Summary of The CANable: a small USB to CAN adapter
### Summary The CANable is an open-source hardware clone of Eric Evenchick's CANtact project, designed as a compact USB to CAN adapter compatible with socketcan. Key improvements over the original include a screw terminal replacing the DB9 connector, a micro-USB interface, and a smaller PCB utilizing the STM32L042's internal oscillator. While the author is not currently selling boards, the source files for fabrication are available, and firmware support has been merged into the main CANtact repository.
Parts used in the CANable:
- Screw terminal
- Micro-USB connector
- STM32L042 microcontroller
- Smaller 3.3v regulator
- Onboard high speed oscillator
The CANable is a hardware clone of Eric Evenchick’s CANtact project, an open-hardware USB to CAN adapter compatible with socketcan. I took his design and reworked the hardware to be a bit more suitable for my personal needs, with a screw terminal instead of a DB9 connector and a much smaller PCB.
The design is open-source hardware and the schematic is nearly identical to CANtact except CANable uses the STM32L042’s onboard high speed oscillator, has a micro-USB connector, and has a smaller 3.3v regulator. Feel free to pull down the hardware source and the firmware (a forked version of the CANtact firmware that uses the internal oscillator instead of an external crystal).
Update: CANable support has been merged into the CANtact firmware. Just change the define in main.c for CANable and you should be good to go!
I’m currently not producing these boards, but you may fabricate your own from the source files linked above. If there’s enough interest I may consider fabricating and selling some boards. Drop a comment if you’re interested!
For more Details: The CANable: a small USB to CAN adapter
- What is the CANable?
The CANable is a hardware clone of the CANtact project serving as an open-hardware USB to CAN adapter. - How does the CANable differ from the original CANtact design?
It features a screw terminal instead of a DB9 connector, a micro-USB connector, and a smaller PCB. - Does the CANable use an external crystal?
No, it uses the STM32L042’s onboard high speed oscillator. - Can I fabricate my own CANable board?
Yes, you can fabricate your own from the source files linked in the article. - Is the CANable currently being sold by the author?
No, the author is not currently producing these boards. - How do I get the firmware for the CANable?
You can use the forked version of the CANtact firmware or change a define in main.c after the update. - Is the CANable compatible with socketcan?
Yes, it is compatible with socketcan. - What chip is used in the CANable design?
The design uses the STM32L042 microcontroller.
