K-BOX: configuring analogue, thermocouple and digital channels

Set up K-BOX in K-CAL so each analogue, thermocouple and digital channel goes out on the CAN ID and at the rate you need. Then control the digital outputs over CAN.

Before you start

• K-CAL and the driver for your CAN interface installed. See K-CAL: installing the software and CAN interface drivers.
• K-BOX powered and connected to the interface. See K-Series: connecting and powering modules.
• K-CAL running. When K-BOX is switched on and connected, the status bar at the bottom shows its serial number (S.N.) and firmware version (Fw.V.).

The K-CAL toolbar and tabs

K-CAL arranges the module settings in tabs: General, Measurement, Analog Channels, Digital Channels, Calibration, Reprogramming and Manufacturer. The toolbar above them works on the module that is connected.

For the Measurement tab and the oscilloscope, see K-CAL: viewing live data on the oscilloscope.

Set the CAN bus and tool options

Open the General tab. Its settings apply to the whole module.

Baud Rate

The bit rate at which K-BOX communicates on the CAN bus. Match it to the bus you connect to.

Byte Order

The byte order K-BOX uses in its CAN messages, for example Intel.

Sleep Mode

After Time sends K-BOX to sleep when there is no CAN activity. No Sleep keeps it on while it has power.

Time

How long K-BOX waits without CAN activity before it sleeps.

Load at startup

Loads the channel settings from the module when K-CAL starts.

Load at export

Reloads the channel settings from the module when you export a DBC file.

Auto assign ID

Assigns CAN IDs automatically. Use it when several K-Series modules share the bus.

ADC Units

The unit K-CAL shows for analogue and digital channels, for example mVolts.

TC Units

The unit K-CAL shows for thermocouples, for example deg C.

Interface

The CAN interface K-CAL uses. It can be a Kvaser interface, a REXGEN through J2534 or a REBEL CT or LT.

For how the bit rate is chosen on a bus, see CAN bus baud rate and its calculation.

Watch: How to assign the baud rate using K-CAL (0:42)

Set up the analogue and thermocouple channels

K-BOX sends its analogue inputs in two CAN messages, ADC 0 to 3 and ADC 4 to 7, and its thermocouples in two more, TC 0 to 3 and TC 4 to 7. Each message has its own CAN ID and rate.

1. Open the Analog Channels tab. Select Load. K-CAL reads the current settings from K-BOX.
2. Leave Additional Board at Not Connected. The setting is for add-on boards that are not currently sold.
3. Set the ADC CAN IDs and rates. Choose a CAN ID and Rate for ADC(0-3) and for ADC(4-7).
4. Choose the voltage range for each channel. Select it under Software Ranges. The smallest range that covers your signal gives the best resolution.
5. Set the thermocouple CAN IDs and rates. Choose a CAN ID and Rate for TC(0-3) and for TC(4-7).
6. Choose the thermocouple type. Set Type to K, J or T.
7. Select Commit. K-CAL writes the settings to K-BOX.

Ranges and sampling limits

K-BOX offers software switchable ranges of ±80 V, ±40 V, ±20 V and ±10 V. In K-CAL, Hardware Range decides which three of them the channel lists show. Range 1 gives ±10, ±20 and ±40 V. Range 2 gives ±20, ±40 and ±80 V.

• Analogue channels sample at up to 1 kHz on all eight, 2 kHz on four or 10 kHz on two.
• Thermocouples sample at up to 10 Hz on all eight.
• Never apply a voltage outside the range set for the channel.

Set up the digital channels

Open the Digital Channels tab and select Load. Each of the four digital pins has its own panel.

Digital Inputs Status

The CAN ID and rate of a message whose first byte carries the logic level of the digital inputs.

Function

For Digital 1 to Digital 3, choose Not Use, Output or one of the measurement modes (pulse duration, frequency, high frequency, duty cycle/PWM, event counter, cycle duration or RPM).

Edge

The edge, Rising or Falling, on which a measurement starts.

CAN ID and Rate

Where and how often K-BOX sends the result of a measurement.

Out Mode

For a pin set as an output, 3.3 V or Open collector.

Digital 4 / +4.5V inst

The fourth pin has no measurement modes. It works as a digital output or as the +4.5 V instrumentation supply on pin 1 of the CAN connectors.

For the measurement modes, see K-BOX: digital measurement modes.

Watch: How to set the CAN ID and transmission rate for analogue, thermocouple and digital channels (1:20)

Drive the digital outputs over CAN

Set the Function of a pin to Output and choose its Out Mode:

• 3.3 V: the pin outputs 3.3 V or 0 V.
• Open collector: an internal NPN transistor switches the pin to ground. The open collector outputs are rated 45 V and 10 mA.

Once a pin is an output, the Digital Outputs Control CAN ID becomes active. K-BOX listens on that ID. When it receives a message there, it reads the first data byte as a command for all four outputs at once. If no pin is set as an output, the ID stays grey and K-BOX ignores those messages.

An output keeps its level until K-BOX receives a new message on the output ID, you reconfigure it in K-CAL or the power goes off. The DBC file defines the message format. To check it, open the file in the DIALOG DBC editor.

Save the configuration and export a DBC

1. Select Commit. K-CAL writes the configuration to K-BOX, which keeps it when the power is off.
2. Select Export. K-CAL generates a DBC file and asks where to save it. Export a new DBC file after every change.
3. Load the DBC into your logger software. DIALOG, or any tool that reads DBC files, then decodes the K-BOX messages.

For the DIALOG side, see K-Series: logging module data with REBEL and DIALOG. For what a DBC file contains, see Understanding CAN DBC.

Next: K-BOX: digital measurement modes.