Introduction Kvaser Memorator Light
Kvaser unveils Memorator Light for
troubleshooting CAN-based systems
Kvaser AB, a leading supplier of Controller
Area Network (CAN) interfaces and software, unveiled a new CAN bus
datalogger, Memorator Light. Designed to help troubleshoot any CAN-based system,
Memorator Light is an easy-to-use tool for logging serial data without
configuration or software setup. It can be used in systems as wide ranging as
factory automation, automotive, marine, medical and beyond.
Memorator Light is ideal for situations when
there’s an occasional need to gather diagnostics-related information, for
example, when a control system intermittently misbehaves. The datalogger can be
left continuously connected to the system so that when a fault condition arises,
it records what happens just before and after the problem occurs. Plugging this
single channel, high-speed datalogger into a system’s CAN network provides
access to a wide range of data without interfering with bus traffic, making
hard-to-diagnose fault conditions considerably easier to
track.
Most dataloggers require preconfiguration
prior to use in order to determine the individual CAN bus network’s bit rate. In
contrast, Memorator Light can be used straight out of the box: simply plug the
datalogger into the system’s CAN port via the standard male 9 pin DSUB CAN
connector and the device’s inbuilt autobaud function will automatically
determine the bit rate. Memorator Light supports both 11-bit (CAN 2.0A) and
29-bit (CAN 2.0B active) identifiers, and bit rates from 10 Kbit/sec up to 1
Mbit/sec.
The messages recorded by Memorator Light are
held in a circular buffer where the oldest data is overwritten when the buffer
becomes full. This first-in, first out (FIFO) feature ensures that users always
have the most recent information to hand. A second circular buffer records 1000
messages before and after an error frame occurs.
Once enough data has been gathered,
Memorator Light can be connected to a PC via its USB 2.0 interface. Easy access
to the data is provided by Memorator Light Extraction Software, which comes as
part of the package, supporting multiple file formats used by popular analysis
software.
Commented Kent Lennartsson, Kvaser’s
Hardware Manager: “This is an entirely new product category for Kvaser. It
combines many of the features found in Kvaser’s Memorator and Memorator
Professional dataloggers and combined CAN interfaces, which are typically used
in an R&D environment to capture faults when performing field testing on
prototype systems. In an R&D environment, a datalogger needs to be fully
configurable to suit conditions under test. However, for intermittent fault
finding, engineers do not have the time or inclination to set-up complex
datalogging functions, so we have done everything possible to make this as easy
to use and quick to set up as possible.”
Apart from the autobaud function, features
that suit Memorator Light to troubleshooting intermittent fault conditions
include the 1 GByte of built-in memory, which prevents data corruption from SD
card mishandling and connector damage. As with other members of the Memorator
family, Memorator Light comes in a lightweight and easy-to-handle form factor
that is capable of operating in the -40oC to 85oC temperature range. Power
consumption is 600mW and a rechargeable battery ensures that all recorded data
is preserved when the system shuts down. Four externally visible LEDs provide
simple indicators of device status, including Power, CAN and Error
frame.
Among the popular analysis packages that
Memorator Light supports are ATI ApolloTM, ATI CANlabTM, ATI VisionTM, Vector
CANalyzerTM, Vector CANoeTM, Warwick X-AnalyserTM and
XtmTM.
Bosch began CAN development in 1983. Since
then, CAN has become the most widely deployed communications network in both the
factory automation and automotive sectors, with CAN appealing particularly for
its high reliability and low cost.
About Kvaser:
With over 24 years of CAN development
experience and more than 30 CAN-related products to our name, Kvaser AB (www.kvaser.com) is
the CAN expert, bringing our deep knowledge in the field of CAN to industries
that include Automotive, Avionics, Building Automation, Domestic Appliances,
Hydraulic Equipment, Industrial Automation, Maritime, Medical, Military,
Railway, Telecoms and Textiles.
