MSO2000X-CAN Automotive CAN Serial Bus Trigger and Analysis
Overview
The MSO2000X-CAN adds CAN (Controller Area Network) protocol triggering, decoding, and search capabilities to your MSO2000X Series oscilloscope. Once activated, CAN bus traffic appears as decoded frames overlaid directly on the analog waveform — correlating protocol events with the underlying electrical signals in real time.
CAN is the backbone of automotive networking — powertrain, body control, diagnostics (OBD-II), and inter-ECU communication in virtually every vehicle. This option turns your oscilloscope into a protocol-aware diagnostic tool. The option is enabled by a software license keyed to the oscilloscope's serial number and is permanent for the life of the instrument.
Key Features
- Protocol-Aware Triggering — Trigger on specific CAN conditions — frame ID, data content, error frames, remote frames, or overload frames — to isolate the exact bus activity you're investigating.
- Real-Time Frame Decoding — Decoded CAN frames (arbitration ID, DLC, data payload, CRC, acknowledge) display directly on the waveform trace for signal-protocol correlation.
- Deep Memory Protocol Search — Search captured records for specific message IDs, data patterns, or error conditions across the full acquisition memory.
- Error Detection — Identifies CRC, form, stuff, and acknowledge errors — essential for diagnosing intermittent bus failures.
- Lifetime License Activation — activate once, owned for the life of the instrument. No subscriptions, no renewals, no maintenance fees.
When You Need This Option
The option fits the following workflows:
- ECU Development — Trigger on your ECU's arbitration ID to capture only its messages, then verify timing, payload content, and acknowledge behavior against the vehicle network specification.
- OBD-II Diagnostics — Capture and decode OBD-II diagnostic messages to verify your device responds correctly to standard requests — essential for emissions compliance.
Compatibility
This option is compatible with all MSO2000X Series oscilloscopes: MSO2104X (100 MHz), MSO2204X (200 MHz), MSO2304X (300 MHz). The same capability is offered on other UNI-T oscilloscope families: MSO/UPO2000, MSO/UPO3000CS, MSO3000HD, MSO3000X.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between CAN and CAN-FD?
Classic CAN supports up to 8 bytes at 1 Mbit/s. CAN-FD extends this to 64 bytes with faster data rates. If your system uses CAN-FD, you need the CAN-FD option — or a bundle for both.
Should I buy this individually or get a bundle?
If you only need CAN, the individual license covers exactly that protocol. The AUTO bundle adds the automotive protocols in one license. The BND bundle includes every protocol in the series.
How is this option activated?
The option is enabled by a software license keyed to the oscilloscope's serial number. After purchase, the license is registered on the UNI-T website to generate the license file, which is then loaded onto the instrument from a USB drive through the option-install menu. Refer to the oscilloscope's user manual for the step-by-step procedure.
Is the license permanent, or does it require renewal?
The license is permanent — a one-time purchase that stays active for the life of the instrument. No subscriptions, no annual renewals, and no expiration.
