DC Motor Controller/Driver targets robotic vehicles.
Press Release Summary:
Microcomputer-based, dual channel Model AX1500 directly drives up to 30 A on each channel at up to 40 V. Fitted on 4.2 x 4.2 in. board, controller accepts commands from R/C radio or serial port interface. Two channels can be operated independently or combined to set direction and rotation of vehicle. Intelligent current sensing and controlling limits each channel's power output to 30 A for typical time required to accelerate or stop robot.
Original Press Release:
Roboteq Introduces Smart Dual Channel, 30Amp DC Motor Controller/Driver for Mobile Robots
Phoenix, AZ, October 28, 2005 - Roboteq, Inc (www.roboteq.com) introduces a microcomputer-based dual channel DC motor controller capable of directly driving up to 30Amps on each channel at up to 40V. The AX1500 is targeted at designers of mobile robotic vehicles including Automatic Guided Vehicles (AGV), Underwater Remote Operated Vehicles (ROVs), and robots for exploration, hazardous material handling, and military and surveillance applications. The motor controller is equally suitable to most traditional Motion Control applications in machines and factory automation.
Fitted on a compact 4.2" x 4.2" board, and targeted primarily to OEMs, the controller accepts commands from either standard R/C radio for simple remote controlled robot applications or serial port interface. Using the serial port, the AX1500 can be used to design fully or semi-autonomous robots by connecting it to single board computers, wireless modems or wireless LAN adapters.
The controller's two channels can be operated independently or combined to set the direction and rotation of a vehicle by coordinating the motion on each side of the vehicle. The motors may be operated in open or closed loop speed mode.
Using position sensors, they may also be set to operate as heavy-duty position servos.
The AX1500 features intelligent current sensing and controlling that will automatically limit each channel's power output to 30A for the time typically required to accelerate or stop a robot. If the motor's current draw remains excessive after that time (as in the case of stalled motor or other unusual loading), the controller will gradually reduce the power to user-selected values.
The controller supports a long list of features, including analog and digital I/Os for accessories and sensors, thermal protection, programmable acceleration, input command watchdog and non-volatile storage of configuration parameters.
The AX1500 can be reprogrammed in the field with the latest features by downloading new operating software from Roboteq's web site.
The AX1500 is offered as a board-level product.. The board may be ordered as a single channel controller capable of driving up to 60A loads.
The AX1500 is available now at $275 in single quantities, complete with cable and configuration software. Product information, application examples and software can be downloaded from the company's web site at www.roboteq.com.
About Roboteq
Founded in 2001 by experts in embedded computing and power electronics, Roboteq's mission is to develop products and technologies that allow novices and professionals alike to build innovative, flexible and affordable mobile robots. Roboteq controllers are now used in nearly 1000 different robot designs around the world.
