SLCAN Access on F7/H7 Based Autopilots

Enabling SLCAN allows the autopilot to connect to CANBUS through USB on PC. It allows viewing, configuration and software updates of devices connected to the CANBUS. There are two different applications for using SLCAN to modify DroneCAN device parameters: DroneCAN GUI or Mission Planner. But first, the SLCAN interface must be enabled.

Note

SLCAN access via COM port is disabled when armed to lower cpu load. Use SLCAN via MAVLink instead. The MAVLink method is generally preferred in any case.

SLCAN Interface

The ArduPilot firmware provides two software USB interfaces, accessed simultaneously from the single physical USB connector. In Mission Planner, you will see two COM ports assigned to the autopilot (if not, see Troubleshooting section below). One is for the SLCAN interface, the other for the normal MAVLink based Ground Control Station (GCS) connection.

Note

in firmware 4.5 and later, most autopilots that present two COM ports will both be for normal MAVLink connections and not have one default to SLCAN since SLCAN over MAVLink is the preferred connection method now.

In firmware 4.0 and earlier, they will be indistinguishable in the Mission Planner COM port selection box until you try to connect to the GCS with the SLCAN port that has been enabled for SLCAN protocol. (In later firmware versions, together with using the latest Mission Planner driver set , each port will be clearly labeled.)

The port that will not connect (if already configured for SLCAN protocol, however, default is usually for MAVLink protocol so it can connect normally) is the SLCAN interface. This COM port is associated with a SERIALx port in the autopilot parameters. This SERIALx port will be the highest numbered port in the parameter list.

If both COM ports connect to Mission Planner, then the SLCAN protocol has not been set on that port and must be changed to use SLCAN.

Configuring SLCAN SERIALx PORT

Set CAN_SLCAN_CPORT = 1, if not already set or = 2 if you want to examine devices on a second CAN bus, if the autopilot provides it.

Connect to Mission Planner. In the Full Parameters list set the highest numbered SERIALx_PROTOCOL to 22 and reboot. Now only the non SLCAN USB COM port will connect to Mission Planner and the SLCAN port will be ready for use.

Making Changes to DroneCAN Devices

Once SLCAN has been enabled, you can use Mission Planner to make changes immediately to device parameters or firmware update.

DroneCAN GUI tool can also be used

here is an example video of configuring a DroneCAN power monitor device:

Troubleshooting

Occasionally, Windows will only present one COM port in Mission Planner. In that case, you may still be able to connect to Mission Planner and change the parameters, if the COM port Windows has chosen to display is the autopilot port with MAVLink protocol selected. However, you will most likely need to load the composite USB driver in order to obtain both COM ports, as shown in these instructions, once the SLCAN port protocol has been enabled.

If you reboot the autopilot, the composite Windows USB driver may be unloaded and the process repeated upon re-attachment.

If the SLCAN port has been configured, and if only one USB COM port appears, it may not be the normal MAVLink protocol port (usually SERIAL0) and you will not be able to connect Mission Planner. You can either re-enable the Composite Driver each time you attach, as above, or simply revert the SLCAN port to MAVLink protocol once attached with the Composite driver and subsequently use the single COM port Windows presents when connecting to Mission Planner.