CAN FD Light is a simplified variant of CAN FD standardized in ISO 11898-1:2024. The protocol was designed for applications that benefit from the higher data rates and larger payloads of CAN FD while reducing node complexity and implementation costs. Through its commander/responder communication model, CAN FD Light enables the use of resource-efficient sensors, actuators and embedded devices, making it particularly suitable for cost-sensitive and highly distributed network architectures.

With the growing demand for compact and cost-efficient communication architectures in automotive electronics, industrial automation and embedded control systems, CAN FD Light is increasingly becoming relevant for distributed real-time applications. By integrating the protocol into Kithara RealTime Suite, developers will be able to access CAN FD Light communication with precise timing behavior and low latency while continuing to benefit from the flexibility of Windows-based systems.

The implementation is designed for demanding real-time scenarios in which communication cycles, synchronization and deterministic response times are critical. CAN FD Light frames can be transmitted and processed directly within Kithara’s real-time environment, independent of non-deterministic influences from the operating system. This allows developers to combine modern CAN communication concepts with high-frequency control and measurement applications.

The new support is planned as part of an upcoming KRTS version and complements Kithara’s existing portfolio of real-time communication technologies, including EtherCAT, Ethernet, CAN/CAN FD and PTP-based synchronization mechanisms.

By adding CAN FD Light, Kithara continues to expand its support for emerging communication standards and addresses increasing demands for deterministic data exchange. The protocol provides an efficient option for implementing streamlined and cost-sensitive network architectures while maintaining real-time performance on standard PC-based systems.

Kithara Software