The application profile CiA 426 enables CANopen-based control of a rail vehicle's exterior light units, managed by an exterior light control unit. A pre-defined command word allows the activation of specific front or rear lighting patterns. The specification of standardized status words and additional diagnostic information further simplifies system integration and maintenance.

The profile supports three front lighting units, three rear lighting units, as well as one set of lighting units on the left and right sides of the vehicle. Additionally, it allows for up to four manufacturer-specific lighting units to accommodate special-purpose functions, such as working lights. This flexibility enables the generation of a wide range of lighting patterns.

This application profile is part of a virtual multiple network architecture. The exterior rail vehicle lighting control sub-system can be connected to a CiA 421-based rail vehicle integration network, via gateway-functionality implemented in the exterior lighting controller. Unlike many other CANopen application profiles, this profile does not support pre-defined PDOs.

For more detailed information, CiA members can access CiA 426 in the members-only section of CiA's website.