USB to CAN Adapter

CANUSB USB to CAN Adapter

Need to connect your CAN network to a PC? Just plug the compact and tough CANUSB into any PC USB Port and you have an instant CAN connection. CAN data is sent and received from your CAN network using standard ASCII format, either through a standard COM port or by using the DLL.

Using a COM port means that no drivers have to be installed, and existing serial port software can be used without changes. Installing the DLL package with its direct drivers gives higher CAN bus loads and faster communications, and we have made it surprising easy to do.

The free sample programs allow you to start seeing and transmitting CAN messages immediately, without having to write any code!

CAN USB Features

Just plug the CAN USB dongle into a standard USB port and it gives a DB9 male output to your CAN network. As the CANUSB draws its power from the USB bus, no external power supply is needed. It conforms with CiA (CAN in Automation) recommendations, so its maximum current consumption is 100mA. Normal current consumption is less than 45mA, but this can depend on CAN cable errors, CAN bus load etc.

The CAN USB operates on all Windows and Linux platforms. You can use the free virtual COM port and your existing RS232/COM port software in Delphi, Visual Basic, C++ etc. Alternatively, you can use the DLL package or VB6 ActiveX control to access the CANUSB directly, which improves performance

See Download page for CAN USB Software).

If you already use CAN232, it is easy to migrate from CAN232 to CANUSB with some small software changes.
A free Windows threaded CANUSB API DLL allows you to write applications in a snap.

CANUSB details

• Compact size (Length: 55mm, Width: 36mm, Height: 16mm)
• 1m shielded USB lead
• Free Virtual Comm Port software
• Free USB Drivers
• Firmware upgrades via USB
• Demos available in Visual Basic, C++ and Delphi
• Free sample programs available
• Free Direct Driver DLL

CANUSB Specifications

• CAN bit rate up to 1Mbit/s
• Industrial Temperature range -40C to +85C (since serial No: W700, previously 0C to +70C)
• Full Speed USB 2.0, using FTDI FT245RL
• Philips 82C251 CAN Tranceiver (Fully Compatible with ISO 11898-24V)
• Philips SJA1000 CAN Controller running at 16Mhz
• Supports both CAN 2.0A (11-bit CAN ID) and CAN 2.0B (29-bit CAN ID)
• RTR frames supported
• 32 CAN frames deep FIFO buffer for incoming frames in CANUSB firmware
• Incoming CAN frames can be Time Stamped in mS
• CiA DS102-1 standard CANbus connection
• CANUSB powered by USB
• Free Interface DLL and ActiveX controller or low level Ascii Commands via USB driver
• Free Linux driver availible
• Green LED shows CAN activity
• Red LED shows CAN error activity
• Firmware updates by USB
• FCC compliant and CE Approved
• RoHS & WEEE Compliant

CANUSB CAN Pin Assignments

Pin assignment comply with CiA recommendations DS102-1. The CANUSB is powered from USB port, so there is no need to connect external power on pin 9. Only CAN_L (pin2), CAN_H (Pin7) and CAN_GND (pin3) need to be connected.

CANUSB Sample Programs

Sample Programs, Demos and Drivers

Linux driver information

Inside CANUSB

Inside the CANUSB unit, you will find a high quality, dense 4-layer PCB with parts on both sides. Using a four layer PCB reduces noise, giving faster, more reliable data transfer, as well as improving EMC immunity and emission.

The CANUSB firmware can be upgraded through the USB interface, so you can easily update CANUSB firmware when new improved software is released or new functions are added. CANUSB is CE certified, FCC compliant and RoHS compliant, which many other similar products are not.