No. 11 - August 21, 2026
A word from the CiA Managing Director
The bi-annual Innotrans trade show takes place at the Messe Berlin exhibition grounds from September 22 to 25, 2026, celebrating its 15th edition. CiA participates with a booth in hall 27 (stand 290). The exhibition addresses railway technology (rolling stock and train systems), railway infrastructure (rack, signaling, and control technology), public transport (infrastructure, services, and operational systems), interiors (vehicle design, seating, and passenger comfort) as well as tunnel construction (machinery, equipment, and safety).
In the past, CAN networks have been used in rolling stock (locomotives, coaches, trainsets, commuter trains, metros, cargo sprinter, utility trains, etc.) as integration networks, connecting subsystems, and embedded networks, linking devices. CANopen has been standardized in IEC 61375-3-3:2012 (Electronic railway equipment – Train communication network (TCN) – Part 3-3: CANopen Consist Network). This standard specifies the data communication inside train consists as part of the TCN architecture as described in IEC 61375-1.
CiA has also developed several CANopen interfaces for subsystems (CiA 421 series). Additionally, CiA has released CANopen application profiles for embedded networks such as external and internal lighting (CiA 426 series respectively CiA 433 series), door control (CiA 424 series), and train auxiliary operating systems (CiA 430 series). The CiA 423 series specifies CANopen interfaces for (diesel) locomotives.
In future rolling stock applications, CAN-based networks are migrating also into deeply-embedded applications. The train OEM (original equipment manufacturer) does not see these deeply-embedded networks. They connect devices in the driver’s cab, brakes, HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning) subsystems. CAN and CANopen become in-visible. But the number of installed CAN/CANopen nodes is still increasing.
On its booth, CiA informs about the next CAN protocol generations (CAN FD and CAN XL) and how to make use of them in rolling stock. Other topics include functional safety and cybersecurity. CiA invites all interested parties to discuss the future of CAN networks in rolling stock applications and the need of additional CANopen profile specifications.
By the way, CANopen-based TCMS (train control management systems) are presented in Berlin by Amit Transportation (hall 27, stand 531), EKE Electronics (hall 27, stand 471), Leroy Automation, part of Agon Electronics (hall 26, stand 752), and Škoda Group (hall 3.2, stand 600), for example. Škoda Group will unveil a new name and visual identity at Innotrans 2028 before completing its rebranding and retiring the current brand by June 2029, according to an agreement made in 2022, when the Škoda enterprise was split into several parts. Good things take time or in other words Rome wasn’t built in one day.
Migration to individual CiA member website accounts
CiA is successively transitioning its website authentication system from shared company credentials to individual user accounts.
Under the new infrastructure, designated corporate administrators (managers) within each member organization can independently provision, maintain, and revoke accounts for their colleagues. Member contact persons will receive notification emails with activation links to initiate the rollout for their company. Standard access rights to member-only specifications and documents remain unaffected.
Further details, workflow descriptions, and video tutorials regarding account activation and administration are available on the CiA member login and user management page.
Addressing OEMs: CiA 447 workshop on OEM Adaptive Interface
CiA and the non-profit European Mobility Group (EMG) invite vehicle OEMs and conversion specialists to a joint online workshop on September 9, 2026 (09:00 to 12:00, UTC+2).
With mandatory implementation of UNECE Regulation 155, vehicle manufacturers are increasingly locking down in-vehicle networks. While vital for cybersecurity, this restricts the integration of essential adaptive controls and retrofits for drivers and passengers with reduced mobility. To maintain safe and compliant vehicle conversions without compromising vehicle security, OEMs and adaptation specialists require standardized, cybersecure interface concepts.
The workshop provides a platform for OEMs to discuss requirements for secure third-party access. The CiA 447 application profile for special-purpose car add-on devices serves as a proven technical baseline and is slated for review to support UNECE R155 compliance.
Registration for the workshop held in English language is obligatory.
CiA 404: Call for experts
The CiA SIG (special interest group) measuring devices requires to update the CiA 404 series for measuring devices and closed-loop controllers. Therefore, the group is calling for experts to finalize the DSPs (draft specification proposals) of the CiA 404-B (basic parameters), CiA 404-C (parameter mapping to CANopen CC), and CiA 404-F (parameter mapping to CANopen FD). After release of the CiA 404-B/-C/-F documents, the older CiA 404 outdated versions will be withdrawn.
Interested parties should contact CiA office by September 21, 2026.
SAE J1939: Old terminology burdens
In the J1939-21 and J1939-22 specifications, different terminology regarding the transport layer PDUs (protocol data units) is used: In the current and legacy J1939-21 documents, they are named “packets” and in J1939-22 they are called “segments”. This will be harmonized in the next document issues, to avoid confusion of readers.
In the last years, SAE has improved already the wrongly usage of the term PGN (parameter group number) for PG (parameter group) respectively SPN (suspect parameter number) for SP (suspect parameter). The SAE specifications including the J1939DA (digital annex) spreadsheet have been successfully revised. But still tons of data sheets and handbooks reads PGN/SPN instead of PG/SP. This is a long way to go.
CAN Newsletter magazine
This magazine is downloadable as PDF format. It contains technical in-depth articles, product news, reports about applications, interviews, and other valuable information for the CAN community. Not just the current issue can be downloaded, but also legacy issues. This year, from January 1 to April 30, 32309 magazine issues were visited. Additionally, 92381 single articles were downloaded.
Currently, the magazine editors are fine-grinding the September issue, which focusses on CAN FD. Working on the final layout and proof-reading are the last tasks to do.
News ticker
+++ CiA member Xyntos (CH) has released CANoopEn, a CANopen CC protocol stack, under the Apache License 2.0; it is aimed at developers, who want a maintainable implementation rather than a configuration-driven code generator. +++ The Grayhill (U.S.A.) Touch Encoder with an integrated display, controlling functions like temperature, lights, drive controls, and battery status, has been successfully tested by CiA on CANopen conformance. +++ ISO 25200 (CAN-based body-builder network standard for commercial road vehicles) has passed successfully the DIS (draft international standard) ballot. +++ CiA 1302-1 and CiA 1302-2 (CANopen FD additional application layer functions) documents have been finalized and the CiA-internal document quality procedure has been started. +++ CiA plans to schedule a series of one-hour CAN XL webinars with several speakers, starting soon. +++ Steute (Germany), owned by Battery Ventures (U.S.A.) has acquired CiA member Kiepe (Germany), providing control solutions for trains and trolley buses. +++
19th iCC: Celebrate with CiA its 35th anniversary
The CAN community is invited to be part of the 19th iCC taking place in the year of 35th CiA anniversary. Be there as a speaker, table top exhibitor, sponsor, or participant. Don’t miss the opportunity to refresh personal and professional networks and to establish new relations for your CAN business.
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
- Auer Signal (AT)
- Betronic (NL)
- Ford Motor Company (US)
- Hyster-Yale Material Handling (US)
- Incosa Solutions (BE)
- Shanghai AMP & MOONS' Automation (CN)
- Wipotec (DE)
CiA has 737 members (August 21, 2026)
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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Tel. +49-911-928819-0
AG Nuremberg VR 200497
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