Peak PCAN-USB Hub User manual

CAN Interface for USB
User Manual
PCAN-USB
Document version 2.5.1 (2017-01-27)

PCAN-USB – User Manual
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Relevant products
Product name Model Part number
PCAN-USB IPEH-002021
PCAN-USB opto-decoupled Galvanic isolation for CAN
interface
IPEH-002022
The cover picture shows both products: the PCAN-USB with the red and the PCAN-
USB opto-decoupled with the grey cable strain relief.
CANopen® and CiA® are registered community trade marks of CAN in Automation
e.V.
All other product names mentioned in this document may be the trademarks or
registered trademarks of their respective companies. They are not explicitly marked
by “™” or “®”.
Copyright © 2017 PEAK-System Technik GmbH
Duplication (copying, printing, or other forms) and the electronic distribution of this
document is only allowed with explicit permission of PEAK-System Technik GmbH.
PEAK-System Technik GmbH reserves the right to change technical data without
prior announcement. The general business conditions and the regulations of the
license agreement apply. All rights are reserved.
PEAK-System Technik GmbH
Otto-Roehm-Strasse 69
64293 Darmstadt
Germany
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
www.peak-system.com
[e-mail]
Document version 2.5.1 (2017-01-27)

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Contents
1 Introduction 5
1.1 Properties at a Glance 5
1.2 System Requirements 6
1.3 Scope of Supply 7
2 Installing the Software and the Adapter 8
3 Connecting the CAN Bus 9
3.1 Connection over D-Sub Connector 9
3.2 Voltage Supply of External Devices 10
3.3 Activating the Internal Termination 13
3.4 Cabling 15
3.4.1 Termination 15
3.4.2 Example of a Connection 15
3.4.3 Maximum Bus Length 16
4 Operation 17
4.1 Status LED 17
4.2 Unplugging the USB Connection 17
4.3 Distinguishing Several PCAN-USB Adapters 17
5 Software and API 18
5.1 Monitor Software PCAN-View 18
5.1.1 Receive/Transmit Tab 20
5.1.2 Trace Tab 22
5.1.3 PCAN-USB Tab 23
5.1.4 Status Bar 24
5.2 Linking Own Programs with PCAN-Basic 25
5.2.1 Features of PCAN-Basic 26
5.2.2 Principle Description of the API 27

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5.2.3 Notes about the License 28
6 Technical Specifications 29
Appendix A CE Certificate 31
Appendix B Dimension Drawings 32
Appendix C Quick Reference 33

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1 Introduction
The PCAN-USB adapter enables simple connection to CAN
networks. Its compact plastic casing makes it suitable for mobile
applications. The opto-decoupled version guarantees galvanic
isolation of up to 500 Volts between the PC and the CAN side.
The package is also supplied with the CAN monitor PCAN-View for
Windows and the programming interface PCAN-Basic.
Device drivers exist for different operating systems, so programs
can easily access a connected CAN bus.
Tip: At the end of this manual (Appendix C) you can find a
Quick Reference with brief information about the installation
and operation of the PCAN-USB adapter.
1.1 Properties at a Glance
Adapter for the USB connection (Full-Speed mode, compatible
with USB 1.1, USB 2.0, and USB 3.0)
High-Speed CAN connection (ISO 11898-2)
Bit rates from 5 kbit/s up to 1 Mbit/s
Time stamp resolution approx. 42 μs
Compliant with CAN specifications 2.0A (11-Bit ID)
and 2.0B (29-Bit ID)
CAN-Bus connection via D-Sub, 9-pin (in accordance with
CiA® 303-1)
NXP SJA1000 CAN controller, 16 MHz clock frequency
NXP PCA82C251 CAN transceiver

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Galvanic isolation on the CAN connection up to 500 V (only
PCAN-USB opto-decoupled)
5-Volts supply to the CAN connection can be connected through
a solder jumper, e.g. for external bus converter
Voltage supply via USB
Extended operating temperature range from -40 to 85 °C
(-40 to 185 °F)
Note: This manual describes the use of PCAN-USB adapter with
Windows. You can find device drivers for Linux and the corres-
ponding application information on the provided DVD in the
directory branch Develop and on our website under
www.peak-system.com/linux.
1.2 System Requirements
A vacant USB port (USB 1.1, USB 2.0 or USB 3.0) at the compu-
ter or at a self-powered USB hub connected to the computer
Operating system Windows 10, 8.1, 7 (32/64-bit)
or Windows CE 6.x (x86 and ARMv4 processor support)
or Linux (32/64-bit)
Note: Do not use a USB extension cable to connect the PCAN-
USB adapter to the computer. The use of an extension cable
does not comply with the USB specification and can lead to
malfunction of the adapter.

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1.3 Scope of Supply
PCAN-USB in plastic casing
Device drivers for Windows 10, 8.1, 7 and Linux (32/64-bit)
Device driver for Windows CE 6.x
(x86 and ARMv4 processor support)
CAN monitor PCAN-View for Windows
Programming interface PCAN-Basic for developing applications
with CAN connection
Programming interfaces for standardized protocols from the
automotive sector
Manual in PDF format

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2 Installing the Software and
the Adapter
This chapter covers the software setup for the PCAN-USB adapter
under Windows and the connection of the adapter to the computer.
Install the driver before you connect the adapter to the computer.
Do the following to install the driver:
1. Start Intro.exe from the supplied DVD.
The navigation program starts.
2. Select in the main menu Drivers and click on Install now.
3. Confirm the message of the User Account Control related to
"Installer database of PEAK Drivers".
The driver setup starts.
4. Follow the program instructions.
Do the following to connect the adapter:
Note: Do not use a USB extension cable to connect the PCAN-
USB adapter to the computer. The use of an extension cable
does not comply with the USB specification and can lead to
malfunction of the adapter.
1. Connect the adapter to a USB port of the computer or of a
connected USB hub. The computer can remain powered on.
Windows detects the new hardware and completes the
driver installation.
2. Check the LED on the adapter. If the LED is red, then the
driver was initialized successfully.

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3 Connecting the CAN Bus
3.1 Connection over D-Sub Connector
A High-speed CAN bus (ISO 11898-2) is connected to the 9-pin
D-Sub connector. The pin assignment for CAN corresponds to the
specification CiA® 303-1.
Figure 1: Pin assignment High-speed CAN
(view onto connector of the PCAN-USB adapter)
Low power devices (e.g. bus converters) can be supplied directly
with 5 volts over pin 1 and pin 9 of the CAN connector. Pin 1 and
pin 9 is not in use at the delivery state. For more information see
the next section 3.2.
Tip: You can connect a CAN bus with a different transmission
standard via a bus converter. PEAK-System offers different bus
converter modules (e.g. PCAN-TJA1054 for a Low-speed CAN
bus according to ISO 11898-3).

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3.2 Voltage Supply of External Devices
External devices with low power consumption (e.g. bus converters)
can be directly supplied via the CAN connector. With a solder bridge
for the one CAN channel on the PCAN-USB board (casing opened),
a 5-Volt supply can optionally be routed to pin 1 and/or pin 9 of the
D-Sub connector (for PCAN-USB opto-decoupled to S/N 199999 only
pin 1 available).
The opto-decoupled model of the adapter contains an intercon-
nected DC/DC converter. Therefore, the current output is limited to
50 mA.
Risk of short circuit! The 5-Volt supply is not protected sepa-
rately. Therefore, turn off the computer before you connect and
disconnect CAN cables or peripheral systems.
Consider that some computers still supply the USB ports with
power even when they are turned off (standby operation).
Do the following to activate the voltage supply:
Risk of short circuit! Solder with great care to avoid unwanted
short circuits on the card.
Attention! Electrostatic discharge (ESD) can damage or destroy
components on the circuit board. Take precautions to avoid
ESD while handling the circuit board.
1. Open the adapter casing. Push the latches on both sides
cautiously, e.g. with a flat tip screwdriver.
2. Remove the circuit board.
3. Set the solder bridge according to the model of the PCAN-
USB on the intended position on the circuit board (see
figures and table below).

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4. Place the board overhead onto the top part of the casing.
The cable must lie with the strain relief in the cut-out of the
casing and the LED must be in the corresponding hole.
5. Push the bottom part of the casing onto the top part until
the latches click in.
Figure 2: PCAN-USB board (IPEH-002021) to S/N 199999,
solder field JP3 for 5-Volt supply
Figure 3: PCAN-USB board (IPEH-002021) from S/N 200000,
solder field JP3 for 5-Volt supply

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Figure 4: Bottom side of the PCAN-USB opto-decoupled board (IPEH-002022)
to S/N 199999, solder field R11 for 5-Volt supply
Figure 5: PCAN-USB opto-decoupled board (IPEH-002022) from S/N 200000,
solder field JP3 for 5-Volt supply
5-Volt supply on the D-Sub connector
PCAN-USB model Solder
field Without
(default)
Pin 1 Pin 9 Pin 1 and
pin 9
IPEH-2021
to S/N 199999 JP3
IPEH-2021
from S/N 200000 JP3
IPEH-2022 (opto-dec.)
to S/N 199999 R11
not
applicable
not
applicable
IPEH-2022 (opto-dec.)
from S/N 200000 JP3

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3.3 Activating the Internal Termination
Only applicable to adapters from S/N 200000.
The internal termination can be activated by solder jumpers on the
circuit board to terminate one end of the CAN bus. At delivery the
termination is not activated. A High-speed CAN bus (ISO 11898-2)
must be terminated on both ends with 120 Ohms. Otherwise
disturbances may arise.
Do the following to activate the internal termination:
Risk of short circuit! Solder with great care to avoid unwanted
short circuits on the card.
Attention! Electrostatic discharge (ESD) can damage or destroy
components on the circuit board. Take precautions to avoid
ESD while handling the circuit board.
1. Open the adapter casing. Push the latches on both sides
cautiously, e.g. with a flat tip screwdriver.
2. Remove the circuit board.
3. Set both solder bridges. The following figures show the
positions of the solder fields.
4. Place the board overhead onto the top part of the casing.
The cable must lie with the strain relief in the cut-out of the
casing and the LED must be in the corresponding hole.
5. Push the bottom part of the casing onto the top part until
the latches click in.

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Figure 6: PCAN-USB board (IPEH-002021) to S/N 199999,
solder fields for the CAN bus termination
Figure 7: PCAN-USB opto-decoupled board (IPEH-002022) from S/N 200000,
solder fields for the CAN bus termination
Termination High-speed CAN bus 120 
PCAN-USB model Without (default) Activated
IPEH-2021
to S/N 199999 Not available
IPEH-2021
from S/N 200000
IPEH-2022 (opto-dec.)
to S/N 199999 Not available
IPEH-2022 (opto-dec.)
from S/N 200000

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3.4 Cabling
3.4.1 Termination
The High-speed CAN bus (ISO 11898-2) must be terminated with
120 ohms on both ends. The termination prevents interfering signal
reflections and ensures the proper operation of the transceivers of
the connected CAN nodes (CAN interfaces, control devices).
The PCAN-USB adapter to S/N 199999 does not have an internal
termination. From S/N 200000 it has an optional internal termination
with 120 Ohms. See the previous section 3.3 for information about
activation.
3.4.2 Example of a Connection
Figure 8: Simple CAN connection
This example shows a connection between the PCAN-USB adapter
and a control unit. The connection cable is terminated with 120
ohms at both ends.

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3.4.3 Maximum Bus Length
High-Speed-CAN networks may have bit rates of up to 1 Mbit/s. The
maximum bus length depends primarily on the bit rate.
The following table shows the maximum possible CAN bus length
at different bit rates:
Bit rate Bus length
1 Mbit/s 40 m
500 kbit/s 110 m
250 kbit/s 240 m
125 kbit/s 500 m
50 kbit/s 1.3 km
20 kbit/s 3.3 km
10 kbit/s 6.6 km
5 kbit/s 13.0 km
The listed values have been calculated on the basis of an idealized
system and can differ from reality.

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4 Operation
4.1 Status LED
The PCAN-USB adapter has a red status LED which can be in one of
the following conditions:
Status Meaning
On There's a connection to a driver of the operating system.
Slow blinking A software application is connected to the adapter.
Quick blinking Data is transmitted via the connected CAN bus.
4.2 Unplugging the USB Connection
Under Windows the icon for removing hardware safely is not used
with the PCAN-USB adapter. You can unplug the adapter from the
computer without any preparation.
4.3 Distinguishing Several PCAN-USB
Adapters
You can operate several PCAN-USB adapters on a single computer
at the same time. The supplied program PCAN-View allows the
assignment of device IDs in order to distinguish the adapters in a
software environment. Fore more information see section 5.1.3 on
page 23.

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5 Software and API
This chapter covers the provided software PCAN-View and the
programming interface PCAN-Basic.
5.1 Monitor Software PCAN-View
PCAN-View is simple Windows software for viewing, transmitting,
and logging CAN and CAN FD messages.
Note: This chapter describes the use of PCAN-View with a CAN
adapter.
Figure 9: PCAN-View for Windows

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Do the following to start and initialize PCAN-View:
1. Open the Windows Start menu and select PCAN-View.
The Connect dialog box appears.
Figure 10: Selection of the specific hardware and parameters
2. Select an interface from the list.
3. From the dropdown list, select the Bit rate that is used by all
nodes on the CAN bus.
Tip: You can create custom bit rates by using the button ().
4. Under Filter settings you can limit the range of CAN IDs to
be received, either for standard frames (11-bit IDs) or for
extended frames (29-bit IDs).
5. Activate the Listen-only mode if you do not actively
participate in the CAN traffic and just want to observe. This
also avoids an unintended disruption of an unknown CAN
environment (e.g. due to different bit rates).
6. Confirm the settings in the dialog box with OK. The main
window of PCAN-View appears (see Figure 11).

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5.1.1 Receive/Transmit Tab
Figure 11: Receive/Transmit tab
The Receive/Transmit tab is the main element of PCAN-View. It
contains two lists, one for received messages and one for the
transmit messages. The CAN data format is hexadecimal by default.
Do the following to transmit a CAN message with PCAN-View:
1. Select the menu command Transmit > New Message
(alternatively or Ins ).
The New Transmit Message dialog box appears.
Figure 12: Dialog box new transmit message