Kvaser offers four small CAN interface cards for embedded computers (as of March 2025). The main difference between them is how they communicate with the CPU on the motherboard:
Developer Blog
23/04/2025 by Kvaser
Kvaser Mini PCIe Interface Cards: Key Differences & Selection Guide
| Name | EAN | Lane used |
|---|---|---|
| 73-30130-01368-1 | USB | |
| 73-30130-00743-7 | USB | |
| 73-30130-01420-6 | PCI | |
| 73-30130-01417-6 | PCI |
Understanding the Difference
These cards follow the Mini PCI Express (mPCIe) standard, which allows them to connect via either PCI Express x1 or USB 2.0. However, motherboard manufacturers aren’t required to support both connections—some only provide PCI lanes, while others only support USB.
Why don’t they connect both? The “PCI Express x1” is a limited resource on the CPU, so there are a limited number of lanes available. Some mPCIe cards do not require an ultra-fast PCI lane; regular USB is enough
Choosing the right card
To determine which Kvaser mPCIe card will work for your system, check your motherboard’s specifications. Look for details on Mini PCIe expansion slots in the datasheet:
- If it mentions ‘PCIe x1, USB 2.0’, then you can use PCI-based cards.
- If it only lists ‘Mini PCIe x1 (Gen 3)’, it likely supports PCI but doesn’t specify USB.
If the datasheet isn’t clear, ask the supplier whether the mPCIe slots support PCI, USB, or both. In some cases, testing the card directly may be the only way to confirm compatibility.
Product comparison
| EAN | 01368-1 | 00743-7 | 01420-6 | 01417-6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Mini PCIe 1xCAN | Kvaser Mini PCI Express 2xHS | Kvaser Mini PCI Express 1xCAN v3 | Kvaser Mini PCI Express 2xCAN v3 |
| Mode | USB | USB | PCI | PCI |
| CAN FD | YES | NO | YES | YES |
| # CAN channels | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Galvanic isolation | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Operation system | WIN+LINUX | WIN+LINUX | WIN+LINUX | WIN+LINUX |
| Silent mode | YES | YES | YES | YES |
As you can see in the table above, there are no major differences in the features, except that 00743-7 cannot handle CAN FD frames.
Performance differences
>Q: Does the communication method affect performance?
Yes – PCI and USB communicate differently, impacting performance:
- PCI communication is extremely fast, offering low latency between the CPU and the CAN controller.
- USB communication, while fast, is slower than PCI due to its more complex implementation on the motherboard.
>Q: Does this matter in standard applications?
For typical CAN applications, no—there’s usually no noticeable performance difference. However, applications that require heavy ECU flashing may benefit from a PCI interface for faster data transfer.
Driver & SDK Differences
All Kvaser CAN and LIN interfaces share the same drivers and SDK, making software compatibility straightforward. In most cases, switching between Kvaser interfaces won’t require changes to your software as long as the installed version supports the interface.
However, there are exceptions:
- Linux Kernel & SocketCAN: The Linux kernel controls the built-in version of SocketCAN, meaning some products may require a minimum kernel version to function correctly.
- Driver Updates: Using an outdated driver might mean newer Kvaser products aren’t recognized, so we recommend always using the latest drivers and SDK for full compatibility.
All Kvaser Drivers & SDK are completely free—no license costs, no hidden fees! And best of all, Kvaser SUPPORT is also free!
KVASER SUPPORT
The Kvaser Support Group is always available for you. Whether you need technical help, have a question about our products, or maybe would like to tell us how great we are, please send a mail to SUPPORT@KVASER.COM
PCI Express Mini Cards are 30 mm × 50.95 mm (width × length) for a Full Mini Card. There is a 52-pin edge connector, consisting of two staggered rows on a 0.8 mm pitch. Each row has eight contacts, a gap equivalent to four contacts, then a further 18 contacts.
