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CAN (Controller Area Network) was originally designed for automotive applications. What makes it distinct is its reliability and efficiency, even in harsh conditions. With real-time capabilities, it operates effectively at speeds up to 1 Mbps, depending on cable length. This robustness and the protocol's lightweight nature often make it a preferred choice for many industrial applications.

Modbus, on the other hand, is a legacy protocol hailing from the late 1970s. Renowned for its simplicity, it's primarily utilized in PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers). Its speed is generally lower than CAN, often operating at baud rates like 9600 or 19200. What it might lack in speed, it compensates with ease of integration and the fact that it's an open standard.

Then there's PROFINET, an offshoot of the PROFIBUS family. As an industrial ethernet standard, it's adept at handling large volumes of data with speeds potentially reaching up to 100 Mbps. Its deterministic communication makes it a powerful contender, especially in extensive industrial setups.

However, if one were to lean towards CAN, it wouldn’t be without reason. CAN’s efficiency, cost-effectiveness in small to medium networks, and its interoperability standards like CANopen make it highly attractive. Furthermore, its resilience against electrical disturbances, an inherent feature since its automotive inception, assures performance in challenging industrial terrains.


Sources:

https://www.can-cia.org/can-knowledge/

https://www.profibus.com/technology/profinet/benefits

https://www.se.com/us/en/faqs/FA168406/