User’s Manual
Dual Channel High Power Digital Motor Controller
AX3500
 AX3500 Motor Controller User’s Manual
Version 1.9b. June 1
 Date
Revision History
Revision History
Version
 AX3500 Motor Controller User’s Manual
 Revision History
 General Operation
 SECTION
SECTION
SECTION
 SECTION
 SECTION
 SECTION
 Programming using built-in Switches and Display
 AX3500 Motor Controller User’s Manual
 Do not Connect to a RC Radio with a Battery Attached
Important Safety
Avoid Shorts when Mounting Board against Chassis
Warnings
 Important Safety Warnings
 Quick Start
Locating the Switches and Connectors
AX3500
What you will need
 AX3500 Quick Start
 Connecting to the Batteries and Motors
Connecting to the Batteries and Motors
 Signal
Connecting to the 15-pin Connector
Important Warning
RC Mode
 Connecting the R/C Radio
Connecting the R/C Radio
Powering On the Controller
 Function
Button Operation
Prog and Set button status
 Default Values
Default Controller Configuration
Default Controller Configuration
Parameter
 Connecting the controller to your PC using Roborun
 Obtaining the Controller’s Software Revision Number
Obtaining the Controller’s Software Revision Number
 Exploring further
= Software version 1.9b
 SECTION 3AX3500 Motor Controller Overview
Product Description
 Automatic Joystick Command Corrections
Technical features
Multiple Command Modes
AX3500 Motor Controller Overview
 High Efficiency Motor Power Outputs
Technical features
Low Power Consumption
Optical Encoder Inputs
 Compact Open Frame PCB Design
Advanced Safety Features
Data Logging Capabilities
 Power Connections
Connecting Power and Motors to the Controller
Power Connections
 Controller Power
Connecting Power and Motors to the Controller
 And Main Battery
Controller Power
Power Control input is
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
 Single Channel Operation
Single Channel Operation
Converting the AX3500 to Single Channel
 Power Fuses
 Electrical Noise Reduction Techniques
Wire Length Limits
Power Regeneration Considerations
Wire Length Limits
 Overvoltage Protection
Undervoltage Protection
 Using the Controller with a Power Supply
Using the Controller with a Power Supply
 Version 1.9b. June 1
 Basic Operation
Input Command Modes
General Operation
Basic Operation
 Open Loop, Mixed Speed Control
Selecting the Motor Control Modes
Open Loop, Separate Speed Control
General Operation
 Selecting the Motor Control Modes
Closed Loop Speed Control
Close Loop Position Control
 Position Feedback Position Sensor Gear box
User Selected Current Limit Settings
Temperature-Based Current Limitation
Setting
 Motor Current = Battery Current / PWM ratio
Battery Current vs. Motor Current
Battery Current vs. Motor Current
Temperature
 Regeneration Current Limiting
Motor Current = Battery Current / PWM Ratio
 Switches
Programmable Acceleration
Setting Using
Programmable Acceleration
 17.97%
Command Control Curves
15 Hex
0.089 second
 Exponentiation Parameter Value
Left / Right Tuning Adjustment
Left / Right Tuning Adjustment
Selected Curve
 Speed Adjustment
Parameter Value
 Activating Brake Release or Separate Motor Excitation
Emergency Shut Down Using Controller Switches
Emergency Stop using External Switch
Activating Brake Release or Separate Motor Excitation
 Using the Inputs to turn Off/On the Power MOSFET transistors
Special Use of Accessory Digital Inputs
Using the Inputs to Activate the Buffered Output
Inverted Operation
 Self-Test Mode
Self-Test Mode
 Encoder Speed or Position
 AX3500 Connections
Connecting Sensors and Actuators to Input/Outputs
AX3500 Connections
 AX3500’s Inputs and Outputs
Connecting Sensors and Actuators to Input/Outputs
 Activated
AX3500’s Inputs and Outputs
I/O type
 Signal depending
Pin1
I/O List and Pin Assignment
Input or
 Connecting devices to Output C
Connecting devices to Output C
 Connecting Switches or Devices to Input F
Important warning
 Connecting Switches or Devices to EStop/Invert Input
Connecting Switches or Devices to EStop/Invert Input
 Connecting Position Potentiometers to Analog Inputs
Analog Inputs
 Ana2
Connecting Tachometer to Analog Inputs
Connecting Tachometer to Analog Inputs
Operating Mode
 Ana 3 p12
Ana 1 p11
Ana2 p10
Ana 4 p8
 Temp oC
Connecting External Thermistor to Analog Inputs
Connecting External Thermistor to Analog Inputs
Resistance kOhm
 Using the Analog Inputs to Monitor External Voltages
 Internal Heatsink Temperature Sensors
Connecting User Devices to Analog Inputs
Internal Voltage Monitoring Sensors
Connecting User Devices to Analog Inputs
 Analog
Temperature Conversion C Source Code
Value
 LoTemp = i * 5
Internal Heatsink Temperature Sensors
else
HiTemp = LoTemp + 5 lobound = TempTablei hibound = TempTablei+1
 Version 1.9b. June 1
 RC Pulse Output Overview
RC Pulses Output
RC Pulse Output Overview
 Servo Connection to RevA Controllers
Connector Location and Pinout
Connecting Servos to Controllers
RC Pulses Output
 Connecting to Slave Controllers
Connecting to Slave Controllers
Servo Connection to RevB Controllers
 Pulse Width 1.00ms
Pulse Timing Information
Command Value
1.50ms
 RC Channel Testing Using the PC Utility
RC Channel Testing Using the PC Utility
 Version 1.9b. June 1
 Optical Incremental Encoders Overview
Connecting and Using the Encoder Function
Optical Incremental Encoders Overview
 Recommended Encoder Types
Connecting and Using the Encoder Function
 Pulse Frequency in Hz = RPM / 60 * PPR
Connecting the Encoder
Connecting the Encoder
 Name
Cable Length and Noise Considerations
Motor - Encoder Polarity Matching
Cable Color
 Voltage Levels, Thresholds and Limit Switches
Voltage Levels, Thresholds and Limit Switches
 Wiring Optional Limit Switches
 Wiring Limit Switches Without Encoders
Wiring Limit Switches Without Encoders
Effect of Limit Switches
Motor 1 Fwd
 Motor 2 Fwd
Using the Encoder Module to Measure Distance
Using the Encoder to Measure Speed
Motor 2 Rev
 Using the Encoder to Track Position
Using the Encoder to Track Position
Important Notice
 The actual formula is as follows
Distance = Destination - Counter value / Divider
 RS232 Communication with the Encoder Module
Encoder Testing and Setting Using the PC Utility
RS232 Communication with the Encoder Module
 Version 1.9b. June 1
 Selecting the Position Mode
Closed Loop Position Mode
Mode Description
Mode Description
 Position Feedback Position Sensor Gear box
Position Sensor Selection
Sensor Mounting
Closed Loop Position Mode
 Feedback Potentiometer wiring
Feedback Potentiometer wiring
Feedback Potentiometer wiring in RC or RS232 Mode
 Feedback Potentiometer wiring in Analog Mode
 Analog Feedback on Single Channel Controllers
Feedback Wiring in RC or RS232 Mode on Single Channel Controllers
Feedback Wiring in Analog Mode on Single Channel Controllers
Analog Feedback on Single Channel Controllers
 Using Optical Encoders in Position Mode
Sensor and Motor Polarity
 Adding Safety Limit Switches
Important Safety Warning
Encoder Error Detection and Protection
Encoder Error Detection and Protection
 FIGURE 62. Safety limit switches interrupting power to motors
 Using Current Limiting as Protection
Using Current Limiting as Protection
Control Loop Description
 PID tuning in Position Mode
 PID tuning in Position Mode
Applied Power = Command Value - Actual Position * Proportional Gain
 Version 1.9b. June 1
 Closed Loop Speed Mode
Selecting the Speed Mode
 Tachometer or Encoder Mounting
Using Optical Encoder for Speed FeedbackDigital Optical Encod
Tachometer wiring
Closed Loop Speed Mode
 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
 In Speed Mode, the Integral component of the PID is the most important and must be set first. The Proportional and Differential component will help improve the response time and loop stability
 Use of the LED Display
Normal and Fault Condition LED Messages
Use of the LED Display
 Possible Display
Motor Direction Status
Normal and Fault Condition LED Messages
Motor
 Fault Messages
Fault Messages
No Control
Rapidly Flashing
 Self-Test Display
Temporary Faults
Permanent Faults
 = Software version 1.9b
Self-Test Display
 Version 1.9b. June 1
 SECTION 12 R/C Operation
 Pin1
Connector I/O Pin Assignment R/C Mode
Selecting the R/C Input Mode
R/C Operation
 R/C Input Circuit Description
R/C Input Circuit Description
Supplied Cable Description
 FIGURE 75. RC connection cable
Powering the Radio from the controller
FIGURE 74. RC Cable wiring diagram
 Powering the Radio from the controller
 Connecting to a Separately Powered Radio
Operating the Controller in R/C mode
 Reception Watchdog
Reception Watchdog
 Important Notice about PCM Radios
R/C Transmitter/Receiver Quality Considerations
 Deadband Parameter Value
Joystick Deadband Programming
Joystick Deadband Programming
Deadband as Percent of full Joystick Travel
 Left/Right Tuning Adjustment
Joystick Calibration
 Automatic Joystick Calibration
Automatic Joystick Calibration
 Data Logging in R/C Mode
On before entering joystick calibration
 To Controller
Data Logging in R/C Mode
DB15 Male
 Version 1.9b. June 1
 Analog Control and Operation
 Connector I/O Pin Assignment Analog Mode
Analog Control and Operation
 Connecting to a Voltage Source
Connecting to a Voltage Source
Connecting a Potentiometer
 Selecting the Potentiometer Value
 Analog Deadband Adjustment
 Data Logging in Analog Mode
Power-On Safety
Under Voltage Safety
Motor Power at 0%
 Data Logging in Analog Mode
 Version 1.9b. June 1
 Use and benefits of RS232
Serial RS-232 Controls and Operation
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
 Establishing Manual Communication with a PC
Communication Settings
9600 bits/s, 7-bit data, 1 Start bit, 1 Stop bit, Even Parity
 Roboteq v1.9b 06/01/07 s
RS232 Communication with the Encoder Module
Establishing Manual Communication with a PC
 Entering RS232 from R/C or Analog mode
Data Logging String in R/C or Analog mode
 Command Acknowledgement
Commands Acknowledge and Error Messages
RS232 Mode if default
Command Error
 Command
Controller Commands and Queries
RS-232 Watchdog
Type
 Query Power Applied to Motors
Set Motor Command Value
Set Accessory Output
Controller Commands and Queries
 Query Amps from Battery to each Motor Channel
Syntax
 ?r or ?R
Query Analog Inputs
Query Heatsink Temperatures
?m or ?M
 Query Digital Inputs
Query Battery Voltages
Reset Controller
Examples
 Accessing & Changing Configuration Parameter in Flash
Accessing & Changing Configuration Parameter in Flash
Apply Parameter Changes
Read parameter
 Active after
Flash Configuration Parameters List
Location
 Access
Input Control Mode
Motor Control Mode
After Reset
 Definition
Amps Limit
Acceleration
 Input Switches Function
 Exponentiation on Channel 1 and Channel
Left/Right Adjust
RC Joystick or Analog Deadband
08 - Channel
 0B - Encoder
Default Encoder Time Base 1 and
Default Encoder Distance Divider
0C - Encoder
 0F - Proportional Gain
Default PID Gains
Joystick Min, Max and Center Values
10 - Integral Gain
 Reading & Changing Operating Parameters at Runtime
Reading & Changing Operating Parameters at Runtime
 Access Read/Write Effective Instantly
Operating Modes Registers
Read/Change PID Values
80 - Channel
 Address Access Read/Write Effective Instantly
PWM Frequency Register
Controller Status Register
Fault Condition
 Model or Function
Controller Identification Register
Current Amps Limit Registers
8B - Channel
 Read Encoder Counter
RS232 Encoder Command Set
Set/Reset Encoder Counters and Destination Registers
RS232 Encoder Command Set
 7 Set Encoder 1 destination register with value in buffer
Read Speed
q or !Q n
8 Set Encoder 2 destination register with value in buffer
 Read Speed/Distance
Read Encoder Limit Switch Status
Read Distance
 Switch
Important Note
Read / Modify Encoder Module Registers and Parameters
n Value
 Parameter Description
Size
 Encoder Hardware ID code
Switch Status
Register Description
Address *84
 Counter 1 and
Speed or Distance 1 or
Counter Read/Write Mailbox
Destination Register 1 and
 Time Base 1 and
Distance 1 and
Speed 1 and
Encoder Threshold
 Default Value
Counter Read Data Format
RC Pulse Outputs Activation
Counter Read Data Format
 Controller Output
Decimal
32-bit Hex
 Automatic Switching from RS232 to RC Mode
Automatic Switching from RS232 to RC Mode
 Data Logging Cables
00 11 22 33 44 55 66 77 88 99 AA BB CC
Analog and R/C Modes Data Logging String Format
 Decimal to Hexadecimal Conversion Table
Decimal to Hexadecimal Conversion Table
 AX3500 Motor Controller User’s Manual
 Decimal to Hexadecimal Conversion Table
AX3500 Motor Controller User’s Manual
 AX3500 Motor Controller User’s Manual
 Programming Methods
SECTION 15 Configuring the Controller using the Switches
Programming using built-in Switches and Display
 Program
Entering Programming Mode
Configuring the Controller using the Switches
 Programming using built-in Switches and Display
Changing parameters
The Special Case of Joystick Calibration
 Programmable Parameters List
Restoring factory defaults
Exiting the Parameter Setting Mode
This manual is for software version 1.9b
 cannot be selected using the switches
Possible Values default
For safety reasons, the modes below
Programmable Parameters List
 Order
 System Requirements
SECTION 16 Using the Roborun Configuration Utility
Downloading and Installing the Utility
 Connecting the Controller to the PC
Using the Roborun Configuration Utility
 1- Program Revision Number
Roborun Frame, Tab and Menu Descriptions
Roborun Frame, Tab and Menu Descriptions
2- Controller and Communication Link Information
 4- File and Program Management Commands
Getting On-Screen Help
3- Parameter Selection and Setting and Special Functions
5- View Controller Connector Pinout
 Loading, Changing Controller Parameters
Control Settings
Loading, Changing Controller Parameters
1- Controller Input
 4- Emergency Stop or Invert Switch Select
Power Settings
3- Input Command Adjustment
5- Effect of Digital Inputs
 3- Acceleration Setting
Analog or R/C Specific Settings
Loading, Changing Controller Parameters 2- Left/Right Adjust
1- Deadband
 Encoder Setting and Testing
Closed Loop Parameters
 Encoder Module Parameters Setting
Encoder Setting and Testing
 Viewing Encoder Data
RC Output Testing
Exercising the Motors
 Running the Motors
Running the Motors
 3- Measurement
2- Motor Power setting
1- Run/Stop Button
 5- Transmit and Receive Data
4- Real-Time Strip Chart Recorder
6- Input Status and Output Setting
 8- Joystick Enable
Logging Data to Disk
7- Data Logging and Timer
4- Reset Timer button
 Data type/range
Connecting a Joystick
Parameter Header
Measured Parameter
 1- Terminal Screen
Using the Console
2- Command Entry
 4- Send Reset String
Viewing and Logging Data in Analog and R/C Modes
Loading and Saving Profiles to Disk
Viewing and Logging Data in Analog and R/C Modes
 Operating the AX3500 over a Wired or Wireless LAN
 Updating the Controller’s Software
Updating the Controller’s Software
 Creating Customized Object Files
Updating the Encoder Software
 Creating Customized Object Files
 Version 1.9b. June 1
 Mechanical Dimensions
Mechanical Specifications
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
Wire Dimensions
Weight
 Version 1.9b. June 1
Mechanical Specifications
AX3500 Motor Controller User’s Manual