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