The PiCAN3 CAN Bus Board for Raspberry Pi: A Comprehensive Development Environment for CAN FD Applications

The PiCAN3 CAN Bus Board, available from Copperhill Technologies, is a powerful and versatile hardware expansion for the Raspberry Pi. Designed to support CAN (Controller Area Network) applications—particularly CAN FD (Flexible Data-rate)—this board enables developers to turn their Raspberry Pi into a professional-grade platform for embedded system development in automotive, industrial, and other demanding environments.

• PiCAN3 CAN Bus Board for Raspberry Pi with 3A SMPS And RTC...

• Metal Enclosure For PiCAN2, PiCAN3, PiCAN FD And Raspberry Pi...

Key Features of the PiCAN3 CAN Bus Board

The PiCAN3 board is engineered for seamless integration with the Raspberry Pi, offering a robust set of features:

• CAN Bus Functionality: Utilizing a high-performance Microchip MCP2515 CAN controller and MCP2551 CAN transceiver, the PiCAN3 supports reliable CAN communication.

• Wide Input Voltage Range: The onboard 3A Switch Mode Power Supply (SMPS) accepts input from 6V to 20V DC, allowing the system to be powered from vehicle or industrial power sources while also delivering clean power to the Raspberry Pi.

• Connection Options: The board supports standard DB9 (9-pin D-sub) connectors and a 3-way screw terminal for versatile CAN bus interfacing.

• Real-Time Clock (RTC): With the integrated PCF8523 RTC, timekeeping remains accurate, and its battery backup ensures time data retention even during power loss.

• Software Compatibility: Support for SocketCAN makes it easy to interface with Linux-based systems using C or Python, simplifying software development and integration into existing projects.

Rugged Enclosure for Real-World Deployment

To further enhance the system's durability, Copperhill Technologies offers a metal enclosure designed specifically for the PiCAN2, PiCAN3, PiCAN FD boards, and the Raspberry Pi. This enclosure is ideal for field deployment, offering protection against mechanical shock, dust, and other environmental hazards. It also includes mounting holes and pre-cut ports to ensure a snug fit and clean cable management.

The combination of the PiCAN3 board and the protective metal enclosure delivers a turnkey hardware solution that’s ready to perform in rugged environments—whether in an automotive lab, factory floor, or mobile testing setup.

Why Copperhill Technologies Does Not Sell the Raspberry Pi

While the PiCAN3 board is designed to work seamlessly with the Raspberry Pi, Copperhill Technologies does not include the Raspberry Pi in its offerings. This is a deliberate choice for several reasons:

1. Too Many Combinations: The Raspberry Pi comes in several models (such as Pi 3, 4, and 5), each with multiple RAM configurations (1GB, 4GB, 8GB, etc.). Stocking and supporting all possible combinations would introduce unnecessary complexity.

2. Pricing Competition: Large-scale vendors like Amazon and others can offer the Raspberry Pi at highly competitive prices. Rather than compete in a saturated market, Copperhill Technologies focuses on what it does best: delivering specialized CAN solutions.

3. Specialized Focus: The company’s core mission is to support developers working with CAN-based embedded systems. By not selling general-purpose computing hardware, Copperhill can channel its resources into product innovation and technical support specific to CAN applications.

The Ideal Development Platform for CAN FD

With your choice of Raspberry Pi, the PiCAN3 board, and Copperhill’s rugged metal enclosure, you have everything needed to build a flexible, high-performance CAN FD development platform. This setup is:

• Scalable: Choose the Raspberry Pi model that meets your processing or memory needs.

• Reliable: Rugged hardware and a dependable power supply make it field-ready.

• Developer-Friendly: Easy-to-use software support and open standards ensure a smooth development experience.

• Optimized for CAN: From the transceivers to the software drivers, every detail is tailored to ensure efficient and accurate CAN communication.

In summary, Copperhill Technologies offers a purpose-built, professional solution for CAN FD development that maximizes flexibility and performance without compromising on reliability. By letting users select their preferred Raspberry Pi and focusing on what matters most—robust CAN connectivity—Copperhill delivers exceptional value to engineers and developers working on the cutting edge of embedded systems.