PCAN-Diag FD

The PCAN-Diag FD is a handheld device for diagnosis of the communication on a CAN bus. Possibilities for diagnosis are available on the protocol layer by handling CAN 2.0 and CAN FD messages as well as on the physical layer by using the oscilloscope function and further measuring functions for voltage and resistance.

The oscilloscope function is used for a qualitative assessment of the signal course on the CAN bus. Two independent measuring channels sample both lines CAN-High and CAN- Low with up to 100 MHz. Based on the signal course, the PCAN-Diag FD decodes CAN frames and shows their elements in the scope graphics.

On the protocol layer, the incoming CAN traffic is shown in a list, optionally with symbolic representation for better interpretability. For future analysis, a tracer is implemented that records the CAN traffic. On the outgoing direction, single CAN messages or even full sequences of CAN messages can be transmitted on the connected CAN bus, e.g. in order to request diagnostic data. Recorded CAN traces can also be played back. All functions on the protocol layer are available for CAN 2.0 as well as CAN FD.

The CAN FD standard (CAN with Flexible Data rate) is primarily characterized by higher bandwidth for data transfer. The maximum of 64 data bytes per CAN FD frame (instead of 8 so far) can be transmitted with bit rates up to 12 Mbit/s. CAN FD is downward-compatible to the CAN 2.0 A/B standard, thus CAN FD nodes can be used in existing CAN networks. However, in this case the CAN FD extensions are not applicable.

The PCAN-Diag FD is operated in a simple manner with a push dial and four function keys. The device is supplied either externally or by the internal batteries that are automatically charged during external supply. With the optional charging station, the charging process can be accelerated.