Open-source USB-to-CAN adapter for robots.
It shows up as a serial port, speaks slcan, and guards the bus with split termination, a common-mode choke and a
TVS diode.
Buy · Production files · With STEPFOC · With Spectral Micro · Discord
| USB to CAN | slcan | 1 Mbit/s | Split termination |
|---|---|---|---|
| a serial port on the PC | open-source firmware | the drivers' bus speed | with surge protection |
|
CANvas is a USB to CAN Bus adapter ideal for robotic applications. It is designed to be easily integrated
with all Source Robotics products. It leverages open-source slcan firmware, and the design files are also
open-source. This adapter is special with features like split termination, common mode choke, and TVS diode
protection. By using these features, it employs industry-standard hardware to increase reliability,
protection, and reduce noise.
Read the introduction on the blog |
|
On the computer the adapter is a serial port: COM and a number on Windows, /dev/ttyACM0 on Linux,
/dev/cu.usbmodem and a number on macOS. python-can opens it with bustype='slcan', and
Motor GUI reaches every driver on the bus by its node ID through it. On the bus, the adapter
has its own termination.
| I want to | Go to |
|---|---|
| Buy one | source-robotics.com |
| Build my own | production files · BOM (with LCSC part numbers) · schematic |
| Wire it into a bus of drivers | power and the CAN daisy chain: STEPFOC · Spectral Micro |
| Set up and test the drivers | Motor GUI in the browser, over CAN: STEPFOC guide · Spectral Micro guide |
| Control them from Python | pip install Spectral-BLDC (Spectral-BLDC-Python) · guides: STEPFOC · Spectral Micro |
| Update their firmware over CAN | STEPFOC · Spectral Micro |
What is in this repository
| File | What is in it |
|---|---|
CAN_ADAPTER.zip |
the production files: the Gerber files of the copper, mask, paste and silkscreen layers and the board outline, and the drill files |
bom.csv |
the bill of materials: designators, footprints, quantities, values and LCSC part numbers |
schematic.PNG |
the schematic |
There is no release: the files on the main branch are the latest. The slcan firmware the adapter runs is not in this repository.
Ask in Discussions, chat on Discord, report a bug in Issues, and follow Source Robotics:
The hardware design files are licensed under CERN-OHL-S-2.0; see LICENSE.