National Instruments has introduced the NI 9862 C-Series high-speed CAN (Controller Area Network) module, the latest addition to the NI-XNET family of high-performance interfaces, designed for communication with embedded networks. The module extends the NI-XNET family to the NI CompactDAQ and CompactRIO hardware platforms and introduces CAN support to NI CompactDAQ. The NI CompactDAQ platform offers portable CAN communication with 4- and 8-port USB or Ethernet chassis options. NI CompactDAQ is compatible with over 50 other NI C-Series I/O modules, and the NI 9862 high-speed CAN module can be synchronized with other I/O modules in the same chassis. The modular nature of NI CompactDAQ, along with its seamless integration with NI LabVIEW graphical programming software, enhances ease of use and facilitates rapid measurement acquisition.
CAN is recognized as the standard onboard network for automotive vehicles and is used in various other industries such as public transportation, avionics, agricultural/forestry machinery, medical devices, military systems, and industrial automation. Using the new module, engineers can develop applications such as the following:
• Monitoring and registration of networks on board vehicles.
• Portable calibration of UCEs (Electronic Control Unit).
• Diagnostics in vehicles (monitoring and registration).
• Validation of devices with synchronized DAQ (Data Acquisition).
The NI-XNET family offers a common programming interface for multiple automotive networks, such as CAN, LIN, and FlexRay. Thanks to NI-XNET interfaces, engineers can develop applications for prototyping, simulating, and testing these networks more quickly and easily using LabVIEW and LabVIEW Real-Time software, as well as ANSI C/C++. The interfaces combine the performance and flexibility of low-level microcontroller interfaces with the speed and development power of Windows operating systems and LabVIEW Real-Time. They can also be easily integrated into real-time desktop PC and real-time PXI systems. NI-CAN XNET interfaces include an integrated database that supports the import, editing, and use of FIBEX, .DBC, and .NCD frames and signals. Furthermore, the CAN module also includes intuitive software tools and APIs to accelerate development efforts, and the same code can be used across all PXI, PCI, NI CompactDAQ (USB and Ethernet), and CompactRIO hardware systems for additional time savings. This advantage allows engineers to standardize their CAN applications for diverse configurations and application areas.
Engineers can also use the module with the CompactRIO platform and more easily perform rapid prototyping through a common programming interface comparable to NI-XNET CAN interfaces such as PCI and PXI. Furthermore, the module has native, integrated functionality for common NI VeriStand CAN communication applications, a fast-acting software solution for setting up real-time test applications such as hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and test cell applications.
