USB 30 Channel Servo Controller

SC30U - Single chip servo controller 

"Ere many generations pass, our machinery will be driven by a power obtainable at any point of the universe." - Nikola Tesla

• SC30U - A single micro serial port servo controller 
  • Possible Applications:
  • Current Features:
  • Hardware
  • Firmware
  • Planned Features:
  • Project Status:

The SC30U is a single board, single micro controller servo controller that can drive up to 30 servos independently. It is designed to power and control the typical RC type of servo found in model planes, cars and boats. The servos are controlled by a user from a host PC. The SC30 device interprets simple text commands (ASCII).

Possible Applications:

• Hobby Robotics
• Stereo vision (moving cameras)
• Automata
• Advertising displays
• Interactive displays 

Current Features:

• Independent control of 30 servos
• Enable / Disable
• 255 steps over 180 degrees resolution (~0.7 degrees per step)
• Integrated switch mode power supply (SMPS) supplying up to 5A current
• Low component count
• Small physical dimensions (100 x 50 mm)
• Universal servo connection scheme
• Range and list servo commands

Hardware

The hardware of the SC30U is based around the PIC18F4550 micro controller from Microchip.
Schematic coming soon.

Firmware

Ino coming soon.

Planned Features:

• Scripting capability - allowing user to pre-record a set of movements
• Download script to module to allow unit to function independently (without a host computer)
• Development is active on this feature
• Option to use some pins as digital IO and or servo outputs
• Development is active on this feature

Project Status:

This is a current project.
A prototype device is operational.
Further development is continuing. If you would like more information / source code please make contact using the contact page.

File Downloads

SC30U Hex file v0.1 - 06-09-2008