Adafruit CAN Pal - CAN Bus Transceiver

If you'd like to connect a board with native CAN Peripheral support, the Adafruit CAN Pal Transceiver will take the 3V logic level signals and convert them to CAN logic levels with the necessary differential signaling. Note that not all chips have a CAN peripheral support!

The transceiver is compatible with the ESP32, SAME51, STM32F405, and Teensy 4 series. Ensure your board's chip is equipped with CAN support and the RX and TX pins are available for connection. Though sharing the 'RX' and 'TX' names with UART, CAN Bus is a distinct interface known for robust communication across small-scale networks like those in vehicles, robotics, or sensor implementations.

CAN Bus operates using two-wire differential signaling apt for long distances and noisy environments, transmitting messages at approximately 1Mbps. Network nodes synchronize to a set frequency and use addresses to filter incoming messages, enabling multiple nodes to join and communicate seamlessly. Collision detection and retransmission mechanisms enhance communication reliability.

This breakout pal is designed with enhancements for versatile CAN applications. The TJA1051/T3 allows for communication with 3.3V to 5V logic, accommodating modern microcontrollers. A built-in 5V charge-pump voltage generator powers the transceiver without needing separate 5V input. Equipped with a pre-soldered 3.5mm terminal block, it provides quick access to High, Low data lines, and ground. An onboard switch enables easy management of the 120-ohm series termination resistance.

Each order includes an assembled pal, a pre-soldered terminal block, and headers—ready for you to complete with minimal soldering effort.