Ixxat Introduces CAN@net Basic: Cost-Efficient CAN-FD-to-Ethernet-Gateway for Scalable Industrial Networking

Why It Matters

The gateway provides a cost‑effective bridge that solves latency, jitter, and scalability challenges, enabling faster, cheaper integration of CAN‑FD devices into Ethernet‑based IIoT ecosystems. Its price point lowers entry barriers for manufacturers adopting Industry 4.0 architectures.

Key Takeaways

• Cost‑optimized CAN‑FD to Ethernet gateway.
• Priced at €270 (~$295) versus higher‑end alternatives.
• Uses UDP/IP for low latency, reduced jitter.
• Extends CAN networks via Ethernet, easing scalability.
• Industrial‑grade specs: 2.5 kV isolation, –25 °C to +85 °C.

Pulse Analysis

The introduction of CAN@net Basic reflects a broader shift toward simplifying the convergence of legacy fieldbus protocols with modern Ethernet infrastructure. While many gateway solutions bundle extensive feature sets, Ixxat’s decision to focus on essential functionality—single‑channel CAN‑FD, UDP/IP transport, and robust galvanic isolation—delivers a leaner hardware footprint and a price that undercuts competitors by a significant margin. For manufacturers grappling with the high cost of full‑featured gateways, this approach offers a pragmatic entry point to connect distributed sensors, actuators, and test equipment to Ethernet‑based control systems without sacrificing industrial‑grade reliability.

Latency and jitter have long been pain points when translating CAN messages to Ethernet frames, especially in time‑critical automotive and factory automation scenarios. By leveraging UDP/IP, CAN@net Basic minimizes protocol stack overhead and reduces interrupt load on the host processor, resulting in more deterministic communication. This technical choice aligns with the growing demand for real‑time data exchange in predictive maintenance, closed‑loop motion control, and autonomous vehicle testing, where even millisecond‑level delays can impact performance.

Scalability is another decisive factor as factories adopt modular, distributed architectures. Traditional CAN bus topologies are constrained by cable length and node count, forcing costly redesigns when expanding production lines. The Ethernet backbone of CAN@net Basic eliminates these bottlenecks, allowing engineers to interconnect multiple CAN domains across a plant using standard RJ45 cabling and existing network infrastructure. Coupled with HMS Networks’ extensive global support network and its strong financial footing—2024 sales of roughly $291 million—the gateway positions Ixxat as a key enabler for the next wave of Industry 4.0 deployments.