Embedded Networking with CAN and CANopen [Paperback]

Olaf Pfeiffer (Author), Andrew Ayre (Author), Christian Keydel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2003

Providing a detailed look at both CAN and CANopen, this book examines those technologies in the context of embedded networks. There is an overview of general embedded networking and an introduction to the primary functionality provided by CANopen. Everything one needs to know to configure and operate a CANopen network using off-the-shelf components is described, along with details for those designers who want to build their own CANopen nodes. The wide variety of applications for CAN and CANopen is discussed, and instructions in developing embedded networks based on the protocol are included. In addition, references and examples using MicroCANopen, PCANopen Magic, and Vector's high-end development tools are provided.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Olaf Pfeiffer is a cofounder of the Embedded Systems Academy, conducts CAN and CANopen training classes, and consults clients on their embedded networking requirements. He is a regular speaker at the Embedded Systems Conference, the Real-Time and Embedded Computing show, and at the International CAN Conference. He has written articles about CAN and CANopen that have been published in magazines such as Circuit Cellar Ink, Embedded Systems Programming, Automotive Test Report, and Control Engineering. Andrew Ayre is a tutor and consultant specializing in embedded software engineering and is responsible for all PC-based software developments including PCANopen Magic at the Embedded Systems Academy. He has taught classes at Embedded University, Future University, the Real-Time and Embedded Computing Conferences and the Embedded Systems Conference. Christian Keydel is a director of the Embedded Systems Academy, where he supervises new class development and consults clients on embedded technologies including CAN and CANopen. He is a frequent speaker at the Embedded Systems Conferences and the Real-Time and Embedded Computing Conferences.

Product Details

• Paperback: 350 pages
• Publisher: Annabooks/Rtc Books (November 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0929392787
• ISBN-13: 978-0929392783
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,022,355 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Heavy material rewards carefull reading, February 24, 2005

By 

D. Devine "Televisionary" (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Embedded Networking with CAN and CANopen (Paperback)

I purchased this book knowing nothing more about CAN than the free application notes that are provided by some microcontroller vendors. While I have not yet finished (still in CANopen implementation chapter), I now feel that I can make intelligent decisions, understand how CAN really operates as well as create my own limited CANopen stack on a microcontroller.

CANopen (the topic if this book) is not the only CAN protocol available. This book covers CANopen, don't get this thinking you are going to learn about SAE-J1939. True to the title, it covers CANopen.

Each section has a great deal of information and there are LOTS of tables showing the structure of each CANopen element. Sections cover each of the basic message types, transmission and reception of data, NMT and network modes. Additional sections cover physical CAN signal requirements, Draft(potential) Standards, configuration examples, network topologies and recommended connectors. If you need to troubleshoot CAN system that uses CANopen or are interested in implementing a device that will use CANopen, this information is invaluable. It doesn't cover everything, but it does effectivly blend the "reference manual" with the "tutorial," leaning towards "reference."

In some cases however, I didn't feel that the examples were all that illustrative and a few times I was left wondering about some seemingly magic transition or the interaction of values in the object dictionary. This didn't happen too frequently, and overall, I'm satisfied.

Overall, this book is a very good value and really helps to fill a void in CAN literature. If you are on a budget and need to start working with CAN, this may be your best choice. Other books hover around 3-times the price of this one and/or have been out for some time. This book was a good choice, and can stay in the lab.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST-HAVE for every engineer involved with CANopen, July 1, 2008

By 

Sandpiper (Cambridge, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Embedded Networking with CAN and CANopen (Paperback)

Embedded Networking with CAN and CANopen has been the standard work on CANopen for years and it is great that is has been re-published (the previous publisher went out of business). I learned everything I needed to know about CANopen from this book. It is very thorough on the basics of, for instance, the CANopen Object Dictionary, Electronics Data Sheets, Data Transfer Objects, Network Management, and more. It was also a great help with understanding the CANopen Device Profiles, which is a frustrating task when you look only at the CiA (CAN-in-Automation) standards. And even now, that I deem myself a CANopen expert, I still use the book for references. This is a great book and a must-have for everybody involved with the CANopen protocol!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Solid Practical Introduction to CAN and CANopen, December 20, 2008

By 

Vincent Bush (Mankato, MN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Embedded Networking with CAN and CANopen (Paperback)

I found this book to be extremely helpful and practical. It is easy to follow and understand and should be useful for both beginners and advanced user. It gave more practical information, guidelines and hints than any other book I have read about CAN. It mainly covers CANopen but also gives helpful practical guidelines for any CAN application. It even provides some good "Implementation Path" hints. A "CANtime" program to help calculate CAN bit timing, and some Bandwidth Spreadsheets, that were promoted in the book have actually been withdrawn. It was a little disappointing that they are no longer available on the web page but because of the book I was able to develop my own. As an engineer about to design a CAN system this book has definitely help "lift the fog" on how to implement CAN.