CAN Info Mail

This monthly email is for all CAN fellows.
August 2020

A word from the CiA Managing Director

Political correctness has reached technical terminology. Since many years, we use the terms multi/master, black/white listing, and male/female connectors. This is not more appropriate. Plug substitutes male and socket is used instead of female. So far, so good. CiA has already cleaned up its specifications regarding connectors.

Controller Area Network has been categorized as multi-master approach since its introduction in 1986. To be more precise, it is a publisher/consumer system. Each node is allowed to transmit at any time data or remote frames. Depending on the frame priority, it gets bus access sooner or later. This means, we do not need the term master for the CAN data link layer description. This is true for all three CAN protocol generations: Classical CAN, CAN FD, and CAN XL.

CAN-based higher-layer protocols such as CANopen introduce a master/slave behavior for NMT (network management) services, for example. In electronics and software technology, the term master/slave is used frequently. It describes a model of asymmetric communication or control, in which one device or process (the master) controls one or more other devices or processes (the slaves) and serves as their communication hub. In some systems a master is selected from a group of eligible devices, with the other devices acting in the role of slaves. Since 1976, the master/slave term has been used in more than 67 000 U.S. patens. Now, we are looking for a politically correct term. There are many proposals hanging around: primary/secondary, leader/follower, parent/child, etc. By the way, the term leader should not be translated into German. I would add captain/steward to the proposals indicating the command hierarchy on ships and in aircrafts.

Of course, there are more political correct options. But we should use just one in the CAN community: proposals and suggestions are welcome. I am facing the same problem in my role as ISO working convener for LIN technology, for example.

CiA has not used frequently black/white listing. The proposed term deny/allow lists seems to me acceptable.

 

New SIG CAN FD light

CiA has established a Special Interest Group (SIG) to develop a “master/slave” data link layer protocol based on CAN FD. It is intended for use in sensor/actuator networks such as automotive lighting systems.

Harmonized terms for CAN transceivers

CiA has agreed on names for two transceiver approaches: CAN SIC transceiver and CAN SIC XL transceiver. Recommended are the terms CAN high-speed and CAN FD transceivers for two other technologies.

CAN Newsletter Online

  • Open source CAN FD core
    The Czech Technical University (CTU) in Prague has developed an open-source CAN FD core and appropriate development tools. The core complies with ISO 11898-1:2015.
Further July highlights of the CAN Newsletter Online:
CAN Newsletter magazine

The June issue focuses on the Covid-19 disease. There are also articles about the CAN XL protocol and CANopen FD (node-ID assignment and starter kit).

June 2020 issue
Download the full magazine

CiA goes Youtube

CiA has its own Youtube channel. Recently, there were uploaded several webinars. The CiA webinars address decision makers to get a brief overview and introduction into different CAN topics. Also the CiA technology days which provide a summary on new trends in CAN technology with some more technical details are featured on the channel. In order to give all interested parties access to those online events, CiA records and publishes them on Youtube.

New CiA marketing team

CiA headquarters offers several marketing services such as advertisements in CiA publications, product panels on CiA stands, etc.

The CiA marketing team (from left to right: Tobias Kammerer and Rosanna Rybin) coordinates these activities.

The team’s email is publications(at)can-cia.org.

New CiA members since the last CiA Info Mail (CIM)

CiA has 706 members (August 01, 2020).

CiA webinar
CiA Product Guides
Renewed entries

CANopen: frenzel + berg electronic, Vector Informatik, Robox motion control
J1939: Kübler Group, Vector Informatik

If you would like to subscribe to the monthly CAN Info Mail please send an e-mail to mail(at)can-cia.org.

© CAN in Automation (CiA) e. V.
Kontumazgarten 3
DE-90429 Nuremberg
Tel.: +49-911-928819-0
Fax +49-911-928819-79
headquarters(at)can-cia.org
www.can-cia.org