The CANopen Safety protocol, developed by the CAN in Automation (CiA) users’ and manufacturers group, has become a European standard (EN 50325–5). The protocol defines safety-related, CAN-based communications, in accordance with IEC/EN 61508.

The German TÜV has approved CANopen Safety for use in systems requiring Safety Integrity Level 3 (SIL 3). Safety-related devices use the Safety-related Data Object (SRDO) services, which are broadcast periodically over a network. Any safety device interested in the data can use it without needing a central master.

The first commercial implementation of CANopen Safety is a TÜV-approved device which implements the protocol in a single chip. This allows easy integration of the protocol into safety-related devices. The first product to use the chip is a family of safety-related encoders from Posital.

In another development, CANopen’s Drives and Motion Control Special Interest Group (SIG) has released the CiA 542 profile for PLCopen Motion compliant devices. This profile describes the CANopen interface for drives controlled by PLCs which support PLCopen Motion function blocks. The blocks can be executed on the PLC or drive. The profile also specifies the CANopen interface for PLCopen master/slave axis control.

• CiA has published its 2010 CAN/J1939 product guide, which lists compliant devices and services by name, product category, and manufacturer’s name. The guide is available from the CiA Web site and is also being distributed on CD-ROM.