No. 15 - October 24, 2025
A word from the CiA Managing Director
The J1939-based Isobus ecosystem is internationally standardized in the ISO 11783 series. It covers the seven OSI (open systems interconnection) communication layers and data (suspect) parameter (SP) as well as parameter group (PG) specifications. Additionally, the nonprofit AEF (Agricultural Industry Electronics Foundation) specifies dedicated functionality such as the tractor-implement management, allowing the implement to partially control the tractor. AEF is committed to submit its specifications to ISO, when the documents are mature and the specified functionality has been tested on interoperability by means of plugfests. In the last Isobus plugfest organized by AEF in Harsewinkel (Germany) in September, TIM (tractor-implement management) implementations were tested on interoperability (six servers and eleven clients). TIM enables implements (agriculture machinery) to partially control a tractor.
The CAN-based Isobus integration network is well accepted in Europe and North America. Some of the ISO 11783 documents have been reviewed and improved. The ISO 11783-2 standard, still in revision, specifies the physical layer. This document addresses device designers and system integrators. It includes requirements and recommendations for bit rate settings, connectors, topologies, and cables. The ISO 11783-3 standard specifies the application layer and the mapping to CAN CC (classic) using the CEFF (classic extended frame format) with 29-bit identifiers. This document has passed the DIS (Draft International Standard) ballot. The submitted comments have been resolved. An FDIS (Final Draft International Standard) ballot is intended, not accepting technical comments i.e., only positive/negative votes and editorial comments are allowed.
Most of the Isobus-supporting tractors use embedded and deeply embedded J1939-based networks to connect ECUs (electronic control units), controlling the engine, brakes, gears, etc. Sophisticated implements also use embedded and deeply embedded networks to connect sensors, actuators, and host controllers. Such networks are often based on CAN, using CANopen, J1939, or proprietary higher-layer protocols.
CiA has a booth on the Agritechnica (hall 17, booth A59) trade show in Hanover (Germany). CiA’s motto is “CAN in agrifood equipment feeds the world!“. The exhibition takes place from November 9 to 15. CiA staff is available to inform visitors about the usage of CAN-based networks in tractors and implements. Some CiA members exhibit their products on the CiA stand by means of product panels. You are welcome to visit the CiA stand and to schedule a meeting in advance.
CAN in agrifood systems
The ISO/TC 347 standardizes data models for agrifood systems. This includes greenhouse and vertical farming applications, agriculture and forestry mobile machinery as well as livestock automation. The data models have impacts on the data to be provided by CAN-based network at the front-end of agrifood systems. CiA is committed to develop related profile specifications for sensors, actuators, and host controllers. Interested parties serving the agrifood industries should contact CiA office, in order to get first-hand information about ISO/TC 347. A related CiA webinar (CAN-based networking in agriculture) is available on Youtube.
September issue of CAN Newsletter
The CAN Newsletter magazine contains news and reports about CAN-related products as well as briefs news about dedicated topics related to the more in-detail technical articles. For the next issue, the editors are looking especially for CAN-connectable devices suitable for healthcare applications. Deadline for submissions is October 31.
China roadshow about CAN XL ecosystem
From November 18 to 21, three CiA technology days (Shenzhen, Beijing, and Shanghai) are scheduled in China. There will be 14 presentations about the CAN XL ecosystem – covering topics from physical layer via functional safety and cybersecurity to tools and engineering. Registration is obligatory and has already started. The three events are accompanied by a table-top exhibition. CiA members Bosch, CAST, and Hongke sponsor the CiA roadshow.
CiA 437 and CiA 446: Released as draft specification (DS)
CiA has released the CiA 437 (part 1 to part 3) as a draft specification. This CANopen application profile for grid-based photovoltaic systems specifies the CANopen interfaces for photovoltaic devices such as the photovoltaic controller, inverter, solar panel tracker as well as required sensors. The editorially updated CiA 446 specification (version 1.5.0) is a CANopen interface profile for AS-Interface gateways.
The documents are only available for CiA member companies and can be downloaded from the CiA website.
Nexperia: chip-supply shortage
Recently, the ACEA European automobile manufacturers’ association has reported its concerns about the supply interruption of Nexperia, a Dutch chipmaker owned by Wingtech (China). U.S. Alliance for Automotive Innovation urged a quick resolution, too. The Dutch government took control of Nexperia after increasing pressure of the U.S. government. Officially, the Dutch authorities worry about the possible transfer of technology to Nexperia’s Chinese parent company. The company manufactures, for example, the PSD2CAN ESD (electrostatic discharge) protection diode array and other components used in road vehicles.
Save the date: 19th iCC in 2027
CiA celebrates its 35th anniversary in March 2027. On March 3 and 4, the 19th international CAN Conference (iCC) will take place at the Lake of Starnberg (close to Munich, Germany). The call for papers is planned to start beginning of 2026. The CiA general assembly is scheduled on March 5, the CiA birthday.
News ticker
+++ CiA has recently assigned CANopen vendor-IDs to Satel (FI), STEM (IT), and RRC Power Solutions (DE). +++ On behalf of ISO, CiA has issued LIN supplier-IDs to Bitron (IT), Eonas (DE), FEP Fahrzeugelektrik Pirna (DE), and PO Lighting (DE). +++ CiA member Epec (FI) collaborates with CPAC Systems (SE), a subsidiary of the Volvo Group, in the development of autonomous commercial vehicle platforms. +++ The CiA webinar about functional safety and CANopen has been uploaded to CiA’s Youtube channel. +++ ISO/TC 22/SC 31/WG 4 experts currently evaluate different options to reduce the busload on the CAN-based network connecting a towing commercial vehicle with towed vehicles (ISO 11992-2). +++ CiA SIG (special interest group) radar sensors is revising the CiA 462 (item detection device) profile. +++
CiA activities
- CiA education and information events
- Charged online seminars
- Charged in-house seminars
- Free-of-charge CiA webinars
- CiA groups
- CiA trade shows
New CiA members since the last CCN
- BasicMicro (US)
CiA has 756 members (October 24, 2025)
CiA Product Guides
Editors: Olga Fischer, Holger Zeltwanger (responsible according to the press law)
Advertising: Birgit Ruedel (responsible according to the press law)
CAN in Automation (CiA) e. V.
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