Hercules LaunchPad CAN Bus Test Gig

I've created a tiny experiment BoosterPack to test the CAN peripherals on the Hercules LaunchPad. The test gig allows you to exercise the two CANs without tranceivers. It just takes few diodes, a resistor and some elbow grease.

We're not going to win a beauty contest with this design, but it's ideal for probing the signals. And an almost free learning experience.

Check the attached little schematic that shows how to wire the three components for the TMS507LS04 LaunchPad. I'm using small patch of TriPad stripboard - the size of the 2 x 10 pin header of the LaunchPad. That allows me to plug the gizmo directly on the LaunchPad (see photo). You can also use breadboard and wires.

Experience zones:

• Automotive: My design unlocks the functionality of the CAN technology, using parts that can be found in everyone's random parts box.

Project features:

• you will be able to run HALCoGen intCanCommunication examples

• access to the signals for probing with scope and logic analyzer

• takes less than an hour to build

Other:

This is based on a Siemens application note:

http://www.mikrocontroller.net/attachment/28831/siemens_AP2921.pdf