Interface integrated circuits in industrial communication systems: RS485 and CAN applications

I. Why Interface ICs Are the Most Failure-Prone Components in Industrial Systems

In industrial automation, energy systems, and building control applications, communication stability is often more critical than processing power.
Field failures are frequently traced not to MCUs or CPUs, but to RS485, CAN, and UART interface circuits.

Interface ICs do far more than signal translation—they must ensure data integrity in high-noise, long-distance, multi-node environments.

II. Key Technical Parameters of Interface ICs (Engineering Perspective)

Engineers evaluate interface ICs based on:

Protocol compliance

ESD and surge immunity

Data rate and latency

Multi-drop capability

Isolation compatibility

Industrial temperature rating

III. RS485 Interface ICs: The Industrial Standard

RS485 remains the preferred standard in industrial environments due to strong noise immunity, long-distance capability, and low cost.

Real, In-Production RS485 Interface IC Part Numbers

TI SN65HVD485EDR

Half-duplex RS485 Transceiver

±15kV ESD Protection

Widely used in PLCs and industrial instruments

MAX485ESA+ (Analog Devices / Maxim)

Classic RS485 Model

High market acceptance, mature replacement

ST ST485ECDR

Industrial-grade RS485 Transceiver

Commonly used in building control and energy systems

These RS485 transceivers are widely deployed in Germany, Italy, Turkey, and Southeast Asia, especially in PLCs, smart meters, and industrial gateways.

IV. CAN Interface ICs: Backbone of Automotive and Industrial Networks

CAN bus technology remains essential in automotive electronics, battery management systems, motor control, and industrial machinery.

Commercially Available CAN Interface IC Models

TI SN65HVD230DR

3.3V CAN Transceiver

Widely used in automotive and industrial CAN networks

NXP TJA1042T/3

High-speed CAN Transceiver

AEC-Q100 Certified

Commonly found in automotive ECUs

Microchip MCP2551-I/SN

5V CAN Transceiver

Dual industrial and automotive applications

These CAN ICs are frequently sourced for projects in Germany, Poland, and India, where long-term availability and automotive-grade reliability are required.

V. Case Study: Optimizing Communication Modules in an Industrial PLC

An early version of an industrial PLC project encountered the following issues:

Limited communication distance

EMI interference causing data packet loss

Repeated ESD test failures

After analysis, the interface design was upgraded to:

SN65HVD485EDR for RS485 communication

Improved termination and protection layout

Optional isolation stage for harsh environments

Results:

Communication distance increased to 1200 meters

ESD test passed on the first attempt

System field failure rate significantly decreased

VI. Interface IC Sourcing Trends and Market Reality

The current interface IC market exhibits the following characteristics:

Demand for classic models remains stable over the long term.

Industrial and automotive projects have high requirements for batch consistency.

Project customers prefer spot inventory plus alternative solutions.

VII. Conclusion: Poor Interface IC Choices Lead to System Instability

Interface ICs may be small, but they are critical.
Successful selection requires balancing electrical robustness, environmental tolerance, and supply continuity.