propCAN Detail
Hardware by
KZ0Q
A low-cost, high speed CAN Controller for AMSAT
propCan - USB CAN Controller
propCAN Controller Website Copyright © 2007, by Stephen M Moraco, KZ0Q
E-mail: kz0q at AMSAT dot org
Visit our CAN-Do! Project website at http://can-do.moraco.info
Page Updated: 21 Feb 2007, 22:41 MST
Rev A1 board used for initial
firmware development. Note:
headers so we can monitor
signals during device turn-on
and performance tuning.
The propCAN USB device presents itself as a Serial over USB device to
the operating system. This means that on Windows (for example) it
shows up as a standard COM device. So utilities like Hyperterm can
easily be used to interact with propCAN. propCAN communicates at
full USB 2.0 speeds and easily runs at our full 800Kbps CAN bus rate.
We’ve implemented a superset of the Lawicel CAN232 command set so
integration into our existing control and test software is minimized.

Use of propCAN with our existing software allows the software to run
the CAN bus at full Satellite speeds using the CAN traffic patterns that
will actually be used when the payloads are attached to the Internal
Housekeeping Computer thus giving the payload developer early ability
to control their payload exactly as the IHU will be controlling it.
Full Speed USB 2.0, powered from USB, Communicates as Serial over
USB
9 Preprogrammed CAN Speeds include AMSAT 800Kbps. Also supports
discrete control of CAN Setup via Software (up to 1Mbps)
CAN Standard 9-pin Interface
Reprogrammable over USB so users can update when we release new
propCAN firmware
Parts: Parallax Propeller clocked@80Mhz , MCP2515 CAN Controller
clocked@16Mhz and MCP2551 CAN transceiver, Green LED
indicating power, and Red/Yellow LEDs indicating state of propCAN
on CAN Bus and Tx/Rx FT232R traffic.
Rev A2 board extra pins (4-pin
header now supports video
out)
propCAN is working end-to-end now. We are working on increasing the
performance now as well as developing and testing the CDNC interface
software. When we’ve certified propCan for AMSAT use we’ll update the
UHU software as well and then make propCAN available. We expect this
be in Feb 2008.
Watch this site for news. -Stephen, KZ0Q
Rev A2 board with video debug
port attached. NOTE: resistor
DAC is on the attached board.
Review the current Draft User's Guide