increasing.

On its booth, CiA informs about the next CAN protocol generations (CAN FD and CAN XL) and how to make use of them in rolling stock. Other topics include functional safety and cybersecurity. CiA invites all interested parties to discuss the future of CAN networks in rolling stock applications and the need of additional CANopen profile specifications.