PCAN-Developer 5

The professional programming interface PCAN-API of the PCAN-Developer package makes it possible to create complex Windows® applications with CAN CC, CAN FD, CAN FD light, and CAN XL 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.

As of PCAN-Developer version 5, the PCAN-API supports the new CAN XL and CAN FD light standards. CAN XL features a significantly larger payload length of up to 2048 bytes as well as higher bit rates of up to 20 Mbit/s. CAN FD light is a simplified, cost-effective version of the CAN FD standard based on a Commander-Responder architecture.

The API can be used with different programming languages. Header files are provided for the languages C/C++, Pascal OO, 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 CC, CAN FD, and CAN XL connections
• Support for CAN specifications CAN CC (classic CAN 2.0), CAN FD, CAN FD light, and CAN XL (ISO 11898-1 2024)
• CAN FD support for ISO and Non-ISO standards switchable
• Application development for the platforms Windows® 11 (x64/ARM64), 10 (x86/x64)
• Up to 127 applications can be operated per physical CAN channel at the same time
• Use of up to 127 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 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
• Detailed documentation in HTML 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

PCAN-Developer 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, PCAN-Status Display, and PCAN-Developer API-Guide.

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

• PCAN-API interface DLLs (x86/x64/ARM64)
• PCAN-Developer license package
• Software: PCAN-View, PCAN-Nets Configuration, PCAN-Status Display, and PCAN-Developer API-Guide
• Header files for C/C++, Pascal OO, 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.
 

Additional information

• PCAN-Developer: 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 for questions and support