OpenMV CAN/RS232 Shield

The CAN/RS232 Shield expands the OpenMV Cam with simultaneous RS232 and CAN communication. RS232 supports data rates up to 1 Mb/s, while CAN-FD (on compatible models) reaches up to 8 Mb/s. Signals are routed to P4/P5 (RS232) and P1/P3 (CAN), with CAN-TX optionally switchable to P2. All interfaces can be fully isolated from the camera when required.

The wide-range 6–36 V power input includes reverse-polarity and transient protection and supplies the camera through a safe, back-feed–protected 5.4 V ORing topology.

Additionally, the shield provides a 0–5 V ADC input (scaled to 0–3.3 V, protected up to ±36 V) with an optional 240-Ω shunt for 4–20 mA signals, as well as a robust 0–5 V digital I/O port (SYN) featuring fault protection. By default, SYN operates as an open-drain trigger input on P10, but it can also function as a 0–5 V output or be fully isolated if needed.

The shield is compatible with all OpenMV Cam models and is ideally suited for modular embedded-vision and robotics applications.

Use Cases

The CAN/RS232 Shield is optimized for industrial and robotic environments that require deterministic communication architectures, robust power-input handling, and precise synchronous event control. Typical applications include robotics bus integration (CAN backbone), process and machine control, in-vehicle sensor data acquisition, real-time triggering of vision pipelines, and embedded autonomous systems operating on 12/24 V supply infrastructures.

Technical Specifications

• PWR (6 V–36 V) – Reverse-voltage tolerant (down to –36 V), supplies VIN with 5.4 V, up to 600 mA output current
• 0–5 V ADC input with reverse-voltage protection and built-in over-voltage clamping
• 0–5 V digital input/output for camera synchronization, with integrated short-circuit protection
• 8 Mb/s CAN-FD interface with filtering and switchable termination
• 1 Mb/s RS232 interface with integrated filtering
• All external interfaces include robust transient-voltage protection
• Power consumption: 2 mA @ 3.3 V from the OpenMV Cam's 3.3 V rail

Scope of Delivery

• OpenMV CAN/RS232 Shield
• Standoffs and screws
• Pin headers