CANopen FD: CiA 1301 released

The CANopen FD application layer and communication profile specification has been released as draft standard proposal (DSP).

CANopen FD makes use of the CAN FD data link layer providing higher bit-rates and larger payloads (up to 64 byte per data frame). Compared with the classic CANopen application layer, the most significant difference is the introduction of the USDO (Universal Service Data Object). This service supports broad- and unicast communication as well as access to CANopen FD nodes in other network segments (routing functionality).

“CANopen FD meets the performance requirements of industrial embedded networking,” stated Holger Zeltwanger, CiA’s managing director. “It is optimized for front-end control providing sufficient bandwidth for more than 80 percent of commercial control applications.” The price for the CAN FD hardware is as reasonable as for Classical CAN

“CANopen FD meets the performance requirements of industrial embedded networking,” stated Holger Zeltwanger, CiA’s managing director. “It is optimized for front-end control providing sufficient bandwidth for more than 80 percent of commercial control applications.” The price for the CAN FD hardware is as reasonable as for Classical CAN.

Additional improvements

The description of the CAN FD device and the CANopen FD device has been improved. Additionally, the NMT finite state automaton has been clarified. The version 1.0 of CiA 1301 also contains several description improvements regarding the data type definitions and other editorial enhancements.

CANopen FD makes use of the CAN FD data link layer providing higher bit-rates and larger payloads (up to 64 byte per data frame). Compared with the classic CANopen application layer, the most significant difference is the introduction of the USDO (Universal Service Data Object). This service supports broad- and unicast communication as well as access to CANopen FD nodes in other network segments (routing functionality).

“Many modern control systems are not static but modified by the end user, e.g. by building or removing a battery, a display, etc. Further systems are connected to the cloud and shall offer specific data elements, on demand. The new USDO is able to meet the required flexibility as communication channel and can be established dynamically to any node, by absence of a CANopen FD master/manager functionality” explained Reiner Zitzmann, CEO of CAN in Automation. “This means, CANopen FD is ready to satisfy more complex control applications.” CANopen FD devices need to pass the standardized conformance test offered by CiA. “The conformance test plan is under development,” said Zitzmann, “and the related test tool will be released as soon as possible.” At the SPS IPC Drives 2017, CiA will show a CANopen FD demonstrator at its booth.