Advanced Tools — CAN, SMBus & Waveform
Three specialist tools for integrating battery management systems, smart battery protocols, and real-world drive cycles into Maccor test procedures. Each ships with the standard software suite at no additional cost.
Protocol Integration & Waveform Generation
CAN bus, SMBus, and waveform capabilities purpose-built for modern battery and BMS testing workflows.
CAN DBC Editor — Message & Signal Configuration
Waveform Editor — Drive Cycle Import & Scaling
CAN Bus Integration
The CAN DBC Editor lets engineers define exactly which CAN bus signals Maccor reads, logs, and uses as end conditions — without writing code. It works by loading or creating a DBC (Database CAN) file that maps signal names to byte positions, scale factors, and units within each CAN frame.
- Import DBC files: Load standard DBC files from the BMS supplier or vehicle OEM and immediately use their signals in Build Test
- Edit existing profiles: Modify start bits, lengths, scale factors, offsets, and byte order for any signal
- Create from scratch: Build a CAN profile by hand for custom BMS or prototype hardware that lacks a DBC file
- Signal logging: Mark signals for automatic logging to the data record — each signal becomes a searchable, exportable column in the output
- End conditions: Any configured CAN signal can be used as a Build Test end condition — terminate a step when, for example, BMS fault flag goes high
- Live monitor: Real-time CAN bus monitor shows live signal values while connected — useful for verifying DBC accuracy before a test run
- Bit layout view: Visual byte map shows exactly which bits in each 8-byte frame carry which signals
Smart Battery Protocol Testing
The SMBus Configuration tool sets up communication with smart batteries that expose a System Management Bus interface — standard in consumer electronics, medical devices, and EV auxiliary systems. Key capabilities:
- Scan-list creation: Import or build a list of SMBus register addresses to poll during the test, selecting which 41 standardised SBS fields to read
- Active Smart Battery mode: Maccor reads real-time SMBus data while simultaneously running the electrical test — voltage, SoC, temperature, fault flags, and more appear as live columns in the data record
- Passive SMB mode: Logs SMBus data without sending commands — for observing pack behaviour without active battery management interaction
- SMB Val end condition: Any SMBus register value (analogue or bit-mapped) can terminate a step — log step ends when SoC <= 20%, for example
- Chip programming: Download configuration values to compatible smart battery chips and read back live register states for verification
- 8-auxiliary input limit: Channels with an active smart battery assigned are limited to 8 auxiliary inputs; the ninth auxiliary would overwrite SMBus data
- SMBus alarms: Configure the test system to monitor SMB alarm conditions and trigger configurable responses
Drive Cycle & Waveform Test Steps
The Waveform Editor converts CSV or TXT data files into Maccor Waveform Files (.MWF) that can be loaded as a step type in Build Test. This makes it straightforward to run standardised drive cycles (UDDS, WLTP, DST) or custom waveform profiles directly on a battery channel.
- Import CSV or TXT: Any tabular text file with a time column and a current or power column can be imported — no proprietary format required
- Mode selection: Set the waveform to run as Current (A) or Power (W) — the tester controls the appropriate set point at each time step
- Scaling: Apply a linear scale factor to multiply or divide the imported current values — scale a passenger-car drive cycle up for an EV pack test, or down for a small-format cell test
- Preview: The built-in chart shows the full scaled waveform before export, allowing verification of peak values, sign conventions, and timing
- Export as .MWF: Save the final waveform to a Maccor Waveform File and reference it from a Waveform step in any Build Test procedure
- Repeat in procedure: Waveform steps can be looped just like any other step type — run 1,000 drive cycles as part of a cycle-life program
Frequently Asked Questions
Do CAN and SMBus require additional hardware?
Yes — CAN bus integration requires a CAN module option on the Maccor system, and active SMBus testing requires the SMBus hardware option. Contact Maccor to confirm whether your system is configured or can be upgraded. The CAN DBC Editor and SMBus Config software tools ship with all systems; the hardware options unlock their full functionality.
What time resolution does the Waveform Editor support?
Waveform time step resolution depends on the tester firmware and system configuration, typically down to 10–100 ms per point. Very fast waveforms (vehicle micro-cycles with sub-100 ms transitions) may require confirming the controller board speed with Maccor engineering before building the procedure.
Can I use a CAN signal as both a logged data column and an end condition?
Yes. Both options are configured independently in the CAN DBC Editor per signal. A signal marked for logging appears in the data record for every report interval; a signal enabled as an end condition appears in the Build Test End Type dropdown. The same signal can do both simultaneously.