PCAN-PCI

The following software is provided free of charge with the Peak PCAN-PCI. The current version is available for download.

Peak PCAN-View

For basic testing purposes and start-up, PCAN-View – a CAN bus monitor for Windows® – is included. The software is installed when the driver package is installed under Windows®.

This monitor can be used to display CAN messages with timestamps, message IDs, and data using PCAN-PCI. A trace function allows the received data to be written directly to the hard drive. CAN messages are sent from a list in which the CAN messages have been entered. Installed interfaces are displayed with the available CAN controllers, the current bus load and the controller status. PCAN-View also supports CAN-FD in combination with interfaces that support these protocols.

Peak Device Driver

PCAN is available for the PCAN-PCI, which is a synonym for ‘Peak CAN Applications’. This is a flexible system for planning, developing and using Controller Area Networks (CAN). It is a powerful product for both developers and end users.

The PCAN system consists of a collection of Windows^® device drivers. These enable a real-time connection between Windows^® applications and all CAN buses that are physically connected to the PC via PCAN hardware. These drivers allow all CAN channels and all CAN interfaces – even different types – to work together within a single PC.

These powerful driver packages support all CAN boards, regardless of their PC interface, with a uniform programming interface (API). This means that applications based on the API can be used with all Peak CAN without having to modify the application programme. The drivers support multiple CAN channels and/or multiple boards – even different types – to create the desired number of channels.

Features and benefits

• Common application programming interface (API) for all supported operating systems and interfaces
• Simultaneous support of multiple CAN channels and interface boards
• Classic CAN (11 bit, CAN 2.0A), extended protocol (29 bit, CAN 2.0B), CAN FD and CAN XL¹
• Slim communication interface while supporting all required mechanisms for an easy operation of the interface
• Detection and display of error frames on the bus
• Measurement and display of the bus load (only with active CAN cards)
• Possible operation in "Listen only mode"
¹ For interfaces that support these protocols

Programeerinterface "PCAN-Basic"

The PCAN-Basic programming interface (API) provides basic functions for connecting your own programmes to the CAN and CAN FD interfaces from PEAK-System. PCAN-Basic is the interface between the programme and the driver. In Windows^® operating systems, this is a DLL (Dynamic Link Library) and in Linux operating systems, it is an SO (Dynamic Shared Object). PCAN-Basic is designed to be compatible with different operating systems. Software projects can be transferred between supported systems with little effort.

When installing the driver under Windows^®, the DLL files of the PCAN-Basic API are placed in the system folder. Examples for all common programming languages, as well as libraries and help files, are available as a download package.

• Should I choose a CAN interface with or without galvanic isolation?

  A PCAN-PCI with galvanic isolation offers improved noise immunity and prevents ground loops. The potential differences caused by separate power supplies for different CAN nodes do not affect transmission quality. In addition, it protects the device from damage to the electronics caused by power surges.
  We generally recommend galvanic isolation.
  
  However, galvanic isolation reduces the maximum possible CAN bus length by approximately 10 metres (50 ns delay).
  
  Please note that the CAN_GND is always connected, even when galvanic isolation is used.

• Are CAN terminating resistors built into the PCAN-PCI?

  Yes, terminating resistors are built in, but they are disabled by default. The termination can be activated using a solder bridge, for each desired CAN-channel, which requires special tools.
  As a convenient alternative, we can offer the Termination adapter CAN/ CAN FD as an accessory. It can be easily installed between the D-sub 9 connector and the cable without any tools, for each desired CAN channel.

• How do I choose the right PC to CAN interface card?

  Choosing the right CAN interface card depends, among other things, on the desired CAN protocol, the intended application, the type of PC slot available, the available installation space, the intended use, and, of course, the available budget.
  Although CAN is standardized, CAN hardware and PC drivers . It is important to consider which software or development tools are needed before choosing a specific interface.

  Twincomm is a center of expertise for CAN and has over 30 years of experience with CAN. Please contact us and we’ll provide practical advice to help you make the right choice.

• What is the difference between an active and a passive CAN interface card?
• Which PEAK CAN analysis software is best suited to my use case?

  PCAN View and PCAN Explorer 7 are versatile CAN analysis tools for developing, testing, and maintaining CAN and CAN FD systems. Explorer 7 also supports CAN XL. PCAN View offers a basic set of features, while PCAN Explorer 7 offers more and advanced features that can also be expanded with add-ins.
  PCAN View is included free of charge with the PEAK driver. It is ideal for quick diagnostics or hardware testing, for example. Explorer 7 is comprehensive, professional software designed for development, debugging, simulation, or (automated testing) of CAN, CAN FD, and/or CAN XL networks. Please contact us for a demo version of Explorer 7.

  Zowel PCAN View als PCAN Explorer 7 zijn bedoeld voor een typisch gebruiksscenario. De onderstaande tabel geeft een handig overzicht van alle verschillen.

  Functions	Module	PCAN View	Explorer 7
  Measurement configuration
  Supported bus controllers	Channels	1	64
  Supported CAN protocols CAN CAN FD CAN XL	Channels
  Transmission
  Transmitting messages in layer 2 format via broadcasting lists (one-off/cyclic)	Transmit
  Transmitting sequences in layer 2 format to emulate CAN-nodes	Transmit
  Reception and display
  Display received messages - Scroll view - Overwrite mode	Receive
  Filtering during reception or recording	Filter
  Symbolic representation via Symbol files	Symbol
  Symbolic aditor	Symbol
  Symbolic import from CANdb Import or AUTOSAR XML	CANdb add-in
  Recording/Playback
  Recording on hard disk - Maximum size	Record	1 GB
  Filter and trigger functions during recording	Filter
  Playback of recordings on the buses for analyzing	Replay
  Playback break pints and single step	Replay
  Workflow management
  Project and task management	Workflow		Phyton VBScript
  Automation of tasks	Automation		Phyton VBScript
  Take actions triggered by CAN	Automation		Phyton VBScript
  J1939 Support
  Display of J19839 and J1939 FD messages	J1939 Add-in
  Adresclaiming, Multi-packet or DTC's	J1939 Add-in
  Configurable Display of Signal Curves
  Graphical real-time display of signals	Plotter Add-in
  Display of limiting values and value ranges	Plotter Add-in
  Signal Display and Manipulation
  Representation of analog and digital signals with displays	Panel Add-in
  Adding controls to manipulate transmit messages	Panel Add-in

• Does this interface support CANopen or J1939?

  Yes, the PCAN-PCI works with all CAN messages, including CANopen and J1939

  However, the CAN messages are not interpreted as CANopen or J1939. Separate software is available for generating or interpreting CANopen or J1939. Please enquire about the options.

• Can I order on account?

  Yes, that's definitely possible! Most customers place their orders through a Purchase Order.
  First request a quote and then send the purchase order (PO) by email, simply from your own purchasing system. For first time buyers, we may ask additional questions in order to perform a credit check. Please contact us if you require our company details for registration in the purchasing system.
  
  For security reasons, customers located in, or wishing to ship to, countries outside the Benelux must always pay in advance.

• Why are all prices available upon request?

  The online webshop is still under construction. As soon as it is available, all prices will naturally be visible.

  However, everything is of course available, and we would be happy to inform you about prices and delivery times. Please contact us or give us a call. We have over 30 years of experience with CAN. We are happy to help you and offer you immediate practical advice or support.