CAN Info Mail

This monthly email is for all CAN fellows.
June 2022

A word from the CiA Managing Director

CiA profile specifications for devices, applications, and interfaces enables the design of partly interoperable products. Partly, because interoperability is only guaranteed for mandatory data objects and data elements as well as the default mapping of PDOs (classic CANopen and CANopen FD) and of Parameter Groups (J1939). Data object and data element are the new terms introduced in the CANopen FD specification (CiA 1301). The attributes for data objects (e.g. index, category, data type) and data elements (e.g. PDO access, SDO access, modification, etc.) have been improved, too.

Additionally, CiA profiles are split in different parts. Part B specifies the data objects and the general attributes of the data elements (e.g. entry name, category, modification, unit, value range, and default value). In part C, the classic CANopen mapping is added. This includes the CANopen-specific data element attributes (e.g. PDO access, SDO access, etc.) and the PDO data element mapping. Of course, also PDO communication and PDO mapping data objects are specified in Part C. Part F specifies the mapping to CANopen FD. The data object and data element attributes use the same definitions as in Part C except the USDO access attribute. Completely different is the mapping to the J1939 application layer. The part J specifying this mapping to J1939 adapts the attributes of Parameter Groups (PG) and Suspect Parameters (SP).

This means, you have to learn something. In order to avoid confusion and misunderstandings, CiA is going to provide a CiA Technical Report explaining the migration from legacy CANopen terminology to an application-layer independent description of data objects and data elements. This also includes attribute definitions given in CANopen Electronic Data Sheets (EDS). This will need some time. In the meantime, revised CiA profiles adapting the new profile specification partitioning will contain in an annex some of this information. This will be substituted by a reference to the planned CiA Technical Report, when it is released.

Updated CiA profile specifications comply with inclusive language guidelines as given in the CiA house style. Especially, the terms “NMT master” and “NMT slave” are substituted by “NMT manager” respectively “NMT server”. By the way, CiA profile specification in DS state (draft specification) can be purchased also by non-members. They can subscribe to the CiA 4XX series for one year or they become a CiA member and get all CiA specifications free of charge including all work drafts.

 

SIC transceiver for CAN FD

Using SIC (signal improvement capability) transceivers compliant with CiA 601-4 simplifies the life of network designers. Even challenging topologies can be managed. The tradeoff is the restriction in the network overall length. First SIC transceivers are already on the market (see April issue of CIM). Besides NXP and Infineon, also Texas Instruments (TI) offers SIC transceivers. The TCAN1462-Q1 and TCAN1463-Q1 transceivers are available in multiple packaging options, including TCAN1462-Q1's 2,9 mm x 1,6 mm package. The company provides the video “Designing with CAN signal improvement capability (SIC) transceivers”. Additionally, TI has released the “How signal improvement capability unlocks the real potential of CAN-FD transceivers” application note.

CAN XL plugfest

On May 4, the 2nd CAN XL plugfest took place. There were three CAN XL controller implementations tested (Bosch, NXP, and Vector). Additionally, the CAN SIC XL transceiver form Bosch, Infineon, and NXP were checked. CAN XL decoding oscilloscopes from Keysight, Lecroy, and Pico were used to monitor, to display, and to analyze the transmitted CAN XL data frame bits. Besides testing receiver error cases (bit flips) and ADS/DAS tolerances, exemplary wiring harnesses (hybrid topologies) from Mercedes Benz and Volkswagen were used. Successful tests were performed up to 16,66 Mbit/s in the data phase. Read the article in the CAN Newsletter Online.

June issue of the CAN Newsletter magazine

The second issue of the free-of-charge CAN Newsletter magazine 2022 is released. The new series called “history and trends” with feature articles on dedicated application fields continues. This time, it focuses on the history and trends of CANopen, CAN on and under sea, CAN in air and space, as well as CiA members from the beginning.

Other topics include a case study on extending CAN, an application report on feeding cows using CAN, an open-source CANopen protocol stack, automotive diagnostics, a measurement and calibration tool, as well as a solution for complex CAN architectures. Brief news is provided in the section standards and specifications.

The articles can be downloaded individually or you can download the entire magazine.

CAN Newsletter Online

Anniversary: 20 years of CiA member
Walvoil (Italy) congratulated CiA to its 30-year anniversary. The company is CiA member since 2002. Since then, the company continued to apply CAN in various products and applications.

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CiA in-house seminars

Due to an improved pandemic situation, CiA appreciates being able to offer CiA in-house seminars, as in-person events, again.

We think that personal contact allows a much better and sustainable knowledge transfer. Nevertheless, CiA continues offering web-based seminars as a very efficient educational service, with special regard to traveling costs.

On occasion of CiA in-house seminars, CiA engineers discuss CAN-related topics, adjusted to the companies’ requirements.

For more information, please send an e-mail: events(at)can-cia.org.

CANopen product panel for CiA members

CiA presents its CANopen product panel wall during following upcoming trade shows:

  • Bauma, October 24 to 30, 2022, Munich
  • SPS, November 08 to 10, 2022, Nuremberg

For booking the panel, please email us at: exhibition(at)can-cia.org.

CAN- and CANopen-related educational training

Webinars

  • 2022-06-28: CANopen profiles and IoT1
  • 2022-07-07: CiA – 30th anniversary1

Technology day

  • 2022-07-06: CiA in action1

1 in English language

New CiA members since the last CiA Info Mail (CIM)

  • Balancell Energy (ZA)
  • Daimler Truck (DE)
  • Heronitec Solutions (DE)
  • machineering (DE)
  • N7 Space (PL)
  • Osram (DE)
  • Practek Technology (CN)

CiA has 731 members (June 01, 2022).

CiA Product Guides

Renewed entries

New videos on Youtube
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If you would like to subscribe to the monthly CAN Info Mail please send an e-mail to mail(at)can-cia.org.

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