Configurable CAN Bus Messages in RT3000 Configuration Software
The new CAN Bus configuration for the output messages is going to make it much easier for people to connect the RT3000 to highly-loaded CAN buses. In the latest version of the RT3000 Configuration software the CAN bus option has been expanded to allow individual measurement messages to be turned on or off; have their identifiers changed and their data rate set.
The status messages remain in one block but this can be moved to different identifier ranges; individual status messages can be turned on or off.
CAN Bus Loading
The RT3000 can output as many as 2500 CAN messages per second, taking up well over 40% of a 500MBit/s CAN bus. Although the outputs of the RT3000 are very comprehensive, many of these messages are not stored by the user. As people put more and more sensors on their CAN buses it becomes more essential to only output the messages that are required and make space for these additional sensors. The new RT3000 Configuration software now allows this.
Preparing for 250Hz update rates
The configuration of the CAN bus becomes even more important in the new RT4000 product, due to be released soon. The RT4000 will make all its measurements at 250Hz, which will require 100% of a 500MBit CAN bus. Running a real-time bus at 100% capacity is not a very good idea so it will be essential to limit the messages that are output by the RT4000.
Reducing the Number of IDs
Many people also find that they are limited in the number of identifiers that they can use or they find it hard to get a block large enough for the RT3000 status messages. Now that messages can be disabled it will free up message identifiers for other purposes. Being able to configure the message identifiers allows small gaps in the CAN bus identifier list to be used.
Generate DBC file to reflect the RT3000 setup
Having configurable CAN bus messages is useful, but the pain of getting all of the messages and signals correct when the CAN bus is configurable is even larger than when it is static. To solve this problem the RT3000 Configuration software will generate the DBC file to match the CAN bus configuration. You can save the CAN DBC file and then load it into your acquisition software.
Naming Conventions
We have updated the naming conventions for the measurements to try and make them more consistent. If you use the DBC file generated by the RT3000 Configuration software then you should check the names of all the signals since some of them have changed. The original CAN DBC files, with the original signal names, now only apply if you use the default configuration.
Default Configuration
The default configuration of the RT3000 will remain the same. If you use the new RT3000 Configuration software and do not change the CAN Bus configuration then the CAN Bus will continue to output all the original messages. We intend to keep the original CAN DBC files available for people who just want the normal outputs and don’t want to do anything fancy.
