RoadTest: Microchip CAN Bus Analyser Tool
Author: rsc
Creation date:
Evaluation Type: Test Equipment
Did you receive all parts the manufacturer stated would be included in the package?: True
What other parts do you consider comparable to this product?: Phytec PEAK PCAN-View, and PICAN2 for Raspberry Pi
What were the biggest problems encountered?: Software compatability between vendors. The PC programs would only work with their CAN interface even though they were all USB devices.
Detailed Review:
The CAN (Controller Area Network) protocol has been around since the late 1980's developed by Robert Bosch GmbH, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CAN_bus and is used for communication between electronic modules in cars and trucks. It is also used for various laboratory instrumentation and motor control systems. The CAN bus uses a three wire link between devices, CAN-High, CAN-Low, CAN-Gnd. The CAN-High and CAN-Low wires are usually a twisted pair with 120 ohm termination resistors at each end. The CAN protocol was standardized to allow multiple modules to communicate at high speeds while avoiding electrical interference.
The Microchip CAN bus analyzer tool kit, part number APGDT002, arrived containing:
I tried to install the enclosed software on a windows10 OS, and had many installation errors.
The first error was a win10 admin error.
The second was a driver error.
The third was a Win10 version error.
I downloaded the latest USB driver from Microchip and started over.
CAN BUS Analyzer Tool - APGDT002 | Microchip Technology Inc.
http://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/DeviceDoc/51848B.pdf
Finally, the USB driver was installed and working.
I started the Copley CME2 software for communications with my motor driver and amplifier, the software would not recognize the Microchip CAN interface.
I plugged in both the Microchip and PEAK interfaces to see how the drivers interacted.
The Device Manager lists them as different devices.
My Copley CAN bus interface was out in the field with some equipment, so I can't compare it directly right now.
I opened PCAN-View and sent a few CAN messages using the PEAK CAN interface to the motor driver and captured the results.
Then I ran the Microchip CAN BUS Analyzer tool and sent some messages.
As you can see, the two programs look very similar, equally capturing the CAN messages with a few formatting differences.
The Microchip software is dated 2011, but they advertise another package:
>> "Sophisticated, easy-to-use Graphical User Interface option with K2L´s OptoLyzer Studio Entry."
https://www.k2l.de/products/1/OptoLyzer%C2%AE%20Studio%20Entry/
https://www.k2l.de/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/OptoLyzer-Studio.zip
https://www.k2l.de/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/OptoLyzerStudio.chm
https://www.k2l.de/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/OptoLyzerStudioBundles_GettingStarted.pdf
I looked into the cost of this software, and a single-seat license is $390 for the OptoLyzer Studo Entry version (-%20 discount for University).
The software requires a USB License Stick to run.
A nice addition to the software package was the compiled HEX files for the internal Microchip devices, and the source code for both the firmware and the PC software.
The hardware interface for the CAN bus is very simple, just CANH, CANL, CANgnd connections.
Here's the unit connected to my Copley amplifier and motor driver.
It was nice to have the same pinout for each board, all I needed was a DB9 male to DB9 female cable.
The Microchip adapter also has screw terminals, so I used them to look at the signals with an oscilloscope.
The CAN bus sits at 2.5 volts when idle, and the CANH and CANL are equal in time but opposite in delta voltage when
the bus is active.
The Microchip CAN Bus Analyzer is listed at $99.99, The Standard PEAK PCAN-USB is listed at € 180-220 depending on options.
The Copley USB-CAN-01 is listed at $290. I didn't request quotes for the OptoLyzer MOCCA devices, but I'm guessing they are expensive.
Copley Controls - CANopen PCI Card & I/O Processor
http://www.copleycontrols.com/Motion/pdf/CANUSB-ds.pdf
Other than a few installation hiccups, the Microchip CAN BUS Analyzer was an easy to use tool with a simple, yet effective PC interface.
The cost of the tool is half of its competitors, and the addition of source code increases the value for hardware and software developers.
When my other hardware gets back from the field I will run some more tests using this interface, and look at the software source code compared to some of our in-house CAN bus code.
I will continue to add to this review as I get CAN bus equipped equipment to use it with. I will also try some OBDII messaging and logging, since this group has asked for it.
I found my OBDII scan tool and another tool called Autotap OBDII streamer to parallel with the Microchip tool. I will install the Microchip software on a laptop and see what my truck CAN bus looks like.
To be continued....
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