Softing offers a broad range of intelligent CAN PC interfaces available as single and dual channel boards. The interface formats range from USB and PC Card over PCI and PCIexpress to PC/104 and PC/104plus.

Due to their fast on-board micro-controller all interfaces act as an autonomous coprocessor for the PC meeting real-time requirements even in heavy load situations at high data rates.

All interfaces support standard and extended CAN identifiers. Their comprehensive and highly configurable CAN message level programming interface makes them the ideal choice for all kind of control and monitoring applications. Any kind and number of messages can be received or sent.

For applications with higher layer protocols like CANopen or DeviceNet a variety of protocol drivers exists. The onboard microcontroller takes care for message buffering, time stamping and exact transmit timing. This allows for a precisely synchronized CAN communication independent from the PC's current load situation.

CAN API functionality

FIFO mode

• Sequential buffering of messages
• Time stamps in µs resolution
• Suitable for measurement data recording, implementation of proprietary "higher" protocols or tools for network and device analysis and configuration

Object buffer mode

• One buffer for each specified message
• Automatic update of all receive buffers
• Random access to current process data
• Exact cyclic message transmission
• Suitable for asynchronous access to all or selected application data
  

Supported Systems

• Windows Vista/XP/2000/NT/9x
• Windows CE .NET
• Ardence RTX
• VxWorks
• Linux
• xPC Target
• Toolkits for portation to other operating systems

Add-ons like analysis and configuration tools are available off-the-shelf.

Applications that need remote access to CAN networks may use Softing's Ethernet CAN gateway that offers the same FIFO mode API as the PC interface cards.