Description:

CAN•net is our industry 4.0 IoT solution for sensor networks based on a wired communication infrastructure between the sensors. This solution is based on reliable CAN-bus and CANopen® technology. Thanks to the CAN-bus based wireline approach, power supply challenges and communication problems are eliminated.

After all, wireless networks - although very popular, low-cost and easy to install - come with their challenges. Those require batteries and thus periodic replacement thereof. And more importantly; the limited reliability of wireless communication, particularly in heavy industrial environments... Of course, this is not contempt for wireless IoT in general; as a matter of fact, we have a range of wireless IIoT also.

CAN provides a very robust and reliable infrastructure for transferring messages across a cable. This has been recognized by many industrial applications (DeviceNet, CANopen®), for maritime on-board communications (NMEA 2000), communications in and around trucks (SAE J1939) and by all car manufacturers for data exchange with engine management systems and diagnostics interfaces (OBDII).

Applications:

  • Record measurements from an array of load-cells to monitor loading on struts or pull forces on suspension wires.
  • Monitor power consumption of machinery and equipment in a production line, perhaps coupled with temperature + humidity sensors and with vibration sensors to detect wear & tear in rotating appliances.
  • Monitor ambient data in a factory environment to optimize heating and air conditioning as well as monitor air quality.

Devices:

Nodes or field devices give meaning to the system. These devices implement whatever you want to measure or control. The following standard devices offer fairly basic - yet versatile - interfacing capabilities, but much more complex functionalities are also possible.

Relay
Quad SPDT 2A Relay module.
Relay
Hex Type3 Digital Input module.
Thermistor
16-Channel thermistor module for NTC 10k, 8-channel with PT100 or PT1000.
Repeater rugged
Rugged CAN-bus repeater & isolator.
Repeater
CAN-bus repeater & intrinsic safe isolator.
Future & Custom
Other exciting modules to be published in due time...

Examples of custom field devices with more complex functionalities include a complete battery management system (BMS) node, a controller for 4 medium power DC motors with leveling control algorithms and more.

Gateway:

The network gateway communicates between Ethernet or Internet and with one or two CAN networks, each containing up to 127 device nodes. Depending on the system and the requirements this gateway can also provide the power for the devices on the network. With careful energy management, this power provision can even comply with various ATEX requirements!

Alternatively, you can use third party or open source solutions such as CoDeSys or CAN Festival. Those can be run from a normal PC equipped with a suitable USB to CAN adapter. Or you could use our DIN-rail Raspberry Pi with CAN & RS232 module. Note that we don't provide software support for such solutions, at least not for the time being.

CAN•net system
by White Bream, Holland

CANopen

References:

Off-Grid Systems website

Modular remote access & monitoring device for off-grid power systems. These systems are used for various outdoor applications that require a significant amount of electrical power. For example camera arrays at construction sites. Currently, that system involves a master/gateway node and varying combinations of 10 different nodes, some of which with very high complexity.

'CANopen' is a registered trademark of CAN in Automation (CiA)
'OGS control' is a registered trademark of Reijneveld Machinebouw B.V.