CANedge1: 2x CAN Bus Data Logger (SD + RTC)

The CANedge is our "next generation" CAN logger series - and the CANedge1 is the new generation of the CL2000.

We've taken all the learnings & feedback from the CLX000 series and applied it in the CANedge series.

Key improvements with the CANedge1 include:

Mechanical

• Extractable SD: The SD can be extracted to transfer data at 80 MB/s (vs 0.5 MB/s for the CLX000 via USB)
• Industrial SD: The CANedge uses an industrial SD card, improving performance, life time, temperature range & more
• Channels: 2xCAN channels, which enables logging from 2 CAN buses in parallel
• Aluminum enclosure: New enclosure is far more robust, while still extremely compact
• Power out: Power external modules via the 2nd port e.g. a GPS-to-CAN or Temperature-to-CAN module

Log files & software/API

• MDF4 log files: Popular binary MDF4 format - more compact than CSV, faster to process, supported by many CAN tools
• Configuration: Open source configuration editor can be used either online/offline via your browser
• JSON Schema: Config files are based on the standardized JSON Schema concept, supported by many open source tools
• asammdf GUI: Enables user-friendly MDF4 log file editing, DBC-conversion (incl. OBD2/J1939), graphical plots & more
• asammdf API: Easily process your data at scale and automate the creation of e.g. reports/databases/dashboards
• Converters: Open source light-weight converters enable drag & drop/CLI conversion of MDF4 into e.g. *.csv and *.asc

Data logging

• Lossless: The CANedge can log extreme bus loads with zero message loss (the CLX000 is limited to ~1000 frames/sec )
• Compression: Optional compression lets you reduce file size by 50-80% vs. the CLX000
• Encryption: Optional encryption lets you encrypt log files on the SD card for added security
• Advanced configuration: More advanced filters & transmit lists (e.g. up to 128 filters vs. 8 on CLX000)
• Precision: 20x higher RTC resolution (50 micro seconds) - with advanced WiFi RTC sync
• Boot time: Much faster boot time vs the CLX000 (~1 sec vs. ~10 sec)
• CAN FD: The CANedge supports CAN FD (Flexible Data-Rate), making it future proof

Further, the CANedge CAN bus data logger series will be our focus for new firmware upgrades - meaning you'll see a lot of powerful features added in addition to the above over the coming period.

The size of a raw MDF4 log files depends on the type of application. However, on average a raw CAN bus log file will be ~50-100 MB/hour if no configuration changes are made.

With an 8 GB SD card, the CANedge would thus be able to record about ~80-160 hours of non-stop data.

However, the CANedge is designed to optimize this drastically via below configuration options:

• Compression: Enabling compression will reduce the data size by 50-80%
• Filters: You can specify which CAN IDs to accept or reject (incl. via ranges and masks)
• Prescalers: You can selectively prescale filtered CAN IDs by count, period or data. This e.g. lets you record only every 5th observation, or one observation per 500 ms. The data prescaler lets you record observations only if data byte X or Y changes
• Control signal: This lets you specify when to start/stop logging based on CAN ID and data byte patterns

By using these options, most users end up with ~4-15 MB/hour. On an 8 GB SD card, this results in 500-2000 hours of non-stop data (1-3 months). On a 32 GB SD card, this corresponds to 2000-8000 hours of non-stop data (4-12 months).

Should the SD card become full, enabling cyclic logging will allow the CANedge CAN data logger to keep recording data by deleting the oldest log files first.

The CANedge1 CAN logger is superior when it comes to logging data to the SD card vs. the CL2000. However, the CANedge1 does not support real-time streaming via USB. For this type of use case, we would recommend e.g. the CL2000.

In the below, we outline the basics of how you get started logging raw CAN data.

• Connect the device to your CAN bus (optionally using one of our DB9 adapter cables)
• The device powers on, detects the bit rate and starts logging raw data to the SD card
• Disconnect the device, extract the mini SD and insert it into your PC (optionally via an SD adapter)
• From here, you can open the raw log files in e.g. the asammdf GUI/API for export/DBC conversion
• Alternatively, you can simply drag & drop the raw data onto a small executable on the SD card to convert to e.g. CSV

For more details on how the device works, we recommend reviewing the getting started guide and product manual.

The CANedge1 CAN bus analyzer can record data from any high speed CAN bus application (ISO 11898-2). In practice, this includes raw data from almost all vehicles (cars, trucks, tractors, forklifts, buses, motorcycles, electric vehicles, ...) - as well as various production machinery, EV batteries/BMS and more. Most planes and boats also use CAN bus. In terms of protocols, this encompasses e.g. SAE J1939, CANopen, NMEA 2000, FMS, OBD2 and more.

For the specific case of OBD2 vehicle data, the CANedge1 can transmit up to 64 custom CAN messages periodically, which means it can be used as an OBD2 data logger. Note that you need to verify that your car uses CAN as basis for the OBD2 communication (this is the case for all US cars produced after 2008 e.g.). Also, note that all cars differ in the amount of OBD2 parameters they support - and the CANedge1 is of course only able to record the supported data.

The CANedge1 is a pro CAN logger, matching the specs of some of the best loggers on the market - at <30% of the cost.

At the same time, it's designed to be really simple-to-use, e.g. being able to log raw CAN data without any configuration. You can literally take it out of the box, connect it to your vehicle/machine CAN bus - and get data logged to the SD card.

The CAN logger also uses non-proprietary formats for configuration files (JSON Schema) and log files (ASAM MDF4). This means that the device is interoperable with many different software tools on the market. In particular, we recommend 100% free open source solutions such as the simple editor tool and the asammdf GUI/API for easy processing of raw log file data.

We also provide a simple open executable for converting raw MDF4 data into e.g. CSV, Vector's ASC or PEAK's TRC format.

The CANedge1 CAN data logger does not have built-in GPS, but it's easy to add due to the modular design.

Specifically, the 2nd port can be configured to supply 5V power to 1-3 external modules.

As such, you can power your CANedge1 CAN logger via the 1st port - and add our CANmod.gps GPS-to-CAN module in the 2nd port. The data from the GPS module will then be recorded on the CANedge1 SD card (i.e. it's not sent into the CAN bus, retaining silent mode). You can naturally set this up while at the same time logging other CAN data via Channel 2 at the same time.

You can of course also connect our CANmod.temp temperature-to-CAN module or CANmod.input analog/digital/pulse to CAN module.

We offer a 32 GB upgrade (it's an option when you buy from our site), using tested industrial SD cards. You can also add your own SD card (up to 32 GB), though we recommend to thoroughly test the device performance in this case. If you aim to use the CANedge as a CAN bus data logger for long-term recording of CAN bus data, our 32 GB card upgrade is recommended.