USB modules acquire from CAN and LIN interfaces

21 February 2007 Test & Measurement

National Instruments has released its first USB modules for high-speed and low-speed/fault-tolerant controller area network (CAN) and local interconnect network (LIN) monitoring, logging and testing, combining the quality and performance of NI CAN software and hardware with the benefits of high-speed USB.

With a low price point and a synchronisation option, engineers now have an easy, cost-effective and portable solution for connecting their PCs to CAN and LIN devices and networks for device validation, test and in-vehicle data logging.

The USB-847x interfaces do not only make it easy to link PCs and laptops to automotive networks; each interface is available with a unique synchronisation option that allows it to share start triggers and timestamps with other USB CAN and LIN interfaces, as well as with data acquisition, vision and motion devices such as NI CompactDAQ and bus-powered M Series multifunction data acquisition modules for USB.

An engineer conducting an in-vehicle noise, vibration and harshness test, for example, can monitor sensors and then determine the state of ECUs on the network if test thresholds are exceeded.

The USB-8476 LIN interfaces are the first LIN devices released by NI. LIN, a single-wire communication bus, is a cost-effective option for networking automotive smart sensors and actuators that do not require the bandwidth and versatility of CAN. The LIN interfaces can function in master, slave and monitor modes and are fully compatible with 1.3, 2.0 and J2602 LIN standards.

The interfaces are bus-powered, with integrated transceivers and a captive USB cable, for rugged, plug-and-play functionality.

With a powerful frame-based API, engineers using NI-CAN can develop and operate applications in a variety of programming environments, including LabView, LabWindows/CVI and Measurement Studio, as well as Microsoft C/C++ and Visual Basic. The driver software also includes a CAN and LIN bus monitoring utility.

For more information contact National Instruments SA, 0800 203 199.

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