RE: CANOpen monitor and configuration tool

Hi John,

Take a look at the CANopen tools and stack from The Embedded Systems Academy. Their support is fantastic as well.

Best Regards,

Kyle E. Grathwol
Grathwol Automation, LLC
Intelligent Telematics - IntelliMaticsTM<http://www.grathwolautomation.com/> | 419.503.3545
Remote Diagnostics | Heavy Equipment Diagnostic Software

From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of John Dammeyer
Sent: Thursday, September 26, 2013 4:25 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [CANLIST] CANOpen monitor and configuration tool

Hi everyone,
Lately I've been asked about CANOpen and the COTS tools to work with it.

My background for CANOpen is as follows:
I started with the MicroChip CANOpen Stack and ported it to two different PIC18F series processors.  One of them had 4 inputs and 4 outputs and the other an LCD display and keypad (my ELS).  I set up the OD with SDOs and PDOs so the buttons turned on and off the relays and the inputs triggered messages on the LCD.

Since then I've used the PIC18F code as a starting point and created a couple of CANOpen (non-certified) modules with PIC30F5011 processors.  I also wrote my stack code for a Master running on a Freescale 9S12.  The 9S12 keeps everyone in PRE-OP until it sees the heartbeats from the two PIC30F modules.  Then brings the system OPERATIONAL.

I also installed an RM Michealides  RM1001 display that is currently just used as a passive device capturing PDOs and displaying the values in the PDOs on the LCD.  It's not part of the list of "must be there modules" but it's rewarding to see a COTS device display PRE-OP and then OPERATIONAL as my CANOpen network boots up.  If one of the critical nodes is missing it stays PRE-OP.  Very cool.

The RM1001 display, although a bit confusing at first, was really easy to integrate into the system.  I bought their CAN dongle and software tool and with only a little bit of coaching was able to make it work.   Nice stuff.  Will more than likely use more of their product.

But I'm looking for a more general CAN monitor and configuration tool.  Something that can read or generate the EDS files so that I can tell a COTS device how I'd like a PDO configured.  I realize I have to buy that supplier's CAN dongle in order to work with the software tool.    I know Vector has a number of tools and dongles.  I know I can write something myself using a CANUSB from Lawicel or a CAN4USB from Zanthic (I have both here) and that writing to the OD with SDOs to configure a PDO is all quite possible but I'd rather not write my own tool.

What I need is the laymans guide to picking a tool.  One that I can run on several different PCs so perhaps the code is locked to the dongle serial #?

Thanks
John Dammeyer



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