TJA1042T/1U - High-Speed CAN Transceiver | NXP | SOIC-8
MPN: TJA1042T/1U ✗ End of LifeTJA1042T/1U Overview
A CAN transceiver is an interface IC within the broader Controller Area Network hierarchy. It converts logic-level TXD and RXD signals from a CAN controller into the dominant and recessive differential levels carried by CANH and CANL. Conversely, it converts the differential bus voltage into a logic-compatible receive signal. This physical-layer function allows a microcontroller or dedicated CAN controller to communicate reliably with other nodes on a shared network.
The TJA1042T/1U differentiates itself through its standby operating mode and split functionality. Standby mode lets the node reduce activity when it is not required to participate fully in bus communication. The split function is associated with stabilizing recessive bus behavior and can be important in systems containing more than one CAN node. NXP markets the TJA1042T family for high-speed CAN applications in the automotive industry.
The TJA1042T/1U is identified as an NRND product on the official NXP product page. NRND means the product is not recommended for new designs, so engineers should evaluate the lifecycle position and any successor named by NXP before committing a new production platform to this MPN. Existing designs may still use the part, but procurement and long-term availability require confirmation from authorized distributors.
Typical uses include distributed automotive control modules, body electronics, electric vehicle subsystems, industrial CAN gateways, sensor nodes and engine or transmission control units. The differential bus interface lets these systems exchange data reliably over distances and wiring arrangements that would be unsuitable for ordinary single-ended digital signaling. Local CAN-controller I/O voltage compatibility must also be checked during design review.
PCB implementation requires care around the CANH and CANL connections. The two bus conductors should follow the impedance and routing guidance in the manufacturer datasheet, with a common-mode choke or split capacitor used only when the reference network requires it. Decoupling should be placed close to the supply pins, and unused device functions must be connected exactly as specified in the datasheet rather than according to generic transceiver schematics.
This page consolidates the verified NXP product information, distributor package identification, sourcing context, lifecycle status and practical design guidance. It distinguishes documented facts from values that require confirmation from the current manufacturer datasheet, helping engineers evaluate the TJA1042T/1U without treating incomplete distributor snippets as complete electrical specifications.
Drop-in alternatives for TJA1042T/1U — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Variants in this series
Same-series models that are drop-in compatible with TJA1042T/1U (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package.
TJA1042T/3,118
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
TJA1042T/1J
✅ Drop-InContact for price
View Datasheet →TJA1042T/1J
✅ Drop-InContact for price
View Datasheet →TJA1043T/1J
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
TJA1051T/3,118
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
TJA1042T/1U Specifications
| Product Type | High-speed CAN transceiver |
| Protocol | Controller Area Network (CAN) |
| CAN Bus Configuration | 2-wire differential bus |
| Transmit and Receive Capability | Differential half-duplex transceiver |
| Operating Mode Feature | Standby mode |
| Bus Control Feature | Split functionality |
| Package | 8-pin SOIC (8-SO) |
| Terminal Count | 8 terminals |
| Mounting Style | Surface mount |
| Package Shape | Rectangular |
| Lead Form | Gull wing |
| Primary Application | Automotive high-speed CAN communication |
| Host Interface | CAN protocol controller or microcontroller with CAN controller |
TJA1042T/1U Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | TXD — Transmitter data input from the CAN controller |
| Pin 2 | GND — Ground connection |
| Pin 3 | VCC — Transceiver supply connection |
| Pin 4 | RXD — Receiver data output to the CAN controller |
| Pin 5 | SPLIT — Split-function control connection |
| Pin 6 | CANL — Low side of the differential CAN bus |
| Pin 7 | CANH — High side of the differential CAN bus |
| Pin 8 | GND — Ground connection |
Typical Applications
TJA1042T/1U is suitable for 6 applications: Automotive Body Control Module, Electric Vehicle Powertrain Controller, Industrial CAN Gateway, Vehicle Sensor Node, Engine or Transmission Control Unit, Industrial CAN Sensor Network.
Automotive Body Control Module
The TJA1042T/1U fits an automotive body-control module that exchanges switch, lighting, latch and diagnostic data over a high-speed two-wire CAN network. Its differential CANH and CANL interface connects a host CAN controller to the physical bus, while standby mode supports a low-activity node state when the module does not need continuous communication. Because the device is supplied in an 8-pin SOIC, it can be placed on a conventional automotive PCB without requiring a special high-density transceiver footprint. The SPLIT connection must follow the network reference design, especially in modules operating alongside several other CAN nodes. Engineers should also verify the exact temperature grade, protection behavior and supply limits from the current NXP datasheet before releasing a new automotive production design.
Recommended
Electric Vehicle Powertrain Controller
The TJA1042T/1U is applicable to an electric-vehicle controller that communicates battery, inverter and thermal-management data across a high-speed CAN network. The transceiver provides the differential physical layer between the vehicle controller and CANH/CANL bus conductors, while its standby mode can reduce activity when the node is temporarily inactive. Use the 8-pin SOIC arrangement to conserve PCB area and maintain compatibility with conventional surface-mount assembly. Electrical margin is important in this environment, so the current NXP datasheet must be consulted for supply limits, bus-fault thresholds, temperature range and protection behavior. Any replacement should be checked specifically for pin-5 split or VIO behavior, because a compatible package alone does not guarantee identical system operation.
Recommended
Industrial CAN Gateway
The TJA1042T/1U can serve as the CAN physical-layer element in an industrial gateway that translates between a CAN bus and an Ethernet, serial or embedded-computing interface. A host processor connected through a CAN controller uses the transceiver to generate and receive differential bus levels, allowing the gateway to participate in a shared high-speed network. The SOIC-8 package is convenient for compact industrial controller boards, and standby mode is useful when the gateway is connected but not actively exchanging traffic. The split function should be configured according to the bus topology rather than treated as an unused input. Since the verified snapshot does not provide timing, temperature or protection values, the engineer must confirm the electrical characteristics in the official datasheet and validate the completed board against the intended industrial environment.
Recommended
Vehicle Sensor Node
The TJA1042T/1U fits a distributed vehicle sensor node that reports measurements from a small remote controller to a CAN-based vehicle network. The host controller sends commands through TXD and receives bus state through RXD, while the transceiver provides the common-mode rejection and differential signaling required on the two-wire bus. Standby mode is helpful for duty-cycled sensor operation, although the exact transition behavior must be verified in the NXP datasheet. The 8-pin SOIC footprint supports dense automotive PCB layouts and standard reflow assembly. Split-capacitor and common-mode-choke placement must follow the manufacturer reference network because incorrect bus termination or split behavior can impair communication when multiple nodes are active. Qualification and lifecycle status require separate review for new production programs.
Recommended
Engine or Transmission Control Unit
The TJA1042T/1U is suitable for the CAN communication section of an engine or transmission control unit because NXP specifically positions the TJA1042 family for automotive high-speed CAN systems. The transceiver connects the control-unit processor to the vehicle's differential CAN network, enabling coordinated engine, transmission and diagnostic information exchange. Its standby mode can support selective node activity, while the 8-pin SOIC package allows integration alongside power-management and processor circuitry. The design must account for automotive temperature requirements, transient immunity, fault behavior and supply conditions documented in the manufacturer datasheet; those numerical limits are not reproduced in the verified search snapshot. The official NXP listing also identifies the family as NRND, so new vehicle platforms should confirm the recommended lifecycle path before committing.
Recommended
Industrial CAN Sensor Network
The TJA1042T/1U can provide the physical interface for a factory sensor network in which distributed nodes report measurements to a central controller. Using differential CANH and CANL signaling allows multiple sensors and actuators to share the same two-wire bus while reducing sensitivity to common-mode noise. The target's standby mode is advantageous for nodes that sample intermittently, and its 8-pin SOIC package is straightforward to assemble on compact controller boards. Bus length, termination and common-mode components must be calculated for the actual topology, while the SPLIT network configuration must follow the NXP reference design. Before deployment, verify operating temperature, transient protection, bus-fault behavior and supply tolerance against the manufacturer datasheet because these values are not available in the supplied distributor snippets.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for TJA1042T/1U — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | TJA1042T/3,118 | TJA1042T/1J | TJA1042T/1 | TJA1043T/1J | TJA1051T/3,118 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 8-pin SOIC (8-SO) | 8-pin SOIC | 8-pin SOIC | 8-pin SOIC | 8-pin SOIC | 8-pin SOIC |
| Brand | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors |
| Transceiver Type | Half-duplex high-speed CAN transceiver | High-speed CAN transceiver | High-speed CAN transceiver | High-speed CAN transceiver | High-speed CAN transceiver | High-speed CAN transceiver |
| Bus Interface | 2-wire differential CAN bus | 2-wire differential CAN bus | 2-wire differential CAN bus | 2-wire differential CAN bus | 2-wire differential CAN bus | 2-wire differential CAN bus |
Key Differentiators
- Established TJA1042 standby and split-function architecture (vs TJA1043T/1J)
- Direct family-level design continuity (vs TJA1051T/3,118)
- Automotive-focused high-speed CAN positioning (vs TJA1042T/3,118)
- Transparent lifecycle assessment (vs TJA1042T/1)
Design Notes
Route CANH and CANL as a closely coupled differential pair and minimize stubs between the transceiver and any split capacitor or common-mode choke. Place the transceiver close to the connector and protection components so high-frequency transients are diverted before reaching sensitive pins. The verified sources do not provide a numerical impedance or clearance requirement, so use the dimensions, stack-up and component placement specified in the current NXP reference design.
Do not assume that an 8-pin SOIC CAN transceiver is automatically interchangeable across NXP families. The TJA1042T uses SPLIT at pin 5, while related TJA devices may use that position for VIO or leave it unconnected. Verify pin 5, TXD and RXD logic levels, supply range, maximum CAN rate and temperature grade against both datasheets before approving a drop-in replacement.
Place the required supply-decoupling capacitor adjacent to the transceiver's VCC and ground pins, and follow the manufacturer connection and value recommendation. Check supply tolerance, standby current and local regulator headroom under worst-case bus activity. No verified supply-voltage or current figures were included in the supplied snapshot, so these values must be obtained from the current TJA1042 datasheet rather than estimated from a related family member.
The official NXP page marks the TJA1042T as NRND. Do not release a new production design around the target without reviewing NXP's recommended successor and verifying that the alternative preserves the SPLIT function, standby behavior, pinout, electrical characteristics and automotive qualification. Existing production may continue to use the MPN, but procurement teams should monitor distributor stock and approved-source availability.
Compliance Information
The supplied verified sources identify the TJA1042T/1U as an automotive-temperature-grade NXP component but do not explicitly state RoHS, REACH, AEC-Q100, lead-free, halogen-free or conflict-minerals status. These fields must be confirmed from the current NXP product declaration or material declaration.
