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Max your CAN connectivity

USB-to-CAN adapters for CAN and CAN FD

Ixxat USB-to-CAN adapters are versatile and flexible tools that connect computers with CAN/CAN FD or LIN networks. They are a perfect match for many applications, from configuration and analysis to control.

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Ixxat USB to CAN adapter
Linking data worlds by using an usb can adapter

Connecting CAN with PCs by using USB, for example to enable easy battery monitoring in car workshops.

Our aspiration

Linking data worlds

Ixxat USB-to-CAN adapters interconnect two data worlds: Fieldbus systems for CAN/CAN FD and LIN, and computers with USB interface. Barrier-free communication, speed, security and reliability are sought-after characteristics. USB-to-CAN converters offer various connection options and form-factors to meet even complex requirements.
USB CAN adapter enables configuration and control applications

Diverse areas of application – for control, monitoring and maintenance.

Versatile use cases

Matching your application

The USB-to-CAN adapters are suitable for versatile applications, from process control to analyzing, configuration and maintenance. They can either be used with Ixxat software tools, or easily integrated into customer applications by powerful driver packages for Windows and Linux. 
USB-to-CAN Starter Kit
Starter Kit

Start your CAN journey now

The USB-to-CAN V2 Starter Kit contains everything you need to immerse yourself in the world of CAN communication. With two CAN channels, you can set up a CAN network without additional components, but also communicate with other CAN nodes. In addition to the USB-to-CAN V2 professional, the kit includes cables, terminating resistors and connectors. Just plug & connect to your CAN network!
Get your starter kit now

5 year warranty

High-quality components and reliable software ensure a prolonged service life.

10 models

Many variants support limitless integration of CAN into computer-based systems.

8.000 msg/s

High transfer rates (8.000 msg/s), fast response (< 0.5 ms), and a high-performance.

1 driver for all

Free of charge and always part of the USB-to-CAN series: Our multifunction driver and software package VCI incl. canAnalyser 3 mini.

VCI and ECI driver information

50 offices

Technical support offices across all the world’s time zones for fast, certain and barrier-free support.

Find your local contact

20+ years

Based on 20 years of experience in software and hardware development we offer modern and reliable solutions for our customers.

USB-to-CAN conversion: Applications at a glance

Ixxat PC interfaces are used to connect applications with CAN networks via USB. Here, two application areas of industrial data communication are differentiated: In the control area, machinery and equipment manufacturers in particular integrate the CAN-to-USB converters to control their production or handling systems. End customers and system integrators opt for compact USB-CAN interfaces, in particular for maintenance, monitoring, and diagnostic processes as well as commissioning tasks. Here you will find an overview of the key applications from these areas.

USB-CAN adapters for start-up, diagnosis, and maintenance

Testing battery systems at EV workshops via CAN network

Testing battery systems at EV workshops

Testing battery systems in electric vehicles is a core task of automotive workshops specializing in electric mobility. Numerous parameters must be transferred via USB interface from the CAN network of the BMS to the workshop PC. The required connection can be set up fast and conveniently using a USB-to-CAN converter.

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CAN diagnosis of electric scooters in workshops

CAN diagnosis of electric scooters

Electric scooters have electronically controlled components such as their drives, batteries or displays. These are controlled via a CAN fieldbus. To perform maintenance work, repair technicians need an USB-to-CAN interface that connects the maintenance software with the CAN network of the electric scooter.

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Diagnosis and maintenance of AC control units in passenger cars using CAN adapters

Maintenance of AC control units in cars

Manufacturers of air-conditioning control units must establish a direct connection between the PC and control unit for maintenance purposes. Particularly when flashing units, i.e., adjusting parameters in the control unit, a reliable connection must be guaranteed. USB-to-CAN adapters support rapid, convenient CAN data transfer for this purpose.

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USB-CAN adapters for controller-based process control

Control of sensors and actuators in medical microscopes

Control of sensors and actuators in medical microscopes

Smart medical devices such as microscopes feature countless sensors, actuators, and control components that are interconnected via CAN with an IPC. USB-to-CAN converters are used to connect the IPC with the CAN network to control the components.

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Monitoring control processes in robust industrial PCs for construction machinery

Control processes in construction machinery with industrial PCs

Construction machinery is often used in environments affected by dirt, water, or dust. The industrial PCs used for control their functions must be extremely robust. Therefore robust USB-to-CAN converters are used as plug-in cards for signal conversion.

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Fieldbus control of ticketing machines with CAN communication

Control of ticketing machines with CAN

To reduce substantially the wiring in ticketing machines, engineers are turning to fieldbus communication with CAN. As an interface between the controller and the RJ45 connector provided for the CAN communication, embedded USB-to-CAN converters are used.

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Versatility for all applications

The USB-to-CAN product family at a glance

Enabling connectivity to CAN networks via USB
Item number 1.01.0281.12001
Enabling connectivity to CAN networks via USB
Item number 1.01.0281.12002
Enabling connectivity to CAN networks via USB
Item number 1.01.0283.22002
Enabling connectivity to CAN networks via USB
Item number 1.01.0283.22042
Enabling connectivity to CAN networks via USB
Item number 1.01.0288.22003
Enabling connectivity to CAN networks via USB
Item number 1.01.0282.12001
Enabling connectivity to CAN networks via USB
Item number 1.01.0353.22012
Enabling connectivity to CAN networks via USB
Item number 1.01.0001.12001

Show all USB-to-CAN and PC Interfaces

User benefits and technical data

Benefits &
Figures

User benefits

  • Multisystem compatibility with Windows, Linux, real-time operating system thanks to multicompatible VCI, ECI, and SocketCAN driver packages
  • Wide-ranging protocol support: High-speed CAN, low-speed CAN
    (as per ISO 11898-3), CAN FD and LIN
  • Freedom of use thanks to flexibly selectable D-SUB9 and RJ45 connectors or direct integration
  • High stability during industrial use: Permanently integrated USB cable
  • Bulk variants for sustainable mass applications
  • Compact designs: Desktop versions (80 x 50 x 22 mm), embedded cards
    (67 x 40 x 18 mm), plug-in versions (67.5 x 40 x 9.2 mm)
  • Robust, durable plastic housing made of recyclable and industry-tested ABS plastic

 

Figures for CAN professionals

  • PC bus interface: USB 2.0, Hi-Speed
  • CAN controller: Internal CAN 2.0 A/B
  • CAN baud rates from 10 to 1.000 kbit/s
  • LIN protocol V1.3 and V2.0
  • LIN baud rate: maximum 20 kBaud
  • Microcontroller 32-bit
  • Galvanic isolation 1.000 VDC / 1 sec., 500 VAC / 1 min.
  • Temperature range between -20 and +70 °C
  • Power supply: 5 V, maximum 300 mA via USB connector
    (standby mode 30 mA)
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Additional resources

Do you want to find out more?

Videos

Learn more about USB-to-CAN applications, installation and product highlights on YouTube.

USB-to-CAN on YouTube

White paper

Check our white papers to learn more about CAN trouble-shooting, galvanic isolation and other topics.

Download white paper

Frequently asked questions

Questions and answers on USB-to-CAN technology

The CAN bus is a serial bus system and is categorized as a fieldbus. In 1983, Bosch developed the principle before unveiling it in 1986 with Intel. The abbreviation CAN stands for Controller Area Network. The CAN protocol was originally developed for the automotive industry, but is now used in many other industries such as medical technology. It facilitates communication between different electronic control units (ECUs) in a vehicle or industrial plant. The CAN bus supports the reliable exchange of information and commands between the various components of a system. 
Data signals need to be converted to adapt them to different devices or systems. This may be necessary if the signals use different formats, protocols, or voltage levels, in other words “speak a different language.” The conversion of data signals supports seamless communication and interoperability between different devices and systems. Put simply, it ensures that all nodes “speak the same language” and understand each other. 
A CAN-USB adapter is used to establish a connection between a CAN bus and a computer via the USB connector. It also supports the exchange of data between applications on the computer with CAN devices. 
High-speed CAN is the “classic” CAN bus (as per ISO 11898-2), which is used in most (industrial) applications. The bit rates defined by the user organization CAN in Automation (CiA) range from 10 kbit/s up to 1 Mbit/s. CAN uses differential signaling to transfer data. With high-speed CAN the differential voltage for a dominant bit is 2 V and 0 V for a recessive bit.


Low-speed CAN (also known as fault-tolerant CAN) is designed for greater robustness. The recessive level of the differential signal is -5 V; the dominant level is 2.2 V. Damage to one of the two data lines prompts the system to switch over automatically to single-wire mode, allowing the system to continue to operate. The bit rates range from 40 to 125 kbit/s. 
CAN FD (Flexible Data-Rate) is an extension of CAN that supports higher transfer rates and greater amounts of user data. Compared with CAN, CAN FD offers a more flexible configuration of the bit rate and supports data rates of more than 1 Mbit/s. In contrast, LIN (Local Interconnect Network) is a simpler, more cost-effective protocol that is often used in vehicles for applications that are not time-critical, such as switch and sensor connections. 
Galvanic isolation is used to isolate electrical signals or electrical circuits from each other while supporting communication. It is used for various purposes such as protecting devices from electrical faults, preventing ground loops, providing surge protection, and ensuring the safety of people and equipment. 
The VCI driver is a software component for Windows that enables a computer to communicate with CAN devices. The driver provides an interface between the CAN hardware and the software application that performs the CAN communication.


The ECI driver specifically enables the use of CAN interfaces under Linux. Drivers for other embedded operating systems, such as VxWorks, can also be derived from this driver. 
Multiple CAN channels are needed when various CAN buses must be used simultaneously in a single system.
The simplyCAN converter is a very low-cost USB-to-CAN adapter, which can be integrated quickly and easily as a plug-and-play solution into customer applications without any driver installation, using an intuitive API interface. Please note that the VCI or ECI driver does not support this product. The simplyCAN converter also comes with galvanic isolation and can be operated in systems whose maximum bus load is between 50 and 60%.


The USB-to-CAN V2 and the USB-to-CAN FD are also compact USB-to-CAN converters. Both variants support options for solving challenging applications in the CAN and CAN FD environment. Their maximum bus load during the USB-CAN conversion is 100% and the speed of the PC connection is 480 Mbps thanks to USB 2.0 Hi-Speed. 
When converting from CAN to USB, bit rates defined by the CiA and customer-specific bit rates are used. Basically, it is always possible to generate special bit rates. The bit rate differs depending on the protocol used on the USB-to-CAN adapter connection.


CAN bit rates: 10 kbit/s to 1 Mbit/s
Low-speed CAN bit rates (ISO 11898-3-3): 10 kbit/s to 125 kbit/s
CAN FD bit rates: maximum 8 Mbit/s
LIN bit rates: maximum 20 kbit/s 
An embedded interface card is envisaged for continuous operation, for instance as an integrated part of an industrial PC (IPC). Embedded versions are therefore optimized for limited space and are shipped with the compatible connection options for PC systems. A USB desktop device is designed for mobile, essentially short-term use. The advantage is that it is not permanently installed and can therefore be used quickly and easily at different locations. 
The USB standard 2.0 Hi-Speed increases the transfer speed between computers and other USB nodes from 12 Mbit/s to 480 Mbit/s. This is 40 times faster than the USB 1.1. standard. 
The baud rate in communication engineering is a unit that measures the rate of individual changes to a signal, referred to as steps. It is also referred to as step speed or symbol rate and is used as a comparison figure for the actual and target data rate of a communication. A rate of 1 baud therefore corresponds to the transfer of 1 symbol per second. Bd is the abbreviation for the unit.


While baud indicates the number of state changes per second, the bit rate specifies the number of transferred bits per second. The bit rate corresponds to the baud rate in the case of CAN. However, there are systems in which multiple bits can be transferred per baud. In these types of systems, the bit rate can be many times the baud rate. 
The maximum bus load is achieved when the bus is utilized fully. The number of telegrams per time unit at maximum utilization depends on the length of the telegrams, on the overhead (stuff bits, etc.), and on the bit rate. System operation at maximum utilization of the bus is not feasible if telegrams are to be sent promptly. With CAN systems, the bus load should not exceed 60 to 70%. 
The ECI driver package is compatible with Linux environments and other operating systems such as QNX, INtime, RTX, or VxWorks. It also supports the LIN protocol. However, the SocketCAN driver is designed solely for Linux applications and does not support LIN.