Chinese analog chipmaker 3PEAK has introduced the TPT1662xQ series, a new family of CAN FD SIC transceivers purpose-built for 48V vehicle electrical systems. The launch marks what the company calls the first fully domestic 80V CAN transceiver, covering the entire process from wafer fabrication and chip design to packaging and testing in China. According to D1EV, the TPT1662xQ has already been sent to multiple automakers and Tier 1 suppliers for pre-production evaluation.
Why 48V matters
48V architectures are rapidly replacing traditional 12V systems in vehicles, offering four times the power-carrying capacity while cutting wiring harness weight by 60%. This makes them a key stepping stone from combustion engines to pure electric vehicles. However, the higher voltage demands far greater robustness from onboard electronics. The ISO 21780:2020 standard, which governs 48V systems, requires supply voltage tolerance up to 60V and transient overvoltage handling of 70V for 40 milliseconds. CAN bus nodes in such networks must therefore withstand far more stress than their 12V counterparts.
The TPT1662xQ series complies with ISO 11898-2:2024, CiA601-4, and SAE J2284-1 through J2284-5 high-speed CAN physical layer standards. It supports both classic CAN and optimized CAN FD SIC networks, with data rates up to 8Mbps.
Robustness and EMC performance
A standout feature is the ±80V bus fault protection voltage, which exceeds the ISO 21780 requirements for both sustained 60V overvoltage and 70V short-duration surges. The transceiver also offers a ±60V common-mode input range, crucial for handling 'lost ground' scenarios where an ECU's ground reference can be pulled to battery potential, causing common-mode voltages to spike above 70V. Standard CAN transceivers typically handle only ±12 to ±30V common-mode, leading to receiver saturation and communication failure. The TPT1662xQ maintains error-free communication even under ±60V common-mode interference, ensuring reliable operation in noisy 48V environments.
In terms of electromagnetic compatibility, the TPT1662xQ passes all automotive EMC tests without requiring an external common-mode choke, reducing bill-of-materials cost and PCB area. It also demonstrates strong immunity to bulk current injection (BCI), a common test for electromagnetic interference resistance.
The transceiver is pin-compatible with existing CAN transceivers, meaning automakers can upgrade to 48V-ready components without changing system software, simplifying the transition. This launch underscores the growing trend of domestic semiconductor solutions for China's automotive industry, particularly as 48V architectures gain traction as a bridge technology toward full electrification.
