Since it uses serial data to control servos, almost any microcontroller can communicate to it, including the Arduino.
For this example, we will be communicating to the SSC-32 with an Arduino at 9600bps.
The first step is to set the baud rate on the SSC-32. Just place a shorting block on the right hand side of the two baud rate pins. See below for a picture.
(Image from
http://learnhub.com/redirect?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lynxmotion.com%2Fimages%2Fhtml%2Fbuild136.htm%29
Next, you have to connect a jumper from RX on the SSC-32 to TX on the Arduino. Additionally, you have to connect a jumper from Ground (next to RX) on the SSC-32 to Ground on the Arduino. In the picture below, the yellow jumper is from RX to TX, and the grey jumper is from Ground to Ground.
(Image from http://learnhub.com/redirect?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lynxmotion.com%2Fimages%2Fhtml%2Fbuild136.htm%29
There are two separate powering options that you will have to consider. The first is the power for the board, and the second is power for the servos. I highly recommend powering the board separately from the servos. For powering the board, I give the SSC-32 +5V from the Arduino. For powering the servos, I give it about 13V, which changes to about 10V under load. However, it is your choice about how you want to power it.
Now, connect a servo to the first port on the SSC-32, power up the board and the Arduino - let's try a sample program to control it!
Download this program into your Arduino:
void setup() {
Serial.begin(9600);
}
void loop() {
move(1, 2000, 100);
move(1, 1000, 100);
}
void move(int servo, int position, int time) {
Serial.print("#");
Serial.print(servo);
Serial.print(" P");
Serial.print(position);
Serial.print(" T");
Serial.println(time);
delay(time);
}
You should see your servo moving!
If you don't see it moving, try adjusting the 2000 and 1000 values. If that still does not work, check all of your connections. The RX-TX cable might have come loose, or there is not enough power for the board and/or servo, the baud rate isn't set properly, or the servo is not plugged in correctly.
Good luck, and have fun!
Please don't hesitate to post a comment or drop me an email if you have any questions.
Want ideas about things you could do with servos? Check out my site: robotgrrl.com
Next, you have to connect a jumper from RX on the SSC-32 to TX on the Arduino. Additionally, you have to connect a jumper from Ground (next to RX) on the SSC-32 to Ground on the Arduino. In the picture below, the yellow jumper is from RX to TX, and the grey jumper is from Ground to Ground.
(Image from http://learnhub.com/redirect?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lynxmotion.com%2Fimages%2Fhtml%2Fbuild136.htm%29
There are two separate powering options that you will have to consider. The first is the power for the board, and the second is power for the servos. I highly recommend powering the board separately from the servos. For powering the board, I give the SSC-32 +5V from the Arduino. For powering the servos, I give it about 13V, which changes to about 10V under load. However, it is your choice about how you want to power it.
Now, connect a servo to the first port on the SSC-32, power up the board and the Arduino - let's try a sample program to control it!
Download this program into your Arduino:
void setup() {
Serial.begin(9600);
}
void loop() {
move(1, 2000, 100);
move(1, 1000, 100);
}
void move(int servo, int position, int time) {
Serial.print("#");
Serial.print(servo);
Serial.print(" P");
Serial.print(position);
Serial.print(" T");
Serial.println(time);
delay(time);
}
You should see your servo moving!
If you don't see it moving, try adjusting the 2000 and 1000 values. If that still does not work, check all of your connections. The RX-TX cable might have come loose, or there is not enough power for the board and/or servo, the baud rate isn't set properly, or the servo is not plugged in correctly.
Good luck, and have fun!
Please don't hesitate to post a comment or drop me an email if you have any questions.
Want ideas about things you could do with servos? Check out my site: robotgrrl.com
