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Learning Python and Electronics with the ESP32
In an age where smart devices are seamlessly integrated into our daily lives, the demand for accessible tools to understand and build electronics projects has never been greater. This book aims to demystify both Python programming and basic electronics, serving as a comprehensive introduction for beginners. Whether you’re a hobbyist, student, educator, or simply curious [...]
Harnessing the Power of the ESP32-S3: A Look at Copperhill’s CAN FD Development Board
In the evolving landscape of IoT, industrial automation, and automotive communication, the demand for a versatile, wireless-enabled microcontroller with CAN bus capabilities has never been greater. Copperhill Technologies rises to the occasion with its latest innovation—a development board based on the ESP32-S3-WROOM-1-N8R8, engineered to support both Classical CAN and CAN FD protocols. At the heart of [...]
CAN Bus Development with Raspberry Pi vs Arduino Due Using Copperhill Technologies Hardware
CAN Bus (Controller Area Network) is an essential protocol in automotive, industrial, and embedded systems. Its robustness, real-time capabilities, and multi-master structure make it the go-to solution for everything from vehicle diagnostics to robotic motion control. Two popular platforms for CAN Bus development are the Raspberry Pi and the Arduino Due. Copperhill Technologies supports both platforms [...]
Bridging the Gap: J1708 to J1939 Gateways for Diesel Engine Retrofits
Upgrading older diesel vehicles to support modern digital dashboards and telematics systems often requires translating legacy communication protocols. Specifically, many older heavy-duty vehicles use SAE J1708 with the J1587 data protocol, while newer systems rely on SAE J1939 over CAN bus. Bridging these two standards is essential when retrofitting dashboards, ECUs, or fleet monitoring devices. Fortunately, [...]
Implementing Vehicle Telematics with Raspberry Pi and PiCAN FD HAT
Understanding Vehicle Telematics Vehicle telematics refers to the integration of telecommunications and informatics technologies to collect, transmit, and analyze data from vehicles in real time. In practical terms, a telematics system in a fleet uses a combination of GPS and onboard sensors (e.g. engine diagnostics via the CAN bus) to send valuable vehicle and driver data [...]
I2C vs. CAN Bus: Choosing the Right Communication Protocol for Your Embedded System
In the world of embedded systems, choosing the right communication protocol can make or break your project's performance, scalability, and reliability. Among the most widely used protocols are I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) and CAN (Controller Area Network). Each has its own strengths, limitations, and ideal use cases—so how do you choose the right one for your [...]
Develop Real-Time Embedded Systems Using STM32, FreeRTOS, and STM32CubeIDE
Real-time operating systems (RTOS) are the backbone of many modern embedded applications—from automotive control units and aerospace instrumentation to laboratory test systems and consumer electronics. These systems demand consistent, deterministic behavior and the ability to respond to events within strict timing constraints—all without human intervention, often for years at a time. This hands-on guide introduces you [...]
Expanding Embedded Communication: CAN FD Shield for STM32G431 NUCLEO-G431RB
As embedded systems grow in complexity and demand faster, more reliable communication, developers turn increasingly toward advanced protocols like CAN FD (Controller Area Network with Flexible Data-rate). While classical CAN has served the automotive and industrial sectors reliably for decades, the rise of sensor-rich applications and real-time control systems calls for a modern alternative. STMicroelectronics’ [...]
Turn Your Raspberry Pi into a Smart Marine Hub with OpenPlotter and Signal K
The world of marine electronics is evolving. Once dominated by expensive, closed systems with limited flexibility, there’s now a shift toward something more open, more personal, and—frankly—more exciting. At the heart of this movement is OpenPlotter, a Linux-based operating system tailored for Raspberry Pi computers, and Signal K, an open data standard designed to bring [...]
The PiCAN Advantage: High-Performance CAN Interfaces for Raspberry Pi
The PiCAN series is a comprehensive line of CAN Bus interface boards (HATs) developed specifically for the Raspberry Pi platform. Designed and manufactured by Copperhill Technologies, these boards offer robust support for both Classical CAN (2.0A/B) and the more advanced CAN FD protocols. The product line is engineered to meet the diverse needs of automotive, [...]