Infineon TLE9251VLEXUMA1: High-Speed CAN Transceiver for Automotive Network Interfaces

The evolution of automotive electronics towards increasingly connected, automated, and electrified vehicles demands robust and reliable communication networks. At the heart of these systems lies the Controller Area Network (CAN), a proven standard for real-time data exchange between electronic control units (ECUs). The Infineon TLE9251VLEXUMA1 is a state-of-the-art high-speed CAN transceiver designed specifically to meet the stringent requirements of modern automotive network interfaces, providing a critical physical layer link between a CAN protocol controller and the physical two-wire CAN bus.

This transceiver is engineered for high-speed CAN networks (up to 2 Mbaud), supporting the data rates necessary for time-critical applications such as powertrain management, advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), and chassis control. Its core function is to convert the digital data streams from a CAN controller into differential signals for transmission over the bus and to translate received differential signals back into digital data for the controller.

A paramount requirement in the automotive environment is operational resilience. The TLE9251VLEXUMA1 is built to withstand the harsh conditions under the hood, featuring a wide operating voltage range and outstanding electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection up to ±8 kV according to the IEC 61000-4-2 standard. This ensures superior robustness against transient disturbances, a common cause of system failures in vehicles.

Furthermore, the device incorporates advanced failure mode management and diagnostic capabilities. It continuously monitors its own status and the bus conditions, detecting errors such as short circuits to battery voltage or ground, and overtemperature. This allows the system to enter a safe state and report faults to the microcontroller, which is essential for functional safety and aligns with objectives outlined in the ISO 11898-2 and ISO 26262 standards.

Power efficiency is another key design focus. The TLE9251VLEXUMA1 offers a dedicated low-power mode with very low quiescent current, which is crucial for maintaining energy efficiency in always-on ECUs, thereby helping to reduce the overall quiescent current drain on the vehicle's battery.

Housed in a compact, green SG-TSON-14 package, the device is optimized for space-constrained applications and is fully AEC-Q100 qualified, guaranteeing performance and reliability for automotive use cases.

ICGOODFIND: The Infineon TLE9251VLEXUMA1 stands out as a highly robust and reliable solution for automotive CAN FD networks. Its exceptional ESD protection, comprehensive diagnostic features, and compliance with automotive safety standards make it an optimal choice for designers building next-generation vehicle architectures that prioritize both performance and functional safety.

Keywords: CAN Transceiver, Automotive Networking, ESD Protection, Functional Safety, ISO 26262.