We need to overcome many challenges in CAN business: The automotive industry, the main application field of CAN technology, is not in a good shape. The CAN community is prepared to provide solutions for all industries, interested to integrate so-called automation islands to software-defined network architectures. With CAN XL we have a solution for back-boning sub-networks, similar to Ethernet-based network solutions. However, there is no general approach standardized, designing heterogenous network architectures based on Ethernet and CAN. Yes, there are dedicated approaches for the one or the other application. But they are often limited to a specific application. They jump so-to-speak to short. What we need, is a generic approach, satisfying also future demands. We face this topic in commercial vehicles, integrating in-vehicle networks with external sub-networks for different purposes, including body applications, implements, and attachments as well as connecting other vehicles (e.g., towed vehicles). If the external sub-networks are temporarily connected, an off-the-shelf plug-and-play capability is required.

CiA has already developed several puzzle pieces, integrating homogenous and heterogenous networks:

• CiA 302-7: CANopen multi-level networking
• CiA 309 series: CANopen access from other networks (e.g., Ethernet-based networks such as Modbus TCP and Profinet)
• CiA 315: CANopen generic frame for wireless tunneling and for transfer of diagnostic data
• CiA 413 series: CANopen interface for truck gateways
• CiA 446: CANopen interface profile for AS-Interface gateways
• CiA 457: CANopen interface profile wireless transmission
• CiA 463 series: Device profile for IO-Link gateway
• CiA 611-1: Service data unit types (SDT) for CAN XL
• CiA 611-2: Multi-PDU protocol for CAN XL

Of course, there are also additional standards and specifications by others:

• IEEE 1722: Transport protocol for time-sensitive applications in bridged local area networks
• ISO 11992 series: Interchange of digital information on electrical connections between towing and towed vehicles
• ISO/DIS 25200: Data parameter specification for body application units in commercial vehicles

Many of these standards and specifications are related to commercial off-highway, off-road, and road vehicles. Recently, there are emerged similar integration requirements regarding external sub-systems in the passenger car industry, e.g., for child restraint systems (CRS) and for towed vehicles, which need to be connected to the in-vehicle networks. In the pipeline, there is also an ISO standard specifying a CAN-based network controlling the lighting of autonomously driving commercial vehicles.

I plan to submit a paper on the above-discussed topic for the 19^th international CAN Conference (iCC) in Tutzing (Germany), on March 3 to 5, 2027. By the way, the call for papers is still running. I hope, there will be more presentations about designing homogenous and heterogenous network architectures, so that there could be a dedicated session on this topic.