Chapter 157: CAN-FD Implementation on ESP32
Chapter Objectives
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
- Understand the key features and advantages of the CAN with Flexible Data-Rate (CAN-FD) protocol compared to Classical CAN.
- Recognize the differences in frame formats between Classical CAN and CAN-FD.
- Understand that the built-in TWAI peripheral in the specified ESP32 variants (ESP32, S2, S3, C3, C6, H2) supports CAN 2.0B (Classical CAN) and that CAN-FD implementation typically requires an external CAN-FD controller IC.
- Describe the general approach for interfacing an ESP32 with an external SPI-based CAN-FD controller.
- Conceptually understand how to configure an external CAN-FD controller for parameters like nominal and data bitrates.
- Outline the process for transmitting and receiving CAN-FD frames using an ESP32 and an external controller.
- Appreciate the considerations for physical layer and network design in CAN-FD systems.
- Identify common challenges when working with ESP32 and external CAN-FD controllers.
Introduction
In the previous chapters (151-156), we explored the Two-Wire Automotive Interface (TWAI) on ESP32 devices, focusing on its use for Classical CAN (CAN 2.0B) communication, including applications like OBD-II diagnostics. Classical CAN has been a workhorse in automotive and industrial applications for decades due to its robustness and reliability. However, the increasing demand for higher bandwidth and larger data payloads in modern systems, driven by more complex ECUs, advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), and sophisticated sensor networks, has pushed Classical CAN to its limits.
To address these evolving needs, Bosch developed CAN with Flexible Data-Rate (CAN-FD), an extension of the original CAN protocol. CAN-FD significantly boosts performance by allowing for a higher data bitrate during the data phase of the frame and increasing the maximum payload size from 8 bytes to 64 bytes. This makes it suitable for a new generation of in-vehicle networking and industrial control systems.
While the built-in TWAI controller on the ESP32 variants covered in this volume (ESP32, ESP32-S2, ESP32-S3, ESP32-C3, ESP32-C6, ESP32-H2) is designed for CAN 2.0B, these powerful microcontrollers can still be effectively used to implement CAN-FD communication by interfacing with dedicated external CAN-FD controller ICs. This chapter will introduce the fundamentals of CAN-FD and guide you through the conceptual process of using an ESP32 as a host microcontroller to manage an external CAN-FD controller, typically via an SPI interface.
Theory
What is CAN-FD?
CAN with Flexible Data-Rate (CAN-FD) is an enhanced version of the Classical CAN protocol, standardized under ISO 11898-1:2015. It maintains backward compatibility in some aspects (e.g., arbitration process) but introduces crucial improvements to overcome the bandwidth limitations of Classical CAN.
Feature | Classical CAN (CAN 2.0B) | CAN-FD (ISO 11898-1:2015) |
---|---|---|
Maximum Payload Size | 8 bytes | Up to 64 bytes |
Data Bitrate | Single bitrate (Nominal rate, e.g., up to 1 Mbps) | Dual Bitrates:
– Nominal rate for arbitration (e.g., up to 1 Mbps) – Higher data rate for payload (e.g., 2 Mbps, 5 Mbps, or more) |
Bit Rate Switching (BRS) | Not applicable | Yes (optional, controlled by BRS bit) |
Frame Format Identifier | RTR bit (recessive for remote, dominant for data) in the position of FDF. | FDF bit (recessive indicates CAN-FD frame) |
DLC (Data Length Code) Interpretation | 0-8 directly maps to 0-8 bytes. | 0-8 maps to 0-8 bytes.
9-15 maps to 12, 16, 20, 24, 32, 48, 64 bytes respectively. |
CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) | 15-bit CRC | 17-bit CRC (for payloads up to 16 bytes)
21-bit CRC (for payloads > 16 bytes, up to 64 bytes) |
Control Field New Bits | – | FDF (FD Format)
res (Reserved bit, replaces r0/r1 in some contexts) BRS (Bit Rate Switch) ESI (Error State Indicator) |
Primary Advantage | Robustness, wide adoption, simplicity for lower bandwidth needs. | Higher throughput, larger data payloads, improved efficiency for complex systems. |
Key Improvements of CAN-FD over Classical CAN:
- Flexible Data-Rate:
- Dual Bitrates: CAN-FD frames can use two different bitrates. The arbitration phase (where nodes contend for bus access) occurs at the nominal bitrate, which is compatible with Classical CAN speeds (e.g., 125 kbps, 250 kbps, 500 kbps, 1 Mbps).
- Bit Rate Switching (BRS): After arbitration, if the frame is a CAN-FD frame with Bit Rate Switching enabled, the bus speed can increase significantly for the data phase (including data bytes, DLC, and CRC) up to typically 2 Mbps, 5 Mbps, or even higher depending on the transceivers and network topology. This dramatically increases data throughput.
- Larger Payload Capacity:
- CAN-FD frames can carry up to 64 data bytes per frame, a substantial increase from the 8-byte limit of Classical CAN. This reduces protocol overhead for larger data transfers and improves efficiency.
- Improved CRC:
- To ensure data integrity with larger payloads, CAN-FD uses a longer and more robust Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) sequence. The CRC polynomial and length depend on the frame size.
- New Frame Format Elements:
- The CAN-FD frame format includes new control bits to manage these features.
CAN-FD Frame Format
The CAN-FD frame format builds upon the Classical CAN frame but introduces new bits and modifies existing fields:
Key Differences in the Control Field:
FDF
(FD Format) bit: A new bit (recessive) in the control field that explicitly identifies the frame as a CAN-FD frame. In Classical CAN, this bit position was the RTR bit and was dominant for data frames.res
(Reserved) bit: A reserved bit, typically set to dominant. (Note: some specifications may show this asr0
orr1
depending on the CAN controller IP version. For CAN-FD base format, it’s often a single reserved bit).BRS
(Bit Rate Switch) bit: If recessive, indicates that the bitrate will switch to the higher data bitrate from this point (after BRS bit itself) until the CRC delimiter. If dominant, the data phase uses the nominal bitrate.ESI
(Error State Indicator) bit: If recessive, indicates that the transmitting node is in an error-passive state. If dominant, it’s in an error-active state.
Data Length Code (DLC):
- In Classical CAN, DLC values
0
to8
directly represented 0 to 8 data bytes. - In CAN-FD, the DLC still uses 4 bits, but values greater than
8
are used to represent larger payloads:
DLC Value (Binary) | DLC Value (Decimal) | Data Bytes Transmitted |
---|---|---|
0000 | 0 | 0 bytes |
0001 | 1 | 1 byte |
0010 | 2 | 2 bytes |
0011 | 3 | 3 bytes |
0100 | 4 | 4 bytes |
0101 | 5 | 5 bytes |
0110 | 6 | 6 bytes |
0111 | 7 | 7 bytes |
1000 | 8 | 8 bytes |
1001 | 9 | 12 bytes |
1010 | 10 | 16 bytes |
1011 | 11 | 20 bytes |
1100 | 12 | 24 bytes |
1101 | 13 | 32 bytes |
1110 | 14 | 48 bytes |
1111 | 15 | 64 bytes |
CRC Field:
- For CAN-FD frames with up to 16 data bytes, a 17-bit CRC (CRC_17) is used.
- For CAN-FD frames with more than 16 data bytes (20 to 64 bytes), a 21-bit CRC (CRC_21) is used.
- This is an improvement over the 15-bit CRC used in Classical CAN, providing better error detection for larger payloads.
Bit Rate Switching (BRS)
The ability to switch to a higher bitrate for the data portion of the frame is a cornerstone of CAN-FD’s performance gain.
- The nominal bitrate (e.g., 500 kbps) is used for:
- Start of Frame (SOF)
- Arbitration Field (Identifier, RTR/IDE/FDF)
- Control Field (up to and including the BRS bit if BRS is dominant, or just before data if BRS is recessive)
- ACK slot
- End of Frame (EOF)
- Intermission
- If the
BRS
bit is recessive, the data bitrate (e.g., 2 Mbps, 5 Mbps) is used for:- Data Field (0-64 bytes)
- CRC Field
- The switch back to nominal bitrate occurs before the ACK slot.
Implications of BRS:
- Network Topology: Higher data bitrates are more sensitive to signal reflections and bus length. CAN-FD networks, especially those using high data bitrates, require careful design regarding bus topology (shorter stubs, proper termination) and high-quality transceivers.
- Transceivers: CAN-FD requires transceivers capable of handling the higher data bitrates and faster signal edges. Standard CAN transceivers might not be suitable for high-speed CAN-FD. Many modern CAN transceivers are “CAN-FD tolerant” or “CAN-FD capable.”
ESP32 and CAN-FD Support
As of ESP-IDF v5.x and for the commonly discussed variants (ESP32, ESP32-S2, ESP32-S3, ESP32-C3, ESP32-C6, ESP32-H2):
- The built-in TWAI (Two-Wire Automotive Interface) controller is designed according to the CAN 2.0B specification (Classical CAN). It does not natively support the CAN-FD protocol extensions (flexible data rate, larger payloads, new FDF bit).
- The ESP32-C3 does not have a built-in TWAI controller at all.
Therefore, to implement CAN-FD functionality using these ESP32 variants, an external, dedicated CAN-FD controller IC is required.
Feature/Aspect | ESP32 Built-in TWAI Controller (e.g., ESP32, S2, S3, C6, H2) |
External CAN-FD Controller IC (with ESP32 as host) |
---|---|---|
Supported CAN Protocol | Classical CAN (CAN 2.0B) | CAN-FD (and often Classical CAN compatible) |
Flexible Data-Rate (BRS) | No | Yes (if controller supports it) |
Max Payload Size | 8 bytes | Up to 64 bytes |
New CAN-FD Control Bits (FDF, BRS, ESI) | No (Hardware does not recognize/generate) | Yes (Handled by external IC) |
Larger CAN-FD CRC (17/21-bit) | No (Uses 15-bit CRC) | Yes (Calculated/verified by external IC) |
ESP-IDF Driver | driver/twai.h (Built-in) | Requires specific driver for the chosen external IC (via SPI, using driver/spi_master.h). Not typically part of standard ESP-IDF. |
Hardware Complexity | Minimal (needs transceiver) | Increased (ESP32 + External CAN-FD IC + Transceiver + SPI wiring) |
Software Complexity for CAN-FD | Not applicable (doesn’t support CAN-FD) | Moderate to High (driver development/integration for external IC, managing SPI communication) |
Suitability for CAN-FD Applications | Not Suitable | Required (for the listed ESP32 variants) |
Note: Newer generations of ESP32 series chips, such as the ESP32-P4 or ESP32-C5, are being introduced with native CAN-FD support in their on-chip peripherals. However, these are generally newer than the variants focused on in this volume and may have different peripheral driver APIs under future ESP-IDF versions. This chapter focuses on the listed variants which necessitate an external controller for CAN-FD.
Interfacing External CAN-FD Controllers with ESP32
Common external CAN-FD controllers (e.g., Microchip MCP2517FD, MCP2518FD, NXP TJA1145 (transceiver with SPI control), Bosch MCAN IP based chips) are typically interfaced with a host microcontroller like the ESP32 using the Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI).
Typical Hardware Connection:
- ESP32 (SPI Master) <-> External CAN-FD Controller (SPI Slave)
MOSI
(Master Out Slave In)MISO
(Master In Slave Out)SCLK
(Serial Clock)CS
(Chip Select) – one per SPI slave device
- Control/Status Lines:
INT
(Interrupt Output from CAN-FD controller to ESP32): Signals events like message reception, transmission completion, errors.RESET
(Reset Input to CAN-FD controller from ESP32): To initialize the controller.- Possibly other clock inputs (
CLKO
) or standby pins.
- CAN Bus Connection: The external CAN-FD controller IC itself will then connect to a CAN-FD capable transceiver, which in turn connects to the physical CAN_H and CAN_L bus lines. Many CAN-FD controller modules integrate the transceiver.
Software Considerations:
- SPI Driver: The ESP32 will use its SPI Master driver (from
driver/spi_master.h
in ESP-IDF) to communicate with the external CAN-FD controller. - External IC Driver: A specific driver software module is required for the chosen external CAN-FD controller IC. This driver will:
- Define the register map of the CAN-FD controller.
- Provide functions to read/write these registers via SPI.
- Implement higher-level functions for configuring the controller (modes, bitrates, filters, buffers).
- Handle message transmission and reception logic.
- Manage interrupts.
- ESP-IDF does not provide generic drivers for third-party CAN-FD controllers. You would typically use a driver provided by the IC manufacturer or a community-developed library, or develop one based on the IC’s datasheet.
General Workflow for using an External CAN-FD Controller:
graph TD A[Start: ESP32 Application] --> B{"Hardware Initialization <br> - ESP32 SPI Master <br> - GPIOs (CS, INT, RESET)"}; B --> C{"External CAN-FD Controller Reset <br> (via RESET pin or command)"}; C --> D{"Controller Configuration (via SPI) <br> - Operation Mode (CAN-FD, BRS) <br> - Nominal & Data Bitrates <br> - TX/RX Buffers/Message Objects <br> - Acceptance Filters <br> - Enable Interrupts"}; D --> E{Operational Loop}; subgraph Transmit Path E1["ESP32: Prepare CAN-FD Frame <br> (ID, DLC, FDF, BRS, ESI, Data)"] --> E2{"Write Frame to External <br> Controller's TX Buffer (via SPI)"}; E2 --> E3{"Command Controller <br> to Transmit Frame (via SPI)"}; E3 --> E4[Controller: Transmits Frame on CAN Bus]; E4 --> E5{"Controller: Signal TX Completion <br> (Optional Interrupt/Status)"}; end subgraph Receive Path F1[External Controller: Frame <br> Received from CAN Bus] --> F2{Passes Acceptance Filter?}; F2 -- Yes --> F3[Controller: Store Frame in RX Buffer]; F3 --> F4[Controller: Assert INT Line to ESP32]; F4 --> F5[ESP32: GPIO ISR Triggered]; F5 --> F6{"ISR: Notify CAN Processing Task <br> (e.g., FreeRTOS notify/queue)"}; F6 --> F7["CAN Task: Read Frame from <br> Controller's RX Buffer (via SPI)"]; F7 --> F8[CAN Task: Process Received Frame]; F8 --> F9{"CAN Task: Clear Interrupt <br> Flag(s) on Controller (via SPI)"}; F2 -- No --> F10[Controller: Discard Frame]; end E --> E1; E --> F1_TriggerPoint{"Listening for RX Interrupts"}; F1_TriggerPoint --> F1; E5 --> E; F9 --> E; classDef primary fill:#EDE9FE,stroke:#5B21B6,stroke-width:2px,color:#5B21B6; classDef success fill:#D1FAE5,stroke:#059669,stroke-width:2px,color:#065F46; classDef decision fill:#FEF3C7,stroke:#D97706,stroke-width:1px,color:#92400E; classDef process fill:#DBEAFE,stroke:#2563EB,stroke-width:1px,color:#1E40AF; classDef check fill:#FEE2E2,stroke:#DC2626,stroke-width:1px,color:#991B1B; classDef io fill:#E0F2FE,stroke:#0EA5E9,stroke-width:1px,color:#0369A1; class A,B,C,D,E1,E2,E3,F5,F6,F7,F8,F9 primary; class E,F1_TriggerPoint decision; class E4,F1,F3,F4,F10 io; class F2 decision; class E5 success;
- Hardware Initialization: Initialize SPI bus on the ESP32, configure GPIOs for CS, INT, RESET.
- Controller Reset: Reset the external CAN-FD controller.
- Controller Configuration (via SPI register writes):
- Set the desired operation mode (e.g., CAN-FD Normal mode with Bit Rate Switching).
- Configure nominal bitrate timing parameters.
- Configure data bitrate timing parameters.
- Configure message objects/buffers (for TX and RX).
- Set up acceptance filters to receive specific CAN IDs.
- Enable interrupts for relevant events.
- Transmission:
- ESP32 prepares the CAN-FD frame (ID, DLC, FDF=1, BRS=1/0, ESI, data).
- ESP32 writes this frame data into a TX buffer/message object in the external controller via SPI.
- ESP32 commands the external controller to transmit the frame.
- Reception:
- External controller receives a CAN-FD frame from the bus.
- If it passes acceptance filtering, it’s stored in an RX buffer/message object.
- The controller asserts the INT line to notify the ESP32.
- ESP32’s interrupt service routine (ISR) detects the interrupt.
- The ISR (or a task signaled by it) reads the received frame from the external controller’s RX buffer via SPI.
- ESP32 processes the received frame.
Practical Examples (Conceptual)
Disclaimer: The following code examples are conceptual and illustrative. They demonstrate the principles of using ESP32’s SPI master driver to interact with a hypothetical external CAN-FD controller. They are not complete, runnable drivers for any specific CAN-FD IC (like MCP2517FD). A real implementation would require the full datasheet of the chosen CAN-FD controller and a comprehensive driver for it. We will assume a generic external controller for these examples.
Hardware Setup (Assumed)
- ESP32 Development Board.
- External CAN-FD Controller Module: A module featuring a CAN-FD controller IC (e.g., MCP2517FD-based) and an integrated CAN-FD transceiver.
- SPI Connections:
- ESP32
HSPI_MOSI
(e.g., GPIO13) -> ControllerSDI/MOSI
- ESP32
HSPI_MISO
(e.g., GPIO12) -> ControllerSDO/MISO
- ESP32
HSPI_SCLK
(e.g., GPIO14) -> ControllerSCK
- ESP32
GPIO_CS
(e.g., GPIO15) -> ControllerCS
- ESP32
- Control Connections:
- ESP32
GPIO_INT
(e.g., GPIO4) <- ControllerINT
(configured as input with pull-up/down as needed) - ESP32
GPIO_RESET
(e.g., GPIO5) -> ControllerRESET
(optional, some modules handle reset on power-up)
- ESP32
- CAN Bus: Two such setups for send/receive, or one setup connected to a CAN-FD analyzer/another CAN-FD node. Proper CAN bus termination (e.g., 120 Ohm resistors at each end) is crucial.
Project Setup (VS Code, ESP-IDF)
- Create a new ESP-IDF project.
- The SPI master driver is part of ESP-IDF (
#include "driver/spi_master.h"
). - You would need to add the (hypothetical or actual) driver files for your specific external CAN-FD controller to your project’s components directory.
Example 1: SPI Initialization and Conceptual CAN-FD Controller Register Write
This example shows how to initialize the SPI bus and a conceptual function to write to a register on an external CAN-FD controller.
main/main.c
(Conceptual Snippets):
#include <stdio.h>
#include <string.h>
#include "freertos/FreeRTOS.h"
#include "freertos/task.h"
#include "driver/spi_master.h"
#include "driver/gpio.h"
#include "esp_log.h"
static const char *TAG = "CANFD_EXTERNAL";
// Define SPI host, pins (example for HSPI)
#define SPI_HOST HSPI_HOST // Or VSPI_HOST
#define PIN_NUM_MOSI 13
#define PIN_NUM_MISO 12
#define PIN_NUM_SCLK 14
#define PIN_NUM_CS 15
#define PIN_NUM_INT 4 // Example interrupt pin
// #define PIN_NUM_RESET 5 // Example reset pin
spi_device_handle_t spi_canfd_device;
// Hypothetical CAN-FD Controller Command/Register Defines
#define CANFD_CMD_WRITE_REG 0x02
#define CANFD_CMD_READ_REG 0x03
#define CANFD_REG_CONFIG 0x0A // Example configuration register address
#define CANFD_REG_TX_BUFFER 0x30 // Example TX buffer address
#define CANFD_REG_RX_BUFFER 0x40 // Example RX buffer address
// Initialize SPI bus and add the CAN-FD controller as a device
esp_err_t spi_init_canfd_controller(void) {
esp_err_t ret;
spi_bus_config_t buscfg = {
.mosi_io_num = PIN_NUM_MOSI,
.miso_io_num = PIN_NUM_MISO,
.sclk_io_num = PIN_NUM_SCLK,
.quadwp_io_num = -1, // Not used
.quadhd_io_num = -1, // Not used
.max_transfer_sz = 64 + 4 // Max CAN-FD payload + command/address bytes
};
spi_device_interface_config_t devcfg = {
.clock_speed_hz = 10 * 1000 * 1000, // 10 MHz (check CAN-FD controller datasheet for max SPI speed)
.mode = 0, // SPI mode 0 (CPOL=0, CPHA=0)
.spics_io_num = PIN_NUM_CS,
.queue_size = 7, // We want to be able to queue 7 transactions
// .pre_cb = NULL, // Can be used to handle CS manually if needed
};
// Initialize the SPI bus
ret = spi_bus_initialize(SPI_HOST, &buscfg, SPI_DMA_CH_AUTO);
ESP_ERROR_CHECK(ret);
if (ret != ESP_OK) return ret;
// Attach the CAN-FD controller to the SPI bus
ret = spi_bus_add_device(SPI_HOST, &devcfg, &spi_canfd_device);
ESP_ERROR_CHECK(ret);
if (ret != ESP_OK) return ret;
ESP_LOGI(TAG, "SPI initialized and CAN-FD controller device added.");
return ESP_OK;
}
// Conceptual function to write to a register on the external CAN-FD controller
esp_err_t canfd_controller_write_reg(uint16_t reg_addr, uint8_t *data, size_t len) {
if (len == 0 || len > 8) { // Example: limit register write length for simplicity
ESP_LOGE(TAG, "Invalid data length for register write.");
return ESP_ERR_INVALID_ARG;
}
spi_transaction_t t;
memset(&t, 0, sizeof(t));
// Max 1 byte command, 2 bytes address, up to 'len' data bytes
uint8_t tx_buffer[1 + 2 + len];
tx_buffer[0] = CANFD_CMD_WRITE_REG;
tx_buffer[1] = (reg_addr >> 8) & 0xFF; // High byte of address (assuming 16-bit addr)
tx_buffer[2] = reg_addr & 0xFF; // Low byte of address
memcpy(&tx_buffer[3], data, len);
t.length = (3 + len) * 8; // Length in bits
t.tx_buffer = tx_buffer;
t.rx_buffer = NULL; // Not expecting data back for a write
esp_err_t ret = spi_device_polling_transmit(spi_canfd_device, &t); // Or spi_device_transmit for interrupt driven
if (ret != ESP_OK) {
ESP_LOGE(TAG, "SPI transmit failed for register write: %s", esp_err_to_name(ret));
}
return ret;
}
// Conceptual function to read from a register
esp_err_t canfd_controller_read_reg(uint16_t reg_addr, uint8_t *rx_data, size_t len) {
if (len == 0 || len > 8) {
ESP_LOGE(TAG, "Invalid data length for register read.");
return ESP_ERR_INVALID_ARG;
}
spi_transaction_t t;
memset(&t, 0, sizeof(t));
uint8_t tx_buffer[1 + 2]; // Command + Address
tx_buffer[0] = CANFD_CMD_READ_REG;
tx_buffer[1] = (reg_addr >> 8) & 0xFF;
tx_buffer[2] = reg_addr & 0xFF;
// For SPI read, we send command+address, then clock in data.
// The total transaction length includes command, address, and expected data.
// Some controllers might require dummy bytes after address during read.
// This is highly dependent on the specific CAN-FD controller's SPI protocol.
// Simplified: Assume command+address is sent, then 'len' bytes are read.
// A common pattern is to send command+address, then send dummy bytes to clock in data.
// For this example, we'll use a combined tx/rx buffer for simplicity,
// though often tx is command/addr and rx is separate.
uint8_t spi_tx_payload[3 + len]; // Cmd, Addr_H, Addr_L, Dummy bytes for read
uint8_t spi_rx_payload[3 + len];
memset(spi_tx_payload, 0, sizeof(spi_tx_payload)); // Important for dummy bytes
spi_tx_payload[0] = CANFD_CMD_READ_REG;
spi_tx_payload[1] = (reg_addr >> 8) & 0xFF;
spi_tx_payload[2] = reg_addr & 0xFF;
// The rest of spi_tx_payload are dummy bytes to clock in data
t.length = (3 + len) * 8; // Total bits for command, address, and data to be read
t.tx_buffer = spi_tx_payload;
t.rx_buffer = spi_rx_payload;
esp_err_t ret = spi_device_polling_transmit(spi_canfd_device, &t);
if (ret == ESP_OK) {
memcpy(rx_data, &spi_rx_payload[3], len); // Data starts after cmd+addr in rx_buffer
} else {
ESP_LOGE(TAG, "SPI transmit failed for register read: %s", esp_err_to_name(ret));
}
return ret;
}
void main_task(void *pvParameters) {
ESP_ERROR_CHECK(spi_init_canfd_controller());
// Example: Conceptual configuration write
// This would involve multiple register writes based on CAN-FD IC datasheet
// to set modes, bitrates (nominal and data), filters, etc.
ESP_LOGI(TAG, "Conceptually configuring CAN-FD controller...");
uint8_t config_data[] = {0x87}; // Example: Set CANFD mode with BRS, Normal Op Mode
// (Actual value depends on specific controller)
if (canfd_controller_write_reg(CANFD_REG_CONFIG, config_data, 1) == ESP_OK) {
ESP_LOGI(TAG, "Conceptual config register write successful.");
} else {
ESP_LOGE(TAG, "Conceptual config register write failed.");
}
// Further operations (send/receive tasks) would go here...
vTaskDelete(NULL);
}
void app_main(void) {
xTaskCreate(main_task, "main_task", 4096, NULL, 5, NULL);
}
Example 2: Conceptual CAN-FD Frame Transmission
This builds on Example 1, showing a conceptual function to send a CAN-FD frame.
// Add to your main.c or a separate driver file
// Structure to hold CAN-FD message (conceptual)
typedef struct {
uint32_t id; // CAN ID (11-bit or 29-bit)
bool is_extended_id; // true for 29-bit ID
bool fdf; // FD Format (must be true for CAN-FD)
bool brs; // Bit Rate Switch
bool esi; // Error State Indicator (usually false for TX)
uint8_t dlc; // Data Length Code (0-8, or 9-15 for 12-64 bytes)
uint8_t data[64];
uint8_t actual_len; // Actual number of data bytes (0-64)
} canfd_frame_t;
// Map DLC values to actual byte counts for CAN-FD
uint8_t dlc_to_bytes_canfd(uint8_t dlc_val) {
if (dlc_val <= 8) return dlc_val;
switch (dlc_val) {
case 9: return 12;
case 10: return 16;
case 11: return 20;
case 12: return 24;
case 13: return 32;
case 14: return 48;
case 15: return 64;
default: return 0; // Invalid DLC
}
}
// Conceptual function to send a CAN-FD frame via external controller
esp_err_t canfd_transmit(canfd_frame_t *frame) {
if (!frame->fdf) {
ESP_LOGE(TAG, "Frame is not marked as CAN-FD (FDF=0)");
return ESP_ERR_INVALID_ARG;
}
uint8_t actual_payload_bytes = dlc_to_bytes_canfd(frame->dlc);
if (actual_payload_bytes == 0 && frame->dlc > 8) { // dlc_to_bytes_canfd returns 0 for invalid DLC > 8
ESP_LOGE(TAG, "Invalid DLC for CAN-FD frame: %d", frame->dlc);
return ESP_ERR_INVALID_ARG;
}
if (frame->actual_len != actual_payload_bytes) {
ESP_LOGW(TAG, "Frame actual_len (%d) does not match DLC-derived bytes (%d). Using DLC-derived.", frame->actual_len, actual_payload_bytes);
// Ensure actual_payload_bytes is used for SPI transfer length
}
ESP_LOGI(TAG, "Preparing to transmit CAN-FD frame: ID=0x%lX, DLC=%d (%d bytes), BRS=%d",
frame->id, frame->dlc, actual_payload_bytes, frame->brs);
// This is highly dependent on the external CAN-FD controller's architecture.
// Typically involves:
// 1. Finding an available TX buffer/message object.
// 2. Formatting the ID, control flags (FDF, BRS, ESI), DLC according to controller's requirements.
// 3. Writing the ID, control flags, DLC, and data payload to the controller's RAM via SPI.
// 4. Setting a "transmit request" bit for that buffer/object.
// Conceptual: Write to a specific TX buffer address (e.g., CANFD_REG_TX_BUFFER)
// The buffer format in controller's RAM is IC-specific.
// Example: [ID_Bytes(4), Control_Bytes(1-2), DLC_Byte(1), Data_Bytes(0-64)]
uint8_t tx_spi_payload[4 + 2 + 1 + actual_payload_bytes]; // Max size
int offset = 0;
// ID (assuming 4 bytes for standard/extended, controller handles format)
if (frame->is_extended_id) {
tx_spi_payload[offset++] = (frame->id >> 24) & 0xFF; // Assuming controller specific format
tx_spi_payload[offset++] = (frame->id >> 16) & 0xFF;
tx_spi_payload[offset++] = (frame->id >> 8) & 0xFF;
tx_spi_payload[offset++] = frame->id & 0xFF;
} else { // Standard ID
tx_spi_payload[offset++] = (frame->id >> 8) & 0xFF; // Assuming controller specific format
tx_spi_payload[offset++] = frame->id & 0xFF;
tx_spi_payload[offset++] = 0x00; // Placeholder for alignment or specific controller needs
tx_spi_payload[offset++] = 0x00; // Placeholder
}
// Control byte(s) - highly IC-specific
uint8_t ctrl_byte = 0;
if (frame->fdf) ctrl_byte |= (1 << 7); // Example: FDF bit
if (frame->brs) ctrl_byte |= (1 << 6); // Example: BRS bit
if (frame->esi) ctrl_byte |= (1 << 5); // Example: ESI bit
tx_spi_payload[offset++] = ctrl_byte;
// Potentially another control byte for extended ID flag, etc.
// DLC
tx_spi_payload[offset++] = frame->dlc;
// Data
memcpy(&tx_spi_payload[offset], frame->data, actual_payload_bytes);
offset += actual_payload_bytes;
// Now, write this `tx_spi_payload` to the CAN-FD controller's TX buffer register
// using a function similar to `canfd_controller_write_reg` but adapted for block writes.
// Let's assume a command `CANFD_CMD_LOAD_TX_BUFFER = 0x05`
// And the address `CANFD_REG_TX_BUFFER_0 = 0x0030` (for first TX buffer)
uint8_t spi_command_payload[1 + 2 + offset]; // CMD + ADDR + data
spi_command_payload[0] = 0x05; // Hypothetical "Load TX Buffer" command
spi_command_payload[1] = (0x0030 >> 8) & 0xFF; // Address of TX buffer
spi_command_payload[2] = 0x0030 & 0xFF;
memcpy(&spi_command_payload[3], tx_spi_payload, offset);
spi_transaction_t t;
memset(&t, 0, sizeof(t));
t.length = (3 + offset) * 8;
t.tx_buffer = spi_command_payload;
esp_err_t ret = spi_device_polling_transmit(spi_canfd_device, &t);
if (ret != ESP_OK) {
ESP_LOGE(TAG, "SPI transmit for CAN-FD frame load failed: %s", esp_err_to_name(ret));
return ret;
}
// After loading, send a command to request transmission of that buffer
// e.g., write to a transmit request register.
// uint8_t tx_req_cmd[] = { CANFD_CMD_WRITE_REG, (TX_REQ_REG >> 8) & 0xFF, TX_REQ_REG & 0xFF, 0x01 /* Request TX for buffer 0 */};
// ... send this command ...
ESP_LOGI(TAG, "CAN-FD frame conceptually loaded to external controller's TX buffer.");
// Actual transmission request command would follow.
return ESP_OK;
}
// In main_task, after configuration:
// canfd_frame_t my_fd_frame;
// my_fd_frame.id = 0x123;
// my_fd_frame.is_extended_id = false;
// my_fd_frame.fdf = true;
// my_fd_frame.brs = true; // Enable bit rate switching
// my_fd_frame.esi = false;
// my_fd_frame.dlc = 15; // Corresponds to 64 bytes
// my_fd_frame.actual_len = 64;
// for (int i = 0; i < my_fd_frame.actual_len; i++) {
// my_fd_frame.data[i] = i;
// }
// canfd_transmit(&my_fd_frame);
Example 3: Conceptual CAN-FD Frame Reception (Interrupt-driven)
This outlines handling an interrupt from the CAN-FD controller and reading a received frame.
// Add to your main.c
// GPIO interrupt handler
static void IRAM_ATTR canfd_rx_interrupt_handler(void *arg) {
// In a real scenario, you'd signal a task from here.
// For simplicity, just log (not recommended for production ISRs).
// ets_printf("CAN-FD RX Interrupt!\n");
// BaseType_t xHigherPriorityTaskWoken = pdFALSE;
// vTaskNotifyGiveFromISR(can_rx_task_handle, &xHigherPriorityTaskWoken);
// portYIELD_FROM_ISR(xHigherPriorityTaskWoken);
// For this example, we'll assume a global flag or similar simple mechanism
// that a polling task would check. A task notification is better.
gpio_intr_disable(PIN_NUM_INT); // Disable until processed
// Signal a task to process the received frame
}
// Function to initialize GPIO interrupt for CAN-FD RX
void canfd_rx_interrupt_init(void) {
gpio_config_t io_conf;
io_conf.intr_type = GPIO_INTR_NEGEDGE; // Or as specified by CAN-FD controller
io_conf.pin_bit_mask = (1ULL << PIN_NUM_INT);
io_conf.mode = GPIO_MODE_INPUT;
io_conf.pull_up_en = GPIO_PULLUP_ENABLE; // Or PULLDOWN_DISABLE, check controller datasheet
gpio_config(&io_conf);
gpio_install_isr_service(0); // ESP_INTR_FLAG_DEFAULT
gpio_isr_handler_add(PIN_NUM_INT, canfd_rx_interrupt_handler, (void *)PIN_NUM_INT);
ESP_LOGI(TAG, "CAN-FD RX interrupt initialized for GPIO %d", PIN_NUM_INT);
}
// Conceptual function to read a received CAN-FD frame
esp_err_t canfd_receive(canfd_frame_t *frame) {
// This function would be called by a task after being signaled by the ISR.
// 1. Check interrupt status registers on CAN-FD controller (via SPI read)
// to confirm a message is in an RX buffer and identify which one.
// 2. Read the frame (ID, control, DLC, data) from the controller's RAM via SPI.
// Similar to canfd_transmit but using read commands and targeting RX buffer address.
ESP_LOGI(TAG, "Attempting to read received CAN-FD frame...");
// Conceptual: Read from a specific RX buffer (e.g., CANFD_REG_RX_BUFFER_0 = 0x0040)
// The buffer format in controller's RAM is IC-specific.
// Example: [ID_Bytes(4), Control_Bytes(1-2), DLC_Byte(1), Data_Bytes(0-64)]
uint8_t spi_rx_buffer[4 + 2 + 1 + 64]; // Max size for frame data from controller
// Assuming a command `CANFD_CMD_READ_RX_BUFFER = 0x06`
// And address `CANFD_REG_RX_BUFFER_0 = 0x0040`
uint8_t spi_tx_cmd_addr[3];
spi_tx_cmd_addr[0] = 0x06; // Hypothetical "Read RX Buffer" command
spi_tx_cmd_addr[1] = (0x0040 >> 8) & 0xFF; // Address of RX buffer
spi_tx_cmd_addr[2] = 0x0040 & 0xFF;
spi_transaction_t t;
memset(&t, 0, sizeof(t));
// We send command+address, then receive the buffer content
// The total length is tricky: some controllers auto-send, others need dummy clocks.
// Assume controller sends 'N' bytes after receiving command+address.
// For simplicity, let's assume we read a fixed max size and then parse.
// A better way is to first read a status/header register that gives the DLC of received frame.
// Simplified: Read a fixed chunk that should contain the frame
t.length = (3 + sizeof(spi_rx_buffer)) * 8; // Send 3 bytes, receive up to sizeof(spi_rx_buffer)
t.tx_buffer = spi_tx_cmd_addr; // Send command and address
t.rxlength = sizeof(spi_rx_buffer) * 8; // Expect to receive this many bytes of data
t.rx_buffer = spi_rx_buffer; // Buffer to store received data
// This transaction structure is simplified. A real SPI read often involves sending the command
// and address, then sending dummy bytes to clock in the response.
// The `spi_device_transmit` can be used with `rx_buffer` set to get data back.
// Or `spi_device_transfer` for full duplex.
// Let's use a more common pattern for reading after sending command+address:
uint8_t command_and_address[3] = {0x06, (0x0040 >> 8) & 0xFF, 0x0040 & 0xFF};
uint8_t received_data_from_spi[sizeof(spi_rx_buffer)]; // Buffer for data part only
// Transaction to send command and address
spi_transaction_t t_cmd_addr = {
.length = 3 * 8,
.tx_buffer = command_and_address,
};
esp_err_t ret = spi_device_polling_transmit(spi_canfd_device, &t_cmd_addr);
if (ret != ESP_OK) {
ESP_LOGE(TAG, "SPI send command/address for RX failed: %s", esp_err_to_name(ret));
return ret;
}
// Transaction to read the data (assuming controller now sends it)
// The number of bytes to read should ideally be known from a status register or interrupt flags.
// For now, assume we read a fixed number of bytes (e.g., 10 bytes for header + few data bytes)
// or the max possible (and then parse DLC from it).
// Let's assume we first read a header (e.g. 8 bytes: ID, control, DLC)
uint8_t frame_header_from_spi[8];
spi_transaction_t t_read_data = {
.length = 8 * 8, // Read 8 bytes for header
.rx_buffer = frame_header_from_spi,
};
ret = spi_device_polling_transmit(spi_canfd_device, &t_read_data); // Send dummy clocks, receive data
if (ret != ESP_OK) {
ESP_LOGE(TAG, "SPI read frame header failed: %s", esp_err_to_name(ret));
return ret;
}
// Parse frame_header_from_spi to get ID, DLC, FDF, BRS, ESI
// Example parsing (highly IC-specific):
// frame->id = (frame_header_from_spi[0] << 24) | ... ; // Assuming 4 bytes for ID
// uint8_t ctrl_byte = frame_header_from_spi[4];
// frame->fdf = (ctrl_byte >> 7) & 0x01;
// frame->brs = (ctrl_byte >> 6) & 0x01;
// frame->esi = (ctrl_byte >> 5) & 0x01;
// frame->dlc = frame_header_from_spi[5];
// frame->actual_len = dlc_to_bytes_canfd(frame->dlc);
// Then, if frame->actual_len > 0, perform another SPI read for the data bytes.
// spi_transaction_t t_read_payload = {
// .length = frame->actual_len * 8,
// .rx_buffer = frame->data,
// };
// ret = spi_device_polling_transmit(spi_canfd_device, &t_read_payload);
// ...
// After successfully reading and parsing:
// Clear interrupt flags on the CAN-FD controller (via SPI write).
// Re-enable GPIO interrupt: gpio_intr_enable(PIN_NUM_INT);
ESP_LOGI(TAG, "CAN-FD frame conceptually read. ID:0x%lX, DLC:%d, Data[0]:0x%02X",
frame->id, frame->dlc, frame->data[0]); // Assuming frame populated
return ESP_OK;
}
// In main_task or a dedicated RX task:
// canfd_rx_interrupt_init();
// while(1) {
// // Wait for notification from ISR
// // if (ulTaskNotifyTake(pdTRUE, portMAX_DELAY)) {
// // canfd_frame_t received_frame;
// // if (canfd_receive(&received_frame) == ESP_OK) {
// // // Process received_frame
// // }
// // gpio_intr_enable(PIN_NUM_INT); // Re-enable after processing
// // }
// vTaskDelay(pdMS_TO_TICKS(10)); // Polling if not using task notification
// }
Variant Notes
- ESP32, ESP32-S2, ESP32-S3, ESP32-C6, ESP32-H2:
- All these variants require an external CAN-FD controller IC for CAN-FD communication, as their built-in TWAI peripheral is CAN 2.0B compliant only.
- They all possess capable SPI master peripherals that can be used to interface with such external controllers. The number of SPI hosts (HSPI, VSPI, SPI2, SPI3 etc.) and DMA capabilities might vary slightly, but any general-purpose SPI host is suitable.
- GPIO availability for SPI signals (MOSI, MISO, SCLK, CS) and control lines (INT, RESET) needs to be considered based on the specific ESP32 board and other connected peripherals.
- ESP32-C3:
- The ESP32-C3 does not have a built-in TWAI controller. For both Classical CAN and CAN-FD, it requires an external controller IC.
- It has SPI master support, making it suitable as a host for an external SPI-based CAN-FD controller, similar to the other variants.
- General Considerations for all listed variants:
- The performance of the CAN-FD communication (e.g., how quickly the ESP32 can service the external controller) will depend on the SPI clock speed, the efficiency of the external controller’s driver, and the ESP32’s processing load.
- Interrupt latency for handling received messages from the external controller should be minimized for real-time applications.
- Newer ESP32 Series (e.g., ESP32-P4, ESP32-C5 – for future reference):
- Some newer ESP32 series chips (not part of the primary list for this volume) are being released with native on-chip CAN-FD controllers. If using such a variant, you would use a dedicated ESP-IDF driver for that built-in peripheral, and the approach would be different from interfacing an external IC via SPI. Always consult the latest ESP-IDF documentation for your specific chip.
Common Mistakes & Troubleshooting Tips (with External CAN-FD Controllers)
Mistake / Issue | Symptom(s) | Troubleshooting / Solution |
---|---|---|
SPI Communication Failures | ESP32 cannot read/write registers of the CAN-FD controller. Controller doesn’t initialize or respond. spi_device_polling_transmit() or similar functions return errors. Logs show SPI errors. | Double-check SPI wiring (MOSI, MISO, SCLK, CS). Verify correct SPI mode (CPOL/CPHA) and max clock speed from CAN-FD IC datasheet. Start with low SPI clock (1-5 MHz). Use a logic analyzer to inspect signals. Ensure CS is handled correctly. |
Incorrect External CAN-FD Controller Configuration | CAN-FD IC reports errors in status registers. Frames not transmitted/received. Communication failures on CAN bus (error frames). Bitrates don’t match settings. | Meticulously review IC datasheet for register maps, config sequences, and timing calculations (nominal & data bitrates). Use CAN analyzer to verify traffic & timings. Ensure CAN-FD mode and BRS are correctly enabled if used. Check TX/RX buffer/FIFO configurations. Verify acceptance filter settings. |
CAN Bus Physical Layer Issues | High rate of error frames, intermittent communication, especially at higher data bitrates (e.g., >1 Mbps). Nodes may not ACK. | Ensure proper 120-Ohm termination at BOTH ends of the main bus trunk. Keep stub lengths minimal. Use twisted-pair cabling suitable for high-speed data. Select CAN-FD capable transceivers. Check for noise sources. |
Driver Logic Errors for External IC | Unpredictable behavior. Messages lost or corrupted. Controller gets into stuck states. Interrupts not handled correctly or missed. | Thoroughly debug the custom driver. Implement detailed logging of SPI transactions, register values, and controller status. Use reference drivers/examples from IC mfg if available. Step through ISR and task communication for RX. |
Mismatch in Network Configuration Between Nodes | Communication failure, error frames, nodes not acknowledging. One node works, another doesn’t. | Ensure ALL nodes on the CAN-FD network use the SAME nominal bitrate. If BRS is used, ensure compatible data bitrates. Classical CAN nodes (non-FD tolerant) will see FD frames as errors. |
Interrupt Handling Problems | ESP32 misses receive interrupts. ISR doesn’t trigger task correctly. Controller interrupt flags not cleared, leading to interrupt storms or missed subsequent interrupts. | Verify GPIO for INT pin is configured as input with correct pull-up/down. Check ISR registration and that it signals the task correctly (e.g., using FreeRTOS notifications or queues). Ensure interrupt flags on CAN-FD IC are cleared via SPI after processing. Disable/re-enable interrupts appropriately during processing. |
Incorrect DLC to Payload Size Mapping | Transmitting fewer/more bytes than intended for a given DLC, or misinterpreting received payload size. Buffer overflows/underflows in SPI communication. | Use correct CAN-FD DLC-to-byte mapping (e.g., DLC 9 = 12 bytes, DLC 15 = 64 bytes). Ensure SPI transfer lengths match the actual payload size derived from DLC for both TX and RX. |
Power Supply Issues for External IC / Transceiver | External CAN-FD controller or transceiver is unresponsive or behaves erratically. SPI communication fails intermittently. | Ensure the external CAN-FD controller IC and the CAN-FD transceiver have stable and correct voltage supplies (e.g., 3.3V or 5V as per datasheets). Check for proper decoupling capacitors near their power pins. |
Exercises
- Exercise 1 (Conceptual): CAN-FD Frame Structure Design
- Define a C
struct
that can represent all necessary fields of a CAN-FD frame for transmission, including:- 32-bit space for ID (to accommodate standard or extended)
- A boolean flag for extended ID
- Boolean flags for FDF, BRS, ESI
- DLC (0-15)
- A data array palavras-chave: 64 bytes
- A field for the actual number of data bytes to be transmitted.
- Write a C function
void print_canfd_frame_info(const canfd_frame_t *frame);
that takes a pointer to your structure and prints its key information (ID, type, flags, DLC, data bytes) in a human-readable format.
- Define a C
- Exercise 2 (Datasheet Research & Pseudo-Code): External Controller Configuration
- Choose a popular SPI-based external CAN-FD controller (e.g., MCP2517FD or MCP2518FD).
- Consult its datasheet to identify the key registers and bit fields required to:
- Put the device into CAN-FD Normal Mode with Bit Rate Switching enabled.
- Configure the nominal bitrate to 500 kbps.
- Configure the data bitrate to 2 Mbps.(You’ll need to find information on clock sources, timing segments like TSEG1, TSEG2, SJW for both bitrates).
- Write pseudo-code outlining the sequence of SPI register writes (register addresses and conceptual values) your ESP32 would perform to achieve this configuration. You don’t need to write full C code, just the logical steps and register interactions.
- Exercise 3 (Conceptual): Interrupt Handling and RX Logic
- Describe, in detailed steps, how an ESP32 application would handle an interrupt signal from an external CAN-FD controller indicating one or more messages have been received.
- Your description should cover:
- The role of the ESP32’s GPIO ISR.
- How the ISR might notify a dedicated CAN processing task.
- What SPI operations the task would perform to:
- Identify the source of the interrupt (e.g., which RX buffer has data).
- Read the received CAN-FD frame’s metadata (ID, DLC, flags).
- Read the actual data payload.
- Clear the interrupt flag(s) on the external CAN-FD controller.
Summary
- CAN-FD (Flexible Data-Rate) enhances Classical CAN by offering significantly higher data throughput (via bit rate switching) and larger message payloads (up to 64 bytes).
- The built-in TWAI controller on ESP32, S2, S3, C6, and H2 variants supports CAN 2.0B (Classical CAN) and does not natively support CAN-FD. ESP32-C3 lacks any built-in CAN controller.
- To implement CAN-FD with these ESP32s, an external CAN-FD controller IC (interfaced typically via SPI) is necessary.
- The ESP32 acts as a host, managing the external CAN-FD controller through SPI commands for configuration, message transmission, and reception.
- Key configuration aspects for an external CAN-FD controller include setting operation modes, nominal and data bitrates, acceptance filters, and managing TX/RX buffers.
- Successful CAN-FD implementation requires careful attention to the physical layer (transceivers, termination, topology), especially when using high data bitrates.
- Developing or integrating a robust driver for the specific external CAN-FD controller IC is a critical part of the software development process.
Further Reading
- ISO 11898-1:2015: The official standard defining CAN, including CAN-FD. (Typically requires purchase).
- Datasheets for External CAN-FD Controllers:
- Microchip MCP2517FD/MCP2518FD: Search on the Microchip website.
- Other CAN-FD controller ICs from manufacturers like NXP, Bosch, TI, etc.
- ESP-IDF SPI Master Driver Documentation: https://docs.espressif.com/projects/esp-idf/en/v5.4/esp32/api-reference/peripherals/spi_master.html (Select your target ESP32 variant if needed).
- Application Notes from CAN-FD Controller Manufacturers: These often provide valuable insights into configuration, timing calculations, and best practices.
- CAN Hacking / Automotive Networking Resources: Websites and books on automotive networking often cover CAN-FD concepts (e.g., “The Car Hacker’s Handbook” by Craig Smith, though it may focus more on Classical CAN, the principles are related).