REXGEN: record a CAN trace and export it to BLF, ASC or MDF4

Record every frame on a CAN bus with any REXGEN logger, then download the trace and convert it to BLF, ASC, MDF4 or another format. You need REXDESK installed and the logger connected to the bus and to your PC.

Before you start

• Install REXDESK and the REXGEN USB driver with administrator rights. See REXDESK: install the software and the REXGEN USB driver. When you update REXDESK, uninstall the old version first.
• Keep the logger's firmware current. See REXGEN: update the firmware and set the clock.
• Know the bit rate of the bus you want to record.
• Connect the logger to the bus and to REXDESK. REXGEN 1, REXGEN 2 and REXGEN Air connect over USB. REXGEN Pro connects over the network. See REXGEN Pro: Wi-Fi, LTE and cloud upload.

Build a Log All configuration

1. Add Log All to each bus. Drag Log All from the Tools panel onto each CAN bus you want (CAN0 to CAN3) or onto LIN. Use only the channels your logger has.

   

2. Set the bit rate. Select the Bus icon. Choose the Type (CAN or CAN FD) and the CAN speed, plus the CAN FD speed for a CAN FD bus. If the logger must not acknowledge frames, tick Silent Mode. Select OK.

   

3. Limit the file size. Select Storage under Device Configuration and choose the Max Logging Time and Max Log Size. A new file starts when the log reaches either limit.

   

4. Send the configuration. Connect the logger and select Run on the toolbar. When REXDESK asks, save the project.

Check that it is logging

1. Check the LEDs. The LED for each configured bus turns solid once the configuration is active.
2. Connect the bus. When the logger sees traffic, the LED starts blinking to show that it is logging.
3. Check the file times. In Internal Storage, check that a new log file appears with sensible start and end times. If the times are wrong, set the clock with Set Time.

Watch: Set up REXGEN series to record CAN data (1:19)

Download and convert the trace

1. Open the log. Select Internal Storage, select the log file, then open the Download menu.

   

2. Choose how to download. Select a format to download straight away, or select Advanced to open the Export data window.
3. Set the output. In Export data, choose the Output format and the Output location, then select Process.

   

Watch: Retrieve raw data from a REXGEN series (0:52)

Which format to choose

To decode signals with a DBC file, merge files or resample, see REXDESK: download and export your logs. To analyse MDF4 files further, see Analyse REXGEN MF4 files in asammdf.