Shop OBEX P1 Docs P2 Docs Learn Events
Parallax Servo Controller why discontinued — Parallax Forums

Parallax Servo Controller why discontinued

Tony B.Tony B. Posts: 356
edited 2009-08-15 03:14 in General Discussion
Does anyone know why Parallax has discontinued both the USB and now the Serial Servo Controller Boards?· Is something better coming?

Tony

▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
Tony

·

Comments

  • mikedivmikediv Posts: 825
    edited 2009-07-29 17:49
    Because I bought one,,, LOL sorry I couldn't resist ,, Honestly I do not know usually its beacuse the company has found a better faster cheaper replacement.
    But I have found Parallax is pretty good about keeping an out of date section on the website with docs and some support which is very nice of them .
  • Tony B.Tony B. Posts: 356
    edited 2009-07-29 23:19
    I noticed this later on the product page " Looking for a servo controller? Keep your eyes peeled for the Propeller Servo Controller (Coming Soon!)." Could be interesting. I wonder if the Propeller is going to be on board?

    Mike I liked your joke. That's how I was feeling

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Tony

    ·
  • Brian CarpenterBrian Carpenter Posts: 728
    edited 2009-07-30 04:00
    Yes it will

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔


    It's Only A Stupid Question If You Have Not Googled It First!!
  • Mike GreenMike Green Posts: 23,101
    edited 2009-07-30 04:19
    They must be very close to release of a Propeller-based Servo Controller. It makes perfect sense. The Propeller can control up to 28 servos assuming it uses 2 I/O pins for the serial link and 2 I/O pins for an EEPROM. The I/O drivers to do this already exist and it wouldn't take much additional coding to glue it all together with a compatible serial command interpreter that could have lots of additional functionality if desired.
  • Beau SchwabeBeau Schwabe Posts: 6,568
    edited 2009-08-04 04:43
    This link may shed some light as to why the current Servo Controller is being discontinued...

    http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=827942

    ...The new Propeller Servo Controller will be 100% backwards compatable with the current Servo Controller(s) offering 'extended' features and enhancements that the current controller can not provide.· The new Propeller Servo Controller is capable of handling both USB and Serial, so a single controller option from Parallax·makes sence.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Beau Schwabe

    IC Layout Engineer
    Parallax, Inc.

    Post Edited (Beau Schwabe (Parallax)) : 8/4/2009 4:50:58 AM GMT
  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2009-08-04 17:37
    I thought the PSC used a pSOC, not an SX.

    In any event, I hope the LED on the input pin is given its own transistor driver this time, which will yield a higher input inpedance and make it compatible with more products.

    -Phil
  • Ken GraceyKen Gracey Posts: 7,403
    edited 2009-08-04 18:04
    And the firmware will be open-sourced. There's a programming header on the new Propeller Serial Servo Controller.

    It's in production right now (and has been for some time).

    Ken Gracey
  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2009-08-11 17:36
    Phil,

    The LED on the new servo controller is handled by a separate I/O pin controlled by the firmware. It is not connected to the serial input line. In fact, you will find that even though the new servo controller is backward compatible, it has many new enhancements as well and the ability to do so much more, which is why the software is open-source.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Chris Savage
    Parallax Engineering
  • $WMc%$WMc% Posts: 1,884
    edited 2009-08-13 01:12
    Mr.Ken Gracey

    "new Propeller Serial Servo Controller. It's in production right now (and has been for some time). "

    I didn't see this in the Parallax Store page, How do I get one of these controllers?

    You stated that its in production.

    _________________$WMc%______________

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    The Truth is out there············································ BoogerWoods, FL. USA
  • John R.John R. Posts: 1,376
    edited 2009-08-13 02:21
    My take: "In Production" - Meaning boards are being fabricated, parts being purchased, tooling, jigs fixtures, etc. being developed, test specs being written, stuff being assembled, etc.

    Not the same as "produced, packaged, documentation written and ready for sale".

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    John R.
    Click here to see my Nomad Build Log
  • $WMc%$WMc% Posts: 1,884
    edited 2009-08-15 01:29
    Why don't they just press the EASY BUTTON ...like in the Staples commercials...for the new Servo Controller.??????

    I was actually looking for a preproduction unit, Sometimes you get lucky. So much for wishful thinking.

    I'm at the point in a large project were I need the hardware to complete it (old/new). I don't have the old hardware (discontinued) before I could get a few, and I'm so impatient that it kills me to have to wait for the new hardware.

    I've tried the EASY BUTTON for a Servo Controller but it didn't work. I think I need to debounce the contacts!!!!!!


    _______________$WMc%_____________

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    The Truth is out there············································ BoogerWoods, FL. USA
  • SRLMSRLM Posts: 5,045
    edited 2009-08-15 03:14
    @WMc

    I have a spare (two actually) of the discontinued USB PSCs. If you PM me you address, I'll send you one (or both, and/or a broken burned out one...).
Sign In or Register to comment.