CAN Card for Embedded Data Acquisition

February 1, 2016

Ryan Gehm

Kvaser AB has introduced the Kvaser PCIEcan 4xHS, an integrated controller area network (CAN) card that adds four high-speed CAN channels to any standard computer board with PCI Express capability. Offering silent mode, error frame detection/generation, and an onboard buffer, this add-on board fits many embedded data-acquisition systems and is CAN-FD ready. The CAN controller was developed in-house, implemented in an FPGA. Kvaser claims that PCIEcan 4xHS is its fastest network card ever. It has an average response time of 45 µs. An onboard buffer ensures that there is no risk of the card “dropping” messages, which is very useful in “ping-pong protocols” such as firmware updates, the company notes. The low-profile card—86 x 69 mm (3.4 x 2.7 in)—is fully compatible with SAE J1939, CANopen, NMEA 2000, and DeviceNet. With an operating temperature range of 0 to 85°C (32 to 185°F) and galvanically isolated CAN bus drivers, it is designed for standard and industrial computers alike. Kvaser’s PCIEcan boards are supported by device drivers and program examples for Windows and Linux. All Kvaser CAN interface boards share a common software API, Kvaser CANLIB, that is free to download. Kvaser CanKing, a general-purpose interactive CAN bus monitor, can also be downloaded at no charge ( www.kvaser.com ).