ATA6571RT - Radiation-Tolerant CAN FD Transceiver, 5 Mbps | Microchip
MPN: ATA6571RT ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $18.5 | $18.50 |
| 10 | $16.75 | $167.50 |
| 100 | $14.2 | $1,420.00 |
| 500 | $12.1 | $6,050.00 |
| 1,000 | $10.45 | $10,450.00 |
ATA6571RT Overview
A CAN transceiver is the physical-layer bridge between a microcontroller's CAN protocol controller and the differential two-wire bus. In modern in-vehicle networks (IVN), CAN FD (Flexible Data-rate) extends classic CAN's 1 Mbps ceiling by allowing higher bit rates in the data phase, which is critical for advanced driver-assistance (ADAS) sensors, body controllers and powertrain ECUs. The ATA6571RT is part of the radiation-tolerant (Rad-Tol) product family designed for low-earth-orbit constellations, GEO communications payloads and other space-grade platforms where single-event effects (SEE) and total ionizing dose (TID) must be characterized.
Key features include ISO 11898-2 and ISO 11898-5 physical-layer compliance, SAE J2962-2 conformance for radiated/conducted immunity, ±40V bus fault protection, thermal shutdown, and an integrated dominant-timeout watchdog. The bus pins are designed for high DC load-dump resilience and meet the rigorous EMC/ESD requirements common to aerospace and heavy-industrial environments.
Architecturally, the device combines a low-EMI driver stage with a wide-bandwidth receiver optimized for the 5 Mbps FD data phase. The radiation-tolerance is achieved through silicon process selection, characterized SEE/TID performance, and per-lot qualification testing documented in the Microchip radiation reports.
Typical applications include satellite command/telemetry buses, spacecraft avionics networks, launch-vehicle data acquisition, and radiation-prone industrial controls. The same part can also be designed into high-reliability ground systems where a Rad-Tol part number simplifies parts-control and derating documentation.
Design consideration: verify bus termination (typically 120 ohm at each end of the bus), place the device close to the bus connector to minimize stub length, and ensure the VCC pin has a 100 nF + 4.7 uF decoupling network within 5 mm. In space applications, single-event functional interrupt (SEFI) recovery timing must be evaluated against the host MCU's CAN controller timeout window.
This page synthesizes distributor availability, drop-in Rad-Tol and standard CAN FD alternatives, and application guidance not collected in the manufacturer brochure alone.
Drop-in alternatives for ATA6571RT — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
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No drop-in alternatives available for this product.
Request AlternativesATA6571RT Specifications
| Product Type | CAN FD Transceiver |
| Protocol | CAN 2.0A / CAN 2.0B / CAN FD |
| Maximum Data Rate | 5 Mbps |
| Supply Voltage (VCC) | 4.5 V to 5.5 V |
| Bus Fault Protection | ±40 V |
| Number of Drivers/Receivers | 1/1 |
| Duplex | Half |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (typical industrial range) |
| Standards Compliance | ISO 11898-2, ISO 11898-5, ISO 11898-2:2016, SAE J2962-2 |
| Radiation Tolerance | Rad-Tol (SEE/TID characterized) |
| Thermal Shutdown | Yes |
| Dominant Timeout | Yes (built-in) |
| Low-Power Mode | Standby / Sleep (per datasheet) |
| Package | 8-pin SOIC (RT suffix) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Target Industry | Aerospace / Space-grade satellite power |
ATA6571RT Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | TXD — Transmit data input from CAN controller |
| Pin 2 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 3 | VCC — Supply voltage 4.5 V to 5.5 V |
| Pin 4 | RXD — Receive data output to CAN controller |
| Pin 5 | VIO — Logic-level supply (when populated, otherwise NC) |
| Pin 6 | CANL — Low-level CAN bus line |
| Pin 7 | CANH — High-level CAN bus line |
| Pin 8 | STBY — Standby / sleep mode control |
Typical Applications
ATA6571RT is suitable for 6 applications: Satellite Command/Telemetry Bus, Spacecraft Avionics Network, Launch Vehicle Data Acquisition, Radiation-Prone Industrial Control, High-Reliability Ground Vehicle Bus, CubeSat Payload Interface.
Satellite Command/Telemetry Bus
The ATA6571RT is engineered specifically for radiation-tolerant CAN FD buses on LEO constellations and GEO communications payloads. With 5 Mbps data-rate capability and ±40 V bus fault tolerance, it links command/telemetry MCUs to distributed payload controllers across the spacecraft. The part's characterized SEE/TID performance allows direct deployment without further radiation lot-acceptance testing when the program accepts the standard Microchip radiation report. Its 8-pin SOIC footprint keeps the physical-layer section compact enough for small-sat boards where bus length, stub length and EMC shielding are constrained.
Recommended
Spacecraft Avionics Network
Modern spacecraft avionics use CAN FD as the high-reliability backbone between attitude-control computers, propulsion drivers and sensor units. The ATA6571RT fits this role with ISO 11898-2 and SAE J2962-2 compliance, giving an aerospace-qualified physical layer that survives launch vibration, single-event transients and total-dose aging. Its half-duplex differential bus supports up to 5 Mbps in the FD data phase, which is essential for transferring star-tracker images and IMU telemetry without saturating the bus.
Recommended
Launch Vehicle Data Acquisition
Launch vehicles rely on CAN FD for sensor data, control-surface actuation and range-safety telemetry under extreme mechanical and thermal stress. The ATA6571RT's wide operating temperature range and dominant-timeout watchdog make it robust against intermittent bus faults from vibration or connector wear. Its differential signaling rejects the common-mode noise generated by high-current propulsion stages, and its ±40 V bus fault tolerance survives load-switching transients that would damage a non-Rad-Tol transceiver.
Recommended
Radiation-Prone Industrial Control
High-reliability industrial sites (nuclear-plant I&C, accelerator facilities, hot-cell robotics) need Rad-Tol parts to survive cumulative dose exposure over decades. The ATA6571RT's characterized TID performance makes it suitable for these ground-based but dose-intensive applications, while its standard CAN FD interface integrates with off-the-shelf PLC controllers. Using a Rad-Tol part simplifies parts-control documentation and derating analysis when the program mandates a single qualified-source list across space and ground.
Recommended
High-Reliability Ground Vehicle Bus
Defense and heavy-industrial ground vehicles (main battle tanks, mining trucks, mining locomotives) benefit from the ATA6571RT's ±40 V bus fault tolerance and characterized EMC performance per SAE J2962-2. When a program requires a Rad-Tol part for the entire fleet (including ground assets), the same SOIC-8 footprint supports reuse of the aerospace PCB across ground-vehicle variants, simplifying logistics and obsolescence management.
Recommended
CubeSat Payload Interface
CubeSats and SmallSat constellations deploy CAN FD for payload data downlinks, EPS telemetry and ADCS control. The ATA6571RT in an 8-pin SOIC keeps the payload-interface PCB compact for 1U-12U form factors, while providing the radiation margin needed for low-earth-orbit missions of 1-5 year duration. Its 5 Mbps capability enables high-rate sensor payloads (hyperspectral imagers, SAR receivers) to push data onto the bus without bottlenecking on classic CAN's 1 Mbps limit.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATA6571RT — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATA6571 | ATA6571-GNQW1-VAO | ATA6571-GCQW1-VAO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 8-pin SOIC (RT) | 14-SOIC - different footprint | 14-SOIC - different footprint | 14-SOIC - different footprint |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Maximum Data Rate | 5 Mbps (CAN FD) | 5 Mbps (CAN FD) | 5 Mbps (CAN FD) | 5 Mbps (CAN FD) |
| Supply Voltage | 4.5 V to 5.5 V | 4.5 V to 5.5 V | 4.5 V to 5.5 V | 4.5 V to 5.5 V |
| Radiation Tolerance | Rad-Tol (SEE/TID characterized) | Automotive grade (AEC-Q100) | Automotive VAO grade | Automotive VAO grade |
| Standards Compliance | ISO 11898-2/5, SAE J2962-2 | ISO 11898-2/5, SAE J2962-2 | ISO 11898-2/5 | ISO 11898-2/5 |
| Bus Fault Protection | ±40 V | ±40 V | ±40 V | ±40 V |
| Target Industry | Aerospace / Space-grade satellite power | Automotive | Automotive (VAO) | Automotive (VAO) |
Key Differentiators
- Radiation-tolerant for space applications (vs ATA6571 (automotive))
- 5 Mbps CAN FD support (vs ATA6570RT (classic CAN 1 Mbps))
- ±40 V bus fault tolerance (vs TCAN1044V (TI))
Design Notes
Place the ATA6571RT as close as possible to the bus connector (DB-9 or Micro-D) to minimize stub length. Keep the differential CANH/CANL pair length-matched within 2 mm and route them over a continuous ground plane. Use 100 nF + 4.7 uF decoupling on VCC within 5 mm of the pin, and add a TVS diode (e.g., SMBJ24CA) from CANH/CANL to ground for surge protection beyond the part's ±40 V tolerance.
Do not use the RT part number for ground-vehicle designs unless the program specifically requires a Rad-Tol part - the standard ATA6571 (AEC-Q100 automotive) is significantly lower cost and shorter lead time. Likewise, do not substitute a non-Rad-Tol CAN FD transceiver (TCAN1044V, TLE9251V) into a flight design - the absence of characterized SEE/TID data will fail parts-control review. Always confirm the radiation report acceptance with your parts-engineering team before CDR.
Terminate the bus with 120 ohm at each end (split termination with 60 ohm + 4.7 nF is recommended for FD rates above 2 Mbps to reduce ringing). On a high-speed FD bus the stub length must be kept below 1/10 of the bit length - at 5 Mbps the stub should be under 30 mm. Verify the dominant-timeout setting against the longest expected low-phase transmission in your application to avoid spurious bus-off events.
Estimated: at VCC=5V, bus load of 50 mA dominant, and 50% bus utilization, the ATA6571RT dissipates approximately 250 mW worst-case. The 8-pin SOIC has a theta_JA of approximately 110 C/W on a 1-oz 4-layer board, giving a 27 C junction rise above ambient. For sealed-space applications with no convection, derate by an additional 25 C and verify against the qualification temperature range. Do not operate above 125 C junction.
Compliance Information
RoHS/REACH compliance not explicitly stated in the verified web data - set to 'unknown'. The RT suffix indicates radiation-tolerant rather than AEC-Q100; AEC-Q100 is not applicable for a space-grade part. Lead-free is standard for Microchip SOIC packaging. For aerospace programs, request the per-lot radiation report and MIL-STD-883 test data from Microchip.
