Configuration of CANopen devices and systems

CANopen ConfigurationStudio

The CANopen ConfigurationStudio is a powerful tool for project management and configuration of CANopen devices and systems. Special features of the tool include an ergonomical user interface, modularity, expandability, and the underlying database concept. Based on a client-server structure, the tool is extremely flexible and can be customized using various program modules (client modules).

The field of applications of the CANopen ConfigurationStudio ranges from an economical device configuration tool, which allows for comfortable management and configuration of CANopen devices, to a complex network configuration tool with automated PDO mapping and linking functions. For entry-level users of CANopen devices and systems, the program offers client modules, which allow for network configuration on application level while hiding all CANopen configuration data, such as PDO mapping, and the assignment of CAN identifiers. In this scenario, the user is responsible only for connecting input and output, or I/Os with network variables. Workflow starts with a logical modeling of the network utilising device EDSes and ends with the generation of a network configuration file for a Manager node or with the direct configuration download to the physical nodes via CAN. The CANopen ConfigurationStudio is also prepared for integration into programming environments of CANopen PLCs.

CANopen devices and systems are configured using various client modules with different functionality. Online access to the CAN bus utilising any VCI supported IXXAT CAN board is possible via an integrated CANopen client module, which provides NMT, LSS and LMT functionality and enables the user to scan the network. This modular design and the option of integrating additional client modules with special configuration characteristics and options, including those programmed by the user, provides a quick and easy way to meet specific customer requirements.

The basis of the ConfigurationStudio is a fast database-oriented management of all configuration and device data required by the user. The benefit of this database-oriented design is fast access to all configuration data.

Read more about the CANopen ConfigurationStudio

on the IXXAT Webpage.

CANopen service and diagnostics tool

CANopen Device Manager

The IXXAT CANopen Device Manager is a versatile and upgradeable tool aimed at device test, diagnostics, and field service tasks. Built around a central component that manages the CANopen services while serving as the primary entry point for network definition, the CANopen Device Manager covers functionality like NMT node and error control, SDO client (including block transfer with CRC), PDO producer and consumer, SYNC and time stamp producer. It also offers concise DCF download and firmware download according to CiA 302, LSS master according to CiA 305, and, as an optional add-on, a Python-based scripting engine that allows the development of powerful test applications.

Read more about the CANopen Device Manager

on the IXXAT Webpage.

Online analysis, stimulation and data interpretation

canAnalyser with CANopen Module

The canAnalyser is a powerful and versatile tool for the development, testing and service of CAN/CANopen-based networks.

The basic version of the canAnalyser covers many scenarios, such as online monitoring of bus traffic, transmission of singular or cyclical messages and whole message sequences, as well as recording of CAN-messages dependent on many trigger conditions which can be set. Further functions enable the statistical evaluation of the message traffic, the registration and representation of the bus load and the graphic representation of message contents over a time axis.

Extended functions are provided via supplementary modules, like the CANopen module for the protocol-specific representation of messages in CANopen-based systems.
The Scripting Host combines the advantages of a graphical user interface with the flexibility of scripts. By using the Scripting Host, the canAnalyser can be adapted quickly and easily to specific measuring and analysis tasks. This allows the user to simulate devices and protocols or to test existing devices in the simulated restbus, and also to put them into operation. Specific test environments can be created easily using any Windows interface components. The Scripting Host supports the standard script languages C# and Visual Basic .NET. The incorporation of DLLs also enables the integration of further modules.

Read more about the canAnalyser

on the IXXAT Webpage.

Interfaces

CAN modules and boards

IXXAT offers a wide range of CANopen boards, serving a wide range of common PC interfaces for all kinds of application requirements such as:

At the moment interfaces are offered for:

PCI, PCI-Express
PC/104, ISA
Ethernet
USB
Bluetooth
PC Card