Summary of The CANable: a small USB to CAN adapter
The CANable is a compact, open-source hardware USB-to-CAN adapter based on Eric Evenchick’s CANtact. It reworks the design with a screw terminal instead of DB9, a smaller PCB, micro-USB connector, STM32L042 using its internal high-speed oscillator, and a smaller 3.3V regulator. Schematics and firmware (forked to use the internal oscillator) are available; boards are not currently produced but can be fabricated from the provided source files. The author may consider producing boards if there is interest.
Parts used in the CANable:
- STM32L042 microcontroller (uses internal high-speed oscillator)
- Micro-USB connector
- 3.3V regulator (smaller size)
- CAN transceiver (as in CANtact design)
- Screw terminal (replaces DB9 connector)
- Supporting passive components (resistors, capacitors)
- PCB (smaller, custom CANable board)
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).
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 detail: The CANable: a small USB to CAN adapter
- What is the CANable?
It is a compact, open-source USB to CAN adapter based on the CANtact project, with hardware rework for a smaller PCB and screw terminal. - How does CANable differ from CANtact?
CANable uses a screw terminal instead of DB9, a smaller PCB, a micro-USB connector, the STM32L042 internal high-speed oscillator, and a smaller 3.3V regulator; the schematic is otherwise nearly identical. - Can I get the hardware and firmware sources?
Yes, the hardware source and a forked firmware (using the internal oscillator) are available for download. - Is CANable currently being produced and sold?
No, the author is not currently producing the boards but may consider fabricating and selling them if there is enough interest. - Can I fabricate my own CANable boards?
Yes, you may fabricate your own boards from the provided source files. - Does the firmware differ from CANtact?
The firmware is a fork of CANtact firmware modified to use the internal oscillator instead of an external crystal. - What connector does CANable use for power and USB?
CANable uses a micro-USB connector. - Why was the screw terminal used?
The screw terminal replaces the DB9 connector to better suit the author's personal needs.
