CANopen CC device interoperability testing
On request, CiA tests the interoperability of CANopen CC devices in the pre-configured CANopen CC test reference network. This includes devices developed and manufactured by CiA members or purchased on the market by CiA members from a third party. The interoperability test bench has been built for this purpose with the support of CiA member companies such as Fritz Kübler, HMS (formerly Ixxat), Maxon Precision Motors, Micro Control, Port as well as Posital, Schneider Electric Automation and Vector Informatik.
The interoperability test is a service for CiA member companies. The aim of the interoperability test is to ensure that CANopen CC devices are capable of interacting with a variety of other CANopen CC devices from multiple vendors, all integrated in the test stand. The controller used in the testing bench is a mid range PLC for industrial process and infrastructure: a Modicon M340 from Schneider Electric. The test stand is equipped with a variety of other CANopen CC devices, such as I/O modules, encoders, drives and so on. The devices are pre-configured to operate in the same network. With the CiA interoperability test passed, device manufacturers are able to assure customers that their CANopen CC devices can be configured with a Modicon M340 and are also able to interact in the network with other CANopen CC devices.
A half or a whole day interoperability testing
CiA offers to test a single CANopen device (half day) as well as a group of similar CANopen devices (whole day). The CANopen interoperability testing is performed with PLC Modicon M340 (Schneider Electric) and alternative software tools from Port GmbH, HMS (formerly Ixxat), and Vector GmbH. The PLC and tools support most CANopen communication services and are compatible with many CANopen device profiles. Additionally, the CAN Stress tool from Vector GmbH is used to test CANopen network physical layer limits. The interoperability testing consists of the following test steps:
- Integration of the device into a network.
- Testing the configuration of CANopen services like SDOs, PDOs, Error controls, etc. device during network configuration in the PLC or a tool using EDS or DCF.
- Testing the pre-configuration with LSS and general operation of the device during network operation controlled by the PLC or the tool.
- Testing the application layer constraints. Testing the interoperability of the test devices’ application specific SDOs, PDOs, Error controls, etc. vs. those of reference devices of the CANopen network.
- Testing physical layer constraints of the configured network (bus traffic increase, bus line and stubs constraints).
Because interoperability testing is focused on the physical and application layer, implementation failures in both communication layers may prevent the interoperability validation as well. Examples for such failures could be:
- Erroneous Node-ID adjustment mechanisms,
- Device generates actively error frames in the network,
- Wiring error,
- etc.
Documenting the interoperability testing
After a successful test, the device can be listed on the CiA website, if requested. In addition, the device manufacturer receives a detailed test report, provided by the CiA test engineer:
Interoperability testing fees
Effective from January 1, 2016, CiA has adapted the prices for CANopen interoperability testing at the CiA test center. The test report, indicating that a device passed the testing successfully, is already included in the fee.
| Service | not CANopen-certified | CANopen-certified |
|---|---|---|
| Half day | EUR 450 | EUR 300 |
| Full day | EUR 900 | EUR 600 |