Brushless Motor Microcontoller

[JesseK]

I can't seem to find a direct answer to this question, so I have to ask! I want to get into R/C in the offseason, yet I don't simply want to drive the car .. I want it to mess around with autonomous driving. I don't doubt that the micro controller requirements will grow as I get more involved with this, but for the first year I need a controller that's capable of handling 6 analog sensors, 6 digital sensors, 1 servo output and 1-2 outputs for brushless motors.

The problem I have with this is that I'm not sure if a brushless motor control is the same as a brushed motor control, from the communications signal perspective. For instance -- can I use the VEX microcontroller I already have to control a brushless motor controller that supports a PWM input? I've forgotten most of what I learned as an EE where analog circuits are concerned since I've done mostly embedded and upper-level programming since I got out of college ... so purchasing a chip (like an arduino) and designing a circuit is alot more than I'd like to have to do at the moment.

[billbo911]

As far as I know, hobby style brushless motor controllers use the same 1-2ms, ~50Hz PWM signal that the brushed controllers use. This is very convenient in that a ton of work has already been done for you.

Additionally, there is already a "motor shield" built for the Arduino that meets many of your stated needs. Although, I am not certain if you will be able to use all your sensors with it AND drive all the motors.

Take a look at what is available with the Arduino, it may just be the ticket you want.

Look at Sparkfun and Adafruit. Both have a good selection of options.

[lynca]

Originally Posted by JesseK

The problem I have with this is that I'm not sure if a brushless motor control is the same as a brushed motor control, from the communications signal perspective. For instance -- can I use the VEX microcontroller I already have to control a brushless motor controller that supports a PWM input?

Yes, VEX should be able to send a PWM signal to a a brushless motor controller.
Look carefully at your motor specifications before selecting a Brushless Motor controller.
I suggest browsing a few of the R/C hobby websites.
TowerHobbies , HobbyLobby

If you want to go into more detail,
Sensorless Brushless Control
Luminary Micro Brushless Reference Design Kit

[daltore]

Looking at the Adafruit link, this shield looks like it has everything you need. 2 servo ports, those would be your brushless ones, and 4 DC outputs, so you can run either 4 DC motors, 2 stepper motors, or one stepper motor and 1/2 DC motors. It also has 6 analog input ports, and it looks like 14 digital IO (not sure which ones are in, out, or bidirectional). As long as you're on the shy side of that "1-2 brushless" quantity, you'll be fine. I'm guessing the servo would have been for Ackermann steering? Anyway, good luck.