cmd-Robotics USB-CAN bridge

cmd-Robotics USB-CAN bridge is a galvanically isolated CAN node with optional bus termination that presents as a Serial Port on the USB side.

The bridge implements cmd-Robotics' protocol on the CAN side and a text-based protocol on the USB side.

The important difference of cmd-Robotics' USB-CAN bridge from other USB-CAN adapters is that it connects as a Serial interface to the host. This eliminates the need for CAN drivers, offers a familiar API for application developers, and enables browser-based web apps to interface with cmd-Robotics devices.

The galvanic isolation allows for wider selection of signal and power wiring topologies, greatly reducing the risk of ground loops and power backfeed.

The manual CAN bus termination switch allows the bridge to be one of the bus termination points. CANbus has to be terminated on both physical ends of the bus.

What's included

  • the USB-CAN bridge
  • USB-A -to- USB-C cable
  • USB-C -to- USB-C cable
  • two 30cm (1ft) CAN cables (one spare)
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Specs and Features

Protocol Custom protocol over CANbus. Text-based protocol over virtual Serial port on the USB side.
Host any Linux, Windows, or macOS device with a free USB port
USB Connector USB-C socket
CAN Connector 2-position 1.25 mm pitch MOLEX Micro-Lock
CAN Termination 120 Ω, switched
Required Power USB-bus powered, 5 V, 0.025 A (about 125mW)
Physical
Dimensions		 48 x 24 x 12 mm
Weight 11 g / 0.4 oz.
Ingress Protection None
Flammability Rating UL94V0

FAQ

Question Can multiple cmd-Robotics USB-CAN bridges be used on the same computer?
Answer Yes. They will be represented as different Serial ports that work completely independently. The port assignments are usually persisting on all operating systems, so the same device will be mapped to the same virtual Serial port every time it is re-attached to the same computer.
 
Question How many CANbus devices can be controlled by a cmd-Robotics USB-CAN bridge?
Answer The number of CANbus devices on the same bus is unlimited, but the internal cmd-Robotics protocol can only address 6 non-bridge devices on the same bus. This limitation comes from the fact that the internal protocol uses 3 bits to address a device on the bus, and ids 0 and 7 are reserved: to the USB-CAN bridge, and as a broadcast, respectively. Please note that each cmd-Robotics actuator that connects to the bus controls multiple motors/axes/degrees-of-freedom each, thus the number of actual DoFs connected via a single bridge is significantly higher, up to 42.
 
Question Can cmd-Robotics USB-CAN bridge be used in applications other than connecting to cmd-Robotics manipulators?
Answer Yes, but it's worth considering other similar products on the market that might be more suitable for your application. While the cmd-Robotics USB-CAN bridge can be reprogrammed to implement any protocol on any side, we do not have capacity to provide customer support for this scenario.
 
Question What is the firmware update procedure?
Answer Connect the device to your computer, navigate to the Update page, connect to the device, and hit the "Update" button in front of the device.