Bus connection

Physical signal transmission in a CAN network is based on differential signal transmission. The specific differential voltages depend on the bus interface that is used. A distinction is made here between the high-speed CAN bus interface (ISO 11898-2) and the low-speed bus interface (ISO 11898-3).

Voltage levels

ISO 11898-2 assigns logical “1” to a typical differential voltage of 0 Volt. The logical “0” is assigned with a typical differential voltage of 2 Volt. High-speed CAN transceivers interpret a differential voltage of more than 0.9 Volt as a dominant level within the common mode operating range, typically between 12 Volt and -12 Volt.

Below 0.5 Volt, however, the differential voltage is interpreted as a recessive level. A hysteresis circuit increases immunity to interference voltages. ISO 11898-3 assigns a typical differential voltage of 5 Volt to logical “1”, and a typical differential voltage of 2 Volt corresponds to logical “0”.

The figure “High-Speed CAN Bus Levels” and the figure “Low-Speed CAN Bus Levels” depict the different voltage relationships on the CAN bus.