No. 7 - May 29, 2026
A word from the CiA Managing Director
In complex mobile machines and commercial road vehicles, there are implemented several CAN-based sub-systems using often different higher-layer protocols. In many cases, they need to be integrated by means of a backbone network. For such a backbone network, CAN XL is an option, because this data link layer provides embedded layer management data. This includes the 8-bit SDT (service data unit type) field, indicating the used higher-layer protocol (e.g., CANopen or J1939), and the 8-bit VCID (virtual CAN network identifier), identifying the network number in a given network system (truck with trailers or mobile machine with implements and attachments).
If the backbone network is based on Ethernet, you can “tunnel” CAN data frames by means of the IEEE 1722 protocol. However, when you “tunnel” CAN CC data/remote frames or CAN FD data frames, you need additional layer management protocols to indicate the used higher-layer protocol or to identify the system-wide consistent network-ID. But you can overcome this, when you first “map” the CAN CC/FD data frames into a CAN XL data frame (adding the appropriate SDT/VCID layer management data as specified in CiA 611-1) and “tunnel” this CAN XL data frame with new IEEE 1722 protocol (not yet released), supporting CAN XL.
In order to achieve plug-and-play capability, the assignment of VCIDs for dedicated applications (e.g., road-vehicle sets, comprising truck and trailers, or mobile machines with attachments/implements implementing deeply embedded CAN networks) needs to be standardized.
In some backbone networks, it can be useful to assemble messages from different sub-networks into a larger message. In this case, the MPDU (multi-protocol data unit) approach specified in CiA 611-2 can be used. The receiving node can parse the content and forward it accordingly to the connected sub-networks. Also in this approach, additional specifications are needed, to enable plug-and-play capability for specific applications.
The “tools” are there, to implement a virtual CAN XL backbone network with sub-layered networks on the transmitting side as well as on the receiving nodes. It does not matter, which lower layers are used: CAN XL or Ethernet. CiA is committed to support the development of such specifications or standards to achieve off-the-shelf plug-and-play solutions, referencing already available CiA and IEEE specifications as well as ISO standards.
SIG radar sensors: Call for experts
The CiA SIG (special interest group) radar sensors updates the CiA 462 CANopen item detection profile. The specification is suitable for any kind of item detection devices, including sensor-fusion devices. The SIG experts have introduced additional parameters for devices, featuring radar sensors for different applications, ranging from 1D to 4D sensors. The group is calling for experts to review the next CiA 462 work draft available beginning of July. Interested parties may contact CiA office. The next SIG online meeting is scheduled on July 22, 2026. By the way, lidar (laser imaging, detection, and ranging) scanners can also implement the CiA 462 CANopen profile.
CiA 604-4 released as DSP
CiA has released the CiA 604-4 version 1.0.0 as a draft specification proposal (DSP). The document available for CiA members, specifies the CAN FD light high-speed mode (more than 1 Mbit/s) and some clarifications of the CAN FD light protocol as standardized in ISO 11898-1:2024.
Call for comments on CiA 910-1/-2
The documents CiA 910-1 (CAN simulation model – Part 1: General terms and use cases) and CiA 910-2 (Part 2: PMA simulation model requirements) have been released more than one year ago as DSPs (draft specification proposals). Therefore, CiA calls for sharing experiences in implementation of CAN simulation model specifications. All submitted general, editorial, and technical comments will be evaluated. Please send your comments by June 29, 2026 to CiA.
Online workshop on embedded networking for LEVs
CiA organizes a second workshop on embedded networking for light electric vehicles (LEVs), following the workshop held on March 13. It addresses current standardization needs regarding CANopen-based in-vehicle networking (based on FIT 2.0), external charging and diagnostic interfaces, as well as diagnostic concepts such as UDS on CAN. The objective is to define a roadmap for future CiA specifications and related international standardization activities. The workshop is scheduled for June 9, from 9:00 to 12:00 (UTC+2). Registration by email is obligatory.
CANopen Lift plugfest report
CAN in Automation organized it’s 25th CANopen Lift plugfest on May 12, 2026 at Mövenpick Airport Hotel in Nuremberg (Germany). There were 20 participants from ten companies. This time four lift controller manufacturers participated the plugfest: Böhnke + Partner, Georg Kühn Steuerungstechnik, Schneider Steuerungstechnik, and Thor Engineering (all four from Germany).
They arrived with their own lift host controllers and tested in one-to-one sessions the lift devices of BS Tableau (Germany), Cedes (Switzerland), Dinacell (Spain), Elgo Batscale (Liechtenstein), Genemek (Turkey), and Schaefer (Germany). Schneider Steuerungstechnik and Thor Engineering brought also their lift devices to test them with other lift controllers. The participants got feedback to refine their implementations, to fix issues, to test new functions, and to provide valuable input for improvement of the CiA 417 specification (CANopen Lift).
ISO preliminary work items
ISO/TC 22/SC 31/WG 4 develops communication standards for commercial heavy-duty road vehicles. Currently, this group (chaired by Holger Zeltwanger) prepares a preliminary work item (PWI) for a common parameter specification for external interfaces (truck/trailer link, body application network, etc.). This should be a machine-readable specification in an electronic format. Another planned PWI is the standardization of a secondary display unit, monitoring and controlling external networks, especially body application equipment.
CAN Newsletter magazine
The June issue of the CAN Newsletter magazine features several articles on mobile machinery, using embedded CAN-based networks. As usual, the magazine includes brief product news as well as regular columns such as standards & specifications, facts & figures, and latest news.
PGN and SPN assignments by SAE
The nonprofit SAE association has developed a policy, how to assign PGNs (parameter group numbers) and SPNs (suspect parameter numbers) on request by standardization bodies (e.g., ISO and DIN) or by nonprofit industry consortia (e.g., AEF, CiA, and NMEA). In this case, PG and SP descriptions and specifications are in the responsibility of the requesting parties. The J1939DA digital annex just contains the PGN/SPN, the name, and the related acronym as well as a reference, where the detailed description and specification is published. CiA has requested several PGNs for PDOs specified in device profiles and CANopen protocols (e.g., SDO and EMCY).
Open-source CANopen tool
Chanchal Dhiman has released the open-source CANviz browser-based CANopen analyzer. The tool (version 0.3.1) passively decodes CiA 301 and CiA 402 messages from COB-ID structure, tracks NMT state per node, decodes CiA 402 drive states from TPDO1 without an EDS file, and pairs SDO transactions against a built-in 180-entry object dictionary. A USB/CAN CC (classic) dongle is sufficient to run the analyzing tool on a browser. It is available at https://github.com/Chanchaldhiman/CANviz.
News ticker
+++ Recently, CiA has assigned CANopen vendor-IDs to Innomotics (Germany), Marcus Engineering (U.S.A.), and vTitan Corporation (India). +++ In 1996, Mercedes-Benz Truck launched the Actros heavy-duty vehicle, featuring for the first time CAN-based in-vehicle networks. +++ In May 2026, Göpel Electronic (Germany) celebrates its 35th anniversary. Founded in 1991 as a spin-off of Carl Zeiss Jena Measurement and Testing Technology, the company provides automotive CAN-FD-capable test and inspection systems, with approximately 240 employees as well as locations and partners in more than 25 countries. +++ A car-theft ring in U.S.A. has used a normal CAN diagnostic tool to steal passenger cars. +++ The CAN IP cores by Arasan (U.S.A.) have achieved ASIL-D certification by an independent authority. +++ Chinese automaker Xpeng and Volkswagen (Germany) jointly developed an E/E architecture for vehicles manufactured in China based on Volkswagen’s China Main Platform (CMP) and the Modular Electric Drive Matrix (MEB) platform, using CAN networks. +++
Advertisement on CiA posters
Promote your company on the upcoming editions of CANopen or CANopen FD posters. The posters are distributed on trade shows, conferences, as well as via further CiA channels and serve as a good opportunity to increase your visibility. Advertisement spaces are available for CiA members only. Booking of advertisements is possible by July 6, 2026 using this order form. Submission deadline for the advertising material is July 17, 2026.
CiA activities
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New CiA members since the last CCN
- Acist Medical Systems (US)
- Baron (IT)
- Beijing Tebeifu Electronic Technology (CN)
- FSM (DE)
- Guangzhou Zhiyuan Electronics (CN)
- Innomotics GmbH (DE)
CiA has 718 members (May 29, 2026)
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