Introduction & key features

CAN moves beyond the 10-Mbit/s domain

CAN XL, the third generation of the CAN protocol, builds upon the well-known arbitration principle used in CAN CC and CAN FD. It introduces additional features, such as an extended payload length of up to 2048 byte and configurable data throughput rates of up to 20 Mbit/s. CAN XL retains the robustness and reliability of CAN CC and CAN FD, while enables integration into Ethernet environments through mapping Ethernet frames into CAN XL frames. CAN XL knowledge provides more technical details.

Key features of CAN XL

• Variable payload up to 2048 byte
• Scalable data bit rate up to 20 Mbit/s

• Achieving complex topologies by adapting bit rate
• Improved error detection capability
• Easy integration into Ethernet environments

• Supporting service-oriented communication
• Separated priority and addressing functionality
• Optional security by CANsec
• Enabling integration of CAN FD nodes into CAN XL networks
• Supporting virtual CAN networks
• Indicating multiple higher-layer protocols
• Standardized in ISO 11898-1 and ISO 11898-2
• Completion ecosystem, specified by CiA
• Supported by Autosar

NOTE: For a summery of CAN XL key features consider Vector's CAN XL poster, as well.

Physical layer options

CAN XL can be used with different transceiver technologies:

• CAN SIC XL transceivers support data bit rates up to 20 Mbit/s.
• CAN SIC (signal-improvement capability) transceivers support data bit rates up to 8 Mbit/s.
• CAN FD transceivers support data bit rates up to 2 Mbit/s.
• CAN HS (high-speed) transceivers support bit rates up to 1 Mbit/s.