CAN transceiver cuts automotive power consumption

A next-generation controller area network (CAN) transceiver IC combines operation to 1Mbaud with an extremely low current standby mode and a bus-initiated wake-up capability.

AMI Semiconductor (AMIS) has developed a next-generation controller area network (CAN) transceiver IC for high-speed, in-vehicle networking (IVN).

The new AMIS-42665 high-speed single-chip transceiver combines operation to 1Mbaud with an extremely low current standby mode and a bus-initiated wake-up capability.

Suitable for both 12 and 24V automotive applications, the AMIS-42665 is fully compliant with both the ISO11898-2 and ISO11898-5 standards and is ideal for vehicle body and comfort control functions ranging from electric windows to climate control.

High tolerance to electromagnetic interference (EMI) and an electrostatic discharge (ESD) rating of +/-8kV HBM (human body model) eliminates the need for additional filtering and protection, while a low standby current helps designers to meet power targets when the vehicle is idle.

Remote wake-up can be initiated either locally or via the CANbus, depending on specific application requirements.

The new device integrates into a miniature "green" SOIC 150-8 package all of the functionality needed to provide the interface between a CAN controller and the physical bus.

Specifically, the device provides differential signalling capability to the CANbus via the transmit and receive pins of the CAN controller.

As package form factor and pin-count are fully compatible with other transceiver ICs (including the Philips TJA1040), the AMIS-42665 can be used as a drop-in replacement to deliver optimum performance in existing designs as well to meet new application requirements.

Designed to provide high levels of in-built functionality, the AMIS-42665 offers a transmit data (TXD) dominant time-out function, thermal protection, short circuit protection, and protection against transients commonly found in the automotive environment.

Carefully matched output signals eliminate the need for a common-mode choke by minimising electromagnetic emission (EME), while the wide common-mode voltage range of the receiver inputs (+/-35V) ensures low electromagnetic susceptibility (EMS).

Discussing the launch of the AMIS-42665, Bob Klosterboer, AMI Semiconductor's Senior Vice President for Integrated Mixed-signal Products, states: "In-vehicle power consumption is a critical design issue for automotive manufacturers".

"With ever-growing electronic content, power consumption when the vehicle is idle is a major consideration, the battery will discharge too quickly if too many modules are active".

"The AMIS-42665 next-generation high-speed CAN transceiver allows designers to address this issue because it can remain active in a low-power standby mode while the rest of the module is completely powered down".

He adds: "The fact that the transceiver can be used to wake up the rest of the CAN module on receipt of a local or bus-driven wake-up command, while high levels of protection are incorporated within the device, will help designers to minimise component count and board space while meeting critical power consumption objectives".

AMIS-42665 CAN transceivers are priced at Eur 0.78 each in quantities in excess of 5000 units.

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