Need some help with selecting the best method to interface wheel encoders to my
Magnus
Posts: 18
Hi,
I have decided to add optical encoders to the wheels on my robot. I have been googeling for quite some time and it doesn't look that there is a standard way of doing this.
The frequences are not that extreme with 4 RPMs and 36 stripes on the encoder wheel we are talking about 300 ticks per second. But i need to poll four encoders to get the speed and direction of two wheels.
I have eveluated three deifferent approaches:
1. connect two optical encoders directly to the Javelin. While that might be possible i thing it will make it extremely hard to write the rest of the code and still beeing able to keep track of all pulses and time them.
2. Use my spare Basic Stamp (BS2E) as a separate counter/timer. This could be a possible way, but how do i interface the Javeling with the BS2 in a way that i don't loose any counts from the encoders.
3. Buy/build dedicated hardware to do the counting and timing. I'm no expert in designing circuits from scratch, but can anyone direct me to a solution or a chip that could help me do the job?
Any help or directions would p
I have decided to add optical encoders to the wheels on my robot. I have been googeling for quite some time and it doesn't look that there is a standard way of doing this.
The frequences are not that extreme with 4 RPMs and 36 stripes on the encoder wheel we are talking about 300 ticks per second. But i need to poll four encoders to get the speed and direction of two wheels.
I have eveluated three deifferent approaches:
1. connect two optical encoders directly to the Javelin. While that might be possible i thing it will make it extremely hard to write the rest of the code and still beeing able to keep track of all pulses and time them.
2. Use my spare Basic Stamp (BS2E) as a separate counter/timer. This could be a possible way, but how do i interface the Javeling with the BS2 in a way that i don't loose any counts from the encoders.
3. Buy/build dedicated hardware to do the counting and timing. I'm no expert in designing circuits from scratch, but can anyone direct me to a solution or a chip that could help me do the job?
Any help or directions would p
Comments
There is also a version designed to work with a servo. You can see it here: http://www.nubotics.com/
I wonder if something similar is possible to build arounf the BS2. Do you think it has enough power to do the counting and still handle some kind of serial communications? Controling the motors could probably be handeled by the Javelin.
/Magnus
I am sure they can help you.
regards peter
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Check the site again. The WC-132 WheelCommander differential drive motion controller is now available.
What resolution are your encoders?