Class QtVirtualCANClient

examples/CAN Bus Example/ecu_simulator.py:224–296

Client for Qt's VirtualCAN TCP server. Protocol: Text-based format per Qt VirtualCAN spec: can : # # \n CAN-ID is sent as DECIMAL (not hex!): 0x100 → "can0:256##data" (256 decimal = 0x100 hex) Flags (optional): R - Remote Request

class QtVirtualCANClient:
    """
    Client for Qt's VirtualCAN TCP server.

    Protocol: Text-based format per Qt VirtualCAN spec:
      can<channel>:<CAN-ID>#<flags>#<hex-data>\n

    CAN-ID is sent as DECIMAL (not hex!):
      0x100 → "can0:256##data"  (256 decimal = 0x100 hex)

    Flags (optional):
      R - Remote Request
      X - Extended Frame Format
      F - Flexible Data Rate (CAN FD)
      B - Bitrate Switch
      E - Error State Indicator
      L - Local Echo

    Example: "can0:256##0102030405060708\n" (CAN ID 0x100, no flags)
    """

    def __init__(
        self, host: str = "localhost", port: int = 35468, channel: str = "can0"
    ):
        """Initialize VirtualCAN client."""
        self.host = host
        self.port = port
        self.channel = channel
        self.sock: Optional[socket.socket] = None

    def connect(self) -> bool:
        """Connect to Qt VirtualCAN TCP server."""
        try:
            self.sock = socket.socket(socket.AF_INET, socket.SOCK_STREAM)
            self.sock.connect((self.host, self.port))
            print(f"Connected to Qt VirtualCAN: {self.host}:{self.port}/{self.channel}")
            return True
        except Exception as e:
            print(f"Failed to connect to Qt VirtualCAN")
            print(f"Error: {e}")
            print("\nTroubleshooting:")
            print("  - Start Serial Studio first")
            print("  - Select VirtualCAN driver")
            print(f"  - Connect to interface: {self.channel}")
            print("  - Then run this simulator")
            return False

    def disconnect(self):
        """Disconnect from server."""
        if self.sock:
            self.sock.close()
            self.sock = None

    def send_frame(self, can_id: int, data: bytes):
        """
        Send CAN frame to VirtualCAN server.

        Uses Qt VirtualCAN text protocol: