Transmitter module and method for transmitting differential signals in a serial bus system

Abstract

A transmission module (121; 1210) and a method for transmitting differential signals in a serial bus system (1) are provided. The transmission module (121; 1210) has a first transmission stage (121A; 121A0) for generating transmission currents (I1 to In) for a first signal (CAN_H) to be transmitted onto a bus (40) of the bus system (1), a second transmission stage (121B; 121B0) for generating transmission currents (I1 to In) for a second signal (CAN_L) to be transmitted onto the bus (40) as a signal differential to the first signal (CAN_H), a third transmission stage (121C; 121C0) for generating transmission currents (I1 to In) for the first signal (CAN_H), and a fourth transmission stage (121D; 121D0) for generating transmission currents (I1 to In) for the second signal (CAN_L), wherein the first to fourth transmission stages (121A to 121D; 121A0 to 121D0) are connected in a full bridge, in which the first and fourth transmitting stages (121A, 121D;121A0, 121D0) are connected in series and the third and second transmission stages (121C, 121B; 121C0, 121B0) are connected in series, wherein each of the first to fourth transmission stages (121A to 121D; 121A0 to 121D0) has at least two current stages (S1 to Sn), each having a switchable resistor (R_A1 to R_An; R_B1 to R_Bn; R_C1 to R_Cn; R_D1 to R_Dn), wherein the switchable resistors (R_A1 to R_An; R_B1 to R_Bn; R_C1 to R_Cn; R_D1 to R_Dn) of a transmission stage (121A to 121D; 121A0 to 121D0) have different resistance values.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a transmission module and a method for transmitting differential signals in a serial bus system, in which in particular a voltage source of Vcc = 3.3 V is used for transmitting / receiving devices. State of the art

[0002] Differential signals are used, for example, in CAN bus systems or Ethernet bus systems according to the 10-BASE-T1S standard for data transmission on a bus. Devices in vehicles and / or other technical equipment are connected to the bus. The signals serially signal the data to be transmitted over the bus for communication between the devices. The devices form nodes on the bus. Each node has at least one transmitting / receiving device, also called a transceiver.

[0003] For data transmission using CAN, for example, Classical CAN and CAN FD are standardized in the international standard ISO11898-1:2015. CAN FD is currently often used with a data bit rate of 2 Mbit / s and an arbitration bit rate of 500 kbit / s. So-called CAN SIC transceivers enable the use of CAN FD at up to 8 Mbit / s. CAN XL is now available for higher data rates, currently up to 20 Mbit / s. In all of the CAN-based bus systems mentioned, a CAN_H bus signal and, ideally, a CAN_L bus signal are driven separately onto a bus for a TxD transmission signal. In this case, at least in the first communication phase, one bus state is actively driven in the CAN_H and CAN_L bus signals. The other bus state is not driven and is established due to a terminating resistor for the bus lines or bus wires of the bus.Due to the different driven states, the signal shapes of the CAN_H and CAN_L bus signals in a real bus system with spur lines, mismatches, etc. may deviate from the ideal signal shape. This can lead to errors in the evaluation of the bus signals received by the bus.

[0004] Currently, CAN bus systems use a voltage source of Vcc = 5 V for the transmitting / receiving devices (transceivers) to generate the different voltage levels for the differential signals on the bus.

[0005] To reduce costs, we are considering using a voltage source of Vcc = 3.3 V for the transmit / receive devices. Such a reduction in the supply voltage would be advantageous, as the 3.3 V voltage is used in many current microcontrollers. Furthermore, many other components can also be powered by this voltage.

[0006] Reducing the supply voltage from 5 V to 3.3 V only offers the desired advantage if existing devices can continue to be used on a CAN bus with a 5 V power supply. This requires that any number of 5 V nodes and 3.3 V nodes can communicate simultaneously on a bus.

[0007] It should be noted that today's CAN bus has an average voltage of Vcc / 2, or 2.5 V, due to the differential signals CAN_H and CAN_L. This is achieved by each bus station attempting to maintain the bus voltage more or less exactly at 2.5 V via a standardized resistor network using a current source. The bus voltage essentially follows the lowest node voltage (voltage at the station), thus is typically slightly below 2.5 V.

[0008] When transmitting, a CAN node, or more precisely its transceiver, can switch between a dominant state and a recessive state. For the dominant state, it drives the CAN_H level to approximately 3.5 V and the CAN_L level to approximately 1.5 V. The difference between the CAN_H level and the CAN_L level is then in the range of 2 V. The international standard ISO 11898-1:2015 requires a minimum of 1.5 V. The transition from the recessive to the dominant state or back occurs as symmetrically as possible around the virtual zero line, which is located at Vcc / 2. This keeps the sum of the CAN_H and CAN_L levels as close as possible to 5 V.

[0009] A major problem is that even small deviations in the mV range can result in significant electromagnetic emissions, which can cause EMC interference (EMC = electromagnetic compatibility) in other electrical devices. Therefore, there are specifications for maximum permissible electromagnetic emissions that every transmitting / receiving device (transceiver) must meet. However, these electromagnetic emission requirements pose a very significant challenge.

[0010] Compared to CAN FD, CAN-SIC or CAN-XL transceivers must generate a third state, the sic state, in addition to the recessive (rec) and dominant (dom) states during the arbitration phase, also called SIC mode or SIC operating mode. To meet the emission requirements of the IEC 62228-3 standard, a common-mode voltage of the bus lines for the CAN_H and CAN_L signals must be kept within narrow limits in three transmission states: recessive, dominant, and sic. The common-mode voltage is generated at a common-mode choke, which is used primarily in certification measurements to verify compliance with the IEC 62228-3 standard. The common-mode choke is also called a common-mode choke (CMC). The common mode choke has the task of allowing differential signals (DM=differential mode) to pass through as unaffected as possible and of suppressing common mode signals (CM=common mode) as completely as possible.However, in real operation, the common-mode choke generates a differential signal with no common-mode component at the input, resulting in a differential signal with an undesired common-mode signal superimposed on it at the output. This is unfavorable because it is fed directly into the CAN bus and is visible to other CAN modules.

[0011] The challenges are even greater in mixed operation if the bus contains at least one subscriber station with a transceiver that, in the dominant state, drives different voltage levels for CAN_H and CAN_L than the transceivers of other subscriber stations. The reasons for this are as follows.

[0012] If physical layer parameters are changed, restoring interoperability between the participating stations is usually very complex. Therefore, it is desirable for a 3.3V CAN bus to function in the same way as a 5V CAN bus, except that the voltages on the bus differ. The physical layer corresponds to the physical layer, or Layer 1, of the well-known OSI model (Open Systems Interconnection Model).

[0013] Thus, for the dominant state on the bus, a 3.3V node (subscriber station) must bring the CAN_H signal to about 3V and the CAN_L signal well below 1V in order to exceed the specified minimum level difference of 1.5V.

[0014] A special feature of mixed operation is that a 5V node in the recessive phase sets the bus to 2.5V, while a 3V node targets approximately 1.65V on the bus. By increasing the CAN_L voltage at 3.3V CAN toward 1V, the voltage in the recessive state can be raised to approximately 1.9V. However, a difference of approximately 500-600mV remains between the 5V and 3.3V nodes. In this configuration, the bus assumes a voltage somewhere between 1.9V and 2.5V, and a current constantly flows toward the 3.3V node, but this current is in the range of a few microamperes.

[0015] However, if a subscriber station (node) now begins transmitting and enters the dominant state, it does so not from "its" zero line, but from the mixed mode line. As a result, the sum of the levels of CAN_H and CAN_L changes when switching over, and again when switching back.

[0016] This will inevitably lead to high EMC emissions, making mixed operation difficult. Disclosure of the invention

[0017] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a transmitter module and a method for transmitting differential signals in a serial bus system that solve the aforementioned problems. In particular, the transmitter module and the method for transmitting differential signals in a serial bus system should enable the compensation of interference variables that affect the emission behavior of the transmitter module.

[0018] The object is achieved by a transmission module for transmitting differential signals in a serial bus system having the features of claim 1. The transmission module has a first transmission stage for generating transmission currents for a first signal to be transmitted onto a bus of the bus system, a second transmission stage for generating transmission currents for a second signal to be transmitted onto the bus as a signal differential to the first signal, a third transmission stage for generating transmission currents for the first signal, and a fourth transmission stage for generating transmission currents for the second signal, wherein the first to fourth transmission stages are connected in a full bridge in which the first and fourth transmission stages are connected in series and the third and second transmission stages are connected in series, wherein each of the first to fourth transmission stages has at least two current stages connected in parallel to one another,wherein each of the at least two current stages has a switchable resistor, wherein the switchable resistors of a transmitting stage have different resistance values, wherein the first to fourth transmitting stages each have a polarity reversal diode for protection against positive feedback into a terminal for the bus voltage supply and negative feedback from a terminal for ground, wherein the polarity reversal diode of the first transmitting stage and the third transmitting stage is each a switched polarity reversal diode that can be bridged or short-circuited, and wherein the polarity reversal diode of the second transmitting stage and the fourth transmitting stage is each a pn-based polarity reversal diode that is a parasitic transistor and is hard-wired so that the polarity reversal diode cannot be bridged or short-circuited.

[0019] The described transmitter module enables operation in a bus system in accordance with international CAN standards, even with a 3.3 V power supply. Furthermore, operation in a bus system with 3.3 V and 5 V stations is also possible, thus enabling mixed operation. Even with mixed operation in a CAN bus system, it is easily ensured that the required emission limits for a transmitting / receiving device can also be met for CAN XL. In particular, the transmitter module complies with the IEC 62228-3 standard, which specifies the limits to be observed for the bus states dom, sic, and rec.

[0020] For example, the previously described transmitter module, in the sic state, can very accurately adapt the impedance between the bus lines for the CAN_H and CAN_L signals to the characteristic wave impedance or impedance of the bus line used. The impedance Zw of the bus line used is Zw = 100 ohms or Zw = 120 ohms. This prevents reflections from the transmitter module and thus allows operation in the bus system at higher bit rates.

[0021] The described transmitter module allows for a time-staggered and controlled switching process by dividing its four transmission stages into n parts, and can, in particular, represent the required 3V CAN levels. Switching on according to a Gaussian error function is possible. This allows for a smooth switch-on behavior. Furthermore, the ability to vary the time steps during switch-on prevents the occurrence of a narrowband frequency line in the emitted frequency spectrum.

[0022] Alternatively, it is possible to use the described transmitter module to perform a staggered and controlled switching process using fixed time steps and varied voltage steps. This also allows the emission behavior of the transmitter module to be influenced in such a way that the specified limits are met.

[0023] Furthermore, the described transmitter module can reduce effects due to asymmetrical behavior of the transmitter stages, which can occur in the dom, sic, and rec transmission states and degrade the emission. The transmitter module prevents uneven behavior of components in transmitter stages A and B (effect 1) of a full bridge, so that in the dom state, a change in the common-mode voltage is minimized or prevented compared to the rec state. Furthermore, the transmitter module can prevent uneven behavior of components in transmitter stages A / D and C / B of the full bridge (effect 2), so that in the sic state, a change in the common-mode voltage is minimized or prevented compared to the rec state.This is particularly advantageous because only if, starting from the common mode level of the rec state, the common levels in the dom state and in the sic state match those of the rec state, a sufficient emission result can be achieved, but the causes leading to the behavior of effect 1 may be different from those leading to effect 2.

[0024] Advantageous further embodiments of the transmission module are described in the dependent claims.

[0025] The output terminals of the full bridge can be provided for connection to a terminating resistor of the bus.

[0026] In one embodiment, the first to fourth transmission stages each have a polarity reversal diode for protection against positive feedback into a connection for the bus voltage supply and negative feedback from a connection for ground, wherein the polarity reversal diode of the first transmission stage and the third transmission stage is each a switched polarity reversal diode that can be bridged or short-circuited, and wherein the polarity reversal diode of the second transmission stage and the fourth transmission stage is each a pn-based polarity reversal diode that is a parasitic transistor and is hard-wired, so that the polarity reversal diode cannot be bridged or short-circuited.

[0027] In one embodiment, the output terminals of the full bridge are provided for connection to a terminating resistor of the bus.

[0028] It is conceivable that the polarity reversal diodes are designed to set a bus center voltage of approximately 1.9 V when the transmitter module is operated with a voltage supply of approximately 3.3 V.

[0029] In one embodiment, the first transmission stage and the third transmission stage each have a polarity reversal circuit which has the polarity reversal diode, a first transistor, a second transistor and a resistor, wherein the second transistor has an on-resistance value that is much smaller than a resistance value of the resistor. In this case, the drain terminal of the first transistor can be connected to the anode of the polarity reversal diode, wherein the source terminals of the first and second transistors are connected to the cathode of the polarity reversal diode, wherein the gate terminal of the first transistor is connected to the drain terminal of the second transistor and is connected via the resistor to the ground terminal, wherein the gate terminal of the second transistor is connected to the terminal for the bus voltage supply.

[0030] Optionally, the path from gate terminal to source terminal of the first transistor has a filter to protect against pulse-like interference.

[0031] Possibly, a number n of the at least two current stages is the same for each of the first to fourth transmitting stages, where n is a natural number greater than 1.

[0032] In one embodiment, each of the at least two current stages has a CMOS transistor for switching the resistance of the current stage.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the CMOS transistor of the current stages of the first transmission stage is a PMOS transistor, the CMOS transistor of the current stages of the second transmission stage is an NMOS transistor, the CMOS transistor of the current stages of the third transmission stage is a PMOS transistor, and the CMOS transistor of the current stages of the fourth transmission stage is an NMOS transistor.

[0034] In this case, each of the first to fourth transmitting stages can also have a polarity reversal diode to protect against positive feedback in a terminal for the bus voltage supply and negative feedback from a terminal for ground, and at least one cascode to protect the CMOS transistors.

[0035] According to another embodiment, at least two cascodes are connected in parallel to one another, wherein a number y of the cascodes is the same for each of the first to fourth transmission stages, wherein y is a natural number greater than 1, and wherein the on-resistance of the at least two cascodes is different.

[0036] The transmitter module may also comprise at least one first current limiting module as a current source, which is connected between a connection for the bus voltage supply and the full bridge, and at least one second current limiting module as a current sink, which is connected between a connection for ground and the full bridge.

[0037] According to one embodiment, at least two first current limiting modules are connected in parallel to one another, the on-resistance of which is different, wherein at least two second current limiting modules are connected in parallel to one another, the on-resistance of which is different, and wherein the number x of the first current limiting modules is equal to the number x of the second current limiting modules, where x is a natural number greater than 1.

[0038] The transmitter module may also include a control circuit for controlling switchable components of the first to fourth transmission stages depending on a digital transmission signal and an operating mode set for the transmitter module. The control circuit may be configured for the time-staggered and controlled switching of the resistance values ​​of the at least two current stages.

[0039] The previously described transmitting module can be part of a transmitting / receiving device for a subscriber station for a serial bus system, which also has a receiving module for receiving signals from the bus.

[0040] The transmitting / receiving device can be part of a subscriber station for a serial bus system, which also has a communication control device for controlling the communication in the bus system and for generating a digital transmission signal for controlling the first to fourth transmission stages.

[0041] The subscriber station may be designed for communication in a bus system in which exclusive, collision-free access of a subscriber station to the bus of the bus system is guaranteed, at least temporarily.

[0042] The aforementioned object is also achieved by a method for transmitting differential signals in a serial bus system with the features of claim 19. The method is carried out with a transmitting module, wherein the method comprises the steps of generating, with a first transmitting stage, transmitting currents for a first signal to be transmitted onto a bus of the bus system, generating, with a second transmitting stage, transmitting currents for a second signal to be transmitted onto the bus as a signal differential to the first signal, generating, with a third transmitting stage, transmitting currents for the first signal, and generating, with a fourth transmitting stage, transmitting currents for the second signal, wherein the first to fourth transmitting stages are connected in a full bridge in which the first and fourth transmitting stages are connected in series and the third and second transmitting stages are connected in series.wherein each of the first to fourth transmission stages has at least two current stages connected in parallel, wherein each of the at least two current stages has a switchable resistor, and wherein the switchable resistors of a transmission stage have different resistance values, wherein the first to fourth transmission stages each use a polarity reversal diode to protect against positive feedback into a terminal for the bus voltage supply and negative feedback from a terminal for ground, wherein the polarity reversal diode of the first transmission stage and the third transmission stage is each a switched polarity reversal diode that can be bridged or short-circuited, and wherein the polarity reversal diode of the second transmission stage and the fourth transmission stage is each a pn-based polarity reversal diode that is a parasitic transistor and is hard-wired so that the polarity reversal diode cannot be bridged or short-circuited.

[0043] The method offers the same advantages as previously mentioned with regard to the transmitter module.

[0044] Further possible implementations of the invention also include combinations of features or embodiments described above or below with respect to the exemplary embodiments that are not explicitly mentioned. In this case, the person skilled in the art will also add individual aspects as improvements or additions to the respective basic form of the invention. Drawings

[0045] The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and exemplary embodiments. They show: Fig. 1 shows a simplified block diagram of a bus system according to a first embodiment; Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a message that can be sent by a first subscriber station of the bus system according to the first embodiment; Fig. 3 a time profile of a digital transmission signal during operation of the bus system at the first and / or second subscriber station, which is connected to the same bus of the bus system with at least one first subscriber station; Fig. 4 shows a time course of bus signals CAN_H and CAN_L at the second subscriber station according to the first embodiment; Fig. 5 shows a time profile of a differential voltage VDIFF of the bus signals CAN_H and CAN_L at the first and second subscriber station according to the first embodiment; Fig. 6 shows a time profile of a digital receive signal which the first or second subscriber station generates from a signal received from the bus which is based on the transmit signal from Fig. 3 based; Fig. 7 shows a time profile of bus signals CAN_H and CAN_L, which are transmitted by the first subscriber station according to the first embodiment starting from the transmission signal of Fig. 3 can be generated on the bus; Fig. 8 an example of a time course of a digital transmission signal, which in an arbitration phase (SIC operating mode of a transmission module) is converted into bus signals CAN_H, CAN_L for a bus of the bus system of Fig. 1 is to be implemented; Fig. 9 the time course of the bus signals CAN_H, CAN_L when changing between a recessive bus state to a dominant bus state and back to the recessive bus state, which are generated in the arbitration phase (SIC operating mode) due to the transmission signal from Fig. 8 are sent to the bus; Fig. 10 is a circuit diagram of a transmitter module for a subscriber station of the bus system according to the first embodiment; Fig. 11 a timing diagram showing the switching on of different current levels of a transmitting stage for a first specific example of the transmitting module of Fig. 10; Fig. 12 a detail of a transmitting stage for a second specific example of the transmitting module of Fig. 10; and Fig. 13 a circuit diagram of a transmitter module for a subscriber station of the bus system according to a second embodiment.

[0046] In the figures, identical or functionally equivalent elements are provided with the same reference numerals unless otherwise indicated. Description of the embodiments

[0047] Fig. 1 shows a bus system 1, which may, for example, at least in sections, be a CAN bus system, a CAN-FD bus system, etc. The bus system 1 may be used in a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, an aircraft, etc., or in a hospital, etc.

[0048] In Fig. 1, the bus system 1 has a plurality of subscriber stations 10, 20, 30, each connected to a bus 40 or bus line with a first bus wire 41 and a second bus wire 42. In a CAN bus system, the bus wires 41, 42 can also be called CANH and CANL for transmitting signals CAN_H, CAN_L on the bus 40.

[0049] Messages 45, 46, 47 can be transmitted in the form of signals between the individual subscriber stations 10, 20, 30 via the bus 40. Subscriber stations 10, 20, 30 are, for example, control units or display devices of a motor vehicle.

[0050] As in Fig. 1, the subscriber stations 10, 30 each have a communication control device 11 and a transmitting / receiving device 12. The transmitting / receiving device 12 has a transmitting module 121 and a receiving module 122. The subscriber station 10 uses a supply voltage of 3.3 V, minimum 3.0 V. At least one of the subscriber stations 20, 30 uses a supply voltage of 5 V. For illustration, the following explanations show an example of a network or bus system 1 in which the subscriber station 20 has a supply voltage of 5 V and the subscriber stations 10 and 30 have a supply voltage of 3.3 V, minimum 3.0 V. Other configurations are also conceivable.

[0051] The subscriber station 20 has a communication control device 21 and a transmitting / receiving device 22. The transmitting / receiving device 22 has a transmitting module 221 and a receiving module 222.

[0052] The transmitting / receiving devices 12 of the subscriber stations 10, 30 and the transmitting / receiving device 22 of the subscriber station 20 are each directly connected to the bus 40, even if this is Fig. 1 is not shown.

[0053] The communication control devices 11, 21 each serve to control communication of the respective subscriber station 10, 20, 30 via the bus 40 with at least one other subscriber station of the subscriber stations 10, 20, 30 that are connected to the bus 40.

[0054] The communication control devices 11 create and read first messages 45, 47, which are, for example, modified CAN messages 45, 47. The modified CAN messages 45, 47 are constructed, for example, based on the CAN XL format. The transmitting / receiving device 12 serves to transmit and receive the messages 45, 47 from the bus. The transmitting module 121 receives a digital transmit signal TxD created by the communication control device 11 for one of the messages 45, 47 and converts this into signals on the bus 40, as described with reference to Fig. 3, Fig. 4 and Fig. 7. The digital transmission signal TxD can be a pulse-width modulated signal, at least temporarily or in sections. The reception module 121 receives signals transmitted on the bus 40 according to the messages 45 to 47 and generates therefrom a digital reception signal RxD, an example of which is shown in Fig. 6. The receiving module 122 sends the received signal RxD to the communication control device 11.

[0055] In addition, the communication control device 11 can optionally be configured to create and read second messages 46, which are, for example, CAN FD messages 46. The transmitting / receiving device 12 can be configured accordingly.

[0056] The communication control device 21 can be designed as a conventional CAN controller according to ISO 11898-1:2015, i.e. as a CAN FD tolerant Classical CAN controller or a CAN FD controller or a CAN SIC controller. The communication control device 21 creates and reads second messages 46, for example CAN FD messages or CAN SIC messages. The transmitting / receiving device 22 serves to transmit and receive the messages 46 from the bus 40. The transmitting module 221 receives a digital transmit signal TxD created by the communication control device 21 and converts it into signals for a message 46 on the bus 40, as described with reference to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. The receiving module 222 receives signals transmitted on the bus 40 corresponding to the messages 45 to 47 and generates therefrom a digital receive signal RxD, an example of which is shown in Fig. 6. The transmitting / receiving device 22 may be designed as a conventional CAN FD transceiver or CAN-SIC transceiver.

[0057] To send messages 45, 46, 47 with CAN SIC or CAN XL, proven properties are adopted that are responsible for the robustness and user-friendliness of CAN and CAN FD, in particular frame structure with identifier and arbitration according to the well-known CSMA / CR method, as described in more detail below.

[0058] The two subscriber stations 10, 30 can generate and then transmit messages 45, 46, 47 using various CAN formats, in particular the CAN FD format, the CAN SIC format, or the CAN XL format, as well as receive such messages 45, 46, 47. This is described in more detail below for a message 45.

[0059] Fig. Figure 2 shows a frame 450 for message 45, which is in particular a CAN XL frame, as provided by the communication control device 11 for the transceiver 12 to transmit on the bus 40. In the present embodiment, the communication control device 11 creates the frame 450 as compatible with CAN FD. Alternatively, the frame 450 is compatible with any successor standard to CAN FD.

[0060] According to Fig. 2, the frame 450 for CAN communication on bus 40 is divided into different communication phases 451, 452, namely an arbitration phase 451 (first communication phase) and a data phase 452 (second communication phase). After a start bit SOF, the frame 450 has an arbitration field 453, a control field 454, a first switch field 455, a data field 456, a checksum field 457, a second switch field 458, and a frame termination field 459, which contains an EOF (End of Frame) marker. The checksum field 457, the second switching field 458 and the frame termination field 459 form a frame end phase 457, 458, 459 of the frame 450. In the frame termination field 459, an acknowledgment field (ACK=Acknowledge) may be present, which contains at least one ACK bit and is not shown in the figures.

[0061] In contrast to the frame 450 of Fig. 2, no switching fields 455, 458 are present in a CAN FD frame which the subscriber station 20 uses for the second message 46.

[0062] For all previously mentioned CAN versions, in the arbitration phase 451, using an identifier (ID) in the arbitration field 453, the subscriber stations 10, 20, 30 negotiate bit by bit to determine which subscriber station 10, 20, 30 wishes to send the message 45, 46, 47 with the highest priority and therefore receives exclusive access to bus 40 of bus system 1 for the next transmission time in the subsequent data phase 452. In the arbitration phase 451, a physical layer is used, as in CAN and CAN-FD. The physical layer corresponds to the physical layer or layer 1 of the well-known OSI model (Open Systems Interconnection Model).

[0063] During phase 451, the well-known CSMA / CR method is used, which allows simultaneous access of the subscriber stations 10, 20, 30 to the bus 40 without destroying the higher-priority message 45, 46, 47. This allows additional bus subscriber stations 10, 20, 30 to be added to the bus system 1 relatively easily, which is very advantageous.

[0064] The CSMA / CR method requires so-called recessive states on bus 40, which can be overwritten by other subscriber stations 10, 20, or 30 with dominant levels or dominant states on bus 40. In the recessive state, high-impedance conditions prevail at the individual subscriber stations 10, 20, or 30, which, in combination with the parasitics of the bus circuitry, results in longer time constants. This limits the maximum bit rate of today's CAN FD physical layer to approximately 2 megabits per second in real-world vehicle use.

[0065] At the end of the arbitration phase 451, the switchover to the data phase 452 takes place. For CAN XL, the switchover is carried out using the first switch field 455 of Fig. 2.

[0066] In the data phase 452, in CAN XL, in addition to a portion of the first switching field 455, the payload of the CAN XL frame 450 or message 45 from the data field 456, as well as the checksum field 457 and a portion of the second switching field 458, are sent. In CAN FD, the payload of the CAN FD frame or message 46 from the data field 456, as well as the checksum field 457, are sent.

[0067] At the end of the data phase 452, the system switches back to the arbitration phase 451. In CAN XL, the switchover is carried out using the second switch field 458 of Fig. 2.

[0068] A sender of the message 45 begins sending bits of the data phase 452 to the bus 40 only when the subscriber station 10 as the sender has won the arbitration and the subscriber station 10 as the sender thus has exclusive access to the bus 40 of the bus system 1 for sending.

[0069] The end-of-frame field (EOF) contains a bit sequence that marks the end of frame 450. The end-of-frame field (EOF) thus serves to mark the end of frame 450. The end-of-frame field (EOF) ensures that a number of 7 recessive bits are sent at the end of frame 450. Together with an optional ACK delimiter in the acknowledgment field (not shown), a number of 8 recessive bits are sent at the end of frame 450. The aforementioned bit sequence of recessive bits is a bit sequence that cannot occur within frame 450. This allows the subscriber stations 10, 30 to reliably detect the end of frame 450.

[0070] Starting at a point in time or time t1, more precisely beginning with time t1, the subscriber station 10 performs a detection of the bus potential or bus voltage present on the bus 40 for a period of time T_M1. The detection is performed after an event E1 has occurred. The event E1 is that a predetermined number of directly consecutive recessive bits have occurred at the end of the frame 450, more precisely in the end of frame (EOF).

[0071] Optionally, the subscriber station can perform a detection of the bus potential or bus voltage present on bus 40 starting at a time t2, or more precisely, starting at time t2, for a period of time T_M2. The detection is performed after an event E2 has occurred. The event E2 is that, at the end of the first communication phase (arbitration phase 451), the subscriber station is determined that has exclusive access to bus 40 in the subsequent second communication phase (data phase 452) and is thus permitted to send its message.

[0072] These recording(s) or measurement(s) are described below using the figures.

[0073] After the end of field (EOF), which has 7 bits, there follows an inter-frame space (IFS - Inter Frame Space) in frame 450, which is Fig. 2 is not shown. This interframe space (IFS) is designed for CAN FD according to ISO 11898-1:2015. The interframe space (IFS) has a minimum of 3 bits.

[0074] Furthermore, the fields and bits mentioned are known from ISO11898-1:2015 and are therefore not described in detail here.

[0075] Thus, in the arbitration phase 451 as the first communication phase, the subscriber stations 10, 30 partially use, particularly up to the FDF bit (inclusive), a format known from CAN / CAN-FD according to ISO 11898-1:2015. However, compared to CAN or CAN FD, in the data phase 452 as the second communication phase, an increase in the net data transmission rate is possible, particularly to over 10 megabits per second. Furthermore, an increase in the size of the payload data per frame is possible, particularly to approximately 2 kbytes or any other value.

[0076] Fig. 3, Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 illustrates, as an example, the signals generated at the subscriber stations 10, 20, 30 during operation of the bus system 1. Fig. Figure 4 illustrates, as an example, the signals sent from subscriber station 20 to bus 40 during operation of bus system 1. As already mentioned, subscriber station 20 uses a supply voltage of 5 V. Fig. Figure 7 shows the bus signals which each of the subscriber stations 10, 30 generates instead of the bus signals which are shown in Fig. 4. As already mentioned, the subscriber stations 10, 30 use a supply voltage of approximately 3.3 V, minimum 3.0 V.

[0077] During operation of the bus system 1, each of the transmitter modules 121, 221 can Fig. 1 convert a transmission signal TxD of the associated communication control device 11 serially into corresponding signals CAN_H, CAN_L for CAN or CAN FD for the bus wires 41, 42 and send these signals to the terminals for CAN_H and CAN_L on the bus 40. The respective communication control device 11, 21 sends the transmission signal TxD from Fig. 3 over time t (serial) to the corresponding transmitter module 121, 221, as in Fig. 1 shown.

[0078] As an example in Fig. 3, the transmit signal TxD has the voltage states H (High) and L (Low) with a corresponding voltage U. The individual bits of the signal TxD have a bit time t_bt1, as shown in Fig. 3 for the arbitration phase 451. For CAN FD and CAN XL, the bits of the TxD signal can be sent in the data phase 452 with a shorter bit time t_bt2, as shown in Fig. 4 illustrates.

[0079] The sequence of states H, L of the transmit signal TxD from Fig. 3 and the resulting states 401, 402 for the signals CAN_H, CAN_L in Fig. 4 and the resulting voltage curve VDIFF of Fig. 5 only serves to illustrate the function of the subscriber station 10. The sequence of data states for the bus states 401, 402 can be selected as required.

[0080] According to the example of Fig. 4, the CAN_H and CAN_L signals have the dominant and recessive bus levels or bus states 401, 402, as known from CAN, at least in the arbitration phase 451. Since the subscriber station 20 uses a supply voltage of 5 V, it drives the CAN_H level to approximately 3.5 V and the CAN_L level to approximately 1.5 V for the dominant state 401, as shown in Fig. 4. The recessive state 402 occurs at 2.5 V, which is equal to the bus center voltage Vcm = 2.5 V.

[0081] As in Fig. 5 for the differential voltage VDIFF = CAN_H - CAN_L on the bus 40, the difference between CAN_H level and CAN_L level for the dominant state 401 is then in a range of 2 V.

[0082] The receiving modules 122, 222 form from the bus 40 received signals CAN_H and CAN_L, which are in Fig. 4, or the differential voltage VDIFF of Fig. 5 a receive signal RxD according to Fig. 6. For the generation of the digital receive signal RxD from Fig. 6, the respective receiving module 122, 222 uses reception thresholds as known. The received signal RxD is in Fig. 6 without propagation delay. The receiving module 122 forwards this received signal RxD to the associated communication control device 11, 21, as shown in Fig. 1 shown.

[0083] According to ISO 11898-1:2015, the communication control device 11, 21 compares its, according to a frame 450 and a transmission signal TxD ( Fig. 3), self-sent bits at the sampling point AP (sample point) ( Fig. 4 and Fig. 5) with the bits observed on the bus 40 according to the received signal RxD ( Fig. 6). A difference is considered an error, except for arbitration and the ACK bit.

[0084] In contrast to Fig. 4 shows Fig. 7 the signals CAN_H and CAN_L, which the subscriber stations 10, 30 generate on the bus 40 in the arbitration phase 451 and the data phase 452. At least in the arbitration phase 451, the dominant and recessive bus levels or bus states 401, 402 are used, as already described in Fig. 4. Since in the above example the subscriber stations 10, 30 use a supply voltage of 3.3 V, they drive the CAN_H level to approximately 2.9 V and the CAN_L level to approximately 0.9 V for the dominant state 401, as shown in Fig. 7. The recessive state 402 is set at 1.9 V, which is equal to the bus center voltage Vcm = 1.9 V. In the data phase 452, a different physical layer 452_P can be used in CAN XL than the physical layer 451_P in the arbitration phase 451. Consequently, the CAN_H levels can be driven to values ​​for the states LV1, LV0, as shown in Fig. 7. In the arbitration phase 451, a physical layer is used, similar to CAN and CAN-FD. The physical layer corresponds to the physical layer or layer 1 of the well-known OSI model (Open Systems Interconnection Model).

[0085] The transmitter module 121 generates for the transmission signal TxD of Fig. 3 the signals CAN_H, CAN_L in Fig. 7 for the bus wires 41, 42 such that the state LV0 represents a low state (LW). Furthermore, the state LV1 represents a high state (HI).

[0086] In order to increase the data rate for CAN XL, the transmitting / receiving devices 12 can be designed for CAN SIC.

[0087] As in Fig. 8 and Fig. 9, the transmit module 121 in CAN SIC generates for the transmit signal TxD of Fig. 8 the signals CAN_H, CAN_L according to Fig. 9 for the bus wires 41, 42 with a bus center voltage Vcm_sic = 1.9 V and such that an additional state 403 (sic) is present. The state 403 (SIC) can have different lengths, as shown with the state 403_0 (sic) during the transition from the state 402 (rec) to the state 401 (dom) and the state 403_1 (sic) during the transition from the state 401 (dom) to the state 402 (rec). The state 403_0 (sic) is shorter in time than the state 403_1 (sic). In order to transmit signals according to Fig. 9, the transmitter module 121 is switched to a SIC operating mode (SIC mode).

[0088] Passing through the short sic state 403_0 is not required in CiA610-3, and the state depends on the type of implementation. The duration of the "long" state 403_1 (sic) is specified for CAN-SIC as well as for the SIC operating mode in CAN-XL as t_sic < 530ns, starting with the rising edge of the transmit signal TxD of Fig. 8.

[0089] The subscriber station 10, in particular the transceiver device 12, carries out a detection of the bus potential or the bus voltage present on the bus 40 for a time period T_M3 starting from a point in time or a time t3, more precisely starting with the time t3 after an event E3 has occurred. The event E3 is that the state 401 (dom) is left or that the state 401 (dom) is switched to the state 403 (sic). Depending on the detection result, the subscriber station 10 sets the bus center voltage Vcm to either 2.5 V ( Fig. 4) or 1.9 V ( Fig. 7) is fed to bus 40 as a bus bias voltage. The setting to the bus bias voltage on bus 40 or the potential 2.5 V can be made in particular during bit 7 of the frame end field EOF or one of the following 4 recessive bits.

[0090] In the "long" state 403_1 (sic), the transmitter module 121 should match the impedance between the bus wires 41 (CANH) and 42 (CANL) as closely as possible to the characteristic impedance Zw of the bus line used. Zw=100 ohms or 120 ohms. This matching prevents reflections and thus allows operation at higher bit rates. For simplicity, we will always refer to state 403 (sic) or sic state 403 below.

[0091] The transmitter module 121 can be used to generate signals for the bus 40 for the following CAN types: CAN-FD, CAN-SIC and CAN-XL. Table 1: CAN types for transmitter module 121 CAN-Typ Kommunikationsphasen / Bitrate Buszustände (Busstates) Sendemodul-Zustände CAN-FD Arbitration dom, rec dom, sic, rec CAN-SIC Arbitration dom, sic, rec dom, sic, rec CAN-XL Arbitration oderArbitration undDatenfeld für denFall, dass keineUmschaltung in dieFast-Betriebsartstattfindet dom, sic, rec dom, sic, rec CAN-XL Datenphase L0, L1 L0, L1

[0092] Thus, the transmit module state sic can be generated not only with CAN-SIC or CAN-XL (xl_sic). The transmit module state sic can also be generated with CAN-FD. However, in CAN-FD, the time for the transmit module state sic can be shorter than with CAN-SIC or CAN-XL.

[0093] Fig. 10 shows the basic structure of the transmitter module 121 for one of the subscriber stations 10, 30. The transmitter module 12 can transmit signals CAN_H, CAN_L according to Fig. 9 with the states 401, 402, 403 and signals CAN_H, CAN_L according to Fig. 7 with the states L0, L1.

[0094] The transmission module 121 has four transmission stages, namely a first transmission stage 121A, a second transmission stage 121B, a third transmission stage 121C and a fourth transmission stage 121D. As shown in Fig. 10, the transmission stages 121A to 121D are connected as a full bridge. In addition, the transmission module 121 has current limiting modules 1211, 1212. The control of the current limiting modules 1211, 1212 and of the components of the transmission stages 121A to 121D, which are described in more detail below, is carried out via at least one control device 124. At least one control device 124 sends at least one signal to control terminals 125, to which the current limiting modules 1211, 1212 and / or the components of the transmission stages 121A to 121D are connected. For the sake of clarity, Fig. 10 not all cable connections are shown for this purpose.

[0095] The transmitter module 121 is connected to the bus 40, more specifically, its first bus wire 41 for CAN_H or CAN-XL_H and its second bus wire 42 for CAN_L or CAN-XL_L. Each of the transmitter stages 121A to 121D is connected to the bus 40.

[0096] The voltage supply for supplying the first and second bus wires 41, 42 with electrical energy, in particular with the CAN supply voltage of 3.3 V, is provided via at least one connection 43. The connection to ground or CAN_GND is realized via a connection 44. The first and second bus wires 41, 42 are terminated with a terminating resistor 49. The terminating resistor 49 is connected into the full bridge as an external load resistor. The resistor 49 is connected into the bridge branch between the connections for the bus wires 41, 42.

[0097] The first transmitter stage 121A of Fig. 10 has a polarity reversal circuit D_A, a transistor HVP_A, and a parallel circuit 121A1, in which a first to n-th current stage are connected in parallel, where n is a natural number > 1. A control circuit T_A is also present. The first current stage has a series circuit consisting of a resistor R_A1 and a transistor P_A1. The n-th current stage has a series circuit consisting of a resistor R_An and a transistor P_An. The transistor HVP_A can be a CMOS transistor, in particular a PMOS transistor. The transistors P_A1 to P_An are CMOS transistors, in particular PMOS transistors. The abbreviation "CMOS" refers to a semiconductor element in which both p-channel and n-channel MOSFETs are used on a common substrate. The abbreviation CMOS stands for “Complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor”, which means “complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor”.The abbreviation "MOSFET" stands for metal oxide field-effect transistor. The control circuit T_A controls the transistors P_A1 to P_An of the first to nth current stages according to the transmit signal TxD and the set operating mode SIC, FAST_TX of the transmit module 121.

[0098] The second transmitter stage 121B of Fig. 10 has a polarity reversal diode D_B, a transistor HVN_B, and a parallel circuit 121B1, in which a first to n-th current stage are connected in parallel, where n is the natural number > 1. A control circuit T_B is also present. The first current stage S1 has a series circuit consisting of a resistor R_B1 and a transistor N_B1. The n-th current stage has a series circuit consisting of a resistor R_Bn and a transistor N_Bn. The transistor HVP_B can be a CMOS transistor, in particular an NMOS transistor. The transistors N_B1 to N_Bn are CMOS transistors, in particular NMOS transistors. The control circuit T_B controls the transistors N_B1 to N_Bn of the first to n-th current stages according to the transmission signal TxD and the set operating mode SIC, FAST_TX of the transmission module 121.

[0099] The third transmitter stage 121C of Fig. 10 has a polarity reversal circuit D_C, a transistor HVP_C, and a parallel circuit 121C1, in which a first to n-th current stage are connected in parallel, where n is the natural number > 1. A control circuit T_C is also present. The first current stage has a series circuit consisting of a resistor R_C1 and a transistor P_C1. The n-th current stage has a series circuit consisting of a resistor R_An and a transistor P_An. The transistor HVP_C can be a CMOS transistor, in particular a PMOS transistor. The transistors P_C1 to P_Cn are CMOS transistors, in particular PMOS transistors. The control circuit T_C controls the transistors P_C1 to P_Cn of the first to n-th current stages according to the transmission signal TxD and the set operating mode SIC, FAST_TX of the transmission module 121.

[0100] The fourth transmission stage 121 D of Fig. 10 has a polarity reversal diode D_D, a transistor HVN_D, and a parallel circuit 121D1, in which a first to n-th current stage are connected in parallel, where n is the natural number > 1. A control circuit T_D is also present. The first current stage has a series circuit consisting of a resistor R_D1 and a transistor N_D1. The n-th current stage has a series circuit consisting of a resistor R_Dn and a transistor P_Dn. The transistor HVP_D can be a CMOS transistor, in particular an NMOS transistor. The transistors N_D1 to N_Dn are CMOS transistors, in particular NMOS transistors. The control circuit T_D controls the transistors N_D1 to N_Dn of the first to n-th current stages according to the transmission signal TxD and the set operating mode SIC, FAST_TX of the transmission module 121.

[0101] The current stages S1 to Sn of the transmitting stages 121A to 121D are thus designed as resistance stages. The resistance stages are set by selecting the resistance value of the respective current stage, for example, by selecting resistors R_A1 to R_An for the transmitting stage 121A, etc. Current stages are set as a result of adjusting the resistance values ​​of the resistors. The number n can be freely selected. In particular, the number n and thus the number of stages or resistance stages or current stages can be selected between 1 and 60. Alternatively, however, a number greater than 60 can be selected for n.

[0102] Each of the polarity reversal diodes D_B, D_D protects the associated transmit stage 121B, 121D against positive feedback to terminal 44 (CAN supply) and negative feedback to terminal 43 (CAN_GND). Each of the polarity reversal diodes D_B, D_D can also be referred to as a blocking diode. Each of the polarity reversal diodes D_B, D_D can be a pn-based diode, which is a parasitic pn junction of a (silicon) transistor that is hard-wired so that the transistor is never driven and the diode cannot be short-circuited / bypassed. In particular, the forward voltage of each of the polarity reversal diodes D_B, D_D is approximately 0.7 V.

[0103] Each of the polarity reversal circuits D_A, D_C protects the corresponding transmitting stage 121A, 121C against positive feedback to terminal 44 (CAN supply) and negative feedback to terminal 43 (CAN_GND). Each of the polarity reversal circuits D_A, D_C can also be referred to as a blocking circuit.

[0104] The first polarity reversal circuit D_A has a diode D1, a first transistor TR1, a second transistor TR2, a resistor R1, and optionally a capacitor C1. The diode D1 is parasitic from the transistor TR1. The transistor TR2 has its own parasitic diode, which Fig. 10 is not shown. The transistors TR1, TR2 are PMOS transistors. The anode of the diode D1 is connected to the drain terminal of the first transistor TR1. The cathode of the diode D1 is connected to the source terminal of the first transistor TR1 and to the source terminal of the second transistor TR2. The gate terminal of the first transistor TR1 is connected to the drain terminal of the second transistor TR2, to one terminal of the resistor R1, and to one terminal of the optional capacitor C1. The other terminal of the resistor R1 is connected to ground, in particular terminal 44 (GND). Furthermore, the other terminal of the optional capacitor C1 is connected to ground, in particular terminal 44 (GND). The gate terminal of the second transistor TR2 is connected to the supply voltage VCC at terminal 43.The diode D1 is conductive during operation and is short-circuited, in other words bridged, by means of the transistors TR1, TR2 and the resistor R1.

[0105] As mentioned, the gate terminal of the first transistor TR1 is connected to ground, specifically terminal 44 (GND). If the source terminal of transistors TR1 and TR2 increases in voltage, particularly due to the supply voltage of VCC_min=3.0V, the channel becomes conductive in parallel with diode D1, i.e., via transistor TR1. This eliminates the forward voltage of diode D1. With a supply voltage of VCC_min=3.0V, the levels can be adjusted according to Fig. 7 are generated.

[0106] Just as with the polarity reversal diodes D_B, D_D, the polarity reversal circuit D_A also provides backfeed protection. As described, the transistor TR2 is a PMOS transistor. The transistor TR2 conducts when at least one threshold voltage below the potential at the source terminal of the transistor TR2 is present at its gate terminal, which is connected to terminal 43. If the voltage at the cathode of the diode D1, which is equal to the potential of the source terminal of the second transistor TR2, rises by approximately one transistor threshold voltage above the voltage VCC at terminal 43, the transistor TR2 becomes conductive, the voltage at the gate of the transistor TR1 rises, and the transistor TR1 blocks. As a result, the parasitic diode D1 becomes effective. This provides backfeed protection.

[0107] For this purpose, transistors TR1 and TR2 are designed such that the on-resistance value of the second transistor TR2 is much smaller than the resistance value of resistor R1. Thus, Ron_TR2 << R1.

[0108] Optionally, the gate-source paths of transistors TR1 and TR2 are filtered, in particular with an RC filter formed by resistor R1 and capacitor C1. This makes the reverse polarity circuit D_A robust against pulse-like disturbances, especially DPI, ISO pulses, etc.

[0109] The second polarity reversal circuit D_C has a diode D2, a first transistor TR3, a second transistor TR4, a resistor R2, and optionally a capacitor C2. The diode D2 is parasitic from the transistor TR3. The transistor TR4 has its own parasitic diode, which Fig. 10 is not shown. The transistors TR3, TR4 are PMOS transistors. The anode of the diode D2 is connected to the drain terminal of the first transistor TR3. The cathode of the diode D2 is connected to the source terminal of the first transistor TR3 and to the source terminal of the second transistor TR4. The gate terminal of the first transistor TR3 is connected to the drain terminal of the second transistor TR4, to one terminal of the resistor R2, and to one terminal of the optional capacitor C2. The other terminal of the resistor R2 is connected to ground, in particular terminal 44 (GND). In addition, the other terminal of the capacitor C2 is connected to ground, in particular terminal 44 (GND). The gate terminal of the second transistor TR4 is connected to the supply voltage VCC at terminal 43. The diode D2 is conductive during operation and is short-circuited, in other words bridged, by means of the transistors TR3, TR4, and the resistor R2.

[0110] As mentioned, the gate terminal of the first transistor TR3 is connected to ground, specifically terminal 44 (GND). If the source terminal of transistors TR3 and TR4 increases in voltage, particularly due to the supply voltage of VCC_min=3.0V, the channel becomes conductive in parallel with diode D2, i.e., via transistor TR3. This eliminates the forward voltage of diode D2. With a supply voltage of VCC_min=3.0V, the levels can be adjusted according to Fig. 7 are generated.

[0111] Just as with the polarity reversal diodes D_B, D_D, the polarity reversal circuit D_C also provides backfeed protection. As described, the transistor TR4 is a PMOS transistor. The transistor TR4 conducts when at least one threshold voltage below the potential at the source terminal of the transistor TR4 is present at its gate terminal, which is connected to terminal 43. If the voltage at the cathode of diode D2, which is equal to the potential of the source terminal of the second transistor TR4, rises by approximately one transistor threshold voltage above the voltage VCC at terminal 43, the transistor TR4 becomes conductive, the voltage at the gate of the transistor TR3 rises, and the transistor TR3 blocks. As a result, the parasitic diode D2 becomes effective. This provides backfeed protection.

[0112] For this purpose, transistors TR3 and TR4 are designed such that the on-resistance value of the second transistor TR4 is much smaller than the resistance value of resistor R3. Thus, Ron_TR4 << R2.

[0113] Optionally, the gate-source paths of transistors TR3 and TR4 are filtered, specifically with an RC filter formed by resistor R2 and capacitor C2. This makes the reverse polarity circuit D_C robust against pulse-like disturbances, especially DPI, ISO pulses, etc.

[0114] Each of the parallel circuits 121A1, 121B1, 121C1, 121D1, or more precisely the associated control circuit T_A, T_B, T_C, T_D, sets a resistance value for the associated transmitting stage 121A, 121B, 121C, 121D depending on the operating mode (SLOW or SIC, FAST_TX) of the transmitting module 121 and the transmitting signal TxD. The resistance value of the individual transmitting stage 121A, 121B, 121C, 121D can thus be adjusted depending on the operating mode (SLOW or SIC, FAST_TX) of the transmitting module 121 and the transmitting signal TxD. This will be explained in more detail below using Fig. 11 and Fig. 12 and Table 2 and Table 3.

[0115] Each of the transistors HVP_A, HVN_B, HVP_C, and HVN_D is an HV cascode and can also be referred to as an HV standoff device. The transistor HVP_A protects the CMOS transistors P_A1 to P_An of the associated parallel circuit 121A1 by absorbing high voltage drops. Each of the transistors HVN_B, HVP_C, and HVN_D performs the same function for the CMOS transistors of the respective associated parallel circuits 121B1, 121C1, and 121D1. Each of the transistors HVP_A, HVN_B, HVP_C, and HVN_D has its control terminal connected to terminal 125. Thus, each of the transistors HVP_A, HVN_B, HVP_C, and HVN_D is controllable by the at least one control device 124.

[0116] The current limiting modules 1211, 1212 are each designed as a transistor. The current limiting modules 1211, 1212 in the example of Fig. 10 are each CMOS transistors. The current limiting module 1211 of Fig. 10 is a PMOS transistor. Thus, the current limiting module 1211 forms a current source. The current limiting module 1212 of Fig. 10 is an NMOS transistor. Thus, the current limiting module 1212 forms a current sink. The current limiting modules 1211, 1212 are provided to protect the transmitting module 121 and the external components, in particular other components of the subscriber station 10 and / or the bus 40. The arrangement of the current limiting modules 1211, 1212 in the circuit of the transmitting stage 121 is for the dom state 401 and for the sic state 403 of Fig. 9. According to the design and specifications, twice as much electrical current flows in the dom state 401 as in the sic state. However, in the dom state 401, the current flows only on one path of the transmitter module 121. In contrast, in the sic state, the current flows on two paths of the transmitter module 121. The two paths are designed or configured identically. Thus, the same voltage drop occurs at the current limiting modules 1211, 1212.

[0117] In the transmitter module 121, the transmitter stage 121A is connected between the voltage supply terminal 43 and the CAN_H terminal 41. The transmitter stage 121C is connected between the voltage supply terminal 43 and the CAN_H terminal 42 and the CAN_L terminal 43 and the CAN_GND terminal 44. The transmitter stage 121D is connected between the CAN_H terminal 41 and the CAN_L terminal 43 and the CAN_GND terminal 44. The transmitter stage 121B is connected between the CAN_L terminal 42 and the CAN_L terminal 43 and the CAN_GND terminal 44. Thus, in the transmitter module 121, the transmitter stage 121A is connected to the CANH path. Second, the transmit stage 121D is connected to the CANH path. Second, the transmit stage 121C is connected to the CANL path. Second, the transmit stage 121B is connected to the CANL path.

[0118] Thus, the transmitter module 121 in the CANH path and CANL path consists of a parallel circuit 121A1, 121B1, 121C1, 121D1 of a specific number of current stages. A single current stage is implemented by a series circuit consisting of a CMOS switch and a resistor, as described above. The parallel circuit of all current stages in the CANH path and CANL path is connected in series with an HV cascode HVP_A, HVN_B, HVP_C, HVN_D and a polarity reversal diode D_A, D_B, D_C, D_D, as described above. The HV cascodes HVP_A, HVN_B, HVP_C, HVN_D enable compliance with limit values ​​(maximum rating parameters), such as voltage at CANH and CANL from -27V to +40V.

[0119] The functionality of the circuit of Fig. 10 depending on the operating mode of the transmit module 121 and the bus state 401 (dom), 403 (sic), 402 (rec) in the SIC operating mode (arbitration phase 451) and L0, L1 in the data phase 452 is explained in the following Table 2. Depending on the state of the transmit module 121 and the operating mode of the phases 451, 452, Table 2 specifies the required impedance depending on the state of the transmit module 121 as well as the impedance of the transmit stages 121A / 121B and the impedance of the transmit stages 121C / 121D. If the impedance is “infinite”, the transmitting module 121 or the respective transmitting stage 121A, 121B, 121C, 121D is switched off or non-conductive.

[0120] The distribution of each parallel circuit 121A1, 121B1, 121C1, 121D1 of Fig. 10 into n-parts or the n current levels allows a time-staggered and controlled switching process between the bus states 401, 402, 403 in the arbitration phase (SIC operating mode) 451 or the bus states L0, L1 of the data phase 452. For this purpose, the resistance values ​​of the resistors of the n current levels are set as with Fig. 11 is illustrated in a specific example.

[0121] Fig. Figure 11 shows an example of the current level per switching stage, or current stages S1 to S12. Thus, in the example shown, twelve current stages S1, S2 to S6 to S12 are used for each of the parallel circuits 121A1, 121B1, 121C1, and 121D1. Therefore, n = 12.

[0122] The value of the current I(vertical axis in Fig. 10) or 11, I2, I6, I12, etc. is set by selecting the serial resistance value of the respective current stage S1 to S12. The individual current stages S1 to S12 (horizontal axis in Fig. 11) therefore have different resistance values.

[0123] To generate the bus states 401, 402, 403 in the arbitration phase (SIC operating mode) 451 or the bus states L0, L1 of the data phase 452, the individual current stages S1 to S12 are switched on or off with a time offset using the CMOS transistors of the current stages S1 to S12. As a result, a corresponding electrical current I flows in the CANH path or CANL path into which the higher-level transmit stage 121A, 121B, 121C, 121D is connected.

[0124] In general, it is advantageous to design the stagger stages and resistors per switching stage or current stage S1 to S12 such that the shape of the differential signal VDIFF follows the Gaussian error function. This analytically produces the lowest emission.

[0125] For the transition from a state 402 (recessive) to a state 401 (dominant), which corresponds to a rising edge of the differential voltage VDIFF of Fig. 5, the current in the CANH path and in the CANL path is gradually increased by the time-staggered switching of the resistors of the parallel circuits 121A1, 121B1, 121C1, 121D1 to generate a dominant level on the bus 40. The transition from a state 401 (dominant) to a state 402 (recessive), which corresponds to a falling edge of the differential voltage VDIFF of Fig. 5, is achieved by staggered switching off of the resistors of the parallel circuits 121A1, 121B1, 121C1, 121D1, thereby gradually reducing the current in the CANH and CANL paths. The total current, which is given by the sum of the currents I1 to I12 or I1 to I1 of all current stages S1 to Sn, flows during state 401 (dominant). Here, all current stages S1 to Sn of the parallel circuits 121A1, 121B1, 121C1, 121D1 are switched on, and the total current for generating the dominant level of nominal VDIFF = 2V flows through the bus resistor or terminating resistor 49.

[0126] By setting the timing and selecting the current levels of the individual current stages S1 to S12 by setting the resistance values ​​of their resistors, as described above, it is possible to align the bus signals CAN_H, CAN_L during the transition between the states 401, 402, so that the symmetrical course of CAN_H and CAN_L according to Fig. 7, or for the transmitter module 221 according to Fig. 4. The structure of the transmitter module 121 enables a staggered switching on of the individual current stages of the parallel circuits 121A1, 121B1, 121C1, 121D1. This timing makes it possible to adjust the signal shape of CAN_H and CAN_L as per Fig. 7 or Fig. 9 or Fig. 4 is required. Targeted shaping of the signal waveforms for CAN_H and CAN_L is possible. Overall, the bus states 401, 402, and 403 in the arbitration phase (SIC operating mode) 451 or the bus states L0 and L1 in the data phase 452 can be shaped according to the specifications.

[0127] The resistances of the individual current stages S1 to Sn of the parallel circuits 121A1, 121B1, 121C1, 121D1 and thus their respective share of the total current can be selected in different ways in order to achieve the lowest possible emission, in particular a low emission of the transmitter module 121. It is advantageous for low emission to switch little current I (high resistance value) on or off at the beginning and end of a switching operation between bus states 401, 402 and to switch a lot of current (low resistance value) on or off in the middle of the switching operation. Therefore, the Fig. The setting of the currents of the current stages S1 to S12 shown in Figure 11 is very advantageous.

[0128] In contrast to a realization with identical resistors in the current stages S1 to Sn of the parallel circuits 121A1, 121B1, 121C1, 121D1, the configuration according to Fig. 10 a current increase during switching off, the transition from state 401 (Dominant) to state 402 (Recessive).

[0129] The granularity of the temporal staggering for switching the individual current stages S1 to S12 on or off is in the range of approximately 2 ns. Such small steps or intervals for the temporal staggering cause minimal common-mode interference and have a minimal negative impact on emissions. The voltage steps, which are set via the resistors or resistance levels of the current stages S1, S2, S6, and S12, are kept fixed, and the temporal staggering is varied to ensure the smoothest possible behavior during the switch-on process (according to the Gaussian error function). Varying the time steps or intervals also prevents the occurrence of a narrowband frequency line in the emitted frequency spectrum.

[0130] Alternatively, the staggering steps can be executed using fixed time steps and varied voltage steps.

[0131] The structure of the transmitter module 121 shown enables symmetrical switching of the bus signals CAN_H and CAN_L ( Fig. 7 or Fig. 9 or Fig. 4) with steep switching edges between the bus states 401, 402, 403 in the arbitration phase (SIC operating mode) 451 or the bus states L0, L1 of the data phase 452.

[0132] Firstly, the illustrated structure of the transmitter module 121, due to the use of fast CMOS switches or CMOS transistors, enables much steeper switching edges between the bus states 401, 402, 403 in the arbitration phase (SIC operating mode) 451 or the bus states L0, L1 of the data phase 452. Secondly, the symmetry of the timing of the bus signals CAN_H and CAN_L, which is necessary to comply with the emission limits, is achieved during the switching operations. Matching of the characteristic curves is achieved by selecting or using the resistors of the parallel circuits 121A1, 121B1, 121C1, 121D1. Thus, matching of the characteristic curves is less dependent on the parameters of the transistors used in the parallel circuits 121A1, 121B1, 121C1, 121D1.

[0133] The CMOS transistors of the transmitting stages 121A1, 121B1, 121C1, and 121D1 are operated as switches, i.e., with a maximum voltage between the gate terminal and the source terminal. The matching of the individual transmitting stages 121A1, 121B1, 121C1, and 121D1 therefore depends primarily on the matching of the resistors R_A1 to R_An, R_B1 to R_Bn, R_C1 to R_Cn, and R_D1 to R_Dn, and no longer on the transistors P_A1 to P_An and P_C1 to P_Cn (PMOS) on bus wire 41 (CANH) and the transistors N_D1 to N_Dn and N_B1 to N_Bn (NMOS) on bus wire 42 (CANL).

[0134] The dominant state 401 (dom) is determined by matching the resistors R_A1 to R_An (transmitting stage 121A) with the resistors R_B1 to R_Bn (transmitting stage 121B). Here and in the following, the term "matching" refers to an active trimming step. According to another possibility, "matching" means that the resistance values ​​match as closely as possible, which occurs by default without a matching or trimming step.

[0135] The Sic state (sic) is determined by matching the resistors R_A1 to R_An (transmitting stage 121A) with the resistors R_C1 to R_Cn (transmitting stage 121C) and by matching the resistors R_D1 to R_Dn (transmitting stage 121D) with the resistors R_B1 to R_Bn (transmitting stage 121B).

[0136] In XL-Fast mode, the L0 state is determined by matching resistors R_A1 to R_An (transmitting stage 121A) with resistors R_B1 to R_Bn (transmitting stage 121B). The L1 state is determined by matching resistors R_C1 to R_Cn (transmitting stage 121C) with resistors R_D1 to R_Dn (transmitting stage 121D).

[0137] The on-resistance Ron of the respective transistors of the transmitting stages 121A1, 121B1, 121C1, 121D1 should be significantly smaller than the series-connected resistance of the individual current stages of the transmitting stages 121A1, 121B1, 121C1, 121D1.

[0138] Fig. 12 shows a special example of the structure of the transmitting stage 121B of Fig. 10. Accordingly, the transmitting stage 121B in the parallel circuit 121B1 has three current stages S_I, S_II, and S_III. The first current stage S_I has a resistor R_B1_I and a series-connected transistor N_B1_I. The second current stage S_II has a resistor R_B1_II and a series-connected transistor N_B1_II. The third current stage S_III has a resistor R_B1_III and a series-connected transistor N_B1_III.

[0139] For the following description of the circuit of Fig. 10 with the configuration according to Fig. 11, it is assumed that each of the transmitting stages 121A, 121C, 121D in its associated parallel circuit 121A1, 121C1, 121D1 also has three current stages S_I, S_II, S_III according to the example of Fig. 12 has.

[0140] The following Table 3 shows the control of the three transistors N_B1_I, N_B1_II, N_B1_III of the transmitting stage 121B of Fig. 12 and the corresponding transistors of the transmitting stages 121A, 121C, 121D of Fig. 10 each depending on the transmission stages 121A / 121 B and the transmission stages 121C, 121 D. Table 3: Required impedance depending on the transmission state BetriebsartdesSendemoduls121 CAN-FD, CAN-SIC, CAN-XL (xl_sic)(Sende-Betriebsart inArbitrationsphase 451) CAN-XL(xl_fasttx)(Sende-Betriebsart inDatenphase 452) Bus-Zustand dom sic rec L0 L1 121 A / 121 B: Typical values ​​in Ohm (Ω) about 30 about 120 infinite about 60 infinite Transistor I a a out of a out of Transistor II a out of out of a out of Transistor III a out of out of out of out of 121 C / 1 21 D:Typical values ​​in Ohm (Ω) infinite about 120 infinite infinite about 60 Transistor I out of a out of out of a Transistor II out of out of out of out of a Transistor III out of out of out of out of out of

[0141] In this way, the required steeper edges on the CAN_H and CAN_L bus signals can be generated with the transmitter module 121 and the emission limits can be complied with.

[0142] Alternatively, more than three current stages can be used in the respective transmission stages 121A, 121B, 121C, 121D, as previously described.

[0143] Fig. Figure 13 shows a transmission module 1210 according to a second embodiment. The transmission module 1210 is constructed in many parts in the same way as the transmission module 121 according to the first embodiment. Therefore, only the differences from the first embodiment are described below.

[0144] In contrast to the first embodiment, the transmit module 1210 according to the present embodiment has transmit stages 121A0, 121B0, 121C0, 121D0. The transmit stages 121A0, 121B0, 121C0, 121D0 are connected as a full bridge. The terminating resistor 49 is connected in the bridge branch between the connections for the bus wires 41, 42. Furthermore, instead of the current limiting modules 1211, 1212, the transmit module 1210 has a first to x-th current limiting module 1211_1 to 1211x and a first to x-th current limiting module 1212_1 to 1212_x. Here, x is a natural number > 1.

[0145] The current limiting modules 1211_1 to 1211_x, 1212_1 to 1212_x are each designed as transistors. The current limiting modules 1211_1 to 1211_x, 1212_1 to 1212_x in the example of Fig. 13 are each CMOS transistors. The current limiting modules 1211_1 to 1211_x of Fig.13 are each a PMOS transistor. Thus, the current limiting modules 1211_1 to 1211_x each form a current source. The current limiting modules 1212_1 to 1212_x of Fig. 13 are each an NMOS transistor. Thus, the current-limiting modules 1212_1 to 1212_x each form a current sink.

[0146] In contrast to the transmitting stage 121A of the first embodiment, which has the transistor HVP_A, the transmitting stage 121A0 has a first to y-th transistor HVP_A1 to HVP_Ay, where y is a natural number > 1. Each of the first to y-th transistors HVP_A1 to HVP_Ay is a CMOS transistor, in particular a PMOS transistor, as previously described for the transistor HVP_A with respect to Fig. 10 described.

[0147] In contrast to the transmitting stage 121B of the first embodiment, which has the transistor HVN_B, the transmitting stage 121B0 has a first to y-th transistor HVN_B1 to HVN_By, where y is the natural number > 1. Each of the first to y-th transistors HVN_B1 to HVN_By is a CMOS transistor, in particular an NMOS transistor, as previously described for the transistor HVP_B with respect to Fig. 10 described.

[0148] In contrast to the transmitting stage 121C of the first embodiment, which has the transistor HVP_C, the transmitting stage 121C0 has a first to y-th transistor HVP_C1 to HVP_Cy, where y is the natural number > 1. Each of the first to y-th transistors HVP_C1 to HVP_Cy is a CMOS transistor, in particular a PMOS transistor, as previously described for the transistor HVP_C with respect to Fig. 10 described.

[0149] In contrast to the transmission stage 121D of the first embodiment, which has the transistor HVN_D, the transmission stage 121D0 has a first to y-th transistor HVN_D1 to HVN_Dy, where y is the natural number > 1. Each of the first to y-th transistors HVN_D1 to HVN_Dy is a CMOS transistor, in particular an NMOS transistor, as previously described for the transistor HVP_D with respect to Fig. 10 described.

[0150] In addition to the functions of the transmitting module 121 according to the first embodiment, the transmitting module 1210 of Fig. 13 the following functions.

[0151] Due to its design, the transmit module 1210 is able to reduce effects due to asymmetrical behavior of the transmit stages, which can occur in the transmit states dom (401), sic (403), and rec (402) and increase overshoot and therefore degrade the emission. The transmit module 1210 prevents unequal behavior of components in the transmit stages 121A0, 121B0 (effect 1) of the full bridge of Fig. 13, so that in the dom state 401 a change in the common mode voltage is minimized or prevented compared to the rec state 402.

[0152] To prevent effect 1, the resistance Ron (on-resistance) of the cascodes in the transmitting stages 121A0, 121B0 can be varied, in particular by controlling them with the respective associated control circuit T_A, T_B. This is achieved by changing the transistors HVP_A1 to HVP_Ay, which are connected in parallel up to y times, and / or the transistors HVN_B1 to HVN_By, which are connected in parallel up to y times. To avoid changing the symmetry of the two series circuits of the transmitting stages 121A0, 121D0 and the transmitting stages 121C0, 121B0 in the sic state 403, the cascodes of the transmitting stages 121D0, 121C0 must also undergo the same change. Therefore, the transistors HVN_D1 to HVP_Dy connected in parallel up to y times and / or the transistors HVP_C1 to HVP_Cy connected in parallel up to y times are also changed accordingly.For this purpose, each of the transistors HVP_A1 to HVP_Ay, HVN_B1 to HVN_By, HVP_C1 to HVP_Cy, HVN_D1 to HVP_Dy is connected at its control terminal (gate terminal) to a terminal 125. Thus, each of these transistors can be controlled by the at least one control device 124. The intervention to correct the common mode level in the dom state 401 is carried out via an identical or identical change of HVP_A1 to HVP_Ay and HVP_C1 to HVP_Cy or via an identical or identical change of HVP_D1 to HVN_Dy and HVP_B1 to HVN_By.

[0153] In addition, the transmit module 1210 can prevent unequal behavior of components in transmit stages 121A0 / 121D0 and 121C0 / 121B0 of the full bridge (effect 2), so that in the sic state a change in the common mode voltage is minimized or prevented compared to the rec state 402.

[0154] For this purpose, the resistance Ron (on-resistance) of the current-limiting transistors or current-limiting modules 1211, 1212 can be varied. This is done via the current-limiting modules 1211_1 to 1211_x connected in parallel up to x times and / or the current-limiting modules 1212_1 to 1212_x connected in parallel up to x times, in particular by control by the at least one control device 124. The intervention to correct the common-mode level in the sic state 403 is performed via the current-limiting modules 1211_1 to 1211_x connected in parallel up to x times or the current-limiting modules 1212_1 to 1212_x connected in parallel up to x times. For example, x = 4. In this case, four different levels of the resistance Ron (on resistance) of the current limiting transistors or current limiting modules 1211, 1212) can be set.

[0155] This prevention of effect 2 is particularly advantageous since only if, starting from the common mode level of the rec state 402, the common levels in the dom state 401 and in the sic state 403 match those of the rec state 402, a sufficient emission result can be achieved, but the causes that lead to the behavior of effect 1 may be different from those that lead to effect 2.

[0156] The design of the transmit module 1210 can prevent substrate current losses in the polarity reversal circuits D_A and D_C, in particular, from causing the common mode level in the dom state 401 to no longer be correct. In the sic state, the polarity reversal circuit D_A and the polarity reversal diode D_B are less strongly current-carrying, and furthermore, both polarity reversal circuits D_A, D_C and both polarity reversal diodes D_B, D_D of the four transmit stages 121A0, 121B0, 121C0, 121D0 are active. The transmit module 1210 can prevent different common mode levels from being present in the dom state and the sic state. Furthermore, it can prevent qualitatively identical effects from being generated due to unequal behavior in the cascodes.

[0157] Thus, the transmitting module 1210 can positively influence the effects on the emission values ​​of the transmitting / receiving device 12, which are significantly influenced by the transmitting module 1210.

[0158] All previously described embodiments of the transmitting module 121, 1210, the transmitting / receiving devices 12, 22, the subscriber stations 10, 20, 30, the bus system 1, and the method implemented therein according to the first and second exemplary embodiments, and their modifications, can be used individually or in all possible combinations. In addition, the following modifications are particularly conceivable.

[0159] The previously described bus system 1 according to the first and second exemplary embodiments is described using a bus system based on the CAN protocol. However, the bus system 1 according to the first and / or second exemplary embodiments can alternatively be a different type of communications network in which the signals are transmitted as differential signals. It is advantageous, but not a mandatory requirement, that in the bus system 1, exclusive, collision-free access of a subscriber station 10, 20, 30 to the bus 40 is guaranteed, at least for certain time periods.

[0160] The bus system 1 according to the first and / or second embodiments and their modifications is, in particular, a CAN bus system, a CAN HS bus system, a CAN FD bus system, a CAN SIC bus system, or a CAN XL bus system. However, the bus system 1 can be another communication network in which the signals are transmitted as differential signals and serially over the bus.

[0161] Thus, the functionality of the previously described embodiments can be used, for example, in transmitting / receiving devices 12, 22 that can be operated in a CAN bus system or a CAN HS bus system or a CAN FD bus system or a CAN SIC bus system or a CAN XL bus system.

[0162] It is possible that, at least temporarily, no dominant and recessive bus states are used for the two bus states 401, 402, but instead a first bus state and a second bus state are used, both of which are driven. An example of such a bus system is a CAN XL bus system.

[0163] The number and arrangement of subscriber stations 10, 20, 30 in the bus system 1 according to the first and second embodiments and their modifications are arbitrary. In particular, only subscriber stations 10 or only subscriber stations 30 are present in the bus systems 1 of the first or second embodiments. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited non-patent literature

[0000] ISO11898-1:2015 [0008, 0074, 0075]

Claims

[1] Transmitter module (121; 1210) for transmitting differential signals in a serial bus system (1), with a first transmission stage (121A; 121A0) for generating transmission currents (I1 to In) for a first signal (CAN_H) to be sent to a bus (40) of the bus system (1), a second transmission stage (121B; 121B0) for generating transmission currents (I1 to In) for a second signal (CAN_L) to be transmitted to the bus (40) as a signal differential to the first signal (CAN_H), a third transmission stage (121C; 121C0) for generating transmission currents (I1 to In) for the first signal (CAN_H), and a fourth transmission stage (121D; 121D0) for generating transmission currents (I1 to In) for the second signal (CAN_L), and wherein the first to fourth transmitting stages (121A to 121D; 121A0 to 121D0) are connected in a full bridge, in which the first and fourth transmitting stages (121A, 121D; 121A0, 121D0) are connected in series and the third and second transmitting stages (121C, 121B; 121C0, 121B0) are connected in series, wherein each of the first to fourth transmitting stages (121A to 121D; 121A0 to 121D0) has at least two current stages (S1 to Sn) connected in parallel, wherein each of the at least two current stages (S1 to Sn) has a switchable resistor (R_A1 to R_An; R_B1 to R_Bn; R_C1 to R_Cn; R_D1 to R_Dn), wherein the switchable resistors (R_A1 to R_An; R_B1 to R_Bn; R_C1 to R_Cn; R_D1 to R_Dn) of a transmitting stage (121A to 121D; 121A0 to 121D0) have different resistance values, wherein the first to fourth transmitting stages (121A to 121D; 121A0 to 121D0) each have a polarity reversal diode (D1; D_B; D2; D_D) for protection against positive feedback into a terminal (43) for the bus voltage supply and negative feedback from a terminal (44) for ground, wherein the polarity reversal diode (D1; D2) of the first transmission stage (121A; 121A0) and the third transmission stage (121C; 121C0) is each a switched polarity reversal diode (D1; D2) which can be bridged or short-circuited, and wherein the polarity reversal diode (D_B; D_D) of the second transmission stage (121B; 121B0) and the fourth transmission stage (121D; 121D0) is each a pn-based polarity reversal diode (D_B; D_D) which is a parasitic transistor and is hard-wired so that the polarity reversal diode (D_B; D_D) cannot be bridged or short-circuited. [2] Transmission module (121; 1210) according to claim 1, wherein the output terminals (41, 42) of the full bridge are provided for connection to a terminating resistor (49) of the bus (40). [3] Transmitter module (121; 1210) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the polarity reversal diodes (D1; D_B; D2; D_D) are designed to set a bus center voltage (Vcm) of approximately 1.9 V when the transmitter module (121; 1210) is operated with a voltage supply of approximately 3.3 V. [4] Transmission module (121; 1210) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first transmission stage (121A; 121A0) and the third transmission stage (121C; 121C0) each have a polarity reversal circuit (D_A; D_C) which has the polarity reversal diode (D1; D2), a first transistor (TR1; TR3), a second transistor (TR2; TR4) and a resistor (R1; R2), wherein the second transistor (TR2; TR4) has an on-resistance value which is much smaller than a resistance value of the resistor (R1; R2). [5] Transmission module (121; 1210) according to claim 4, wherein the drain terminal of the first transistor (TR1; TR3) is connected to the anode of the polarity reversal diode (D1; D2), wherein the source terminals of the first and second transistors (TR1, TR2; TR3, TR4) are connected to the cathode of the polarity reversal diode (D1; D2), wherein the gate terminal of the first transistor (TR1; TR3) is connected to the drain terminal of the second transistor (TR2; TR4) and is connected via the resistor (R1; R2) to the terminal (44) for ground, wherein the gate terminal of the second transistor (TR2; TR4) is connected to the terminal (43) for the bus voltage supply. [6] Transmission module (121; 1210) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the path from gate terminal to source terminal of the first transistor (TR1; TR3) comprises a filter (R1, C1; R2, C2) for protection against pulse-like interference. [7] Transmission module (121; 1210) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a number n of the at least two current stages (S1 to Sn) is the same for each of the first to fourth transmission stages (121A to 121D; 121A0 to 121D0), where n is a natural number greater than 1. [8] Transmission module (121; 1210) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the at least two current stages (S1 to Sn) comprises a CMOS transistor for switching the resistor (R_A1 to R_An; R_B1 to R_Bn; R_C1 to R_Cn; R_D1 to R_Dn) of the current stage (S1 to Sn). [9] Transmission module (121; 1210) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the CMOS transistor of the current stages (S1 to Sn) of the first transmitting stage (121A; 121A0) is a PMOS transistor, wherein the CMOS transistor of the current stages (S1 to Sn) of the second transmission stage (121B; 121B0) is an NMOS transistor, wherein the CMOS transistor of the current stages (S1 to Sn) of the third transmission stage (121C; 121C0) is a PMOS transistor, and wherein the CMOS transistor of the current stages (S1 to Sn) of the fourth transmission stage (121D; 121D0) is an NMOS transistor. [10] A transmission module (121; 1210) according to any one of claims 8 or 9, wherein each of the first to fourth transmission stages (121A to 121D; 121A0 to 121D0) further comprises at least one cascode (HVP_A; HVN_B; HVP_C; HVN_D) for protecting the CMOS transistors. [11] Transmission module (1210) according to claim 10, where at least two cascodes (HVP_A; HVN_B; HVP_C; HVN_D) are connected in parallel with each other, wherein a number y of the cascodes (HVP_A; HVN_B; HVP_C; HVN_D) is the same for each of the first to fourth transmitting stages (121A to 121D; 121A0 to 121D0), where y is a natural number greater than 1, and wherein the on-resistance of the at least two cascodes (HVP_A; HVN_B; HVP_C; HVN_D) is different. [12] Transmission module (121; 1210) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one first current limiting module (1211) as a current source, which is connected between the connection (43) for the bus voltage supply and the full bridge, and at least one second current limiting module (1212) as a current sink, which is connected between the terminal (44) for ground and the full bridge. [13] Transmission module (1210) according to claim 12, wherein at least two first current limiting modules (1211_1 to 1211_x) are connected in parallel to each other, the on-resistance of which is different, wherein at least two second current limiting modules (1212_1 to 1211_x) are connected in parallel to each other, the on-resistance of which is different, and wherein the number x of the first current limiting modules (1211_1 to 1211_x) is equal to the number x of the second current limiting modules (1212_1 to 1211_x), where x is a natural number greater than 1. [14] Transmission module (121; 1210) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a control circuit (T_A; T_B; T_C; T_D) for controlling switchable components of the first to fourth transmission stages (121A to 121D; 121A0 to 121D0) as a function of a digital transmission signal (TxD) and of an operating mode (SIC; FAST_TX) set for the transmission module (121; 1210). [15] Transmission module (121; 1210) according to claim 14, wherein the control circuit (T_A; T_B; T_C; T_D) is designed for the time-staggered and controlled switching of the resistance values ​​of the at least two current stages (S1 to Sn). [16] Transmitting / receiving device (12; 22) for a subscriber station (20) for a serial bus system (1), with a transmission module (121; 1210) according to one of the preceding claims, and a receiving module (122) for receiving signals from the bus (40). [17] Subscriber station (10; 20; 30) for a serial bus system (1), with a transmitting / receiving device (12; 22) according to claim 16, and a communication control device (11; 21) for controlling the communication in the bus system (1) and for generating a digital transmission signal (TxD) for controlling the first to fourth transmission stages (121A to 121D; 121A0 to 121D0). [18] Subscriber station (10; 20; 30) according to claim 17, wherein the subscriber station (10; 20; 30) is designed for communication in a bus system (1) in which at least temporarily an exclusive, collision-free access of a subscriber station (10, 20, 30) to the bus (40) of the bus system (1) is ensured. [19] Method for transmitting differential signals in a serial bus system (1), wherein the method is carried out with a transmitting module (121; 1210), and wherein the method comprises the steps of Generating, with a first transmission stage (121A; 121A0), transmission currents (I1 to In) for a first signal (CAN_H) to be transmitted on a bus (40) of the bus system (1), generating, with a second transmission stage (121B; 121B0), transmission currents (I1 to In) for a second signal (CAN_L) which is to be transmitted to the bus (40) as a signal differential to the first signal (CAN_H), Generating, with a third transmitting stage (121C; 121C0), transmitting currents (I1 to In) for the first signal (CAN_H), and Generating, with a fourth transmitting stage (121D; 121D0) of transmitting currents (I1 to In) for the second signal (CAN_L), wherein the first to fourth transmitting stages (121A to 121D; 121A0 to 121D0) are connected in a full bridge, in which the first and fourth transmitting stages (121A, 121D; 121A0, 121D0) are connected in series and the third and second transmitting stages (121C, 121B; 121C0, 121B0) are connected in series, wherein each of the first to fourth transmitting stages (121A to 121D; 121A0 to 121D0) has at least two current stages (S1 to Sn) connected in parallel to each other, wherein each of the at least two current stages (S1 to Sn) has a switchable resistor (R_A1 to R_An; R_B1 to R_Bn; R_C1 to R_Cn; R_D1 to R_Dn), wherein the switchable resistors (R_A1 to R_An; R_B1 to R_Bn; R_C1 to R_Cn; R_D1 to R_Dn) of a transmitting stage (121A to 121D; 121A0 to 121D0) have different resistance values, wherein the first to fourth transmitting stages (121A to 121D; 121A0 to 121D0) each use a polarity reversal diode (D1; D_B; D2; D_D) to protect against positive feedback into a terminal (43) for the bus voltage supply and negative feedback from a terminal (44) for ground, wherein the polarity reversal diode (D1; D2) of the first transmission stage (121A; 121A0) and the third transmission stage (121C; 121C0) is each a switched polarity reversal diode (D1; D2) which can be bridged or short-circuited, and wherein the polarity reversal diode (D_B; D_D) of the second transmission stage (121B; 121B0) and the fourth transmission stage (121D; 121D0) is each a pn-based polarity reversal diode (D_B; D_D) which is a parasitic transistor and is hard-wired so that the polarity reversal diode (D_B; D_D) cannot be bridged or short-circuited.

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