Connecting to the 15-pin Connector | RoboteQ AX2550, AX1500 specs

AX1500 Quick Start

Important Warning

Do not rely on cutting power to the controller for it to turn off if the Power Control is left floating. If motors are spinning because the robot is pushed are pushed or because of inertia, they will act as generators and will turn the controller, possibly in an unsafe state. ALWAYS ground the Power Control wire to turn the controller Off and keep it Off.

Important Warning

The controller includes large capacitors. When connecting the Motor Power Cables, a spark will be generated at the connection point. This is a normal occurrence and should be expected.

Connecting to the 15-pin Connector

The controller’s I/O are located on it’s standard 15-pin D-Sub Connector. The functions of some pins varies depending on controller model and operating mode. Pin assignment is found in the table below.

			Signal

Pin	RC Mode		RS232 Mode	Analog Mode

1		2A	Digital Output C (same as pin	9)

2			TxData

3	RC Ch1		RxData	Unused

4	RC Ch 2		Digital Input F

5			Ground Out

6			Unused

7			Unused

8		Digital Input E (Not available when Encoder module is present)
			and Analog Input 4

9		2A Digital Output C (same as pin 1)

10			Analog Input 2

11			Analog Input 1

12			Analog Input 3

13			Ground Out

14			+5V Out (100mA max.)

15		Emergency Stop or Invert Switch input

18

AX1500 Motor Controller User’s Manual

Version 1.9b. June 1, 2007

Image 18

RoboteQ AX2550, AX1500 user manual Connecting to the 15-pin Connector, Signal Pin RC Mode RS232 Mode Analog Mode

Contents

AX1500 Dual Channel Digital Motor Controller AX1500 Motor Controller User’s Manual Revision History Revision HistoryDate 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 AttachedBeware of Motor Runaway in Improperly Closed Loop Important Safety Warnings Quick Start Locating the ConnectorsAX1500 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 ConfigurationParameter 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 High Efficiency Motor Power Outputs Technical featuresLow Power Consumption Optical Encoder Inputs optional Advanced Safety Features Data Logging CapabilitiesCompact Open Frame PCB Design Connecting Power and Motors to the Controller Power ConnectionsPower 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 TechniquesElectrical Noise Reduction Techniques Using the Controller with a Power Supply Overvoltage ProtectionUndervoltage Protection Using the Controller with a Power Supply Connecting Power and Motors to the Controller Basic Operation Input Command ModesGeneral Operation Basic Operation Open Loop, Mixed Speed Control Selecting the Motor Control ModesOpen Loop, Separate Speed Control General Operation Closed Loop Speed Control Close Loop Position ControlSelecting the Motor Control Modes User Selected Current Limit Settings Temperature-Based Current LimitationTemperature Max Amps Battery Current vs. Motor Current Battery Current vs. Motor CurrentMotor Current = Battery Current / PWM ratio Regeneration Current Limiting Off Programmable Acceleration Programmable Acceleration Command Control Curves Left / Right Tuning Adjustment Left / Right Tuning AdjustmentExponentiation Parameter Value Selected Curve Parameter Value Speed Adjustment Inverted Operation Emergency Stop using External SwitchActivating Brake Release or Separate Motor Excitation 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 ConnectionsAX1500 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 InputsAna Ana2 Operating Mode Pin Operating Mode Ana 1 p11 Ana2 p10 Ana 3 p12 Ana 4 p8 Temp oC Connecting External Thermistor to Analog InputsConnecting External Thermistor to Analog Inputs Resistance kOhm Using the Analog Inputs to Monitor External Voltages Connecting User Devices to Analog Inputs Internal Heatsink Temperature SensorsInternal 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 OverviewOptical Incremental Encoders Overview Installing, Connecting and Using the Encoder Mod Recommended Encoder Types Installing the Encoder Module Installing the Encoder ModulePulse Frequency in Hz = RPM / 60 * PPR Connecting the Encoder Cable Length and Noise Considerations Cable Length and Noise ConsiderationsPin 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 Wiring Limit Switches Without EncodersEffect of Limit Switches Motor 1 Fwd Motor 1 Rev Using the Encoder Module to Measure Distance Using the Encoder to Measure SpeedMotor 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 Selecting the Position Mode Closed Loop Position ModeMode Description Mode Description Closed Loop Position Mode Position Sensor SelectionSensor Mounting Feedback Potentiometer wiring Feedback Potentiometer wiring in RC or RS232 ModeFeedback 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 SwitchesEncoder Error Detection and Protection SW1 SW2 Using Current Limiting as Protection Using Current Limiting as ProtectionControl 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 ModeTachometer 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 Diagnostic LED Normal Fault Condition LED MessagesPower On LED Power On LED Output Off / Fault Condition Normal and Fault Condition LED Messages C radio control mode C Operation Pin Input or Number Output Signal Description Selecting the R/C Input ModeConnector I/O Pin Assignment R/C Mode Operation Input Circuit Description Supplied Cable DescriptionInput 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 OutputsJoystick 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 DescriptionAnalog Control and Operation Connecting to a Voltage Source Connecting a PotentiometerConnecting 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 SafetyData 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 RS232Use and benefits of RS232 Connector I/O Pin Assignment RS232 Mode Serial RS-232 Controls and Operation Cable configuration Cable configurationExtending the RS232 Cable Communication Settings Bits/s, 7-bit data, 1 Start bit, 1 Stop bit, Even ParityEstablishing Manual Communication with a PC RS232 Communication with the Encoder Module Establishing Manual Communication with a PCRoboteq 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 DescriptionRS-232 Watchdog Set Motor Command Value Set Accessory OutputController Commands and Queries Query Power Applied to Motors Query Amps from Battery to each Motor ChannelSyntax Query Analog Inputs Query Heatsink TemperaturesQuery Battery Voltages ?r or ?R Reset Controller Query Digital Inputs Apply Parameter Changes Accessing & Changing Configuration Parameter in FlashAccessing & Changing Configuration Parameter in Flash Read parameter Flash Configuration Parameters List Location Description Active after Address Access Read/Write Effective After Reset Input Control ModeMotor Control Mode 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 DeadbandExponentiation on Channel 1 and Channel Left/Right Adjust Default Encoder Time Base 1 Default Encoder Distance Divider Default PID GainsJoystick Min, Max and Center Values Reading & Changing Operating Parameters at Runtime Location Function Bit Function Operating Modes RegistersRead/Change PID Values Address 82 P1 83 I1 84 D1 85 P2 PWM Frequency Register Controller Status Register Controller Identification Register Current Amps Limit RegistersBit Model or Function RS232 Encoder Command Set Set/Reset Encoder Counters and Destination RegistersRead Encoder Counter Read Speed Or !Q n Read Encoder Limit Switch Status Read DistanceRead Speed/Distance Switch Value Read / Modify Encoder Module Registers and ParametersDD= parameter value Address Parameter Description Size Access Encoder Hardware ID code Switch StatusRegister Description Speed or Distance 1 or Destination Register 1 Counter Read/Write MailboxCounter 1 Register Description Time Base 1 Distance 1Speed 1 Encoder Threshold Counter Read Data Format Counter Read Data FormatDecimal 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 TableDec Hex UDec Hex AX1500 Motor Controller User’s Manual 159 160 Using the Roborun Configuration Utility Downloading and Installing the UtilitySystem Requirements Connecting the Controller to the PC Using the Roborun Configuration Utility Parameter Selection and Setting and Special Functions Roborun Frame, Tab and Menu DescriptionsRoborun Frame, Tab and Menu Descriptions Getting On-Screen Help File and Program Management CommandsView Controller Connector Pinout Loading, Changing Controller Parameters Input Command Adjustment Control SettingsMotor Control Mode Loading, Changing Controller Parameters Power Settings Analog or R/C Specific Settings DeadbandJoystick Timing Encoder Setting and Testing Closed Loop Parameters Encoder Module Parameters Setting Encoder Setting and Testing Running the Motors Exercising the MotorsViewing Encoder Data Run/Stop Button Motor Power settingRunning the Motors Measurement Real-Time Strip Chart Recorder Input Status and Output SettingTransmit and Receive Data Logging Data to Disk Using the Console Connecting a Joystick Terminal Screen Using the ConsoleCommand Entry Keep Watchdog Alive Viewing and Logging Data in Analog and R/C Modes Operating the AX1500 over a Wired or Wireless LANUsing the Roborun Configuration Utility Send Reset String 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 DimensionsMechanical Dimensions Mechanical Specifications Mounting ConsiderationsThermal Considerations Attaching the Controller Directly to a Chassis Attaching the Controller Directly to a Chassis Precautions to observe Wire Dimensions WeightWire Dimensions 186