In today's fast-paced world of embedded system design, developers face increasing pressure to deliver high-performance, reliable, and future-ready solutions for industrial and automotive applications. Whether you're building smart transportation systems, advanced robotics, or robust automation networks, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is choosing the right development hardware.

The ESP32 Development Board with CAN FD and RTC HAT stands out as a game-changing solution that integrates powerful features tailored specifically for demanding communication environments. Designed for engineers who need speed, precision, and ease of integration, this development board offers a comprehensive platform to accelerate product development and deployment.

Engineered for High-Speed, Real-Time Communication

At the core of this development board is the integration of the Microchip MCP2517FD CAN FD controller and the MCP2562FD CAN transceiver. This pairing enables support for CAN FD (Flexible Data Rate), the modern evolution of the widely used Controller Area Network (CAN) protocol.

With arbitration bit rates up to 1 Mbps and data bit rates reaching up to 8 Mbps, developers gain access to significantly faster communication speeds compared to classical CAN. The extended data payload size—up to 64 bytes per frame—translates to reduced overhead, faster transactions, and better bandwidth utilization.

This capability is critical in applications where low-latency and high-volume data exchange is essential, such as vehicle diagnostics, real-time sensor feedback, and distributed control systems. CAN FD is not just a step forward; it is the future of embedded networking—and this board is designed to harness its full potential.

Precision Timekeeping with Onboard Real-Time Clock

The addition of the PCF8523 Real-Time Clock (RTC) with backup battery support offers robust timekeeping even when the system is powered off. For developers working on applications requiring accurate logging and time synchronization—such as predictive maintenance systems, data loggers, or industrial monitoring tools—this is an essential feature.

The RTC provides:

• Accurate timekeeping over extended periods

• Reliable timestamps for CAN FD messages and logged data

• Battery-backed memory retention during power interruptions

Having precise timing at the hardware level not only simplifies software complexity but also ensures compliance in systems that rely on time-triggered communication or require event correlation across nodes.

Seamless Integration with the Raspberry Pi Ecosystem

This board is engineered to work harmoniously with the Raspberry Pi, offering a range of hardware interface options that make setup and deployment remarkably straightforward. It includes both a standard DB9 CAN connector and a 4-way screw terminal, providing flexibility in connecting to various CAN-enabled devices or vehicle systems.

To further enhance its appeal to Raspberry Pi developers, the board also includes an optional 5V 1A switched-mode power supply (SMPS). This allows the board to power the Raspberry Pi directly through the 40-pin GPIO connector—reducing the need for additional power supplies and simplifying wiring in tight enclosures or remote installations.

Additionally, developers working on automotive diagnostics and vehicle communication systems will appreciate its compatibility with standard OBDII cables, making it ideal for both prototyping and production use.

Designed with Developers in Mind

Ease of use is a cornerstone of this development board. From hardware integration to software development, it provides a hassle-free experience that allows engineers to spend less time debugging infrastructure and more time building applications.

Key developer-friendly features include:

• SocketCAN support for Linux systems, enabling the use of native CAN utilities and monitoring tools with minimal setup

• C and Python code libraries and examples, allowing developers to get started quickly regardless of their preferred programming language

• Four fixing holes compliant with Raspberry Pi HAT specifications for secure mounting in rugged environments

Most notably, the board comes with a collection of sample programs and example source code. These samples are designed to demonstrate how to initialize the CAN FD controller, send and receive data frames, and use the real-time clock features. These ready-made examples help developers overcome the initial learning curve, accelerate development cycles, and reduce time to market.

Versatile Applications Across Industries

Whether you’re a hardware startup, a seasoned automation engineer, or a developer working on connected vehicle systems, this board serves as a powerful foundation for a wide variety of real-world applications:

• Automotive diagnostics and telematics: Enables advanced onboard monitoring and remote diagnostics over CAN FD networks

• Industrial machine control: Facilitates deterministic communication between PLCs, sensors, and actuators

• Smart agriculture: Powers distributed sensor networks that require low-latency messaging and reliable operation in remote areas

• Autonomous robotics: Supports synchronized multi-sensor inputs and real-time motion control

• IoT edge devices: Acts as a gateway node with robust wireless and wired communication options, complete with local timestamping

Its rugged design, high-speed communication capabilities, and compatibility with open-source tools make it a versatile asset in both experimental and commercial environments.

Exceptional Value for the Professional Engineer

With all these features, one might expect a premium price point—but this ESP32-based CAN FD and RTC development platform is offered at a surprisingly accessible price. At just $119.95, it delivers exceptional value for professionals and hobbyists alike. The board’s reliability, combined with its time-saving development features and robust communication capabilities, offers a cost-effective solution for even the most demanding embedded applications.

Conclusion: A Strategic Tool for Serious Development

The ESP32 Development Board with CAN FD and RTC HAT is more than just another prototyping tool—it’s a strategic enabler for rapid innovation. It empowers developers to move quickly from concept to implementation, all while ensuring industry-grade communication performance, precision timing, and developer-centric usability.

If your project calls for robust networking, seamless Raspberry Pi integration, and dependable real-time operation, this development board deserves a spot in your toolkit. Whether you’re building the next generation of connected vehicles or deploying smart devices in the field, this solution helps you build faster, smarter, and with greater confidence. More information...

Electronics Projects with the ESP8266 and ESP32: Building Web Pages, Applications, and WiFi Enabled Devices

Copperhill Technologies highly recommends using this book for your wireless application projects. Yes, many good books and free online resources are available these days, but this is the book we are using. It made our approach to Bluetooth, BLE, and WIFI a breeze. Programming wireless applications without hassles was fun, and we will share them on this web page.

Projects throughout the book utilize the wireless functionality and processing power of the ESP microcontrollers. Projects are built in the Arduino IDE, so you don't need to download other programming software. In addition, mobile apps are now ubiquitous, making the app build projects of the book very relevant, as are the web page design projects.

In Electronics Projects with the ESP8266 and ESP32, you'll see how easy and practical it is to access information over the internet, develop web pages, build mobile apps to remotely control devices with speech recognition, or incorporate Google Maps in a GPS route tracking app.

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