Intermediate
30 min

Experience ultra-fast CAN connectivity with TCAN4550 and PIC32MZ1024EFH064

Lightning-fast communication

CAN FD 6 Click with PIC32MZ clicker

Published Aug 06, 2023

Click board™

CAN FD 6 Click

Dev. board

PIC32MZ clicker

Compiler

NECTO Studio

MCU

PIC32MZ1024EFH064

Engineered for high-speed excellence, our CAN FD transceiver delivers unmatched performance in automotive and industrial systems

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Hardware Overview

How does it work?

CAN FD 6 Click is based on the TCAN4550, a CAN transceiver that supports CAN and CAN FD protocols and provides an interface between the CAN bus and the CAN protocol controller up to 5 megabits per second (Mbps) from Texas Instruments. It is characterized by high-bandwidth and data-rate flexibility, provides an SPI interface between the CAN bus and the system processor, and supports wake-up features local and bus wake using the CAN bus. The device includes many protection features providing CAN bus robustness, including fail-safe mode, internal dominant state timeout, and wide bus operating range. The TCAN4550 has one pin for waking the device from Sleep mode. This pin is connected to an external button labeled WAKE and the PWM pin of the mikroBUS™ socket labeled WKP to generate a local Wake-Up function. A Wake-Up event on the CAN bus switches the inhibit output pin INH to the high level. The INH pin provides an internal switch towards the battery supply voltage and controls external voltage regulators, the MCP1804 from

Microchip. Through SMD jumpers labeled as 3V3JMP and 5VJMP, the LDO's output voltages can power up the mikroBUS™ 3.3V and 5V power rails. However, it should be noted that Mikroe does not advise powering up their systems this way. That is why these jumpers are left unpopulated by default. CAN FD 6 Click communicates with MCU using a standard SPI interface supporting clock rates up to 18MHz to transmit and reception CAN frames. With an additional 40MHz crystal, the TCAN4550 can meet CAN FD rates up to 5 Mbps data rates to support higher data throughput and operates from a 6V to 24V external power supply header on the board's right side. This feature makes the TCAN4550 device ideal for many applications, including automotive ones. This Click board™ comes equipped with the industry-standard DB-9 connector, making interfacing with the CAN bus simple and easy. Besides, the user can connect the CAN signals directly through the CAN External header on the board's left edge. In addition to these features, the TCAN4550 uses

several GPIO pins connected to the mikroBUS™ socket. The RST pin, the mikroBUS™, can perform the Hardware Reset function, which resets the device to the default settings and puts it into standby mode. This feature can also be achieved through the onboard push-button labeled as RST. Next to these pins, the ATA6571 uses the WKR pin as a dedicated wake-up request pin from a bus wake request and the INT pin as an interrupt feature routed on the AN and INT pin of the mikroBUS™ socket. The user can also use GPIO pins from the header on the board's right side for interrupt purposes. This Click board™ can operate with both 3.3V and 5V logic voltage levels selected via the VIO SEL jumper. It allows both 3.3V and 5V capable MCUs to use the UART communication lines properly. However, the Click board™ comes equipped with a library containing easy-to-use functions and an example code that can be used, as a reference, for further development.

CAN FD 6 Click hardware overview image

Features overview

Development board

PIC32MZ Clicker is a compact starter development board that brings the flexibility of add-on Click boards™ to your favorite microcontroller, making it a perfect starter kit for implementing your ideas. It comes with an onboard 32-bit PIC32MZ microcontroller with FPU from Microchip, a USB connector, LED indicators, buttons, a mikroProg connector, and a header for interfacing with external electronics. Thanks to its compact design with clear and easy-recognizable silkscreen markings, it provides a fluid and immersive working experience, allowing access anywhere and under

any circumstances. Each part of the PIC32MZ Clicker development kit contains the components necessary for the most efficient operation of the same board. In addition to the possibility of choosing the PIC32MZ Clicker programming method, using USB HID mikroBootloader, or through an external mikroProg connector for PIC, dsPIC, or PIC32 programmer, the Clicker board also includes a clean and regulated power supply module for the development kit. The USB Micro-B connection can provide up to 500mA of current, which is more than enough to operate all onboard

and additional modules. All communication methods that mikroBUS™ itself supports are on this board, including the well-established mikroBUS™ socket, reset button, and several buttons and LED indicators. PIC32MZ Clicker is an integral part of the Mikroe ecosystem, allowing you to create a new application in minutes. Natively supported by Mikroe software tools, it covers many aspects of prototyping thanks to a considerable number of different Click boards™ (over a thousand boards), the number of which is growing every day.

PIC32MZ clicker double side image

Microcontroller Overview

MCU Card / MCU

default

Architecture

PIC32

MCU Memory (KB)

1024

Silicon Vendor

Microchip

Pin count

64

RAM (Bytes)

524288

You complete me!

Accessories

DB9 Cable Female-to-Female (2m) cable is essential for establishing dependable serial data connections between devices. With its DB9 female connectors on both ends, this cable enables a seamless link between various equipment, such as computers, routers, switches, and other serial devices. Measuring 2 meters in length, it offers flexibility in arranging your setup without compromising data transmission quality. Crafted with precision, this cable ensures consistent and reliable data exchange, making it suitable for industrial applications, office environments, and home setups. Whether configuring networking equipment, accessing console ports, or utilizing serial peripherals, this cable's durable construction and robust connectors guarantee a stable connection. Simplify your data communication needs with the 2m DB9 female-to-female cable, an efficient solution designed to meet your serial connectivity requirements easily and efficiently.

CAN FD 6 Click accessories image

Used MCU Pins

mikroBUS™ mapper

Wake Request
RE4
AN
Reset
RE5
RST
SPI Chip Select
RG9
CS
SPI Clock
RG6
SCK
SPI Data OUT
RG7
MISO
SPI Data IN
RG8
MOSI
Power Supply
3.3V
3.3V
Ground
GND
GND
Wake Up
RB3
PWM
Interrupt
RB5
INT
NC
NC
TX
NC
NC
RX
NC
NC
SCL
NC
NC
SDA
Power Supply
5V
5V
Ground
GND
GND
1

Take a closer look

Click board™ Schematic

CAN FD 6 Click Schematic schematic

Step by step

Project assembly

PIC32MZ clicker front image hardware assembly

Start by selecting your development board and Click board™. Begin with the PIC32MZ clicker as your development board.

PIC32MZ clicker front image hardware assembly
GNSS2 Click front image hardware assembly
Prog-cut hardware assembly
GNSS2 Click complete accessories setup image hardware assembly
Micro B Connector Clicker Access - upright/background hardware assembly
Necto image step 2 hardware assembly
Necto image step 3 hardware assembly
Necto image step 4 hardware assembly
Necto image step 5 hardware assembly
Necto image step 6 hardware assembly
Flip&Click PIC32MZ MCU step hardware assembly
Necto No Display image step 8 hardware assembly
Necto image step 9 hardware assembly
Necto image step 10 hardware assembly
Debug Image Necto Step hardware assembly

Track your results in real time

Application Output

1. Application Output - In Debug mode, the 'Application Output' window enables real-time data monitoring, offering direct insight into execution results. Ensure proper data display by configuring the environment correctly using the provided tutorial.

2. UART Terminal - Use the UART Terminal to monitor data transmission via a USB to UART converter, allowing direct communication between the Click board™ and your development system. Configure the baud rate and other serial settings according to your project's requirements to ensure proper functionality. For step-by-step setup instructions, refer to the provided tutorial.

3. Plot Output - The Plot feature offers a powerful way to visualize real-time sensor data, enabling trend analysis, debugging, and comparison of multiple data points. To set it up correctly, follow the provided tutorial, which includes a step-by-step example of using the Plot feature to display Click board™ readings. To use the Plot feature in your code, use the function: plot(*insert_graph_name*, variable_name);. This is a general format, and it is up to the user to replace 'insert_graph_name' with the actual graph name and 'variable_name' with the parameter to be displayed.

Software Support

Library Description

This library contains API for CAN FD 6 Click driver.

Key functions:

  • canfd6_mcan_write_txbuffer - This function will write a CAN message to a specified TX buffer that can be transmitted at a later time with the transmit buffer contents function

  • canfd6_mcan_transmit_buffer_contents - This function writes the specified buffer index bit value into the TXBAR register to request a message to send

  • canfd6_mcan_read_nextfifo - This function will read the next MCAN FIFO element specified and return the corresponding header information and data payload.

Open Source

Code example

The complete application code and a ready-to-use project are available through the NECTO Studio Package Manager for direct installation in the NECTO Studio. The application code can also be found on the MIKROE GitHub account.

/*!
 * @file main.c
 * @brief CANFD6 Click example
 *
 * # Description
 * This application presents the capabilities of the
 * CAN FD 6 click board. The board can be used both
 * as a receiver and a transmitter. Use def directive
 * to define the receive or transmit app.
 *
 * The demo application is composed of two sections :
 *
 * ## Application Init
 * The app starts by initializing the UART LOG and
 * SPI drivers. The default cfg function performs the
 * mandatory settings of the device. The user's default
 * configuration can be modified ( for more information
 * about device configuration, check the datasheet ).
 * Additionally, the app writes two messages to the FIFO
 * buffer and sends them if the transmit buffer content
 * event is triggered.
 *
 * ## Application Task
 * Depending on the defined app option, the application
 * task performs the following procedure. If the transmitter
 * is preferred, the application task triggers the transmit
 * buffer contents event of the first message and, later on,
 * the second message. On the other hand, the receiver waits
 * for the CAN FD interrupt, where the payload is read along
 * with the header ID.
 *
 * @author Stefan Nikolic
 *
 */

#include "board.h"
#include "log.h"
#include "canfd6.h"

// Comment out the line below in order to switch the application mode to receiver
#define DEMO_APP_TRANSMITTER

#define CANFD6_FIRST_MSG                        0
#define CANFD6_SECOND_MSG                       1

static canfd6_t canfd6;
static log_t logger;

void application_init ( void ) {
    log_cfg_t log_cfg;        /**< Logger config object. */
    canfd6_cfg_t canfd6_cfg;  /**< Click config object. */

    /** 
     * Logger initialization.
     * Default baud rate: 115200
     * Default log level: LOG_LEVEL_DEBUG
     * @note If USB_UART_RX and USB_UART_TX 
     * are defined as HAL_PIN_NC, you will 
     * need to define them manually for log to work. 
     * See @b LOG_MAP_USB_UART macro definition for detailed explanation.
     */
    LOG_MAP_USB_UART( log_cfg );
    log_init( &logger, &log_cfg );
    log_info( &logger, " Application Init " );

    // Click initialization.
    canfd6_cfg_setup( &canfd6_cfg );
    CANFD6_MAP_MIKROBUS( canfd6_cfg, MIKROBUS_1 );
    err_t init_flag = canfd6_init( &canfd6, &canfd6_cfg );
    if ( init_flag == SPI_MASTER_ERROR ) {
        log_error( &logger, " Application Init Error. " );
        log_info( &logger, " Please, run program again... " );

        for ( ; ; );
    }

    canfd6_default_cfg( &canfd6 );
    Delay_ms( 100 );
#ifdef DEMO_APP_TRANSMITTER
    canfd6_mcan_tx_header_t canfd6_header = { 0 };
    uint8_t data_send_buf[ 64 ] = { 0 };
    strcpy ( data_send_buf, "MIKROE" );
    canfd6_header.DLC = CANFD6_MCAN_DLC_6B;
    canfd6_header.ID = 0x123;
    canfd6_header.FDF = 1;
    canfd6_header.BRS = 1;
    canfd6_header.EFC = 0;
    canfd6_header.MM  = 0;
    canfd6_header.RTR = 0;
    canfd6_header.XTD = 0;
    canfd6_header.ESI = 0;
    canfd6_mcan_write_txbuffer( &canfd6, CANFD6_FIRST_MSG, &canfd6_header, data_send_buf );

    strcpy ( data_send_buf, "CAN FD 6 click board" );
    canfd6_header.DLC = CANFD6_MCAN_DLC_20B;
    canfd6_header.ID = 0x456;
    canfd6_header.FDF = 1;
    canfd6_header.BRS = 1;
    canfd6_header.EFC = 0;
    canfd6_header.MM  = 0;
    canfd6_header.RTR = 0;
    canfd6_header.XTD = 0;
    canfd6_header.ESI = 0;
    canfd6_mcan_write_txbuffer( &canfd6, CANFD6_SECOND_MSG, &canfd6_header, data_send_buf );
    log_printf( &logger, " Application Mode: Transmitter\r\n" );
#else
    log_printf( &logger, " Application Mode: Receiver\r\n" );
#endif
    log_info( &logger, " Application Task " );
}

void application_task ( void ) {
#ifdef DEMO_APP_TRANSMITTER
    log_printf( &logger, " Transmit first message\r\n" );
    canfd6_mcan_transmit_buffer_contents( &canfd6, CANFD6_FIRST_MSG );
    Delay_ms( 2000 );
    log_printf( &logger, " Transmit second message\r\n" );
    canfd6_mcan_transmit_buffer_contents( &canfd6, CANFD6_SECOND_MSG );
    Delay_ms( 2000 );
#else
    uint8_t cnt = 0;
    if ( !canfd6_get_int_pin( &canfd6 ) ) {
        canfd6_device_interrupts_t canfd6_dev_ir = { 0 };
        canfd6_mcan_interrupts_t canfd6_mcan_ir = { 0 };
        canfd6_device_read_interrupts( &canfd6, &canfd6_dev_ir );
        canfd6_mcan_read_interrupts( &canfd6, &canfd6_mcan_ir );

        if ( canfd6_dev_ir.SPIERR ) {
            canfd6_device_clear_spierr( &canfd6 );
        }

        if ( canfd6_mcan_ir.RF0N ) {
            canfd6_mcan_rx_header_t canfd6_msg_header = { 0 };
            uint8_t num_bytes = 0;
            uint8_t data_payload[ 64 ] = { 0 };

            canfd6_mcan_clear_interrupts( &canfd6, &canfd6_mcan_ir );

            num_bytes = canfd6_mcan_read_nextfifo( &canfd6, CANFD6_RXFIFO0, &canfd6_msg_header, data_payload );
            
            log_printf( &logger, " Message received ID[ 0x%X ]: ", canfd6_msg_header.ID );

            while ( cnt < 64 ) {
                if ( data_payload[ cnt ] ) {
                    log_printf( &logger, "%c", data_payload[ cnt ] );
                    cnt++;
                } else {
                    log_printf( &logger, "\r\n" );
                    cnt = 64;
                }
            }
        }
    }
#endif
}

void main ( void ) {
    application_init( );

    for ( ; ; ) {
        application_task( );
    }
}

// ------------------------------------------------------------------------ END

Additional Support

Resources

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