Kvaser BlackBird v2 User manual

Kvaser BlackBird v2 User’s Guide
Copyright 2011-2014 Kvaser AB, Mölndal, Sweden
http://www.kvaser.com
Printed Thursday 20th March, 2014
We believe that the information contained herein was accurate in all respects at the time of printing.
Kvaser AB cannot, however, assume any responsibility for errors or omissions in this text. Also note
that the information in this document is subject to change without notice and should not be construed
as a commitment by Kvaser AB.

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Kvaser AB, Mölndal, Sweden — www.kvaser.com

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Contents
1 About this manual 3
2 Introduction 4
2.1 Welcome to Kvaser BlackBird v2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.2 Major features of Kvaser BlackBird v2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.3 Additional software and documentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
3 Kvaser BlackBird v2 hardware 6
3.1 Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3.2 USB ................................... 6
3.3 CAN ................................... 6
3.4 Power supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3.5 LED indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
3.6 Use as a USB CAN interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
3.7 Use as a Wireless CAN Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3.8 Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3.9 ERROR LED indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
4 Appendices 10
4.1 Technical data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
4.2 CAN connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
4.3 Updating the firmware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
4.4 CAN bus termination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
5 Disposal and Recycling Information 14
6 Legal acknowledgements 15
6.1 Usage warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
6.2 Agency Approval . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
6.3 USA ................................... 16
6.4 RoHS compliance statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
6.5 Patents, copyrights and trademarks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
7 Version history 18
Kvaser AB, Mölndal, Sweden — www.kvaser.com

Kvaser BlackBird v2 User’s Guide 3 (18)
1 About this manual
This manual is intended for Kvaser BlackBird v2 users. This document contains a
description of the hardware’s properties and general instructions for connecting the
device to a computer. The Kvaser BlackBird setup software is started from the
Kvaser Hardware program in the control panel.
For information about how to set up a WLAN connection to the Kvaser BlackBird
v2, see the Kvaser BlackBird Getting Started Guide.
Kvaser AB, Mölndal, Sweden — www.kvaser.com

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2 Introduction
This section will describe the functions and features of the Kvaser BlackBird v2.
2.1 Welcome to Kvaser BlackBird v2
Figure 1: Kvaser BlackBird v2
The Kvaser BlackBird v2 is a small, yet advanced, wireless CAN interface.
Configured via the USB interface, the Kvaser BlackBird v2 can be used as a
wireless CAN interface or as a USB CAN interface.
This guide applies to Kvaser BlackBird v2 devices listed in Table 1.
Device Product Number
Kvaser BlackBird v2 73-30130-00671-3
Kvaser BlackBird v2 OBDII 73-30130-00675-1
Table 1: Kvaser BlackBird v2 devices and its EAN numbers
Throughout this document, we use the name Kvaser BlackBird v2 to mean any one
of the different Kvaser BlackBird v2 products listed in Table 1, unless otherwise
noted.
Kvaser AB, Mölndal, Sweden — www.kvaser.com

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2.2 Major features of Kvaser BlackBird v2
•Wireless CAN interface
•Supports 802.11b/g/n
•Infrastructure and Ad-hoc mode
•Supports WPA2/WPA/WEP encryption
•Supports Kvaser REST API
•Can be either public or private.
•USB CAN interface
•Supports extreme data throughput and prevents bottlenecks with quick
reaction times and precise time stamping.
•Supports both 11-bit (CAN 2.0A) and 29-bit (CAN 2.0B active) identifiers.
•Large on-board RAM buffer for CAN messages
•Supports silent mode for analysis tools – listen to the bus without interfering.
•100 % compatible with applications written for other Kvaser CAN hardware
with Kvaser CANlib.
•High-speed CAN connection (compliant with ISO 11898-2), up to 1 Mbit/s.
•Fully compatible with J1939, CANopen, NMEA 2000 and DeviceNet.
•One USB 2.0 HiSpeed connection with data rates up to 480 Mbit/s while
being compatible with USB 1.x and USB 3.0.
•Power supplied through the CAN bus interface or the USB interface. The
device automatically switches between the CAN (primary) and the USB
(secondary) power supply, reducing the power drain on a laptop’s battery.
•Rugged aluminum housing.
2.3 Additional software and documentation
•Kvaser CANlib SDK, which includes everything you need to develop software
for the Kvaser CAN hardware. Includes full documentation and many sample
programs, written in C, C++, C#, Delphi, and Visual Basic. All Kvaser CAN
interface hardware shares a common software API. Programs written for one
device type will run without modification on other device types!
•On-line documentation in Windows HTML Help and Adobe Acrobat format.
•The latest versions of documentation, software and drivers can be
downloaded for free at http://www.kvaser.com/download/.
Kvaser AB, Mölndal, Sweden — www.kvaser.com

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3 Kvaser BlackBird v2 hardware
In this section you can read more about the installation, hardware, power supply
and LED indicators.
3.1 Installation
The Kvaser BlackBird v2 delivery package contains:
•Kvaser BlackBird v2.
•Software and Driver media containing Kvaser CANlib and drivers for
Windows; Kvaser BlackBird Setup Tool; Kvaser CANKing, an easy to use
CAN bus monitor; Drivers for RP1210A, LabView, and DIAdem; and Kvaser
CANlib Software Development Kit.
•Kvaser Quick Start Instruction.
After installing Kvaser Windows drivers, you may connect the Kvaser BlackBird v2
and Windows will install the appropriate driver.
The Kvaser BlackBird v2 may be inserted in any free USB socket on the host
computer.
For information on how to upgrade the firmware, see Chapter 4.3, Updating the
firmware, on Page 12.
3.2 USB
The Kvaser BlackBird v2 has a standard USB type “A” connector.
3.3 CAN
The Kvaser BlackBird v2 offers different CAN connectors depending on the model.
A 9-pin DSUB or a 16-pin OBDII connector. See Chapter 4.2, CAN connectors, on
Page 10 for details about the different connectors.
3.4 Power supply
The Kvaser BlackBird v2 can be powered from the CAN side or from the USB side.
The device automatically switches between the CAN (primary) and the USB
(secondary) power supply, reducing the power drain on a laptop’s battery.
Kvaser AB, Mölndal, Sweden — www.kvaser.com

Kvaser BlackBird v2 User’s Guide 7 (18)
To operate the Kvaser BlackBird v2 as a wireless CAN interface, you must supply
power on the CAN side. To use the device as a USB CAN interface or to configure
the device, power on the USB side is sufficient.
3.5 LED indicators
Figure 2: LEDs on the Kvaser BlackBird v2
The LED indicators have somewhat different meaning depending on how your
Kvaser BlackBird v2 is being used – as a CAN interface or a wireless interface.
Table 2 describes the general purpose of each LED.
LED General meaning
CAN (Yellow) Status for CAN channel.
INFO (Orange) General Information.
ERROR (Red) Indicates temporary or permanent errors.
WLAN (Blue) WLAN status.
POWER (Green) Power and general status.
Table 2: LEDs on the Kvaser BlackBird v2
3.6 Use as a USB CAN interface
To use the Kvaser BlackBird v2 as a USB CAN interface; connect the unit to a free
USB port on your PC or USB hub.
When used as a USB CAN interface, the POWER LED will be
illuminated and the CAN LED will emit short flashes when CAN
messages are transmitted and received.
Kvaser AB, Mölndal, Sweden — www.kvaser.com

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3.7 Use as a Wireless CAN Interface
To use the Kvaser BlackBird v2 as a Wireless CAN interface, supply power through
the CAN connector and disconnect the USB connector.
When used as a Wireless CAN interface, the POWER LED will
be illuminated and the CAN LED will emit short flashes when
CAN messages are transmitted and received. When the WLAN
LED is constantly illuminated, the BlackBird is connected as a
CAN interface and the wireless communication is stable.
3.8 Troubleshooting
Use “Kvaser Hardware” in the Control Panel to verify that the computer can
communicate with the Kvaser BlackBird v2. If the firmware version shown is all
zeroes, there are communication problems.
If the LEDs are not flashing or illuminated at all, check the power supply.
For further troubleshooting, see the trouble shooting section in
the Kvaser BlackBird Getting Started Guide.
3.9 ERROR LED indicator
Sometimes the ERROR LED indicator can give more information about the cause
of failure.
ERROR LED Signal Auxiliary Signal General Meaning
Blink CAN LED blinks CAN channel is in error passive mode
Slower blink CAN LED blinks CAN channel is bus off
Short flash - Error frame detected
Table 3: ERROR LED Indicator Signals
A steady light on ERROR LED is used to indicate a variety of situations. Check the
other LED signals to identify the issue.
Kvaser AB, Mölndal, Sweden — www.kvaser.com

Kvaser BlackBird v2 User’s Guide 9 (18)
LED Signal General Meaning
INFO LED 1 short blink CAN overrun
INFO LED 5 short blinks Major error
INFO LED 6 short blinks WLAN failure
POWER LED fast blink Software problems: configuration, parameters, firmware
Table 4: Steady ERROR LED Signals
Kvaser AB, Mölndal, Sweden — www.kvaser.com

Kvaser BlackBird v2 User’s Guide 10 (18)
4 Appendices
In this section you will find technical information about the Kvaser BlackBird v2 and
its connectors.
4.1 Technical data
In Table 5 you will find the Kvaser BlackBird v2’s technical specifications.
CAN Channels 1 (CAN 2.0A and 2.0B active).
CAN Transceivers TJA1051T (Compliant with ISO 11898-2)
CAN Controller Built into the processor
CAN Bit Rate 40 kbit/s to 1 Mbit/s
Time stamp resolution 25 µs
Error Frame Detection Yes
Error Frame Generation Yes
PC interface Supports USB 2.0 HiSpeed at 480 Mbit/s. Compatible with
USB 1.1 at 12 Mbit/s and with USB 3.0 at 480 Mbit/s.
Wireless communication WLAN 802.11b/g/n, 2.4 GHz, (infrastructure and ad hoc-
mode)
Wireless security WPA2 / WPA / WEP128 / WEP64
External power Allowed operating voltage 9 - 40 V DC. Maximum input volt-
age 48 V DC.
Power consumption Typical values are: 370 mA if powered from the USB (~5 V).
4.2 W for single channel powered from the CAN bus.
Hardware configuration Done by software (Plug & Play).
Software requirements Windows (XP with SP3 or later). (For other operating sys-
tems, see Kvaser web or contact Kvaser support.)
Dimensions 30 x 190 x 20 mm
Weight 165 g including cables and connectors.
Operating temperature −40 ◦C to +70 ◦C
Storage temperature −55 ◦C to +90 ◦C
Relative Humidity 0 % to 85 % (non-condensing.)
Table 5: Technical Specifications.
4.2 CAN connectors
The Kvaser BlackBird v2 using the 9-pin D-SUB connector (see Figure 3 on
Page 11) has the pinning described below (see Table 6 on Page 11).
Kvaser AB, Mölndal, Sweden — www.kvaser.com

Kvaser BlackBird v2 User’s Guide 11 (18)
Figure 3: The D-SUB connector pin numbers
D-SUB pin number Function
1 Not connected
2 CAN_L
3 GND
4 Not connected
5 Shield
6 Not connected.
7 CAN_H
8 Not connected.
9 Power supply to the device
Table 6: Configuration of the 9-pin DSUB
The Kvaser BlackBird v2 using the 16-pin OBDII plug (see Figure 4) has the
pinning described in Table 7.
Figure 4: OBDII Connector
OBDII pin number Function
4 GND
6 CAN_H
14 CAN_L
16 Power supply to the device
Table 7: OBDII pin configuration (showing only connected pins)
Kvaser AB, Mölndal, Sweden — www.kvaser.com

Kvaser BlackBird v2 User’s Guide 12 (18)
4.3 Updating the firmware
For the Kvaser BlackBird v2 to communicate with the host computer, compatible
versions of the Kvaser CANlib (including driver) and firmware must be installed.
Read the Release Notes carefully.
The latest versions of firmware and drivers can be downloaded for free at
http://www.kvaser.com/download/.
Connect the Kvaser BlackBird v2 to your PC with the USB cable. Start the
update.exe application. A window opens where you should see the device listed if
correctly connected to your PC (see Figure 5). Select the device to update and
click the Next button.
Figure 5: Firmware Update, Select Device
Click on the Start Upgrade button to start programming (see Figure 6 on Page 13) .
Programming takes approximately 30 seconds. The progress is displayed on the
screen.
If you see any error messages, try to disconnect and reconnect the device, and
then perform the operation again.
To verify that the firmware is updated,
•Open “Kvaser Hardware” in Control Panel. Select “Kvaser BlackBird v2” in
the tree view to the left, and click on the channel. The firmware revision
information appears in the right half of the window.
Kvaser AB, Mölndal, Sweden — www.kvaser.com

Kvaser BlackBird v2 User’s Guide 13 (18)
Figure 6: Firmware Update, Start Upgrade
4.4 CAN bus termination
Every CAN bus must be terminated with a 120 Ωresistor at each end of the bus.
The Kvaser BlackBird v2 does not contain any CAN bus termination, because
inclusion could cause severe disturbance in a system which is already correctly
terminated.
For laboratory or testing use, the exact value of the termination resistors is not
always critical. Sometimes a single terminator is sufficient. For production, proper
termination is essential. If you see error frames on the bus, you should check the
termination.
To save yourself a lot of trouble, always terminate the CAN bus
properly.
Kvaser AB, Mölndal, Sweden — www.kvaser.com

Kvaser BlackBird v2 User’s Guide 14 (18)
5 Disposal and Recycling Information
When this product reaches its end of life, please dispose of it
according to your local environmental laws and guidelines.
For information about Kvaser’s recycling programs, visit:
http://www.kvaser.com/en/kvaser/recycling-policy.html
Kvaser AB, Mölndal, Sweden — www.kvaser.com

Kvaser BlackBird v2 User’s Guide 15 (18)
6 Legal acknowledgements
6.1 Usage warning
WARNING FOR ALL USERS
WARNING! - YOUR USE OF THIS DEVICE MUST BE DONE WITH CAUTION AND A FULL
UNDERSTANDING OF THE RISKS!
THIS WARNING IS PRESENTED TO INFORM YOU THAT THE OPERATION OF THIS DEVICE
MAY BE DANGEROUS. YOUR ACTIONS CAN INFLUENCE THE BEHAVIOR OF A CAN-BASED
DISTRIBUTED EMBEDDED SYSTEM, AND DEPENDING ON THE APPLICATION, THE
CONSEQUENCES OF YOUR IMPROPER ACTIONS COULD CAUSE SERIOUS OPERATIONAL
MALFUNCTION, LOSS OF INFORMATION, DAMAGE TO EQUIPMENT, AND PHYSICAL
INJURY TO YOURSELF AND OTHERS. A POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS OPERATING
CONDITION IS PRESENT WHEN THE FOLLOWING TWO CONDITIONS ARE
CONCURRENTLY TRUE: THE PRODUCT IS PHYSICALLY INTERCONNECTED TO A REAL
DISTRIBUTED EMBEDDED SYSTEM; AND THE FUNCTIONS AND OPERATIONS OF THE
REAL DISTRIBUTED EMBEDDED SYSTEM ARE CONTROLLABLE OR INFLUENCED BY THE
USE OF THE CAN NETWORK. A POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS OPERATING CONDITION MAY
RESULT FROM THE ACTIVITY OR NON-ACTIVITY OF SOME DISTRIBUTED EMBEDDED
SYSTEM FUNCTIONS AND OPERATIONS, WHICH MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS PHYSICAL
HARM OR DEATH OR CAUSE DAMAGE TO EQUIPMENT, DEVICES, OR THE SURROUNDING
ENVIRONMENT.
WITH THIS DEVICE, YOU MAY POTENTIALLY:
•CAUSE A CHANGE IN THE OPERATION OF THE SYSTEM, MODULE, DEVICE,
CIRCUIT, OR OUTPUT.
•TURN ON OR ACTIVATE A MODULE, DEVICE, CIRCUIT, OUTPUT, OR FUNCTION.
•TURN OFF OR DEACTIVATE A MODULE, DEVICE, CIRCUIT, OUTPUT, OR
FUNCTION.
•INHIBIT, TURN OFF, OR DEACTIVATE NORMAL OPERATION.
•MODIFY THE BEHAVIOR OF A DISTRIBUTED PRODUCT.
•ACTIVATE AN UNINTENDED OPERATION.
•PLACE THE SYSTEM, MODULE, DEVICE, CIRCUIT, OR OUTPUT INTO AN
UNINTENDED MODE.
ONLY THOSE PERSONS WHO:
(A) ARE PROPERLY TRAINED AND QUALIFIED WITH RESPECT TO THE USE OF THE
DEVICE,
(B) UNDERSTAND THE WARNINGS ABOVE, AND
(C) UNDERSTAND HOW THIS DEVICE INTERACTS WITH AND IMPACTS THE FUNCTION
AND SAFETY OF OTHER PRODUCTS IN A DISTRIBUTED SYSTEM AND THE APPLICATION
FOR WHICH THIS DEVICE WILL BE APPLIED, MAY USE THE DEVICE.
PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU CAN INTEGRATE THIS PRODUCT AS A SUBSYSTEM INTO
HIGHER-LEVEL SYSTEMS. IN CASE YOU DO SO, KVASER AB HEREBY DECLARES THAT
KVASER AB’S WARRANTY SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE CORRECTION OF DEFECTS, AND
KVASER AB HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY LIABILITY OVER AND ABOVE THE
REFUNDING OF THE PRICE PAID FOR THIS DEVICE, SINCE KVASER AB DOES NOT HAVE
ANY INFLUENCE ON THE IMPLEMENTATIONS OF THE HIGHER-LEVER SYSTEM, WHICH
MAY BE DEFECTIVE.
Kvaser AB, Mölndal, Sweden — www.kvaser.com

Kvaser BlackBird v2 User’s Guide 16 (18)
6.2 Agency Approval
6.2.1 R&TTE Declaration of Conformity (DoC)
The equipment comply with the applicable directive R&TTE 1999/5/EC and the
following applicable standards EN 301 489-1 (1.8.1), EN 301 489-17 (2.1.1), EN
300 328 (1.7.1) and EN 60950-1 (2006).
We,
Kvaser AB Aminogatan 25A SE-431 53 Mölndal Sweden
declare under our sole responsibility that the product:
Product name: Kvaser BlackBird v2
Trademark: Kvaser
Model: Kvaser BlackBird v2, EAN: 73-30130-00671-3
Kvaser BlackBird v2 OBDII, EAN: 73-30130-00675-1
to which this declaration relates is in conformity with the essential requirements
and other relevant requirements of the R&TTE Directive (1999/5/EC).
The product is in conformity with the following standards and/or other normative
documents: HEALTH & SAFETY (Art. 3(1)(a)): EN 60950-1 (2006) and
A11 (2009), EN 62 311 (2008) EMC (Art. 3(1)(b)): EN 301 489-1 V1.8.1(2008),
EN 301 489-17 V2.1.1(2009) SPECTRUM (Art 3(2)): EN 300 328 V1.7.1 (2006-10)
Notified body involved: HEALTH & SAFETY (Art. 3(1)(a)), EMC (Art. 3(1)(b) and
SPECTRUM (Art 3(2)) tested by SGS Fimko oy
Technical file held by:
Kvaser AB Aminogatan 25A SE-431 53 Mölndal Sweden
Place and date of issue (of this DoC):
Mölndal 2013-06-10
Kent Lennartsson, Hardware Manager
6.3 USA
NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a
Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are
designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the
equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates,
uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in
accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause
Kvaser AB, Mölndal, Sweden — www.kvaser.com

Kvaser BlackBird v2 User’s Guide 17 (18)
harmful interference in which case the user will be required to correct the
interference at his/her own expense.
FCC Compliance
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that
may cause undesired operation.
This device contains
FCC ID: XF6-RS9110N1102
When using the Kvaser BlackBird v2 device, you will be exposed to some of the
transmitted RF energy. This exposure is well below the prescribed limits in all
national and international RF safety standards and regulations. For security
reasons: This modular transmitter MUST have a separation distance of at least
20 cm between the antenna and the body of the user or nearby persons.
6.4 RoHS compliance statement
This product is manufactured in accordance with directive 2002/95/EC on the
Restriction of the use of certain Hazardous Substances in electrical and electronic
equipment (RoHS.)
6.5 Patents, copyrights and trademarks
All trademarks are the property of their respective owner. Windows is a registered
trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries.
Adobe, the Adobe logo, and Reader are either registered trademarks or trademarks
of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries.
DeviceNet is a Trademark of Open DeviceNet Vendor Association, Inc.
NMEA 2000 is the registered trademark of the National Marine Electronics
Association, Inc.
The products described in this document are protected by U.S. patent 5,696,911
and 7,100,042.
Kvaser AB, Mölndal, Sweden — www.kvaser.com

Kvaser BlackBird v2 User’s Guide 18 (18)
7 Version history
Version history for document UG_98105_blackbird_v2:
Revision Date Changes
4.0 2014-01-31 First public release.
Kvaser AB, Mölndal, Sweden — www.kvaser.com