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ESP32 Development Board with NMEA 2000 & NMEA 0183 HAT
The ESP32 processor integrates peripherals such as UART, CAN Bus, WIFI, and Bluetooth, allowing a wide range of applications. Its low price adds to its popularity. Various ESP32 development boards, such as the ESP32-WROOM-32, are available in the market, as shown to the left. However, compared to popular systems like the Raspberry Pi or Arduino, the [...]
Thomson Electrac HD Linear Actuator - Fatal Error Flag at Low Speed
As part of a customer project, I was asked to develop a hardware system to control a linear actuator, specifically the Thomson Electrac HD model with SAE J1939 interface. The Electrac Linear Actuator is a great product, and it is always rewarding to see the application move. Yet, working on this application was, at times, [...]
Thomson Electrak HD Linear Actuator - Multiple Actuators in the Same Network Will Empty the Batteries
Back in April 2022, I published a post, Thomson Electrak Linear Actuator with SAE J1939 Interface for Railway and Industrial Applications intending to use the gained knowledge and publish it in form of an application report. However, after months of working with this product (time frame, not efforts), I still discovered what I call undocumented “oddities.” These [...]
SAE J1939 Diagnostic Device Includes a PGN, SPN Database
The handheld PCAN-Diag FD device from PEAK-System supports diagnosing communication on a CAN (FD) network. In addition, a separately available module extends the functionality to analyze SAE J1939 data traffic. The SAE J1939 Standard describes communication in utility vehicles via CAN Bus. The standard specifies messages and data for transmitting diagnostic and control information using PGNs (Parameter Group Numbers) and [...]
Extending ESP32 Functionality by Using Raspberry Pi HATs
The ESP32 processor integrates peripherals such as UART, CAN Bus, WIFI, and Bluetooth, allowing a wide range of applications. Its low price adds to its popularity. Various ESP32 development boards, such as the ESP32-WROOM-32, are available in the market, as shown to the left. However, compared to popular systems like the Raspberry Pi or Arduino, the [...]
ESP32 Triple CAN Bus Application Through Adding Two MCP2515 Ports
The first question that may arise when talking about accessing the MCP2515 CAN Bus controller per ESP32 may be, "Why would you need an MCP2515 controller when the ESP32 comes with an internal CAN port?" Yes, I found this question in one of the online forums while researching this particular topic. The answer is easy: [...]
SAE J1939 - Simulation of Request Message with J1939 to USB Gateway
The above image shows my SAE J1939 test setup with three nodes connected through our CAN-Bus Hub with 7 Ports and DC Power Connection. They are: SAE J1939 to USB Gateway in Plastic Enclosure... SAE J1939 ECU Simulator Board With USB Port... PEAK PCAN-USB Pro FD - CAN, CAN FD, and LIN Interface for High-Speed USB 2.0... The PCAN-USB [...]
SAE J1939: Simulation of Analog and Digital Signals with the JCOM1939 Monitor Software
The JCOM1939 Monitor Software is ideal for monitoring, recording, analyzing, and simulating SAE J1939 data traffic. The system works in combination with our SAE J1939 gateways. This comprehensive and easy-to-use, easy-to-understand Windows software displays not only SAE J1939 data traffic but also scans the network, simulates an ECU (incl. full node address negotiation features), and responds [...]
Any CAN Bus, SAE J1939, NMEA 2000 Development Requires the Right Testing Tools
I want to reiterate a point made in a previous post ("A Beginner's Guide to SAE J1939 Embedded Software Development"): When developing and testing your CAN Bus application, may it be Classical CAN, CAN FD, CANopen, SAE J1939, or NMEA 2000, you need to connect your device to a functional network. One solitary node connected to your [...]
Data Acquisition from Heavy Duty Vehicles Using SAE J1939 CAN Bus
Modern vehicles have electronic control units (ECUs) to control various subsystems such as the engine, brakes, steering, air conditioning, and infotainment. These ECUs (or ‘controllers’) are networked to convey information and output measured and calculated data to each other.This in-vehicle network is a data goldmine for improved maintenance, measuring vehicle performance and its subsystems, fleet [...]