CANopen configuration made easy

The CANopen Configuration Suite is a powerful, intuitive and user-extendable tool chain for configuration and management of CANopen networks and devices. It includes the CANopen configuration manager, the CANopen device monitor as well as the SYS TEC CAN-driver supporting various CAN interfaces of different manufactures. Thereby the CANopen Configuration Suite significantly reduces the configuration effort required for large systems. The risk of configuration errors is minimized, and the quality and security on the system is enhanced.

CANopen Device Monitor

Use the CANopen Device Monitor (CDM) for graphical inspection, maintenance and configuration of CANopen devices. The CDM features an internal database to handle multiple devices at the same time by loading complete CANopen network configurations based on DCF (device configuration files) and EDS (electronic data-sheet) files. This eases-up the device configuration process and inter-device configuration significantly. The CDM recognizes and scans new devices upon their appearance on the bus. The deviceÕs object dictionary is represented as a hierarchical tree. Access and readability is improved by highlighting different objects by specific colors. Tab-sheets and input masks exist for convenient modification of object entries. A special feature is the graphical visualization of PDO data. Simply transfer a PDO to the strip chart view to display continuously updated values. Furthermore the CDM implements an CANopen master and therefore enables convenient management of the CANopen network.

Additional plug-ins are available for:

Controlling and visualization of CANopen drives according to CiA 402, configuration of SRDOs (safety relevant data objects) according to CiA 304 LSS (layer setting services) according to CiA 305, supporting the scan for un-configured devices as well as configuration node-ID and bit rate.

An embedded scripting engine makes possible to access the implemented CANopen services using a console window or script files. Use this feature to implement own plug-ins, object-specific pull-down menus or complete test and control applications at a minimum of effort.

CANopen Configuration Manager

Large CANopen networks requiring an interaction of multiple devices with a multiplicity of inputs/outputs can reach a complexity, that it becomes nearly impossible to manage without powerful tools.
The CANopen Configuration Manager was designed to simplify the configuration of CANopen networks to several mouse-clicks.
The topology of the CANopen network is managed in a so-called network tree. Add nodes to the network tree just by loading the corresponding EDS and sort nodes in functional groups to increase clarity of large networks.

Connections between nodes are made by simple mouse-clicks within the object link table. The remaining tasks, such as linking the PDOs or mapping the data into an PDO is handled by the CCM automatically. All thatÕs left to do is to set extended communication parameters (e.g. transmission type or event timer), if it becomes necessary. After PDO linking and mapping, the tool will generate a set of files, which include the device configurations (DCF), a project documentation as well as a set of network variables for each PLC that is involved.

If it comes to configuration of programmable devices with dynamic object dictionary (CiA 405), the matter becomes even more complex. The CCM also masters connections between CiA 405 conformant devices. It creates network variables for each CiA 405 device that is involved. For easy incorporation into a PLC programming environment, the CCM exports the device's network variables to a plain text file, containing an IEC 61131-3 conformant variable declaration.

Extended hardware support

SYS TEC follows an open strategy by offering hardware support for CAN interfaces of different manufacturers. You are not limited to a particular supplier.

Highlights and features

• Project-oriented management of all configuration and device data using EDS and DCF files
• Supports download of the device and network configuration via CAN
• Simple and intuitive interface for all configuration tasks in your network
• Quick access to the device parameters and network structure
• Automatic PDO mapping and PDO linking
• Optional PDO linking based on pre-defined connection set – thus it is not necessary to configure any assigned CANopen slave device
• Strip-chart visualization of PDO data
• Selective readout of the object directory from connected CANopen nodes
• Automatic scanning for CANopen nodes in the network
• Complete support of network variables in accordance with the CiA 302 and CiA 405 specification
• CiA 309-3 compliant CANopen gateway with CANopen master services as PC executable
• Export of all assigned network variables as IEC 61131-3 conformant variable declaration
• Script functionality with comprehensive high-level CANopen API for easy realization of automated processes and extension of functionality
• Expert console window for quick command line access to the CANopen functionality