This was supposed to be my 4th blog. Discussing advanced topics such as triggers, filters, multiple messages.
But this is when the Microchip CAN Analyzer didn't perform to its advertised specs.
Good Basic functionality
The device performed perfectly when doing basic analysis. It performed well on logic level and on physical bus level. Receiving, Sending and logging work just fine.
Some additional features such as terminating the line via software, changing frequency and set the device to listen-only mode are a big asset. So far so good.
It's perfectly usable in that context. Not a single failure. Not a single let-down.
Advertised Functionality not Implemented
The disappointment comes when moving to the advanced functions. They are not implemented.
It feels like an abandoned device. Functionality that's key to make it useful as a real can bus development and test utility (group message) are announced as "to be implemented as a future functionality" in 2010.
That's a pity but acceptable. No commitments were made, so I can't complain.
Functionality that's mentioned on the product page and user manual (triggers, filters in the GUI) are not implemented. I have no words for that.
Microchip has had 7 years to work on that or remove the features from the product page and User Manual. Customers have been asking them since 2010. They gave up in 2012.
This is a Road Test, so I hope that Microchip will chime in and correct me. I will check - hope I stand corrected ...
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