The Java CAN API-a Java gateway to field bus communication

Object oriented problem analysis and software design is becoming more common in the field of industrial control. We present the Java CAN API which provides a convenient, object oriented programming framework for rapid CAN field bus tool development. It provides a hierarchy of classes and interfaces to access arbitrary CAN/CANopen devices via the Java Native Interface. In order to access Windows-based CAN drivers a native dynamic link library has been developed featuring high performance message filtering and asynchronous message notification. The created Java class hierarchy encapsulates the CANopen layer 7 communication objects as well as generic CAN layer 2 messages. Further classes provide access to the CANopen network management services. The paper also briefly presents some practical uses of the Java CAN APl for teleservice, distance education and CAN system management.