# CAN bus transceiver

Canonical URL: https://eloragrid.ai/symbols/can-bus-transceiver
Publisher: Elora Grid
Updated: 2026-10-27
Lookup label: CAN
Drawing use: Schematic
Reference families: Manufacturer

CAN (Controller Area Network) lets electronic devices exchange messages. A transceiver is the part that sends and receives the network's electrical signals.

## In plain English

### What does CAN bus transceiver mean?

CAN (Controller Area Network) lets electronic devices exchange messages. A transceiver is the part that sends and receives the network's electrical signals.

### A simple example

For example, a battery controller can report measurements to a system controller over a compatible CAN connection.

### What the drawings help you do

Put the CAN controller on the logic side and the CAN bus pair on the other side of the transceiver. The controller creates and interprets messages; the transceiver drives and receives their electrical signals. Show bus termination and reference connections from the selected network design.

### Before using this reference

- Separate controller transmit/receive signals from bus conductors.
- Reference the selected termination and cable arrangement.
- Identify the transceiver supply and bus-reference connections.

### Is the transceiver the CAN controller?

No. The controller handles protocol-related message functions, while the transceiver provides the electrical interface. Some devices combine roles, so use the selected product documentation to identify the actual boundaries.

### Terms

- Transceiver: A circuit that both transmits and receives electrical signals.
- CAN controller: The function that handles the selected CAN messaging behaviour.

Concept diagram: Controller logic signals → CAN transceiver → CAN bus pair
Original functional explanation. Arrows show information or energy roles; two-headed arrows identify two-way interfaces. This is not a pinout, certified standards graphic or complete circuit.

- [CAN interface functions](https://www.ti.com/product-category/interface/can-transceivers/overview.html)


## What it represents

CAN (Controller Area Network) lets electronic devices exchange messages. A transceiver is the part that sends and receives the network's electrical signals.
For example, a battery controller can report measurements to a system controller over a compatible CAN connection.
Put the CAN controller on the logic side and the CAN bus pair on the other side of the transceiver. The controller creates and interprets messages; the transceiver drives and receives their electrical signals. Show bus termination and reference connections from the selected network design. This is original functional artwork, not a certified standard graphic or device pinout.

## How to read it

- Separate controller transmit/receive signals from bus conductors.
- Reference the selected termination and cable arrangement.
- Identify the transceiver supply and bus-reference connections.
- The transceiver supplies a physical interface; it is not necessarily the CAN protocol controller.

## Information to show or reference

- Separate controller transmit/receive signals from bus conductors.
- Reference the selected termination and cable arrangement.
- Identify the transceiver supply and bus-reference connections.

## Important distinction

The transceiver supplies a physical interface; it is not necessarily the CAN protocol controller.

## Facts

- Representation type: Original functional block; not a certified IEC or IEEE graphic
- Concept input: Controller logic signals
- Concept output: CAN bus pair

## Public references

- [CAN interface functions](https://www.ti.com/product-category/interface/can-transceivers/overview.html) — Texas Instruments. CAN interface functions: public technical context for the named function. Product and compliance details remain with the publisher.

## Graphic scope

Independent original educational concept illustration by Elora Grid. Not a certified standards graphic or manufacturer footprint. Unitless; not to scale. Original artwork licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. Publisher material is linked only.