Shop OBEX P1 Docs P2 Docs Learn Events
Propeller Robot Control Board - Looks Like A Major Step In A Good Direction — Parallax Forums

Propeller Robot Control Board - Looks Like A Major Step In A Good Direction

idbruceidbruce Posts: 6,197
edited 2011-07-31 11:56 in Propeller 1
Hello Everyone

Now that's the kind of stuff I have been talking about. With a HV Proto Board like the one I mentioned, the movers and shakers can prototype a wide variety of boards like this one.

Propeller Robot Control Board
http://www.parallax.com/Store/Microcontrollers/PropellerDevelopmentBoards/tabid/514/CategoryID/73/List/0/SortField/0/catpageindex/2/Level/a/ProductID/584/Default.aspx

Very Well Done Parallax!!!

Bruce

Comments

  • graffixgraffix Posts: 389
    edited 2011-07-22 21:41
    Very Nice!!!
  • idbruceidbruce Posts: 6,197
    edited 2011-07-22 22:25
    And Mr. Parallax, I see you used the L6205 DMOS Dual Full Bridge. Very nice choice :)

    Bruce

    P.S. I hope this board ends up being a best seller for you. I will keep my fingers crossed.
  • JonnyMacJonnyMac Posts: 9,208
    edited 2011-07-23 07:38
    That board has been around a while. Note that the enable inputs of the L6205 are hard-wired; you need to mod the board to allow the outputs to coast. I've worked with that chip in a pan/tilt controller for movie and video cameras and the coast feature is desirable.
  • idbruceidbruce Posts: 6,197
    edited 2011-07-23 07:52
    @JonnyMac
    That board has been around a while.

    That's the first time I have ever seen that board. They were showing it on the homepage, so I went searching to find out what it was. Low and behold, a board with a L6205 chip. Hard to believe that I have missed that board in the Propeller products.
    Note that the enable inputs of the L6205 are hard-wired; you need to mod the board to allow the outputs to coast.

    I am really surprised that they configured the board like that. I missed that at first glance, but now that you mention it, I believe that board needs an update.
    I've worked with that chip in a pan/tilt controller for movie and video cameras and the coast feature is desirable.

    Did you use stepper motors or regular dc motors for this project?

    Bruce
  • PublisonPublison Posts: 12,366
    edited 2011-07-23 08:07
    idbruce wrote: »

    Did you use stepper motors or regular dc motors for this project?

    Bruce

    Regular motors. This board is used on the Stingray:

    http://www.parallax.com/Store/Robots/AllRobots/tabid/755/CategoryID/73/List/0/SortField/0/Level/a/ProductID/601/Default.aspx
  • idbruceidbruce Posts: 6,197
    edited 2011-07-23 08:11
    @Publison - I would imagine that JonnyMac created his own board for his project, at which point he could have used either stepper or regular dc motors :)

    Bruce
  • PublisonPublison Posts: 12,366
    edited 2011-07-23 08:35
    idbruce wrote: »
    @Publison - I would imagine that JonnyMac created his own board for his project, at which point he could have used either stepper or regular dc motors :)

    Bruce

    I believe Jon was using DC motors. I let him confirm. He described a little bit about a project in the recent Nuts and Volts Spin Zone article (July 2011).
  • JonnyMacJonnyMac Posts: 9,208
    edited 2011-07-23 10:39
    Did you use stepper motors or regular dc motors for this project?

    DC motors; the board replaced a previous SX design (also by me) for an existing pan/tilt mechanism.

    And yes, I did layout a custom board for the client (the product is in production now). In addition to the Propeller and the motor driver circuity it has an eight-channel ADC (MCP3208) to monitor joysticks, pots, motor current, and input voltage.
  • idbruceidbruce Posts: 6,197
    edited 2011-07-23 10:41
    @JonnyMac - Hmmmm......
  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2011-07-23 10:47
    Jon,

    I'd be curious to know why an H-bridge (or, rather a dual H-bridge) is not appropriate for stepper motors (of the bipolar variety, of course).

    -Phil
  • idbruceidbruce Posts: 6,197
    edited 2011-07-23 10:48
    It was a slip of the tongue :) He spoke before thinking :)
  • JonnyMacJonnyMac Posts: 9,208
    edited 2011-07-23 10:50
    (of the bipolar variety, of course).

    Yes, I had unipolar steppers (which I tend to use) on my mind when I first posted. As noted, I corrected all-too-quick response.
  • idbruceidbruce Posts: 6,197
    edited 2011-07-23 10:51
    That's okay Jon, Been there :)
  • $WMc%$WMc% Posts: 1,884
    edited 2011-07-23 15:12
    Hello Bruce
    '
    JonnyMac has a very clever approach at using PWM in its own cog.(see the SPIN ZONE July 2011 issue Nuts&Volts mag.)
    '
    I might try to code this over to PropBasic later this week end.
    '
    Have fun. See-Ya!!!
  • JonnyMacJonnyMac Posts: 9,208
    edited 2011-07-24 09:59
    JonnyMac has a very clever approach at using PWM in its own cog.

    Thanks, Walt, though that's not my original idea; I adapted it from AN001 (converted PASM to Spin) -- and I have put that to use in projects like the Pan/Tilt controller mentioned above. Considering the simplicity and the use of counters to do the heavy lifting you should have no trouble converting it to PropBASIC.
  • idbruceidbruce Posts: 6,197
    edited 2011-07-24 10:33
    @Walt

    I hope all is going well. I am currently not a subscriber to Nuts & Volts, so I was unable to access the full article, however I was able to view the source code. I looked at it briefly for a minute or two, but I currently have my hands full, so I will have to get back to it later and take a better look.

    Hey Walt, wasn't that you that told me you adapted flywheels to your bush hog? If so, when are you going to post a pic of the monster?

    Bruce
  • DonEduardoDonEduardo Posts: 54
    edited 2011-07-31 11:31
    Thanks for bringing the board to my attention.But it now says discontinued.?

    Is a replacement coming?
  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2011-07-31 11:38
    The MSR1 board had some design issues that were discussed here:

    I'm guessing there will be a new version with the cited issues corrected.

    -Phil
  • DonEduardoDonEduardo Posts: 54
    edited 2011-07-31 11:56
    Sounds good. Will keep a lookout. Thanks.
Sign In or Register to comment.