MINI SSC II (was Ferrettronics)

Archiver

What about this? Has anyone used Scott Edwards Mini SSC II servo controller?
http://www.seetron.com/ssc.htm If so how did it work for you? It appears to
be a little bit easier to program.

Thanks
Cory

Archiver

Actually..

I used a Ferretronics chip with the circuitboard to run 2 servos for
my remote webcam platform without any problems at all..

I used Java and the JDK from the site to write some apps to let me
control it over the net..

The JDK has all the functions you need to send signals to the com
port..

If you'd like, send me a private email and I can send you the code I
used, or any other help..

Sean

--- In basicstamps@egroups.com, "Stratton Design Studios" <cory@s...>
wrote:
> What about this? Has anyone used Scott Edwards Mini SSC II servo
controller?
> http://www.seetron.com/ssc.htm If so how did it work for you? It
appears to
> be a little bit easier to program.
>
> Thanks
> Cory

Archiver

The Mini SSC II is a better value at 44.00 than the Ferrettronics
chip for 19.95. The SSC is an assembled and tested module with 8
outputs and 9600 bps capability (F-chips are chips, 5 channels, and
limited to 2400 bps). The SSC is easily expandable by simply daisy-
chaining units together; the F-chips require a separate 'switchboard'
chip to sort out the addressing.

Finally, if you want to assess value by a strictly engineering
approach, try this: add up the bill-of-materials cost of the SSC and
the F-chip to determine what it would cost to replicate each product.
In single quantity puchase, it would be difficult to build an SSC
from parts for much less than its assembled cost (including voltage
regulator, connectors, configuration jumpers, pcb, PC16C620-20/P
controller, etc.). The F-chip consists of one PIC 12C-series chip
which sells for less than 3.00 in single qty.

That said, many users have recognized the value of the SSC since its
introduction (in the larger, but recognizable form of the SSC I) in
1993. See www.seetron.com/ssclinks.htm for a list of
users' project sites or www.lynxmotion.com for cool robots based on
the SSC. Also see www.seetron.com/ssc.htm for a list of 3rd-party
software products that support the SSC.

If you have limited space, modest servo-control requirements, and
need a chip-sized solution, by all means consider the F-chips. But
for value and ease-of-use, the SSC is the better value.

I'm not going to kid you--I'm not impartial. I designed the Mini SSC
and part of my living comes from manufacturing these guys. My
products (serial LCDs, SSC, etc.) have broken new ground and have
been relentlessly imitated. For the most part, I give my competitors
a free pass, but occasionally it's fun to stir the pot ;-)

--Scott Edwards