The Nano XL Link combines an Arm Cortex-M33 microcontroller with CAN FD, RS485 and Ethernet interfaces for industrial automation applications.
Arduino has introduced the Nano XL Link and Nano XL Link Connector Carrier, expanding its Nano development board range towards industrial and building automation. Announced at electronica 2026, the Nano XL Link retains the compact Nano form factor while adding three wired communication interfaces: CAN FD, RS485 and 10/100Mbps Ethernet. These interfaces enable the board to communicate directly with industrial networks, motors, sensors, and building control systems without the need for communication modules.
The board runs on a Microchip PIC32CK2051SG01144 microcontroller, which uses a 32-bit Arm Cortex-M33 processor that operates at 120MHz and has 2MB flash and 512KB RAM. The board has a TCAN3414 CAN FD transceiver from Texas Instruments, an THVD2410 RS485 transceiver and a KSZ8081 Ethernet PHY from Microchip. The CAN FD technology is capable of speeds up to 8Mbps while the Ethernet connection is capable of 10/100Mbps speed.
Hardware expansion is carried out using two 30-pin double-row connectors that allow interfacing with digital and analogue I/O, PWM, UART, SPI, and I2C. The Nano XL Link can connect to the corresponding sensors and devices through Qwiic connector. The Nano XL Link Connector Carrier is a more convenient mounting solution which provides screw terminals for CAN FD and RS485, an RJ45 Ethernet interface and a DIN-rail mountable device for integration into industrial enclosures of up to 4U size.
Nano XL Link can be programmed using the Arduino IDE and Arduino Cloud and also supports Arduino Zephyr core. This new platform will serve as a machine controller that works in real time, fieldbus gateway, smart lighting, HVAC and energy management systems. Neither pricing nor the availability of both boards has been announced by Arduino.
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