Like CAN@net NT and CANbridge NT, CANnector is a standalone device, meaning it does not require a PC. In addition to a generic CANnector, three pre-configured versions are offered:
- CANnector for extended range: for simple CAN (FD) range extension via Ethernet or as a CAN interface connected to a PC via Ethernet.
- CANnector as a bridge: a CAN (FD) link bridge/gateway, frame- or signal-based, with features such as online floating-point data manipulation for all bus systems.
- CANnector as a recorder: a data logger with a trigger and circular or ring buffer, as well as a low-power sleep mode with CAN (FD) activation, for recording frame- or signal-based CAN (FD) data.
After removing them from the box and connecting them, all three versions are ready to use. Because the basic hardware is the same and the different CANnector functions are achieved through loadable configurations, all CANnectors can be reconfigured to include the desired functionality.
A powerful Linux platform allows CANnector to run complex applications and perform data manipulation on the device. Support for bus description files also enables signal-level operation.
By using "Wake-up on CAN" (CAN activation of low-power sleep) and the ability to disable the TX function on the CAN buses, the device can be used in power- and safety-sensitive applications.
CANnector is available in different hardware versions, which differ only in the number of supported interfaces. The maximum number of interfaces is eight CAN (FD), two LIN, two digital I/O, and one EtherCAT slave interface, as well as Ethernet and USB. The EtherCAT slave interface is implemented using HMS's Anybus® CompactCom technology, which also allows for future support of other industrial Ethernet protocols. USB extensions, such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, are available as options.
Ixxat CANnector offers numerous additional functions that allow, for example, the visualization and simulation of live data using mobile devices (smartphone or tablet) via Wi-Fi, or cloud connectivity via OPC-UA, MQTT or via HMS Hub™, HMS' own solution for industrial data connectivity.
Using the EtherCAT slave interface, CANnector allows a direct connection of CAN-based (FD) networks to industrial Ethernet networks or a PLC.
All functions can be executed in parallel on the CANnector device, so that, for example, data logging can be executed in parallel with CAN bridging (FD) and data display on mobile devices.
HMS provides a free Windows tool that enables easy configuration of the CANnector, establishing connections between source and target using a drag-and-drop interface. Optionally, CAN bus descriptions (FDs) can be imported for configuration. The standard range of functions can be extended using the integrated development and debugging environment and user-generated C code or Matlab/Simulink models, which can be run on the device.
