CANopen: Communication in Automation Technology

What is CANopen?

CANopen is an internationally standardized bus protocol based on the seven-layer ISO/OSI reference model. It was developed by the CIA (CAN-in-Automation user and manufacturer association) and has been standardized as the European standard EN 50325-4 since the end of 2002.
CANopen uses layer 1 and 2 of the CAN standard originally developed for use in cars (ISO 11898-2) as a transmission technology. The bus system enables each device to send messages (multimaster capability). Messages on the bus are received by each bus device (broadcast communication). Each bus device then decides whether or not these messages are processed based on its local intelligence.

What can our customers expect fromCANopen?

  • Broad range of methods for setting the parameters of bus devices
  • Error detection and treatment
  • Providing of relevant device data via electronic data sheets (eds files)
  • Additional features like cam switches, limit value switches, speed data
  • CANopen is suitable for use as an interface in both dynamic applications and in complex control networks


What we offer in addition:

  • Temperature and speed information
  • Statistics functions for operation time
  • Definition of work areas and presets
  • Optional internal bus terminiation
  • EMC properties of our CAN sensors are optimized for use in mobile applications

Additional information:
Sensors with CANopen interface

If you have any questions, contact our CANopen experts:
Tel. +49 711 4489-250
e-mail: interfaces@novotechnik-nospam.de