Updated CAN Bridges Offer Cybersecurity Protection and Enhanced Features

CAN bus networks are becoming more complex and more connected—and telematics is only adding to that complexity. At the same time, cybersecurity concerns are ramping up, driven by increased regulations such as the EU Cyber Resilience Act, along with guidance from engine manufacturers focused on protecting equipment. With the ever-growing demand for more data, more access, and more functionality, off-highway equipment must now prevent vulnerabilities that could impact safety as well as the data being collected.

Enter our upgraded pair of CAN Bridges in the M‑Flex® Link family. The innovative 3‑Channel CAN Bridge allows you to pass or block messages among three distinct CAN bus networks. This enables traffic segregation, a key factor in meeting cybersecurity compliance requirements. The new 2‑Channel CAN Bridge is an improved version of our tried-and-tested device that we have supplied to the off-highway industry for many years—now with more power: a stronger processor, more resources, and significantly expanded message filtering capabilities.

Bus Loads

With more sensors, more connected devices, and more analytics, CAN bus networks continue to get busier. Vehicle designers are increasingly driven to create separated bus architectures to support additional functions and message traffic. As traffic levels increase, the risk of message “misses” also rises.

Marlin recommends keeping maximum CAN bus loads at approximately 35–40%. As more components are “talking” on the bus, we are seeing an increase in discrete bus networks used to split traffic. This creates the need for controlled connections between those buses—and our CAN Bridge products provide a smart, cost-effective way to bridge them.

Exposure Including Telematics

Telematics has become reality and a standard for connected machines. However, not every piece of data from an off‑highway machine needs to be available to anyone who can connect. Just as importantly, critical machine functions must be protected from outside manipulation. These realities are driving cybersecurity standards, to the point where the EU has already published formal requirements.

Because the equipment market is global, these requirements do not remain confined to the EU. It is also essential to consider what level of control a physically connected device or workstation may have over equipment behavior.

Using a smart device between the CAN bus and telematics resources makes practical sense. A CAN Bridge can be configured to allow only specific messages to pass through, helping protect critical functions while positioning your equipment as a leader in cybersecurity readiness.

Protocol Translation and Baud Rates

Do you need to handle both J1939 and CANopen protocols on the same machine? What about NMEA 2000? Our CAN Bridges can be loaded with custom protocol translation capabilities to address these situations—allowing one bus to operate on one protocol while another bus uses a different protocol.

And if your engine bus and body bus operate at different baud rates? No problem, we have you covered. A smart CAN Bridge handles this seamlessly, allowing you to get the job done with minimal investment.

You’re in Control

Marlin Technologies CAN Bridge products are supported by our Programming Tool, which provides a simple interface for managing filters and other configuration parameters. This allows you to make many changes to bridge operation on your own, quickly and easily, as requirements evolve.

When you need assistance, Marlin’s industry‑leading support team is available. We are always just a phone call—or an email, a text, or a Teams message—away. Our engineers understand real-world applications and can guide you to the most practical solution.

Custom Applications

Sometimes you just need more—more complex translations, more security, or more flexibility. Our two new CAN Bridges have the processing power to support custom firmware applications that deliver exactly what your application requires.

This customization remains cost-effective, both in development effort and in device pricing. In fact, this approach has already enabled a highly detailed implementation of the cybersecurity requirements for the Cummins X10 engine.

So What’s Next?

Get your hands on one of our new CAN Bridge products in the M‑Flex family. Define what you need it to do. Talk with our Sales Engineers to accelerate your process.

Solve your problems. Lead the project. Be the hero. Get promoted.

It all starts with a CAN Bridge from Marlin Technologies.