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Application Report
SLLA337 – January 2013
1
Overview of 3.3V CAN (Controller Area Network)
Transceivers
Jason Blackman and Scott Monroe
ABSTRACT
3.3V CAN (Controller Area Network) transceivers offer advantages and flexibility with
respect to 5V CAN transceivers while being compatible and interoperable with each other.
Power consumption is lower with 3.3V transceiver compared with 5V transceivers. There
is potential for power supply simplification and cost savings when the microprocessor
communicating with the transceiver is also at 3.3V.
Some implementers of CAN buses may be skeptical to use 3.3V transceivers due to the
legacy of 5V transceivers that are known to perform well. There may be uncertainty of
performance in mixed supply CAN buses. This application note demonstrates the
interoperability of 3.3V and 5V CAN transceivers in addition to explaining the theory of
operation.
Contents
1 THEORY OF OPERATION ............................................................................................................ 2
2 MEASUREMENTS DEMONSTRATING OPERATION ................................................................... 4
3 CONFORMANCE TESTING .......................................................................................................... 9
4 3.3V DEVICE ADVANTAGES ...................................................................................................... 10
5 SUMMARY ................................................................................................................................... 11
