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CAN-Based Fieldbus Experiments Abstract

This paper presents Controller Area Network (CAN) based hardware experiments, and integration of these experiments in instrumentation and control systems courses laboratories at the Bowling Green State University (BGSU). A general purpose PIC microcontroller based CANstart module is first introduced. This board provides communication features for simple digital inputs such as switches and digital outputs such as LED’s. It also has analog inputs and relay outputs. All these devices communicate using CAN protocol through CANoe software. The first experiment familiarizes students with the CANstart module. The second experiment describes interfacing a stepper motor to CANstart board. The final experiment describes the conversion of a closed-loop temperature control system exercise, performed using NI-ELVIS and LabVIEW previously, to CAN communication environment. Interfacing of a temperature sensor and an actuator to CANstart board, and development of a CANoe based software to accomplish the closed-loop control is explained. It is hoped that these experiments will give sufficient hands on experience to students on CAN communication protocol and CAN software and hardware tools in instrumentation and control system courses.

I. Introduction

Fieldbus networks are digital, two-way, multi-drop communication links among intelligent control devices, which are currently used in the industry as a replacement for the traditional 4-20 mA standard. While there are different networks, such as AS-I, Devicenet, Ethernet, Foundation Fieldbus and Profibus [1] available in the industry, Controller Area Network (CAN) is more popular in automotive applications. It is important to integrate fieldbus networks topic in engineering and technology courses so that the curriculum is aligned with the current industrial practice [2]. To emphasize this importance, reference [3] presented advantages of fieldbus networks, a generic communication protocol model and the deviations from this model for various fieldbus networks were identified. As an example of a fieldbus, an overview of CAN was given. CANoe, a CAN simulation software, was outlined, and simulation experiments that are based on CANoe were outlined without much emphasis on hardware experiments in [3].

There is significant literature available on fieldbus networks [1,4]. Hulsebos has been maintaining a comprehensive web site since 1999 that lists various fieldbus networks with links to official web sites of each fieldbus organization [5]. Integration of fieldbus topics into undergraduate curriculum is slowly taking places at various institutions. For example, Franz [6] reported the development of a National Center for Digital and Fieldbus Technology (NCDFT) under an NSF grant at Lee College, Texas. McKean [7] described the evolution of a networking curriculum and integration of CAN and control networks topics in that curriculum. Hong and Kim have developed network based intelligent motor control system using a fieldbus [8]. Also, in Reference [9] Luntz et al. and in Reference [10] Bartz et al., described how internet-based experimentation concepts are adopted in manufacturing and control engineering curriculum. The concepts of fieldbus networks such as Devicenet are also introduced in PLC courses at several institutions [11,12]. An in depth understanding of the literature reveals that there is still a greater

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Kolla, S. (2007, June), Can Based Fieldbus Experiments Paper presented at 2007 Annual Conference & Exposition, Honolulu, Hawaii. 10.18260/1-2--2657