CANTranslate

CANTranslate – Hardware Design

Overview

The hardware design for CANTranslate facilitates physical interfacing and electrical translation between multiple CAN bus systems. This includes power management, bus isolation, transceivers, and microcontroller integration for reliable embedded CAN communication.

Features

• Dual SN65HVD230 CAN transceivers (CAN 2.0)
• STM32F205RGT6 microcontroller
• Power input via USB or 5V pin on the CAN header
• Power source selection using TPS2116DRL (USB VBUS prioritized)
• Debug interface (SWD)

Hardware Design Files

The following files are included in the /Hardware/KiCad/CANTranslate directory:

• CANTranslate.kicad_pro
• CANTranslate.kicad_sch – Schematic file
• CANTranslate.kicad_pcb – PCB layout
• CustomParts.kicad_sym – Custom symbol library
• KMR223G LFG.STEP – 3D model of tactile switch
• fabrication-toolkit-options.json – Fabrication preferences
• fp-lib-table – Footprint library table
• sym-lib-table – Symbol library table

Power Requirements

• Power Inputs:

  • 5V from USB VBUS (primary source, with ESD protection)

  • 5V from the CAN header power pin (secondary source, no ESD protection)

• Power Selection:

  • The board uses a TPS2116DRL power multiplexer to automatically select the power source. When both USB and CAN header power are connected, the TPS2116DRL prioritizes USB VBUS, ensuring safe and seamless switching without back-feeding either source.

• Voltage Regulation:

  • The selected 5V supply is regulated down to 3.3V using an AMS1117-3.3 linear voltage regulator, providing stable power for the STM32F205RGT6 MCU and the SN65HVD230 CAN transceivers.

• Protection Features:

  • The USB power input includes ESD protection to safeguard against electrostatic discharge events.

Toolchain

• EDA Software: KiCad 9.x

Licensing

Hardware design files are released under the CERN Open Hardware License v2 - Permissive