Dual CAN FD Interface
Bringing CAN FD Vehicle Intelligence to Squarell IVMS
Vehicle networks are evolving.
For many years, Classical CAN with data rates up to 1 Mbit/s and an 8-byte payload has been the dominant communication technology in commercial vehicles.
CAN FD is now increasingly finding its way into vehicle architectures, providing higher data rates and significantly larger messages.
Squarell is ready for that next generation.
The Squarell Dual CAN FD Interface extends compatible Squarell IVMS devices with two independent CAN FD interfaces, providing access to both CAN FD and existing Classical CAN networks.
Two CAN FD interfaces
The device provides two independent vehicle network connections.
Each interface supports:
- Classical CAN
- CAN FD
- Data rates up to 8 Mbit/s
- CAN FD messages with up to 64 bytes of data
Both CAN FD ports use a 6-pole Micro-Fit connector and have red/green status indication.
Intelligent data selection
CAN FD can transport considerably more information than Classical CAN.
Simply forwarding all CAN FD traffic to an IVMS would therefore not be an efficient solution.
The Squarell Dual CAN FD Interface processes the incoming CAN FD communication locally.
Through the Squarell DCF configuration, each CAN FD port can be configured to:
- Select relevant CAN FD messages
- Filter unnecessary network traffic
- Extract the required data
- Forward selected information to the IVMS
This means that the higher bandwidth of the vehicle network does not need to be reproduced throughout the complete IVMS architecture.
Process the data where it enters the system
The SFD connection to the IVMS operates with Classical CAN characteristics: up to 1 Mbit/s with a maximum 8-byte payload per message.
The Dual CAN FD Interface therefore performs the first stage of data processing before information is transferred to the IVMS.
This creates an efficient architecture:
CAN FD Vehicle Network → Filter → Select → SFD → IVMS → DCF → Parameter Groups
The objective is not to transport every bit on the vehicle network.
The objective is to retrieve the Vehicle Intelligence that matters.
One interface for CAN and CAN FD
The two ports are not limited to CAN FD.
Existing Classical CAN networks up to 1 Mbit/s can also be connected.
This makes the Dual CAN FD Interface useful during the transition period in which vehicles may contain a mixture of Classical CAN and CAN FD networks.
For example:
Port 1 → CAN FD
Port 2 → Classical CAN
or:
Port 1 → CAN FD network 1
Port 2 → CAN FD network 2
SFD — extend your IVMS when technology changes
The Dual CAN FD Interface connects directly to the Squarell SFD port and is powered by the IVMS through the same connection.
This illustrates an important advantage of the Squarell SFD architecture.
When new vehicle technologies emerge, the complete IVMS does not necessarily have to be replaced.
A specialised SFD device can extend its capabilities.
Compatible Squarell products
The Dual CAN FD Interface can be connected to the SFD interface of:
- SOLID+
- REMOTE+
- ENVIRON+
- BE
- Trailer Box
Product-specific connection cables are available for the different IVMS platforms.
Why Squarell?
CAN FD changes the vehicle network.
It does not change the Squarell philosophy.
Whether information originates from Classical CAN or CAN FD, Squarell’s objective remains the same:
Access → Select → Interpret → Harmonise → Deliver
The customer does not need to deal with the complexity of different vehicle networks or message structures.
Squarell turns the relevant information into usable Vehicle Intelligence.
Dual CAN FD Interface — Ready for the next generation of vehicle networks.
