Getting Started with Helix

Helix is a professional CAN bus data visualization and analysis platform. It allows you to monitor real-time CAN data, create custom dashboards, record data for later analysis, and automate message transmission.

Quick Start

Home page showing navigation tiles and recently viewed dashboards

Follow these four steps to get up and running:

1. Configure CAN Channels

Navigate to Settings > CAN Bus and set the bitrate to match your CAN network. You can also use the CAN Quick Access dropdown in the toolbar header for fast configuration.

Select the correct bitrate (e.g., 500 kbps)
Enable CAN FD if your network supports it
Enable Silent mode if you only want to monitor (no transmissions)

See the CAN Settings Guide for detailed configuration options.

2. Upload a DBC File (Optional)

A DBC file defines how raw CAN data is decoded into human-readable signals. If you have one:

Navigate to DBC Editor
Click the import button
Select your .dbc file

This enables automatic signal decoding throughout the platform. See the DBC Guide for details.

3. Create a Dashboard

Navigate to Dashboard from the sidebar
Click the + button to create a new dashboard
Enter a name and start adding widgets

Widgets let you visualize CAN signals as charts, gauges, and controls. See the Dashboard Guide and Widget Configuration Guide.

4. Start Live Mode

On your dashboard, click the Play button in the toolbar to start streaming live CAN data. Your widgets will begin updating in real-time.

CAN Bus Basics

If you're new to CAN bus, here are the essential concepts:

Messages

CAN messages have an identifier (ID) and up to 8 bytes of data (64 bytes with CAN FD). The ID determines the message's priority and identifies its source or purpose on the network.

Signals

Signals are values encoded within a message's data bytes. A DBC file defines how to extract and interpret these signals — including bit positions, byte order, scaling factors, and units.

Channels

Helix supports two independent CAN channels (CH1 and CH2) for simultaneous monitoring of separate networks or bus segments.

Logging In

When you first access Helix, you are presented with the login page:

Enter your username and password
Optionally check Remember me for 7 days to stay logged in
Click Sign In

First Time Setup

On first login, the default credentials are admin / admin. After signing in, you will be prompted to change your password immediately.

Password requirements:

At least 8 characters
One uppercase letter
One lowercase letter
One digit

Application Layout

Full application layout showing sidebar, header toolbar, and main content area

Sidebar Navigation

The sidebar provides access to all main sections:

Section	Description
Home	Quick access hub with navigation tiles and recently viewed dashboards
Dashboard	Create and manage data visualization dashboards
Agents	Configure automated CAN message transmission
DBC Editor	Manage CAN database files for signal decoding
Logger	Record CAN data and manage stored recordings
Plugins	Load and manage extension plugins
Settings	Configure device and application settings
Help	Access guides and error documentation

The sidebar also displays system status at the bottom:

CAN Bus status (CH1 and CH2 indicators)
Logger status (recording indicator)
CPU, RAM, and Storage usage bars

Toggle the sidebar with Ctrl+B or click the collapse button.

Header Toolbar

The header provides quick access to:

Breadcrumb navigation — shows your current location
CAN Quick Access — fast CAN bus configuration
Logger Quick Access — start/stop recording
Create User Event — mark events with timestamps
Connection status — WebSocket connection indicator
Error dropdown — system and plugin errors
User menu — profile and logout

Home Page

Home page with navigation tiles grid and recently viewed dashboards section

The home page serves as your starting point with:

Navigation tiles for quick access to all major sections
Recently Viewed Dashboards showing your most recent dashboards with timestamps
What's New section highlighting recent features and updates

Main Features

Dashboards

Create custom layouts with charts, gauges, and control widgets. Visualize CAN signals in real-time or explore historical data with flexible time range selection.

Agents

Automate CAN message transmission at configurable intervals. Create agents that simulate ECU behavior, test system responses, or control connected devices.

DBC Manager

Import, create, and edit CAN database files. DBC files enable automatic signal decoding across all dashboards and exports.

Logger

Record CAN bus data for later analysis. View recording sessions, export data to CSV, and manage storage.

Plugins

Extend platform functionality with custom readers, writers, and triggers. Plugins enable protocol decoding, computed signals, and custom integrations.

Settings

Configure CAN bus channels, WiFi, VPN, cloud connectivity, user accounts, and firmware updates.

Help System

Access built-in guides for every feature and browse error codes with descriptions and resolution steps. See the Help & Error Codes Guide for details.

Tips

Drag widgets to rearrange your dashboard layout — remember to save after changes
Use the time range selector to switch between live streaming and historical data
Export data to CSV from the dashboard toolbar for spreadsheet analysis
Use DBC import when configuring widget readers for automatic signal setup
Check the Console Panel (Terminal, Problems, Output tabs) at the bottom of dashboards for debugging