RoboteQ AX2850 - Manual (Page 25)

AX2550 Motor Controller User’s Manual 25
SECTION 3
AX2550 Motor
Controller
Overview
Congratulations! By selecting Roboteq’s AX2550 you have empowered yourself
with the industry’s most versatile, powerful and programmable DC Motor Controller
for mobile robots. This manual will guide you step by step through its many possibil-
ities.
Product Description
The AX2550 is a highly configurable, microcomputer-based, dual-channel digital
speed or position controller with built-in high power drivers. The controller is
designed to interface directly to high power DC motors in computer controlled or
remote controlled mobile robotics and automated vehicle applications.
The AX2550 controller can accept speed or position commands in a variety of ways:
pulse-width based control from a standard Radio Control receiver, Analog Voltage
commands, or RS-232 commands from a microcontroller or wireless modem.
The controller's two channels can be operated independently or can be combined to
set the forward/reverse direction and steering of a vehicle by coordinating the
motion on each side of the vehicle. In the speed control mode, the AX2550 can
operate in open loop or closed loop. In closed loop operation, actual speed measure-
ments from tachometers or optical encoders are used to verify that the motor is
rotating at the desired speed and direction and to adjust the power to the motors
accordingly.
The AX2550 can also be configured to operate as a precision, high torque servo con-
troller. When connected to a potentiometer coupled to the motor assembly, the
controller will command the motor to rotate up to a desired angular position.
Depending on the DC motor's power and gear ratio, the AX2550 can be used to
move or rotate steering columns or other physical objects with very high torque.
The AX2550 is fitted with many safety features ensuring a secure power-on start,
automatic stop in case of command loss, over current protection on both channels,
and overheat protection.