i.MX6 HummingBoard – CAN bus

Owned by SolidRun
Last updated: Jan 25, 2022
2 min read

CAN Bus is only supported on Hummingboard Edge/Gate/CBi and i.MX6 SOM Rev. v1.5 and higher.

Overview

A Controller Area Network (CAN bus) is a robust vehicle bus standard designed to allow microcontrollers and devices to communicate with each other in applications without a host computer. It is a message-based protocol, designed originally for multiplex electrical wiring within automobiles to save on copper, but is also used in many other contexts. (source http://wikipedia.com ).

Hardware Modification

Notes

  1. Requires SOM rev 1.4 and newer

  2. Requires HummingBoard Edge/Gate/CBi

  3. Overlaps with HDMI connector CEC function. So only this or the HDMI connector can be assembled

In order to get the CAN bus up and running, following hardware modifications need to be done:

  • Disassemble D5 and the HDMI connector

  • Assemble:

  • R54

  • R53

  • C100

  • U10003 (CAN transceiver , for example TJA1050)

  • R55

  • L12

  • L13

  • C101

  • C102

  • L13

  • J28

Per the HummingBoard CBi schematics:HummingBoard CBi Quick Start Guide

Software Modification

Device Tree Changes

Edit following lines in the Device tree

(Re-)Compile DeviceTree

Generically speaking, the raw .dts files can be compiled into .dtb using the device-tree-compiler dtc. The most straightforward way to invoke it is by configuring the linux kernel tree, and then running

make dtbs

The kernel-tree needs to be configured first. Please refer to i.MX6 Kernel  for generic instructions, or consult the distro documentation

DTB files can also be de- and recompiled. Consult the manpage of dtc for additional information.

(Re-)Compile Linux Kernel

Either recompile linux kernel with config :

CONFIG_CAN=y CONFIG_CAN_RAW=y CONFIG_CAN_DEV=y CONFIG_CAN_FLEXCAN=y

or activate modules:

modprobe can modprobe flexcan modprobe can-dev modprobe can-rawTest CanBUS

Enable device can0:

(ex:125000)

Checking:

The easiest way to test the CanBUS is to use the CAN-Utils, which are available for Debain/Ubuntu etc.

Example commands:

Sending:

receiving:

 

SolidRun Ltd.