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Electronics & Computers

Acromag Releases New Isolated CAN Bus Modules

September 7, 2010

The I/O units isolate and interface network sensors and actuators to high-performance control systems.


WIXOM, MI /PRNewswire/ -- Acromag has released new isolated CAN bus modules to interface network sensors and actuators to high-performance control systems. Two versions of the CAN bus interface module are available. The IP560 is an Industry Pack ANSI/VITA-4 card that plugs into VME, CompactPCI, and PCI bus mezzanine carrier cards or single-board computers in embedded systems. IOS-560 models are designed for use within Acromag's I/O Server industrial PC, a small fanless box computer, which services mobile computing, machine control, and test applications. Both CAN bus interface modules feature two channels, with optional isolation. Each channel has an NXP SJA1000 CAN controller, with a TJA1041 transceiver. Extended temperature models support –40°C to 85°C operation. Single -quantity pricing starts at $500.

"The addition of CAN bus interface modules to Acromag's line of I/O products provides even more flexibility to control system developers who can mix several I/O functions on a single carrier card for high-density, cost-effective computing solutions," states Joseph Primeau, Sales and Marketing Director - Embedded Products. CAN bus is extremely popular for automotive, marine, and avionic subsystems. CAN is also regularly used for security systems and industrial automation. When combined with Acromag's extensive offering of analog, digital, and serial I/O modules, these new CAN bus modules further extend the ability to interface a wide variety of devices from a single computing platform.

All models have two complete CAN bus interfaces, each using an NXP SJA1000 CAN controller with a high-speed TJA1041 transceiver. The advantage of this design is that it allows reporting of bus fault conditions directly from the transceivers. It also has the ability to transmit, receive, and perform message filtering on extended and standard messages. The modules support CAN 2.0B protocol compatibility and ISO 11898 compliance for Part A (11-bit) and Part B extended (29-bit) arbitration IDs. PeliCAN mode extensions provide numerous communication capabilities.

An isolation option eliminates ground loop potentials and protects equipment from electrical noise, surges, and spikes. The 1000 V isolation barrier safely separates channel-to-channel and channel-to-host.

Dozens of Industry Pack (IP) and IOS modules are available from Acromag to provide a wide variety of analog, digital, and serial I/O processing capabilities. A re-configurable FPGA module allows users to execute custom logic routines and algorithms on TTL, differential, or LVDS I/O signals. Up to five IP or four IOS modules can be combined in any mix on a carrier card for flexible, high-density I/O to meet custom requirements. Acromag offers a number of IP carriers for VME, CompactPCI, and PCI bus computer systems. IOS modules plug into a carrier card that slides directly into the I/O Server industrial PC. The I/O Server uses advanced heat sink techniques and conduction cooling to manage excessive heat within the fanless computer.

To simplify software development, Acromag offers several programmer support tools. A Windows development package provides API development software and Win32 DLL drivers, plus examples for C, Visual Basic, .Net, and LabVIEW environments. The Linux software includes a library of I/O function routines to speed code development. IP modules are additionally supported by C libraries for VxWorks and QNX real-time operating systems. These packages include demonstration programs, with C source code to test and exercise the I/O module operation.

About Acromag
Acromag has designed and manufactured measurement and control products for more than 50 years. It is an international corporation, with a world headquarters near Detroit, MI, and a global network of sales representatives and distributors. Acromag offers a complete line of embedded I/O and industrial computer products for military, aerospace, manufacturing, transportation, utilities, and scientific research applications.






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