Prototyping - CRATUS Technology

Name: Dual Wireless Dual CANBUS Control Board
Brand: Cratus Technology

Wireless Dual CAN Bus Bridge

Cratus — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 14:31:35 +0000

Industrial Control · Made in USA

One Integrated System.
Total Network Control.

ICL8-WC182
Wireless CAN Bus Bridge

Stop cobbling together gateways, radios, and CAN adapters. The CRATUS INTERCAL8 Wireless Dual CANBUS Bridge “ICL8-WC182” does it all, wired and wireless, as one highly integrated subsystem. It is ready for integration into larger systems or standalone applications as one ruggedized package, ready for the field. It features dual wireless links, WiFi or Proprietary wireless mode.

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480MHz

ARM Cortex-M7 Core

2×

PROPRIETARY OR WiFi WIRELESS

2×

ESP32-S3 Wireless

9–36V

Wide-Range Input

-40°C to 70°C

Industrial Rated

2000VDC

Galvanic Isolation

ISO 11898-2 CAN FD Compliant

±8 kV ESD HBM Protection

Made in USA by Cratus Technology

The Problem

Industrial Networks Need Integrated Solutions

Engineers building CAN FD networks today are forced to piece together multiple components — each with its own power requirements, firmware stack, and integration risk.

The Old Way

Separate CAN gateway + wireless radio + field power supply + protocol bridge
Multiple power rails to manage — 5 V, 12 V, 3.3 V all run separately
3–5 boards per node. More failure points, more enclosure space, more wiring
Weeks of integration work just to get CAN data to the cloud
Field updates require physical access to every node
Higher BOM cost, larger PCB area, longer lead times

The Cratus Way

One board handles CAN FD, wireless, power conditioning, and cloud connectivity
Single 9–36 VDC input. Onboard SMPS + LDO + isolated DC/DC
One ICL8-WC182 per two CAN networks. Less wiring, fewer failure points. Single and quad versions available
Plug in power, set the DIP address — network is live in minutes
OTA firmware updates pushed wirelessly over Wi-Fi to every node simultaneously
Lower total system cost. Fewer vendors, one firmware ecosystem, faster time to market

Why Cratus Wins

How We Compare

See why engineers who've tried the fragmented approach keep switching to a single, purpose-built platform.

Capability	Cratus DW-DCAN Board	Multi-Board Approach	Generic CAN Gateway
Dual CAN FD channels	✓ Both channels, simultaneous	Possible — extra board	Usually 1 channel
Wireless (Wi-Fi + P2P radio)	✓ Dual Wireless Onboard	Add-on module required	x Not included
Power conditioning (9–36 V)	✓ Onboard SMPS + LDO + isolation	x Separate PSU needed	x External supply only
OTA firmware updates	✓ Dual-bank, over Wi-Fi	Per-device, manual	x Not supported
Hardware node addressing	✓ 64 addresses via DIP switch	x Firmware only	x Firmware only
RJ45 daisy-chain (power + CAN)	✓ Single cable per node	x Separate power + signal runs	x CAN only, no power
ESD protection (±8 kV HBM)	✓ On both CAN buses	Varies by component	Usually ±2 kV
Industrial temp range (–40 to +85 °C)	✓ Full range, all components	Depends on selection	Often 0 to +70 °C
Time to first packet	✓ <5 minutes, no firmware config	Hours to days of integration	30–60 minutes

Why Cratus

The Complete Platform Your System Deserves

Purpose-built for demanding field deployments — so you spend less time on integration headaches and more time shipping product.

Serious Processing Power

ARM Cortex-M7 at 480 MHz with hardware FPU handles real-time control loops and data-intensive sensor fusion without breaking a sweat.

Two CAN FD Channels — Up to 2 Mbps

Run two fully independent CAN FD buses simultaneously. More bandwidth, true redundancy, and ISO 11898-2 compliance built in.

Wired + Wireless in One

Two wireless modules handle peer to peer links and Wi-Fi to Cloud simultaneously — no external radios or dongles needed.

Plug-and-Play Daisy Chain

Power and CAN travel on the same Cat5e/6 cable via rugged RJ45. Add up to 64 nodes with nothing but patch cables — no power wiring needed at each node.

Field-Ready Protection

±8 kV ESD, 2000 VDC galvanic isolation, ideal-diode reverse-polarity guard, and common-mode chokes. Deploy with confidence in the harshest environments.

Zero-Config Node Addressing

Set your node address with a DIP switch. 64 unique addresses, no firmware changes required. Scale from 2 nodes to 64 in minutes.

Wide-Input Power — Anywhere

9–36 VDC input means it runs off 12 V or 24 V vehicle/industrial supplies, isolated DC/DC for sensitive loads, with 92% efficiency SMPS onboard.

Update in the Field, Instantly

USB-C, SWD/JTAG debug header, and dual-bank OTA boot over Wi-Fi. Push firmware to your entire fleet without touching a single unit.

Designed to Survive

–40°C to +85°C industrial temperature rating. Vehicles, outdoor enclosures, factory floors, marine vessels — this board is built for real life.

Electrical Specifications

Full Technical Specifications

All parameters unless otherwise noted apply over –40 °C to +85 °C after thermal stabilization.

Processing

Core	ARM Cortex-M7
Clock Frequency	480 MHz
Internal Flash	128 KB
SRAM	1 MB
External NOR Flash	16 Mbit SPI
FPU	Hardware (single & double)

Power Supply

Input Voltage	9 – 36 VDC
Input Current (idle)	35 mA typ
Input Current (full load)	1000 mA typ / 1200 mA max
5 V Rail (SMPS)	4.85 – 5.15 V, 2 A max
3.3 V Rail (LDO)	3.2 – 3.4 V, 3 A max
SMPS Efficiency	92% typ @ 24 V, 1 A
Isolated Output	24 V / 20 W, 833 mA max
Isolation Voltage	2000 VDC (1 min)

Absolute Maximum Ratings

Input Voltage (V-IN)	–0.3 to 40 V
Reverse Input	–40 V (ideal-diode protected)
CAN Bus (CANH/CANL)	±27 V transient
CAN ESD (HBM)	±8000 V
USB VBUS	–0.3 to 5.5 V
Storage Temperature	–65 to +150 °C

CAN FD Interface

Data Rate (CAN FD)	Up to 2 Mbps
Data Rate (Classic CAN)	Up to 1 Mbps
Channels	2 × independent (ISO 11898-2)
Bus Fault Protection	–58 to +58 V
Common-Mode Range	±12 V
Bus Termination	120 Ω switchable (per channel)
Loop Delay (TXD→bus)	80 ns typ / 145 ns max
Standby Current	5 µA typ per channel

Wireless Interfaces

Module	2X Wireless
WL1 — Protocol	2.4GHz P2P
WL2 — Protocol	802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi TX Power	20 dBm max
Wi-Fi Data Rate	150 Mbps (HT40)
RF Range (LOS)	200 m typ
Bluetooth	5.0 LE

Connectivity & I/O

CAN Connectors	2 × Dual-port RJ45 (J3, J4)
Power Input	4-pos screw terminal (T1)
USB	Type-C (virtual COM port)
Debug/Program	10-pin SWD (1.27 mm)
UART Header	6-pin, 2.54 mm (TTL-232R-3V3)
Node Addressing	6-position DIP (64 addresses)
User Buttons	2 × tactile + power reset
Status LEDs	Power (red), system (blue), fault (yellow) + bi-color RJ45

Applications

Where This Subsystem Gets to Work

Engineered for the most demanding real-world deployment environments across industries.

Industrial AutomationFactory floor distributed I/O, machine control, and process monitoring over CAN FD backbones.

Automotive & Commercial VehiclesBody electronics, diagnostics gateways, and ECU communication for trucks and fleet vehicles.

Agricultural MachineryImplement control, GNSS telemetry, and sensor aggregation across tractors, harvesters, and spreaders.

Marine NavigationEngine monitoring, NMEA-2000 bridging, and navigation network nodes for vessels.

Building ManagementBMS and HVAC control nodes with cloud uplink via Wi-Fi and local bus via CAN FD.

RoboticsCoordinator nodes for multi-axis motion control, sensor fusion, and real-time feedback loops.

Remote Sensor AggregationWireless backhaul via ESP-NOW from remote sensor clusters to a central controller or cloud.

Energy ManagementSmart-grid edge controllers, EV charging station coordination, and microgrid monitoring.

Fleet ManagementCAN-to-cloud gateway for real-time vehicle data, OBD telemetry, and remote diagnostics.

Architecture

How It All Connects

Every subsystem engineered to work together — from the power rail to the wireless antenna.

In Action

Typical Application

A Multi-Node CAN FD Network with Cloud Telemetry

Imagine a fleet of machines on a factory floor. Each machine hosts one Cratus board. The boards communicate over CAN FD with local sensors and actuators. Each board relays live telemetry wirelessly to a central gateway. The system also pushes data to your cloud dashboard over Wi-Fi — and handles OTA firmware updates automatically.

Up to 64 nodes per CAN bus segment, connected with Cat5e patch cables

Wireless telemetry — no additional infrastructure required

Cloud integration over Wi-Fi with MQTT or HTTP

OTA firmware updates across the entire fleet, simultaneously

Discuss Your Use Case

Setup

Up and Running in Minutes

No complex configuration. Hardware does the heavy lifting so your team hits the ground running.

Connect Power

Plug in 9–36 VDC via screw terminal or the RJ45 daisy-chain. The board's ideal-diode controller protects against reverse polarity and surges — the moment power is applied, the system begins bringing up rails automatically.

Set Your Node Address

Flip the 6-position DIP switch to your desired node ID (0–63). No firmware changes, no tool required. Every board in your network gets a unique address in seconds.

Join the Network

Daisy-chain boards with Cat5e/6 patch cables. The MCU auto-initializes both CAN FD channels and the wireless modules come online within 300 ms. Your entire network is live.

Stream & Control

CAN FD data flows between nodes. Telemetry is relayed via ESP-NOW to a gateway, and Wi-Fi pushes live data to your cloud dashboard or MQTT broker. Everything just works.

Update the Fleet, Remotely

New firmware? Push an OTA update over Wi-Fi to every board in the field simultaneously. Dual-bank boot ensures a safe rollback if anything goes wrong. Zero downtime.

“We replaced three boards — a CAN gateway, a wireless module, and an external PSU — with a single Cratus board. Integration time dropped from three weeks to two days. It just works.”

Systems Integration Engineer Industrial Automation Customer, USA

Get Started

Build Your Network.
Ship Faster. Break Less.

Get in touch with the Cratus team for pricing, volume discounts, custom configurations, and engineering support. Most customers go from inquiry to first prototype in under two weeks.

Quick lead times

Volume pricing available

Engineering support included

Made in the USA

Contact Cratus Technology View Full Datasheet

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CRATUSTECH UI/UX: Beyond Personas—Real People, Real Performance

Cratus — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 22:21:55 +0000

Actor‑Centric UX That Turns Enterprise Software Into Action

Enterprise tools shouldn’t merely function—they should enable people to act with clarity and speed. CratusTech designs UX around real “actors” (operators, engineers, managers), not abstract personas. We observe roles, map workflows, prototype fast, measure impact, and iterate—so your software accelerates decisions, reduces errors, and adapts to change.

Why Most Enterprise UX Still Hurts

Legacy bloat: ERP/MES/LIMS interfaces are often rigid, expensive to evolve, and visually noisy.
Persona overfit: Generic personas miss the nuance of shift operators vs. maintenance engineers vs. finance controllers.
Slow change cycles: UI tweaks wait on release trains, while the shop floor needs an answer now.

Result: Low adoption, shadow spreadsheets, and costly mistakes.

Our Core Idea: Actors > Personas

We anchor design on actors—real people with a role, context, and task cadence. We unpack:

Scope of responsibility: What do they own? What’s critical vs. nice-to-have?
Decision windows: How fast do they need to react? What risks sit behind a click?
Environment & constraints: Gloves on? Harsh lighting? Mobile-only? Air‑gapped network?

This drives role-based visuals, progressive disclosure, and error-proof interactions that respect cognitive load in the moment of work.

The Cratus XD Pipeline

Discover & Define
- Contextual interviews, floor walks, heuristic audits
- Map current-state pain points and “victory metrics” (time-to-decision, error rate, task completion)
Frame & Plan
- Actor journey maps, domain models, KPI-aligned UX objectives
- Prioritized feature roadmap tied to business goals and ROI
Prototype & Validate
- Interactive prototypes (low → high fidelity)
- Real + synthetic user tests to stress edge cases
Pilot & Iterate
- Controlled rollouts, telemetry hooks, behavior analytics
- Continuous UX adjustments based on live data

Outcome: A scalable design system and a living UI that can pivot with operations.

Real-World Impact Examples

Automotive Manufacturing Dashboards
Live production KPIs distilled into glanceable tiles; shift supervisors cut daily stand-up prep time by 42%.*
Battery Production Traceability Tools
Role-filtered trace trees and anomaly flags help quality teams isolate defects in minutes instead of hours.*
Smart Building Ops Intelligence
AI-assisted alerts triage incidents automatically; facility managers move from reactive troubleshooting to proactive tuning.*

*Illustrative outcomes; your mileage will vary. We define and track your exact “victory” metrics early.

AI-Driven, Data-Aware Interfaces

Cratus UX isn’t only pretty screens—it’s adaptive logic:

Predictive prompts: Surface next-best actions based on context and history.
Dynamic layouts: Reconfigure components when states or priorities change.
Embedded analytics: Insight at the point of action; no tab-hopping to BI tools.

Measure What Matters

Before pixel-perfect, we ask: How will we know we won? Typical measures include:

Task completion time & error rates
Decision latency and throughput
Onboarding time to proficiency
Support tickets per feature
Adoption / retention curves by actor group

These KPIs shape design trade-offs and prove ROI in boardrooms and budget cycles.

What You Get Working With CratusTech

Clarity: Shared understanding of actors, workflows, and priorities
Speed: Prototypes in days, not months; pilots that de-risk dev spend
Scalability: Componentized design systems built for growth
Alignment: UX tied directly to revenue models, safety goals, or cost savings

Watch the video on YouTube and subscribe for more!

The post CRATUSTECH UI/UX: Beyond Personas—Real People, Real Performance appeared first on CRATUS Technology.

Accelerate Innovation with Team-in-a-Box

Cratus — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 22:00:04 +0000

In today’s fast-moving technology landscape, accelerating product development is not just a competitive advantage — it’s essential. At Cratus Technology, we’ve designed a solution to meet this urgency: the “Team-in-a-Box” approach. This model brings together a fully integrated team of experts — including embedded systems engineers, industrial designers, firmware developers, and project managers — all working collaboratively under one agile framework. Unlike fragmented outsourcing or rigid internal pipelines, Team-in-a-Box delivers seamless coordination from idea to working prototype. The value is not just in speed, but in precision. Every component, every layout, every firmware line is engineered with manufacturing and certification in mind from day one.

This model enables seamless handoffs between disciples, allowing hardware, firmware, and system-level decisions to evolve in parallel. Each phase is structured for traceability and iteration, supporting design validation, compliance workflows, and integration with supply chain or contract manufacturing partners when needed. Cratus’s internal tooling, documentation standards, and version control processes are tailored to reduce risk and support long-term maintainability, especially in regulated or mission-critical environments. It also supports design transfers to OEMs or in-house teams without friction. All deliverables are structured for reusability-across future product generations. Just a working MVP – ready for iteration or pre-certification testing.

But Team-in-a-Box doesn’t stop at prototyping. Our engineers also build for the next step: manufacturability, testability, and long-term maintainability. We optimize BOMs for cost and sourcing, conduct thermal and EMI reviews, and design with certifications like FCC, CE, and FDA in mind. This means fewer revisions, smoother handoffs to production, and faster time to market. Whether you’re a startup chasing a launch date or a Fortune 500 innovating your next flagship product, Cratus’s Team-in-a-Box is built to move as fast as you think — and just as smart.

Watch the video on YouTube and subscribe for more!

The post Accelerate Innovation with Team-in-a-Box appeared first on CRATUS Technology.

Why We Build Hardware and Firmware Together

Cratus — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 21:30:59 +0000

We build both the hardware and the firmware—by design. It’s not about control; it’s about capability. In performance-critical environments, the way hardware and software communicate can make or break the system. Relying on generic boards or third-party firmware introduces unknowns—bottlenecks, timing issues, or rigid limitations that don’t flex when you need them to. By designing our own boards and writing our own firmware, we eliminate those barriers. Every decision—from power distribution to sensor response—is tailored to the final application. This allows us to optimize timing, reduce latency, and build in real-time responsiveness from the start.

When a system needs to evolve, we don’t retrofit—we re-engineer. And because every layer of the stack was built in-house, changes are fast, controlled, and seamless. The result is a unified product where software logic and hardware performance speak the same language. This kind of harmony reduces debugging time, improves reliability, and unlocks capabilities you simply can’t get with disconnected development.

But it’s more than just performance—it’s about adaptability. Our clients often face fast-changing environments, whether it’s new safety regulations, unexpected edge cases, or integration with legacy infrastructure. When every piece of the system is ours, we can respond quickly and effectively. No waiting on vendor updates. No reworking third-party code. Just direct access to the core of the system.

In complex systems, alignment isn’t a luxury—it’s the baseline. That’s why we don’t separate the hardware from the code that drives it. We treat them as one system, from the first sketch to the final deployment. That’s how we deliver solutions that work not just on paper—but in the real world.

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Asset‑Rx EDGE

Cratus — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 21:03:42 +0000

In today’s fast-moving industrial world, edge intelligence is no longer a luxury — it’s a requirement. That’s where Cratus Asset‑Rx EDGE comes in. The locations of your assets or inventory sitting on the factory floor bares information that powers this platform. Asset-RX transforms data into actionable information and provides operational insights.

Using a thermal camera? Designed for machine vision, sensor fusion, and industrial IoT applications, Asset‑Rx EDGE connects cameras, LiDARs, thermal sensors, IMUs, and more. For your robots, from obstacle detection to geofencing, the system enables real-time actions at the edge — with zero reliance on the cloud.

In your brand new or existing facilities plan your operations with Asset‑Rx. That means you can manage, deploy, and update your AI models across hundreds — or even thousands — of edge devices from a single interface. Whether you’re on-prem or in the cloud, deployment is seamless. You can push updates, monitor performance, and collect sensor data all through a secure browser interface. It’s fast, reliable, and built to scale. And thanks to its low-code interface, even non-developers can drag-and-drop to build safety protocols, inspection tools, or custom logic — without writing a single line of code.

The hardware compatibility is just as flexible. Asset‑Rx EDGE works with ARM and x86 platforms, integrates easily with RS-485, MODBUS, and CAN bus protocols, and supports both new and legacy cameras. So whether you’re retrofitting a factory line or deploying on a brand-new site, the system adapts to your infrastructure — not the other way around. From the simplest case of access control logs to sophisticated predictive maintenance and visual anomaly tasks, Asset-RX lets you manage your operations efficiently. Gain visibility into your operations with real-time logs, alerts, and system feedback. Create your central nervous system for your operation.

Cratus Asset‑Rx EDGE is the future of industrial edge computing — available now. Deploy smarter, respond faster, and manage everything in one place. Start building your intelligent edge today at cratustech.com.

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Engineering Innovation Services

Cratus — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 20:48:02 +0000

In today’s rapidly evolving world, innovation isn’t optional—it’s essential for staying ahead. Cratus offers comprehensive Engineering Innovation Services, guiding companies from concept to creation with full-stack expertise in electronics, mechanics, and embedded software. Whether you’re building custom battery management systems, EV charging interfaces, sensor signal conditioning, or thermal measurement solutions, Cratus has the experience to deliver tailored hardware and firmware—from schematic design to prototype box builds and wireless telemetry integration.

Additionally, Cratus serves as your on-demand engineering team for smart buildings, automation, and beyond. We develop smart lighting and energy controllers, integrate EV chargers into future-ready systems, and deliver embedded controls for climate and occupancy management. For industrial OEMs and equipment builders, we offer embedded firmware, end-of-line testing, asset monitoring, mechanical design, and legacy machine upgrades.

When it comes to more specialized sectors—healthcare, life sciences, utilities, mining, transportation, aerospace—Cratus brings deep domain knowledge. We develop microgrid battery solutions, design custom scientific instruments, build rugged sensors for off-grid mining, and deliver defense-grade ground support systems. Their approach supports everything from prototyping and compliance documentation to pilot production and full productization.

Cratus structures its services around your business goals—providing flexible models from fixed-scope projects and retainers to full-scale production and IP transfer. Rapid prototyping, team-in-a-box setups, and multi-disciplinary support ensure fast turnaround without sacrificing quality or regulatory compliance. If you’re ready to bring a new product to market, modernize existing systems, or accelerate your R&D with real engineering firepower, Cratus Engineering Innovation Services delivers end-to-end support tailored to your industry and goals.

Watch the video on YouTube and subscribe for more!

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Empowering Independence: intercal8’s Residential Microgrids

Cratus — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 20:26:02 +0000

Imagine a home where your solar panels, batteries, and appliances all communicate and respond intelligently—keeping you powered even if the grid goes down. Intercal8’s residential microgrid solution makes this a reality. Their advanced controllers seamlessly manage energy generation, storage, and consumption within the household, whether connected to the grid or operating completely off‑grid.

What sets this microgrid system apart is its reliability and privacy. Designed to run locally without needing cloud access or ongoing subscriptions, it provides homeowners with resilient power control while maintaining full autonomy. Easy to configure during installation, it equips technicians—and ultimately the homeowner—with intuitive tools for customized setup.

Throughout daily life, these microgrid controllers continuously monitor key systems such as EV chargers, HVAC, and water heaters, dynamically adjusting loads to reduce peak demand, preserve battery life, and optimize energy use. As your household’s needs evolve, so do the rules and configurations, ensuring comfort and efficiency are always prioritized.

In essence, Intercal8’s residential microgrids deliver whole-home energy awareness and smart load management that adapts to you. They provide independence from the utility, savings on energy bills, and a sustainable, quiet, and self-sufficient power experience right at home.

The post Empowering Independence: intercal8’s Residential Microgrids appeared first on CRATUS Technology.

Prototyping - CRATUS Technology

Wireless Dual CAN Bus Bridge

One Integrated System.Total Network Control.

Industrial Networks Need Integrated Solutions

How We Compare

The Complete Platform Your System Deserves

Full Technical Specifications

Where This Subsystem Gets to Work

How It All Connects

Typical Application

A Multi-Node CAN FD Network with Cloud Telemetry

Up and Running in Minutes

Connect Power

Set Your Node Address

Join the Network

Stream & Control

Update the Fleet, Remotely

Build Your Network.Ship Faster. Break Less.

CRATUSTECH UI/UX: Beyond Personas—Real People, Real Performance

Actor‑Centric UX That Turns Enterprise Software Into Action

Why Most Enterprise UX Still Hurts

Our Core Idea: Actors > Personas

The Cratus XD Pipeline

Real-World Impact Examples

AI-Driven, Data-Aware Interfaces

Measure What Matters

What You Get Working With CratusTech

Watch the video on YouTube and subscribe for more!

Accelerate Innovation with Team-in-a-Box

Watch the video on YouTube and subscribe for more!

Why We Build Hardware and Firmware Together

Watch the video on YouTube and subscribe for more!

Asset‑Rx EDGE

Watch the video on YouTube and subscribe for more!

Engineering Innovation Services

Watch the video on YouTube and subscribe for more!

Empowering Independence: intercal8’s Residential Microgrids

One Integrated System.
Total Network Control.

Build Your Network.
Ship Faster. Break Less.