MAX3051ESA+ - 3.3V 1Mbps CAN Transceiver SOIC-8 | Maxim
MPN: MAX3051ESA+ ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.42 | $3.42 |
| 10 | $2.91 | $29.10 |
| 100 | $2.18 | $218.00 |
| 500 | $1.84 | $920.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.55 | $1,550.00 |
MAX3051ESA+ Overview
A CAN transceiver is the physical-layer (OSI layer 1) interface between a digital CAN controller and the two-wire differential bus. It converts digital transmit/receive logic into differential voltages compliant with ISO 11898, while also providing bus-side ESD protection and common-mode tolerance. The MAX3051 belongs to the Maxim CAN transceiver family (3.3V, low-Iq) which sits inside the broader categories of LIN/CAN/FlexRay transceivers, interface ICs, and finally wired-connectivity semiconductors used in industrial automation, building control, and harsh-environment embedded networks.
Key features include a 1Mbps maximum data rate in high-speed mode, programmable slew-rate control for EMI-sensitive networks, and four operating modes: high-speed, slope-control, standby, and shutdown. The shutdown and standby states draw only a few hundred microamps, making the part well suited for battery-backed or sleep-cycling nodes. The bus-side common-mode range spans -7V to +12V, well beyond the ISO 11898 minimum of -2V to +7V, allowing reliable operation in electrically noisy industrial environments with large ground shifts.
The MAX3051 is fabricated on a low-power CMOS process with on-chip bus drivers that meet ISO 11898-2 physical-layer signaling. The wide common-mode window, combined with the part's ±6kV HBM ESD rating on the bus pins (per Maxim datasheet), enables robust operation in non-automotive harsh environments such as factory floor nodes, building automation backbones, and motor-drive gateways where ground-potential differences exceed ISO 11898 minimums.
Typical applications include industrial CAN nodes (PLC modules, sensor hubs), building-automation networks (BACnet over CAN, HVAC controllers), motor-drive CAN command links, embedded sensor networks, and any 3.3V MCU needing CAN connectivity without the cost or power of an automotive-grade transceiver. The low Iq also suits solar or battery-powered remote nodes.
When designing with the MAX3051ESA+, place 100nF supply-bypass capacitors as close as possible to VCC and route the CANH/CANL traces as a tightly-coupled 100-ohm differential pair with characteristic impedance of 120 ohms per ISO 11898. Always include a split-termination network (60 ohms + 4.7nF at each end) to suppress common-mode ringing in long stubs.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the standalone manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for MAX3051ESA+ — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
MAX3051ESA-T
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MAX3052ESA+
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
TLE7250-3GE
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
TCAN332GDR
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MAX3051ESA+ Specifications
| Function | CAN Bus Transceiver |
| Number of Drivers/Receivers | 1/1 |
| Protocol | CANbus |
| Data Rate | 1 Mbps (max, high-speed mode) |
| Supply Voltage | 3.135 V to 3.465 V (3.3 V nominal) |
| Supply Current | Low-supply-current design |
| Operating Modes | High-Speed, Slope-Control, Standby, Shutdown |
| Bus Common-Mode Range | -7 V to +12 V |
| ISO 11898 Compliance | Exceeds -2 V to +7 V minimum |
| Slew Rate Control | Programmable |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C |
| Package | 8-pin SOIC (SO-8 narrow body) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes |
MAX3051ESA+ Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | TXD — Transmit data input from CAN controller (CMOS 3.3V logic) |
| Pin 2 | GND — Ground reference for logic and bus |
| Pin 3 | VCC — +3.3V supply input (3.135V to 3.465V) |
| Pin 4 | RXD — Receive data output to CAN controller (CMOS 3.3V logic) |
| Pin 5 | SHDN — Shutdown input, active-low (drive high for normal operation) |
| Pin 6 | CANL — Low-side differential bus line |
| Pin 7 | CANH — High-side differential bus line |
| Pin 8 | RS — Slope-control / mode-select resistor to GND; sets high-speed, slope-control, standby, or shutdown mode |
Typical Applications
MAX3051ESA+ is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial CAN Nodes (PLC, Sensor Hubs), Building Automation Backbones (BACnet, HVAC), Motor Drive CAN Command Links, Battery-Powered Remote Sensor Nodes, Embedded Sensor Networks (Agriculture, Logistics), Medical Device Inter-Board Communication.
Industrial CAN Nodes (PLC, Sensor Hubs)
The MAX3051ESA+ is well matched to industrial CAN nodes such as PLC digital-input modules and distributed sensor hubs that run from a 3.3V MCU. Its 1Mbps classical CAN data rate covers the typical 125kbps-1Mbps industrial CAN baud rates used in factory automation, while the wide bus common-mode range of -7V to +12V tolerates ground-potential differences across long factory-floor cable runs. Place the MAX3051 between the MCU's CAN controller (e.g., STM32 bxCAN or PIC32 CAN module) and the bus, with split termination (60R + 4.7nF) at each cable end.
Recommended
Building Automation Backbones (BACnet, HVAC)
In building-automation networks using CAN-derived BACnet or proprietary HVAC buses, the MAX3051ESA+ provides a low-power physical interface for 3.3V thermostat and fan-coil controllers. The shutdown and standby modes draw only microamps, enabling sleep-cycling thermostats to conserve battery backup between transmissions. Its -40C to +85C industrial temperature grade suits unconditioned mechanical rooms, and the 1Mbps ceiling gives headroom for the 50-500kbps typical building-automation baud rates.
Recommended
Motor Drive CAN Command Links
Variable-frequency drives and servo amplifiers use CAN for command/feedback links between the controller and the drive's gate-driver board. The MAX3051ESA+'s -7V to +12V common-mode tolerance survives the large dV/dt-induced ground shifts in the drive's switching power stage, while its 1Mbps rate comfortably handles the 250kbps-1Mbps typical motion-control bus. Use a twisted-pair cable with 120-ohm characteristic impedance and split termination at both ends.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Remote Sensor Nodes
Solar- or battery-powered remote sensor nodes (environmental monitors, irrigation controllers, asset trackers) benefit from the MAX3051ESA+'s low-supply-current design and shutdown mode. The 3.3V operation matches Li-ion/LiFePO4 chemistries directly, eliminating boost converters, and the shutdown Iq in the microamp range allows duty-cycled wake/sleep CAN transmissions to extend battery life into the multi-year range.
Recommended
Embedded Sensor Networks (Agriculture, Logistics)
Agricultural sensor networks and warehouse-logistics CAN nodes benefit from the MAX3051ESA+'s 3.3V single-supply operation, 1Mbps ceiling, and robust common-mode range that handles ground loops across long field cables. The wide operating temperature of -40C to +85C supports outdoor deployments, and the part's CMOS process keeps Iq low for solar-powered nodes. Pair with a 3.3V MCU that has a CAN controller and run at 125-500kbps for EMI-friendly long-cable performance.
Recommended
Medical Device Inter-Board Communication
Non-patient-contact medical devices (lab analyzers, sterilizers, imaging peripherals) often use CAN between internal boards for reliable differential communication. The MAX3051ESA+ provides a 3.3V physical layer that matches modern medical MCUs, supports 1Mbps for high-throughput sensor data, and offers the wide common-mode tolerance needed across isolated board-to-board links. Its industrial temperature grade suits the controlled environments of laboratory and clinical equipment.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MAX3051ESA+ — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MAX3051ESA-T | MAX3052ESA+ | TLE7250-3GE | TCAN332GDR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Maxim Integrated | Maxim Integrated | Maxim Integrated | Infineon | Texas Instruments |
| Package | 8-pin SOIC (SO-8) | 8-pin SOIC (SO-8) - same | 8-pin SOIC (SO-8) - same | 8-pin SOIC (PG-DSO-8) - same | 8-pin SOIC (SO-8) - same |
| Supply Voltage | 3.135 V to 3.465 V | 3.135 V to 3.465 V | 3.135 V to 3.465 V | 3.0 V to 3.6 V | 3.0 V to 3.6 V |
| Max Data Rate | 1 Mbps | 1 Mbps | 1 Mbps | 1 Mbps | 2 Mbps (CAN FD ready) |
| Bus Common-Mode Range | -7 V to +12 V | -7 V to +12 V | -12 V to +12 V (wider) | -12 V to +12 V | -12 V to +12 V |
| AEC-Q100 Qualified | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +150 C (Grade 1) | -40 C to +125 C |
| Slew-Rate Control | Programmable (RS pin) | Programmable (RS pin) | Programmable (RS pin) | Programmable (MODE pin) | Fixed (CAN FD optimized) |
| Shutdown / Standby Mode | Yes (SHDN pin) | Yes (SHDN pin) | Yes (SHDN pin) | Yes (STB pin) | Yes (S pin) |
Key Differentiators
- Wide bus common-mode range without 5V supply (vs PCA82C250 (5V legacy CAN transceiver))
- Lower quiescent current than 5V CAN transceivers (vs TLE6251G (5V Infineon CAN))
- Simple four-mode operation via one RS pin (vs TCAN332GDR (TI CAN FD))
Design Notes
Route CANH and CANL as a tightly-coupled differential pair with 100-ohm differential impedance (120-ohm characteristic per ISO 11898) and match their lengths to within 5mm to minimize skew-induced EMI. Place a 100nF X7R bypass capacitor within 3mm of the VCC pin and a 4.7uF bulk capacitor nearby. Keep the bus traces away from switching converter edges and from the MCU's high-speed clock lines by at least 3W (where W is the trace-to-trace spacing).
Do not exceed 3.465V on VCC - the MAX3051ESA+ is a 3.3V-only part and will be damaged by a 5V rail. If your MCU is 5V, level-shift TXD/RXD or choose a 5V-tolerant CAN transceiver instead. Also ensure SHDN is tied high (or left floating only if internal pull-up is documented - per Maxim datasheet, drive it high) so the part does not enter shutdown unexpectedly at power-up.
Use split termination at each end of the bus: two 60-ohm resistors in series with a 4.7nF-100nF capacitor to ground at the midpoint. This suppresses common-mode ringing on long stubs and unterminated cable branches. For multi-drop CAN networks, place the termination only at the physical ends of the trunk - never at stub nodes - and keep stub lengths shorter than the bit-time allows (rule of thumb: stub < 0.3 m at 1 Mbps).
Estimated: at 1Mbps with a 10m cable and standard ISO 11898 termination, the differential edge rate is roughly 15-20ns. The MAX3051's programmable slew rate via the RS pin lets you trade edge speed for lower EMI - a 10kohm RS resistor typically yields ~1.5V/us suitable for cable lengths above 50m, while 0-ohm to GND enables the full 1Mbps high-speed mode. Verify by observing CANH/CANL eye on an oscilloscope against the ISO 11898-2 mask.
The MAX3051ESA+ in SOIC-8 has a typical theta_JA of ~150 C/W on a 4-layer JEDEC test board. Maximum supply current is in the tens of mA during dominant transmission, so power dissipation stays well below 200mW and self-heating is negligible - no heatsink or thermal relief copper pour is required for normal operation. If the part is operated in a sealed enclosure above +85C ambient, validate with a thermocouple.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free per Maxim product page; industrial -40C to +85C grade only - NOT AEC-Q100 qualified. For automotive use, choose AEC-Q100-qualified 3.3V CAN transceivers such as TLE7250-3GE (Infineon) or TCAN332G (TI).
