NXP Semiconductors TJA1042T,118

Overview

TJA1042T,118 from NXP Semiconductors is a high-speed CAN transceiver implementing ISO 11898-2:2016 and SAE J2284-1 to J2284-5, supporting CAN FD fast-phase data rates up to 5 Mbit/s. It provides differential transmit/receive capability between a microcontroller's CAN protocol controller and the physical two-wire CAN bus, features Standby mode with bus wake-up, and delivers ±58 V bus fault protection in automotive 12 V/24 V systems.

For engineers reviewing the TJA1042T,118 datasheet, TJA1042T,118 pinout, TJA1042T,118 application, or TJA1042T,118 equivalent, this page details its fail-safe behavior under undervoltage, TXD dominant time-out, bus-dominant time-out in Standby, SPLIT-pin stabilization, and AEC-Q100 qualification for automotive deployment.

Technical Context

The TJA1042T,118 operates in Normal and Standby modes controlled by the STB pin: LOW enables full CAN FD communication with differential receiver output on RXD and driver control via TXD; HIGH activates low-power monitoring with wake-up detection via a dedicated filter and bus-biasing to ground. Its internal slope control optimizes EME while maintaining compatibility with legacy PCA82C250/PCA82C251 networks.

Pin 5 functions as SPLIT (not VIO), delivering 0.5×VCC in Normal mode to stabilize recessive bus level using external split termination-critical for reducing EME in networks with DC leakage. Undervoltage detection on VCC (3.5–4.5 V threshold) forces Standby entry, and thermal shutdown at 190 °C protects output drivers during overtemperature events.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: SO8 (SOT96-1), plastic small outline, 8 leads, 3.9 mm body width, lead pitch 1.27 mm, RoHS-compliant and halogen-free.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar high-speed CAN transceiver applications.

Compared with TJA1042T,118, TJA1042T/3 offers identical electrical behavior in a different packaging format, while TJA1042BT trades SPLIT-based EME reduction for VIO-level adaptability and faster timing-making it unsuitable as a direct replacement without layout revision.

Availability

TJA1042T,118 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive body control modules, ADAS camera nodes, electric power steering ECUs, and gateway modules requiring stable component supply with AEC-Q100 assurance and long-term lifecycle support.

Supply support for TJA1042T,118 includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

NXP Semiconductors is a global semiconductor leader specializing in secure connectivity solutions for automotive, industrial, and IoT applications, with deep expertise in automotive-grade analog and mixed-signal ICs.

The TJA1042 series was designed specifically for next-generation HS-CAN FD networks in automotive ECUs, emphasizing fail-safe operation, ultra-low standby power, and robust EMC/ESD performance in harsh vehicle environments.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the SPLIT pin on the TJA1042T,118?

The SPLIT pin on the TJA1042T,118 outputs 0.5×VCC in Normal mode to stabilize the recessive common-mode voltage on the CAN bus when used with a split termination network. This reduces electromagnetic emission in networks with DC leakage paths, such as those caused by deactivated nodes. In Standby mode or with VCC off, the SPLIT pin floats and must be left unconnected if unused. The TJA1042T,118 does not include a VIO pin-its I/O levels are fixed to 5 V compatibility via internal VCC connection.

Does the TJA1042T,118 support CAN FD data rates up to 5 Mbit/s?

Yes, the TJA1042T,118 implements the CAN physical layer per ISO 11898-2:2016 and SAE J2284-1 to J2284-5, guaranteeing timing compliance for CAN FD fast-phase operation up to 5 Mbit/s. Its propagation delays (e.g., 65–125 ns TXD-to-bus-recessive) and transmitter symmetry (±400 mV) are validated for this speed, making it suitable for high-bandwidth applications like ADAS sensor data transmission. The TJA1042T,118 achieves this without requiring external slew-rate control components.

How does the TJA1042T,118 handle undervoltage conditions on VCC?

The TJA1042T,118 incorporates undervoltage detection on VCC with a threshold range of 3.5 V to 4.5 V. When VCC drops below this range, the device automatically enters Standby mode regardless of STB pin state, disengaging drivers from the bus to prevent undefined behavior. This fail-safe action ensures deterministic operation during battery brownouts or cold-crank events. Once VCC recovers above the threshold, normal operation resumes only after STB is actively driven LOW-preventing spurious transitions.

What protection features does the TJA1042T,118 provide against electrical overstress?

The TJA1042T,118 provides ±58 V fault tolerance on CANH and CANL pins, ±8 kV HBM ESD protection per IEC 61000-4-2, and integrated thermal shutdown at 190 °C. It also includes TXD dominant time-out (0.3–5 ms) and bus-dominant time-out in Standby mode (0.3–5 ms) to prevent network lockup. These protections are validated per AEC-Q100 Grade 1 and automotive transient standards including ISO 7637 and IEC TS 62228-3, ensuring resilience in real-world vehicle environments.

Is the TJA1042T,118 pin-compatible with legacy CAN transceivers like the PCA82C250?

Yes, the TJA1042T,118 is backwards compatible with the PCA82C250 and PCA82C251 when used with a 5 V microcontroller, sharing identical SO8 pinout and functional mapping for TXD, RXD, STB, CANH, CANL, VCC, GND, and SPLIT (replacing the PCA82C250's Rs pin function). It improves upon legacy devices with enhanced EMC/ESD performance, lower standby current (10–15 μA vs. >100 μA), and built-in fail-safe features like undervoltage detection and time-out functions-requiring no PCB changes for drop-in replacement.