What is ‘Silent Mode’?

11/08/2017 by Kvaser

Silent Mode in a Kvaser interface or data logger is implemented in two different ways that both bring the same results to the operation of a device on a CAN bus; as a configuration option, as in Memorator Configurations Tool software, and in hardware as in the Kvaser USBcan Pro 4xCAN Silent interface. Both configurations result in a device that does not transmit anything onto the CAN bus. This means it does not transmit any CAN data frames, error frames, or any other frames, and it does not participate in the normal CAN protocol by transmitting an Acknowledge (ACK) slot after receiving a proper frame from another device. More simply stated, in ISO 11898 terminology, a CAN device in Silent Mode will never drive the CAN bus to a dominant state.