AX1500
Dual Channel Digital Motor Controller
 AX1500 Motor Controller User’s Manual
 Revision History
Revision History
Date Version Changes
 AX1500 Motor Controller User’s Manual
 Section
 Section
 Section
 100
 122
 144
 173
 AX1500 Motor Controller User’s Manual
 Important Safety
Do not Connect to a RC Radio with a Battery Attached
Beware of Motor Runaway in Improperly Closed Loop
 Important Safety Warnings
 Locating the Connectors
AX1500
Quick Start
What you will need
 AX1500 Quick Start
AX1500 Controller Rear View
 Connecting to the Batteries and Motors
Connecting to the Batteries and Motors
 Connecting to the 15-pin Connector
Signal Pin RC Mode RS232 Mode Analog Mode
 Connecting the R/C Radio
Connecting the R/C Radio
 Powering On the Controller
Default Controller Configuration
Parameter Default Values Letter
 Connecting the controller to your PC using Roborun
Connecting the controller to your PC using Roborun
 Obtaining the Controller’s Software Revision Number
Exploring further
 AX1500 Motor Controller Overview
Product Description
 Technical features
 Technical features
Low Power Consumption
High Efficiency Motor Power Outputs
Optical Encoder Inputs optional
 Advanced Safety Features
Data Logging Capabilities
Compact Open Frame PCB Design
 Connecting Power and Motors to the Controller
Power Connections
Power Connections
 Controller Power
Connecting Power and Motors to the Controller
 Controller Power
Mended Off Configuration
 Controller Powering Schemes
Powering the Controller from a single Battery
 Powering the Controller Using a Main and Backup Battery
Controller Powering Schemes
 Connecting the Motors
Powering the AX1500 with a Main and Backup Supply
 Single Channel Operation
Converting the AX1500 to Single Channel
 Power Fuses
Wire Length Limits
 Power Regeneration Considerations
Electrical Noise Reduction Techniques
Electrical Noise Reduction Techniques
 Using the Controller with a Power Supply
Overvoltage Protection
Undervoltage Protection
 Using the Controller with a Power Supply
 Connecting Power and Motors to the Controller
 Input Command Modes
General Operation
Basic Operation
Basic Operation
 Selecting the Motor Control Modes
Open Loop, Separate Speed Control
Open Loop, Mixed Speed Control
General Operation
 Closed Loop Speed Control
Close Loop Position Control
Selecting the Motor Control Modes
 User Selected Current Limit Settings
Temperature-Based Current Limitation
Temperature Max Amps
 Battery Current vs. Motor Current
Battery Current vs. Motor Current
Motor Current = Battery Current / PWM ratio
 Regeneration Current Limiting
Off
 Programmable Acceleration
Programmable Acceleration
 Command Control Curves
 Left / Right Tuning Adjustment
Left / Right Tuning Adjustment
Exponentiation Parameter Value Selected Curve
 Parameter Value Speed Adjustment
 Emergency Stop using External Switch
Activating Brake Release or Separate Motor Excitation
Inverted Operation
Activating Brake Release or Separate Motor Excitation
 Special Use of Accessory Digital Inputs
Using the Inputs to Activate the Buffered Output
 Connecting Sensors and Actuators to Input/Outputs
AX1500 Connections
AX1500 Connections
 Connecting Sensors and Actuators to Input/Outputs
AX1500’s Inputs and Outputs
 Signal Type Use Activated
AX1500’s Inputs and Outputs
 Pin1
List and Pin Assignment
 Connecting devices to Output C
Connecting devices to Output C
 Connecting Switches or Devices to Input E
Connecting Switches or Devices to Input F
 Connecting Switches or Devices to EStop/Invert Input
Connecting Switches or Devices to EStop/Invert Input
 Connecting Position Potentiometers to Analog Inputs
Analog Inputs
 Connecting Tachometer to Analog Inputs
Connecting Tachometer to Analog Inputs
Ana Ana2 Operating Mode Pin
 Operating Mode Ana 1 p11 Ana2 p10 Ana 3 p12 Ana 4 p8
 Connecting External Thermistor to Analog Inputs
Connecting External Thermistor to Analog Inputs
Temp oC
Resistance kOhm
 Using the Analog Inputs to Monitor External Voltages
 Connecting User Devices to Analog Inputs
Internal Heatsink Temperature Sensors
Internal Voltage Monitoring Sensors
 Temperature Conversion C Source Code
 Internal Heatsink Temperature Sensors
 Connecting Sensors and Actuators to Input/Outputs
 Installing Connecting Using Encoder Module
Optical Incremental Encoders Overview
Optical Incremental Encoders Overview
 Installing, Connecting and Using the Encoder Mod
Recommended Encoder Types
 Installing the Encoder Module
Installing the Encoder Module
Pulse Frequency in Hz = RPM / 60 * PPR
 Connecting the Encoder
 Cable Length and Noise Considerations
Cable Length and Noise Considerations
Pin Name Cable Color
 Voltage Levels, Thresholds and Limit Switches
Motor Encoder Polarity Matching
 Wiring Optional Limit Switches
Wiring Optional Limit Switches
 SW1 SW2 GND
 Wiring Limit Switches Without Encoders
Effect of Limit Switches
Wiring Limit Switches Without Encoders
Motor 1 Fwd Motor 1 Rev
 Using the Encoder Module to Measure Distance
Using the Encoder to Measure Speed
Motor Fwd Motor Rev
 Using the Encoder to Track Position
Using the Encoder to Track Position
 RS232 Communication with the Encoder Module
Distance = Destination Counter value / Divider
 Encoder Testing and Setting Using the PC Utility
Encoder Testing and Setting Using the PC Utility
 Installing, Connecting and Using the Encoder Mod
 Closed Loop Position Mode
Mode Description
Selecting the Position Mode
Mode Description
 Closed Loop Position Mode
Position Sensor Selection
Sensor Mounting
 Feedback Potentiometer wiring
Feedback Potentiometer wiring in RC or RS232 Mode
Feedback Potentiometer wiring
 Feedback Potentiometer wiring in Analog Mode
Pot wiring for RS232 or RC Command and Analog Feedback
 Analog Feedback on Single Channel Controllers
Analog Feedback on Single Channel Controllers
 Using Optical Encoders in Position Mode
Sensor and Motor Polarity
 Encoder Error Detection and Protection
Adding Safety Limit Switches
Encoder Error Detection and Protection
 SW1 SW2
 Using Current Limiting as Protection
Using Current Limiting as Protection
Control Loop Description
 PID tuning in Position Mode
 PID tuning in Position Mode
 Closed Loop Position Mode
 Closed Loop Speed Mode
Selecting the Speed Mode
 Tachometer wiring
Closed Loop Speed Mode
Tachometer or Encoder Mounting
 Speed Sensor and Motor Polarity
Speed Sensor and Motor Polarity
 Adjust Offset and Max Speed
 PID tuning in Speed Mode
PID tuning in Speed Mode
 Closed Loop Speed Mode
 Normal Fault Condition LED Messages
Power On LED
Diagnostic LED
Power On LED
 Output Off / Fault Condition
Normal and Fault Condition LED Messages
 C radio control mode
C Operation
 Selecting the R/C Input Mode
Connector I/O Pin Assignment R/C Mode
Pin Input or Number Output Signal Description
Operation
 Input Circuit Description
Supplied Cable Description
Input Circuit Description
 Powering the Radio from the controller
RC Cable wiring diagram
 Powering the Radio from the controller
Wiring for powering R/C radio from controller
 Connecting to a Separately Powered Radio
Operating the Controller in R/C mode
 Reception Watchdog
Reception Watchdog
 Transmitter/Receiver Quality Considerations
Joystick Deadband Programming
 Command Control Curves
Effect of deadband on joystick position vs. motor speed
 Left/Right Tuning Adjustment
Activating the Accessory Outputs
Joystick Calibration
 Data Logging in R/C Mode
Data Logging in R/C Mode
 112
 Analog Control and Operation
 Connector I/O Pin Assignment Analog Mode
Pin Input or Number Signal Output Description
Analog Control and Operation
 Connecting to a Voltage Source
Connecting a Potentiometer
Connecting to a Voltage Source
 Selecting the Potentiometer Value
= U/R = 5V / 1000 Ohms = 0.005A = 5mA
 Analog Deadband Adjustment
Analog Deadband Adjustment
 Power-On Safety
Under Voltage Safety
Data Logging in Analog Mode
 Data Logging in Analog Mode
Modified Analog cable with RS232 output data logging for PC
 120
 Serial RS-232 Controls Operation
Use and benefits of RS232
Use and benefits of RS232
 Connector I/O Pin Assignment RS232 Mode
Serial RS-232 Controls and Operation
 Cable configuration
Cable configuration
Extending the RS232 Cable
 Communication Settings
Bits/s, 7-bit data, 1 Start bit, 1 Stop bit, Even Parity
Establishing Manual Communication with a PC
 RS232 Communication with the Encoder Module
Establishing Manual Communication with a PC
Roboteq v1.9b 06/01/07 s
 Entering RS232 from R/C or Analog mode
Data Logging String in R/C or Analog mode
 Commands Acknowledge and Error Messages
 Controller Commands and Queries
Command Type Description
RS-232 Watchdog
 Set Motor Command Value
Set Accessory Output
Controller Commands and Queries
 Query Power Applied to Motors
Query Amps from Battery to each Motor Channel
Syntax
 Query Heatsink Temperatures
Query Battery Voltages
Query Analog Inputs
?r or ?R
 Reset Controller
Query Digital Inputs
 Accessing & Changing Configuration Parameter in Flash
Accessing & Changing Configuration Parameter in Flash
Apply Parameter Changes
Read parameter
 Flash Configuration Parameters List
Location Description Active after
 Input Control Mode
Motor Control Mode
Address Access Read/Write Effective After Reset
Value Mode See pages
 Amps Limit
Bit Definition See pages
 Input Switches Function
Acceleration
 Address Channel Access Read/Write Effective Instantly
RC Joystick or Analog Deadband
Exponentiation on Channel 1 and Channel
 Left/Right Adjust
Default Encoder Time Base 1
 Default Encoder Distance Divider
Default PID Gains
Joystick Min, Max and Center Values
 Reading & Changing Operating Parameters at Runtime
Location Function
 Operating Modes Registers
Read/Change PID Values
Bit Function
Address 82 P1 83 I1 84 D1 85 P2
 PWM Frequency Register
Controller Status Register
 Controller Identification Register
Current Amps Limit Registers
Bit Model or Function
 RS232 Encoder Command Set
Set/Reset Encoder Counters and Destination Registers
Read Encoder Counter
 Read Speed
Or !Q n
 Read Encoder Limit Switch Status
Read Distance
Read Speed/Distance
 Switch Value
Read / Modify Encoder Module Registers and Parameters
DD= parameter value
 Address Parameter Description Size Access
 Switch Status
Register Description
Encoder Hardware ID code
Speed or Distance 1 or
 Counter Read/Write Mailbox
Counter 1
Destination Register 1
Register Description
 Distance 1
Speed 1
Time Base 1
Encoder Threshold
 Counter Read Data Format
Counter Read Data Format
Decimal Bit Hex Controller Output
 154
 Automatic Switching from RS232 to RC Mode
Automatic Switching from RS232 to RC Mode
 Analog and R/C Modes Data Logging String Format
Data Logging Cables
 Decimal to Hexadecimal Conversion Table
Decimal to Hexadecimal Conversion Table
Dec Hex
 UDec Hex
 AX1500 Motor Controller User’s Manual 159
 160
 Using the Roborun Configuration Utility
Downloading and Installing the Utility
System Requirements
 Connecting the Controller to the PC
Using the Roborun Configuration Utility
 Parameter Selection and Setting and Special Functions
Roborun Frame, Tab and Menu Descriptions
Roborun Frame, Tab and Menu Descriptions
 File and Program Management Commands
View Controller Connector Pinout
Getting On-Screen Help
Loading, Changing Controller Parameters
 Control Settings
Motor Control Mode
Input Command Adjustment
Loading, Changing Controller Parameters
 Power Settings
 Analog or R/C Specific Settings
Deadband
Joystick Timing
 Encoder Setting and Testing
Closed Loop Parameters
 Encoder Module Parameters Setting
Encoder Setting and Testing
 Running the Motors
Exercising the Motors
Viewing Encoder Data
 Motor Power setting
Running the Motors
Run/Stop Button
Measurement
 Real-Time Strip Chart Recorder
Input Status and Output Setting
Transmit and Receive Data
 Logging Data to Disk
 Using the Console
Connecting a Joystick
 Using the Console
Command Entry
Terminal Screen
Keep Watchdog Alive
 Operating the AX1500 over a Wired or Wireless LAN
Using the Roborun Configuration Utility Send Reset String
Viewing and Logging Data in Analog and R/C Modes
Loading and Saving Profiles to Disk
 Operating the AX1500 over a Wired or Wireless LAN
Roboserver screenshot when idle
 Updating the Controller’s Software
Updating the Encoder Software
 Objectmaker creates controller firmware with custom defaults
Creating Customized Object Files
 180
 Mechanical Specifications
Mechanical Dimensions
Mechanical Dimensions
 Mechanical Specifications
Mounting Considerations
Thermal Considerations
 Attaching the Controller Directly to a Chassis
Attaching the Controller Directly to a Chassis
 Precautions to observe
 Wire Dimensions
Weight
Wire Dimensions
 186