CiA® interoperability test

On request, CiA tests the interoperability of CANopen devices in the pre-configured CANopen reference network. This includes devices developed and manufactured by CiA members or purchased on the market by CiA members from a third party. The interoperability testing bench was built for this purpose with the support of CiA member companies such as Fritz Kübler, HMS (formerly Ixxat), Maxon Precision Motors, Micro Control, Port as well as Posital, Schneider Electric Automation and Vector Informatik.

The interoperability test is a service for member companies. The aim of the interoperability test is to ensure that CANopen devices are capable of interacting with a variety of other CANopen devices from multiple vendors, all integrated in the test stand. The controller used in the testing bench is a mid range PLC for industrial process and infrastructure: a Modicon M340 from Schneider Electric. The test stand is equipped with a variety of other CANopen devices, such as I/O modules, encoders, drives and so on. The devices are pre-configured to operate in the same network. With the CiA interoperability test passed, device manufacturers are able to assure customers that their CANopen devices can be configured with a Modicon M340 and are also able to interact in the network with other CANopen devices. For detailed information on the tests, please contact the CiA test center (service(at)can-cia.org)

Preparation for interoperability test

To arrange an interoperability test session, please contact the CiA test center (service(at)can-cia.org). Please consider the following recommendations if you decide to test the interoperability of your product at CiA:

  • Device pre-testing saves time and money. Therefore it is highly recommended to send us devices that have passed the tests of the CANopen conformance test tool or have rather passed the CANopen conformance testing.
  • Testing the CANopen device interoperability requires an EDS or DCF file in text or XML format.
  • Providing required special equipment (e.g. special power supplies, special connectors, etc.) and brief installation guidelines also saves time and money. At the CiA testing laboratory, plugs for the most known connector types (e.g. EIA-232, open style M12 5-pin, etc.) are available. With regard to power supply, up to 40 VDC at 6 A, 230 VAC at 16 A as well as 400 VAC three-phase at 16 A per phase are available.

A half or a whole day interoperability testing

CiA offers to test a single CANopen device (half day) as well as a group of similar CANopen devices (whole day). The CANopen interoperability testing is performed with PLC Modicon M340 (Schneider Electric) and alternative software tools from Port GmbH, HMS (formerly Ixxat), and Vector GmbH. The PLC and tools support most CANopen communication services and are compatible with many CANopen device profiles. Additionally, the CAN Stress tool from Vector GmbH is used to test CANopen network physical layer limits. The interoperability testing consists of the following test steps:

  • Integration of the device into a network.
    • Testing the configuration of CANopen services like SDOs, PDOs, Error controls, etc. device during network configuration in the PLC or a tool using EDS or DCF.
    • Testing the pre-configuration with LSS and general operation of the device during network operation controlled by the PLC or the tool.

  • Testing the application layer constraints. Testing the interoperability of the test devices’ application specific SDOs, PDOs, Error controls, etc. vs. those of reference devices of the CANopen network.
  • Testing physical layer constraints of the configured network (bus traffic increase, bus line and stubs constraints).

Because interoperability testing is focused on the physical and application layer, implementation failures in both communication layers may prevent the interoperability validation as well. Examples for such failures could be:

  • Erroneous Node-ID adjustment mechanisms,
  • Device generates actively error frames in the network,
  • Wiring error,
  • etc.

Documenting the interoperability testing

After a successful test, the device can be listed on the CiA website, if requested. In addition, the device manufacturer receives a detailed test report, provided by the CiA test engineer:

Interoperability testing fees

Effective from January 1, 2016, CiA has adapted the prices for CANopen interoperability testing at the CiA test center. The test report, indicating that a device passed the testing successfully, is already included in the fee.

Service Non CANopen certified CANopen certified
1/2 day 450,00 €
(535,50 € incl. German VAT)
300,00 €
(357,00 € incl. German VAT)
1 day 900,00 €
(1071,00 € incl. German VAT)
600,00 €
(714,00 € incl. German VAT)