Kvaser PCIcanx User's Guide
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Kvaser AB, Mölndal, Sweden
— www.kvaser.com
5 The PCIcanx Hardware
For quick and easy installation, all Kvaser PCIcanx boards are plug-and-play boards.
5.1 PCI-X and PCI slots
The universal design of the Kvaser PCIcanx boards makes them suitable for both PCI-X and
PCI slots. Although, the board works in PCI-X as well as PCI slots, it is not a PCI-X product.
Hence, it operates in PCI mode in all slots. Major features of the Kvaser PCIcanx board:
Legacy compliant with PCI Local Bus Specification v2.3
Support for PCI-X Specification v 1.0 and higher versions
Universal 3.3 V and 5 V keyed board connector
Supports 3.3 V and 5 V supply voltage
Operates at a bus frequency of 33 MHz
Figure 2. The 3.3 Volt and 5 Volt keyed board connector.
Here is a list of supported PCI-X and PCI slots:
3.3 V, 64 bit
3.3 V, 32 bit
5 V, 64 bit
5 V, 32 bit.
To summarize, the Kvaser PCIcanx boards can be used in any PCI-X and PCI slots. Just
keep in mind - all cards on a common bus can only run as fast as the slowest card. For
example if there is a 33 MHz card in slot 1 and a 66 MHz card in slot 2, both cards will run at
33 MHz. The performance degradation can be avoided by separating the Kvaser PCIcanx
board (33 MHz / 32-Bit) and other PCI and PCI-X devices using different bus segments.
Note
– not all motherboard vendors comply with the industry standards for PCI-X and PCI
slots. Kvaser AB cannot assume any responsibility for that.
5.2 The Isolated CAN Driver
Kvaser’s PCIcanx cards for CAN systems feature up to four CAN controllers. Each CAN-
driver SN65HVD251 is isolated both from the CAN controller and all other CAN drivers. The
CAN driver will get the necessary power from the PCI bus via an isolated DC/DC convert. The
isolation between the CAN-controller and the CAN-driver has a delay of maximum 50 ns in
