Thread: Direct control of a Servo or Speed Controller
View Single Post
  #2   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 06-03-2006, 08:28
Russ Beavis Russ Beavis is offline
Registered User
no team
  
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Manchester, NH - DEKA R&D Corp.
Posts: 341
Russ Beavis has a reputation beyond reputeRuss Beavis has a reputation beyond reputeRuss Beavis has a reputation beyond reputeRuss Beavis has a reputation beyond reputeRuss Beavis has a reputation beyond reputeRuss Beavis has a reputation beyond reputeRuss Beavis has a reputation beyond reputeRuss Beavis has a reputation beyond reputeRuss Beavis has a reputation beyond reputeRuss Beavis has a reputation beyond reputeRuss Beavis has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Direct control of a Servo or Speed Controller
Schmitty,
As you've learned, it doesn't appear that the USB-6009 can directly create the requisite servo control signals (maybe the NI guys can shed a bit more light?). You'll either need a voltage-to-PWM signal generator (I haven't found a really easy circuit but a 555 timer is a good starting point) or some other PWM signal generator. My recommendation is to use either the CMUcam2 as a servo control or buy an off-the-shelf servo signal generator. If you really want to get down-and-dirty, you could even spin your own microcontroller-based solution to convert either a voltage output (from the USB-6009, for example) or an RS232 command to a PWM signal.

The CMUcam2 GUI app and its underlying VIs provide access to the 5 servo control signal generators.

The other option is to use an inexpensive signal generator such as the Mini-SSC II (serial servo controller). You can buy these from Jameco for about $40. Very simple RS232 serial string to control up to 8 servos.

Good Luck!
Russ
Reply With Quote