PCAN-Developer 4

The professional programming interface PCAN-API of the PCAN-Developer package makes it possible to create complex Windows® applications with CAN and CAN FD support. The API (Application Programming Interface) provides an extensive function library using interface DLLs for x86, x64, and ARM64 systems.

Unlike PCAN-Basic, the CAN communication is handled by Clients and offers significant advantages. Thus, not only a single but multiple applications can access a physical CAN channel. Furthermore, it works even without hardware: Via virtual connections, Clients establish a simulated CAN communication among Windows® applications.

Beginning with PCAN-Developer version 4, the PCAN-API and the included tools support the standard CAN FD (CAN with Flexible Data rate) which is primarily characterized by a higher bandwidth for data transfer.

The API can be used with different programming languages. Header files are provided for the languages C/ C++, Delphi, and Python. For C#, VB.NET and C++/CLR an assembly is available. Example code is included for all supported languages.

CAN connection via Clients

Applications that are based on the PCAN-API use so-called Clients in order to access Nets. A Net includes the connection to an external CAN bus via suitable hardware and the interconnection of several applications.

The following possibilities apply to CAN connections via Clients:

• One or multiple Clients can be connected with a Net
• A Client can be connected with multiple Nets
• A Net is connected to no or exactly one active hardware
• Multiple connections to different Nets can be defined for a hardware
• A maximum of one defined connection to a Net can be activated for a hardware
• When a Client transmits, the message is passed to all other Clients connected to the Net and via the hardware to the external CAN bus
• If a message is received by the hardware, it is received by all Clients connected to the Net

• Professional API for developing applications with CAN and CAN FD connections
• Complies with CAN specifications 2.0 A/B and FD
• CAN FD support for ISO and Non-ISO standards switchable
• Application development for the platforms Windows® 11 (x64/ARM64), 10 (x86/x64)
• Up to 64 applications can be operated per physical CAN channel at the same time
• Use of one Windows® DLL each for x86, x64, and ARM64 as programming interface (API) for all supported hardware types
• Use of up to 64 channels for each hardware type
• Simple switching between channels of a PCAN PC hardware using Nets
• Access to the CAN channels of a PCAN-Gateway via the new PCAN-LAN hardware type
• Driver-internal buffering of up to 32,768 CAN messages per Client
• Buffer size can be configured via the API
• Precision of time stamps on received messages up to 1 µs (depending on the PEAK CAN interface used)
• Access to all available hardware parameters such as listen-only mode
• Notification of the application through Windows® events when a message is received
• Notification of the application through driver events, e.g. altered hardware parameters, plug-in/plug-out of PCAN PC hardware, or bus load information
• Interrupt-triggered reception of CAN messages by the driver. Storage in a FIFO buffer with the time stamp
• Control of the transmission timing by specifying time stamps when transmitting messages
• Configuration of single-shot and self-receive-request transmissions
• Support of CAN error frames
• Generation of CAN error frames
• Simulated CAN communication between applications via Clients
• Free definition of a message filter per Client
• Hardware reset during an active connection
• Hardware configuration using the control panel or application
• Detailed documentation in PDF format as well as executable sample source code
• Collection of tools for CAN system configuration, parameterization, and visualization
• Thread-safe API
  
  

System requirements

• Windows® 11 (x64/ARM64), 10 (x64)
• USB port for installation stick
• For the CAN bus connection: PC CAN interface from PEAK-System
  
  

Note: Parallel port CAN interfaces are only supported on x86 systems.

• PCAN-API 4 interface DLLs (x86/x64/ARM64)
• PCAN-Developer 4 license package
• Software: PCAN-View, PCAN-Nets Configuration, and PCAN-Status Display
• Header files for C/C++, Delphi, and Python
• Assembly for C#, VB.NET, and C++/CLR
• Examples for all supported languages
• Documentation in PDF format
  
  

Note: Software delivery on USB stick. Alternative installation media or download on request.

PCAN-Developer 4 Licenses

PCAN-Developer 4 includes a single user license for the development package and a distribution license for the PCAN-Developer redistributable. This package includes the API DLLs as well as the software products PCAN-View, PCAN-Nets Configuration, and PCAN-Status Display.

For the API and the software you will receive all updates and free support for the duration of two years.

Additional information

• PCAN-Developer 4: Version history
• A comparison of our APIs for the development of CAN FD and CAN applications
• The standard CAN FD: Support and compatible products
• PEAK-System Forum: Section for the PCAN-Developer 4 for questions and support
  
  

PCAN-Developer 3

• PCAN-Developer 3: Version history
• PCAN-API 2: Version history