Embedded Systems Academy

Embedded Systems Academy (EmSA), a leading provider of embedded software solutions for CAN
based industrial networks, is pleased to announce the release of its Micro CANopen libraries as
Open-CMSIS-Pack following the Common Microcontroller Software Interface Standard (CMSIS) by
Arm. This new integration enables developers to easily implement CANopen communication
protocols in their embedded systems.

Until now, these Micro CANopen libraries were already available as part of selected NXP
MCUXpresso Software Development Kits (SDKs). Along with NXP’s recent release of support for MS
Visual Studio Code, SDKs and third-party libraries are moving to Open-CMSIS-Packs, ensuring
compatibility with a wider range of development tools and microcontrollers. For more information on NXP’s step towards VS Code and Open-CMSIS-Packs, follow this link.

The Micro CANopen libraries from EmSA offer a minimalistic implementation of the CANopen and
CANopen FD communication protocols for I/O devices and basic managers/controllers. They are
designed to simplify the development process by providing a compact and efficient solution, saving
valuable time and resources for embedded system developers. Through the Open-CMSIS-Pack
format, developers can leverage the libraries seamlessly, further enhancing the efficiency and
reliability of their CANopen-enabled applications.

The published Micro CANopen libraries may be used at no license charge and are adequate to
implement basic I/O devices with a limited number of parameters or a controller with a limited
number of nodes to handle.

“We are excited to bring our Micro CANopen libraries to the Open-CMSIS-Pack ecosystem,” said Olaf
Pfeiffer, CEO of Embedded Systems Academy. “By making our libraries available as Open-CMSIS-
Packs, we aim to empower developers to effortlessly integrate CANopen or CANopen FD support
into their embedded projects.”

Developers can use any tool that supports Open-CMSIS-Packs to access these CANopen libraries such
as NXP MCUXpresso, Visual Studio Code, Arm Keil MDK and IAR Embedded Workbench. The libraries
are compatible with the latest Arm CMSIS releases and initial support covers several popular NXP
LPC and i.MX microcontroller derivatives.

The current beta release features the Micro CANopen release for selected NXP microcontrollers. Future releases will support NXP’s auto-configuration and more derivatives with CAN or CAN FD interfaces.

The current list of available releases is availabe at: www.keil.arm.com/vendors/emsa/packs

Another year has passed that proved to be challenging for everyone in the position of buying semiconductor components or products based on them. Many of our customers and partners have their own stories to share about “creative solutions” to dealing with supply chain issues. Here is an example from one of our customers:

He approached us over a broken CANopen joystick – used in a very expensive machinery – and the machine could no longer be used. The joystick supplier was not able to deliver the joystick, but he could deliver a generic version without the CANopen interface, using digital and analog outputs instead. The question was, how fast could we modify the firmware of our CANopen generic I/O module so that it could be used with the generic joystick and then integrated into the machine.

Custom firmware requests are quite common, however usually combined with some volume purchase of the modules involved. Here, the required quantity was ‘one’.

Luckily the required changes were minimal and most settings could be made via the CANopen configuration (Node ID and bitrate settings, PDO communication and mapping settings). Within a few consulting hours, we were able to deliver a prototype based on our CANopenIA-M0 starter kit. After just one more minor re-configuration the system worked again. The starter kit was embedded in an industrial rugged housing and mounted into the machine near the operator – and it was back to work.

To ensure continuous availability of the CANopenIA modules we, like so many others in the industry, were forced to do a re-design – not necessarily to add new functionality, but just to have multiple sourcing options for the modules.

As a result, within 2023 we expect that our proven and popular CANopenIA-M0 system- on-module will be available in a total of three hardware versions. The two new modules will offer 100% pin-by-pin backward compatibility. In addition, the latest version will not only support classical CANopen but also CANopen FD and provide direct access to faster and higher resolution analog inputs.

We wish our clients and partners a quiet and relaxing transition to 2023 and may the supply chain issues be less challenging this year.

Andy, Chris and Olaf

The popular CANopen Analysis software CANopen Magic and CANopen Logxaminer by Embedded Systems Academy have received a major update. The latest enhancement is a charting module that draws process data plots over time. In CANopen Magic, the data is captured from a live CANopen system whereas in CANopen Logxaminer it is done in post-analysis from a trace recording.

The process data charts are updated dynamically with each corresponding PDO, SDO or USDO on the network. A broad selection of triggering, filtering, scaling and measurement options allow to fine-tune the charts to the task at hand. Configurable colours and shading for each data source complete the customization options.

CANopen Magic generates process data information automatically from the EDS (Electronic Datasheet Files) files of the CANopen nodes connected to the network, making setting up charts from process data easy.

In summary, the added charting module significantly improves the build-in data analysis capabilities of CANopen Magic and CANopen Logxaminer. The charting module is now available in the CANopen Magic Professional and Ultimate editions. Get your trial here: Try CANopen Magic!

The off-the-shelf I/O module PCAN-MicroMod FD DR CANopen from PEAK-System takes advantage of protocol stack from Embedded System Academy

The I/O device for DIN rail PCAN-MicroMod FD DR CANopen Digital 1 passed both the official CiA (CAN in Automation) conformance tests for CANopen® and for CANopen FD®. The device firmware is based on the Micro CANopen Plus protocol stack by Embedded Systems Academy (EmSA), gaining easyness stepping through the conformance tests.

The device is one of the first industrial off-the-shelf I/O devices available that offer both conformance-tested CANopen® and CANopen FD® interfaces. The configuration is simplified, 4 dials are used to make the settings, which are documented directly on the housing. No further configuration software is required.

All other products from the PCAN-MicroMod FD line can load the Micro CANopen Plus protocol stack as an option. There are further aluminum-housed I/O modules supporting analog inputs and outputs, as well as PWM or frequency outputs, and a System on Module solution (SoM) to integrate customized I/O with CAN/CAN FD, CANopen, and CANopen FD operating modes.

CANopen EDS/XDD files are available for download for all PCAN-MicroMod FD products documenting the CANopen or CANopen FD functionality. Furthermore, the PCAN-MicroMod FD Evaluation Board includes a free CANopen FD license.

See the PCAN-MicroMod FD devices capable of CANopen and CANopen FD in our canopenstore.eu

Earlier this year, EmSA inherited the CANopen IA product line from ESSolutions. The product line goes back about 20 years and at the time the products were based on the Philip’s XA architecture. The current products are using the NXP LPC11Cxx microcontrollers (ARM Cortex M0). Right from the beginning, EmSA provided the firmware and support software for these products making EmSA a natural candidate to continue this product line after ESSolutions discontinued their operation.

The base product is a small (31.5 x 20mm) 48pin module offering 7 configurable ports with 4 connectors each. Depending on the port number, a port can be configured to be:

• Digital input or output (4 signals)
• Remote access (serial UART, TTL)
• Internal analog input (4 times 8 or 10bit resolution)
• External analog input (4 times 12bit, I2C connected external)
• External analog output (4 times 12bit, I2C connected external)

At EmSA, we now continuously enhance the features of this product line. The latest firmware release V2.2 added remote access support to a host system via a serial TTL channel. This allows the module to be used as a CANopen communication processor in systems that can use a regular serial channel to communicate with the communication processor. A further enhancement added 8bit resolution access to the analog inputs (default use is 10bit resolution) now supporting a variety of CANopen joystick implementations.

An easy entry starter kit is now available, offering basic access to the functionality provided by the CANopen IA M0 module. All 48 pins of the module are made available on standard header rows, all marked with the matching pin names. For quick tests, switches and LEDs can be connected to any of those pins using jumper cables provided.

A CANopen FD version of the module is currently under development and scheduled for release early 2022.

For more information, see:
www.canopenia.com
www.canopenstore.eu

The 17^th international CAN Conference is an online event about the Controller Area Network happening from June 14^th to June 17^th, 2021. Papers presented cover topics such as updates on the physical and data link layer for CAN FD and XL, CANopen testing, CANopen FD and Security.

The tutors of EmSA participate in presenting two papers: “A simplified classic CANopen to CANopen FD migration path using smart bridges” and “Achieving multi-level CAN (FD) security by complementing available technologies”.

The paper about smart bridges introduces a solution to easily combine classical CANopen devices with CANopen FD devices. The bridges developed here offer one classical CANopen and one CANopen FD port and “auto-translate” CANopen and CANopen FD messages transparently. As an example, SDO transfers on the classical CANopen side are automatically translated to USDO transfers on the CANopen FD side.

The paper about security reviews currently available security solutions for CAN (FD) and examines how they complement each other. The security methods combine here are CAN message ID guarding, a CAN crypto layer and (D)TLS.

For the first time, the iCC combines papers with open CiA IG and SiG (Interest Group and Special interest Group) meetings. Here “open” means that after registration anyone can participate to see how the different work groups operate. Our engineers will participate in the SIG special car add-on devices (CiA 447) and the IG CANopen FD.

For more details and registration, see www.can-cia.org/icc

Our CANopen and CANopen FD software is now available for the entire PCAN-MicroMod FD product line from PEAK-System Technik GmbH. The PCAN-MicroMod FD product line consists of several digital and analog I/O modules with housing and an embedded module suitable for integration into custom hardware developments.

PEAK offers these modules with “direct CAN (FD)” support. A configuration utility provided can assign inputs and outputs to CAN (FD) messages. That same configuration utility can now also be used to load and activate our CANopen or CANopen FD software. The activation process requires an activation code. The activation code is part of the delivery, when buying the devices from EmSA’s online store.

Once CANopen (FD) is loaded and activated, the devices implement the CANopen (FD) device profile for generic I/O devices. In CANopen FD mode, the dual bitrate of CAN FD is supported, allowing transmission rates in the data phase of up to 5Mbps.

Our YouTube channel now features a new PEAK hardware playlist. The first videos added today, show the CANopen software installation and activation process. Future videos will give further configuration examples.

The latest release of the MCUXpresso Software Development Kit from NXP now also includes a free version of the EmSA’s Micro CANopen FD library. The library is available for various microcontrollers of the LPC54xxx and LPC55xxx families. Support for the i.MX RT family will be added later this year.

The CANopen FD libraries are separated by support for devices and managers. The examples implement a generic input and output device as well as a minimal manager and control application. The libraries are fully functional besides a limitation on the number of PDOs and node IDs supported. The licence allows developers to integrate these libraries into commercial projects.

For more details on the CANopen FD libraries in MCUXpresso SDK, watch the introductory video by NXP:

Our youtube playlist “MCUXpresso Middleware course” now features a total of nine videos, including some in-depth tutorial on how to use the CANopen and CANopen FD libraries of the MCUXpresso SDK.

For more information about our CANopen and CANopen FD libraries for NXP, visit our dedicated web page at www.em-sa.com/nxp

A few months back, EmSA’s CANopen and CANopen FD libraries and protocol stacks were integrated into NXP’s MCUXpresso SDK supporting multiple NXP microcontroller families, inlcuding the LPC54xxx family. That MCU family was chosen by PEAK Systemtechnik for a number of industrial input and output devices.

The newly released PCAN-MicroMod FD DR CANopen Digital 1 is the first of their industrial I/O device integrating both CANopen and CANopen FD within the same firmware. All essential settings of the DIN-Rail mountable device are made with turn dials: selection of CANopen or CANopen FD modes, bitrates and node id used.

Typical use cases include future proofing CANopen systems by already choosing CANopen FD capable devices and quickly adding generic I/O devices(s) to custom, embedded CANopen FD networks.

The device passed the official CiA CANopen conformance test. The CANopen FD test is pending.

For more information, see the PEAK product page.

NXP and EmSA are inviting you to the one hour seminar “Accelerate Development of Robust Network Communications with CANopen and CANopen FD” on Tuesday April 21st 2020. This webinar is a hands-on session about customized CANopen (FD) development on NXP MCUs.

In the hands-on part, we take the CANopen (FD) device/slave example included with the NXP MCUXpresso SDK and use the free CANopen Architect Mini software utility to modify and configure the CANopen (FD) communication of the device. Code modifications are made using the MCUXpresso SDK to support the custom generated CANopen (FD) object dictionary entries. Click here to register for this webinar.

The webinar requires some basic CANopen (FD) and MCUXpresso knowledge. See our courses at www.em-sa.com/video to learn the basics about these technologies.