Dual Channel Digital Motor Controller
AX500
AX500 Motor Controller User’s Manual
Revision History
Revision History
Date Version Changes
AX500 Motor Controller User’s Manual
Section
Section
Section
101
112
Operating the AX500 over a Wired or Wireless LAN
To the Battery
Important Safety
Avoid Shorts when Mounting Board against Chassis
Do not Connect to a RC Radio with a Battery Attached
Important Safety Warnings
What you will need
Locating the Connectors
AX500
Quick Start
VMot for the controller
Power Must be con
AX500 Quick Start
Nected to VCon
Connecting to the Batteries and Motors
Connecting to the Batteries and Motors
Connecting to the 15-pin Connector
Connecting the R/C Radio
Signal Pin RC Mode RS232 Mode Analog Mode
Powering On the Controller
Powering On the Controller
Default Controller Configuration
Connecting the controller to your PC using Roborun
Parameter Default Values Letter
Obtaining the Controller’s Software Revision Number
Obtaining the Controller’s Software Revision Number
Exploring further
Product Description
AX500 Motor Controller Overview
Technical features
Advanced Safety Features
Technical features
Low Power Consumption
High Efficiency Motor Power Outputs
Data Logging Capabilities
Connecting Power and Motors to the Controller
Power Connections
Power Connections
Connecting Power and Motors to the Controller
Controller Power
VCon VMot Controller Status
Controller Powering Schemes
Powering the Controller from a single Battery
Controller Powering Schemes
Powering the Controller Using a Main and Backup Battery
Connecting the Motors
Single Channel Operation
Single Channel Operation
Converting the AX500 to Single Channel
Power Fuses
Wire Length Limits
Power Regeneration Considerations
Electrical Noise Reduction Techniques
Undervoltage Protection
Overvoltage Protection
Using the Controller with a Power Supply
Using the Controller with a Power Supply
Connecting Power and Motors to the Controller
Basic Operation
Input Command Modes
General Operation
Basic Operation
General Operation
Selecting the Motor Control Modes
Open Loop, Separate Speed Control
Open Loop, Mixed Speed Control
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
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
Activating Brake Release or Separate Motor Excitation
Emergency Stop using External Switch
Activating Brake Release or Separate Motor Excitation
Inverted Operation
Using the Inputs to Activate the Buffered Output
Special Use of Accessory Digital Inputs
Connecting Sensors and Actuators to Input/Outputs
AX500 Connections
AX500 Connections
AX500’s Inputs and Outputs
Connecting Sensors and Actuators to Input/Outputs
AX500’s Inputs and Outputs
Signal Type Use Activated
List and Pin Assignment
Pin1
Connecting devices to Output C
Connecting devices to Output C
Connecting Switches or Devices to Input F
Connecting Switches or Devices to Input E
Connecting Switches or Devices to EStop/Invert Input
Connecting Switches or Devices to EStop/Invert Input
Analog Inputs
Connecting Position Potentiometers to 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
Resistance kOhm
Connecting External Thermistor to Analog Inputs
Connecting External Thermistor to Analog Inputs
Temp oC
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
Mode Description
Closed Loop Position Mode
Mode Description
Selecting the Position Mode
Closed Loop Position Mode
Position Sensor Selection
Sensor Mounting
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
Sensor and Motor Polarity
Sensor and Motor Polarity
Adding Safety Limit Switches
Encoder Error Detection and Protection
Adding Safety Limit Switches
Control Loop Description
Using Current Limiting as Protection
PID tuning in Position Mode
PID tuning in Position Mode
Closed Loop Position Mode
Selecting the Speed Mode
Closed Loop Speed Mode
Speed Sensor and Motor Polarity
Tachometer wiring
Closed Loop Speed Mode
Tachometer or Encoder Mounting
Adjust Offset and Max Speed
Adjust Offset and Max Speed
Control Loop Description
PID tuning in Speed Mode
PID tuning in Speed Mode
Closed Loop Speed Mode
Normal Operation Flashing Pattern
Normal Fault Condition LED Messages
Diagnostic LED
Diagnostic LED
Normal and Fault Condition LED Messages
Output Off / Fault Condition
C Operation
C radio control mode
Operation
Selecting the R/C Input Mode
Connector I/O Pin Assignment R/C Mode
Pin Input or Number Output Signal Description
Input Circuit Description
Supplied Cable Description
Input Circuit Description
RC connection cable
Powering the Radio from the controller
Connecting to a Separately Powered Radio
Connecting to a Separately Powered Radio
Wiring when receiver is powered by its own separate battery
Operating the Controller in R/C mode
Reception Watchdog
Reception Watchdog
Joystick Deadband Programming
Transmitter/Receiver Quality Considerations
Effect of deadband on joystick position vs. motor speed
Command Control Curves
Joystick Calibration
Left/Right Tuning Adjustment
Data Logging in R/C Mode
Data Logging in R/C Mode
DB9 Female
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
= U/R = 5V / 1000 Ohms = 0.005A = 5mA
Selecting the Potentiometer Value
Analog Deadband Adjustment
Analog Deadband Adjustment
Power-On Safety
Under Voltage Safety
Data Logging in Analog Mode
Modified Analog cable with RS232 output data logging for PC
Data Logging in Analog Mode
100
Serial RS-232 Controls Operation
Use and benefits of RS232
Use and benefits of RS232
Serial RS-232 Controls and Operation
Connector I/O Pin Assignment RS232 Mode
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
Roboteq v1.9b 06/01/07 s
Entering RS232 from R/C or Analog mode
Data Logging String in R/C or Analog mode
Establishing Manual Communication with a PC
Command Error
Commands Acknowledge and Error Messages
RS232 Mode if default
Command Acknowledgement
Watchdog time-out
Controller Commands and Queries
Command Type Description
RS-232 Watchdog
Set Accessory Output
Set Motor Command Value
Query Power Applied to Motors
Query Amps from Battery to each Motor Channel
Syntax
?m or ?M
Query Heatsink Temperatures
Query Analog Inputs
?r or ?R
Query Digital Inputs
Query Battery Voltages
Reset Controller
Controller Commands and Queries
Modify parameter
Accessing & Changing Configuration Parameter in Flash
Apply Parameter Changes
Read parameter
Flash Configuration Parameters List
Accessing & Changing Configuration Parameter in Flash
Location Description Active after
Value Mode See pages
Input Control Mode
Motor Control Mode
Address Access Read/Write Effective After Reset
Bit Definition See pages
Amps Limit
Acceleration
Input Switches Function
Address Channel Access Read/Write Effective Instantly
RC Joystick or Analog Deadband
Exponentiation on Channel 1 and Channel
Default PID Gains
Left/Right Adjust
Reading & Changing Operating Parameters at Runtime
Joystick Min, Max and Center Values
Reading & Changing Operating Parameters at Runtime
Operating Modes Registers
Location Function
Bit Function
Read/Change PID Values
PWM Frequency Register
Controller Status Register
Bit Model or Function
Bit Fault Condition Effect
Controller Identification Register
Current Amps Limit Registers
AX500 Motor Controller User’s Manual 123
124
Automatic Switching from RS232 to RC Mode
Automatic Switching from RS232 to RC Mode
Data Logging Cables
Analog and R/C Modes Data Logging String Format
Decimal to Hexadecimal Conversion Table
Decimal to Hexadecimal Conversion Table
Dec Hex
UDec Hex
AX500 Motor Controller User’s Manual 129
130
Using the Roborun Configuration Utility
Downloading and Installing the Utility
System Requirements
Using the Roborun Configuration Utility
Connecting the Controller to the PC
Parameter Selection and Setting and Special Functions
Roborun Frame, Tab and Menu Descriptions
Roborun Frame, Tab and Menu Descriptions
Loading, Changing Controller Parameters
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
Power Settings
Analog or R/C Specific Settings
Deadband
Joystick Timing
Closed Loop Parameters
Running the Motors
Measurement
Motor Power setting
Running the Motors
Run/Stop Button
Transmit and Receive Data
Real-Time Strip Chart Recorder
Input Status and Output Setting
Data Logging and Timer
Logging Data to Disk
Connecting a Joystick
Using the Console
Terminal Screen
Using the Console
Command Entry
Send Reset String
Operating the AX500 over a Wired or Wireless LAN
Viewing and Logging Data in Analog and R/C Modes
Loading and Saving Profiles to Disk
Roboserver screenshot when idle
Operating the AX500 over a Wired or Wireless LAN
Updating the Encoder Software
Updating the Controller’s Software
Creating Customized Object Files
Objectmaker creates controller firmware with custom defaults
148
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
154