AMC1280USB Motion Simulator Controller

They have been available for sale for years.

They are up for sale for years now, but now there is a good chance to get them with lower price than ever thanks to the crowdfunding of Kickstarter. Mass production is the reason you get a hamburger for $1 at McDonalds for example... ok that is not very good example that food sucks...

Thanks
Thanos

@Thanos honestly maybe you could explain in a few words why your controller is more worth in comparison to the Arduino/Sabertooth configurations?

Good question!

what about PID setup? auto-setup? internal frequency?
is there a software which can visualize the gap between order and position (like SMC3?)
https://www.xsimulator.net/communit...driver-and-windows-utilities.4957/#post-48121

PWM output frequency?

Hi,

There is already Autotune and configurator software for the AMC1280USB, and it will be updated to include additional features that were added so far and the new ones that I'm adding now.







And here is a list of the AMC1280USB features (I won't compare to arduino as they run on different language). The arduino runs on C language, while the AMC1280USB runs on Bascom with raw optimized Assembly snippets for the time critical processes and interrupts.

The internal loop runtime of the controller is 1000 times per second, and its scaling down or up depending on the sensor input or output components selected. All the settings can be done via the LCD menu system which gets disabled when the motors are in ON-LINE state (can be overridden).





Sensors support:

• Analog 0-5v , hardware resolution fast 10-bit , adjustable ADC register bits manipulation for multiple burst readings to increase resolution up to 16-bit.
• Digital 12-bit SSI Magnetic Contact-less 360degrees sensors support (AEAT-6012-A06), adjustable for 180 or 360 reading. (Adding support for 14-bit SPI sensors and 16-bit SPI ADC modules soon)

Outputs Main board only (not including 6DOF ext board):

• Fast PWM 8-bit , 31Khz or 4Khz (Uni-directional or Bi-directional)
• Pulse - Burst mode up to 16-bit pulses for Servo drives with Pulse/Step inputs.
• High resolution, PWM, 12-bit, 64hz to 1.6khz (Uni-directional or Bi-directional)
• Analog out 0-5v DAC 12-bit ( Sabertooth support)
• RC servos direct support 12-bit positioning with acceleration profile (to emulate real motors).

Includes Limit switches input circuit that can be modular and rewired as needed. A must for linear actuators that use Sabertooth and you cannot block the direction pins as in normal PWM.

Includes Master Kill switch that can be configured to Kill all motor motion signals, or force the platform to move slowly to Home position or Park (to get in or out of the platform).

That's all I remember for now, I won't add the details of how is also being used as force feedback steering device ( that is another story).


Thanks
Thanos

Hi @Thanos!

From your website, it looks like your board has to be put onto an arduino? I'm a bit lost...

So, in case of Sabertooth driver,
is the comparison between Arduino/AMC/sabertooth versus Arduino/Sabertooth?

Hi, I think there is a little bit of confusion here. ARDUINO is JUST SOFTWARE!!!!! Its a BOOTLOADER and IDE to program the ATMEL chips.

I happen to use a ATMEL chip, the ATmega1280, which is conveniently widely available on some older versions of Arduino Mega boards. I use those as they already have the Atmega1280 chip I need and the FTDI chipset already mounted. I get these boards and I FLASH my own custom BOOTLOADER that is not arduino at all. The Custom Bootloader I use is designed to decrypt the free firmware updates I have available for all existing AMC1280USB owners, old and new. The AMC1280USB firmware is compiled using Bascom and Assembly, does not have any C and DOES NOT use any arduino code or libraries.

Now the beauty of using those ready ATmega1280 boards is that I can replace them easily if they are damaged, or like in my latest offer, existing AMC1280USB owners can re-use them in newer PCB's for easy upgrade of the AMC1280USB hardware.

https://www.kickstarter.com/project...erface-for-motion-simulator-pla/posts/1944444




I hope that clears any confusion. So it not a easy as you think to compare the AMC1280USB to an arduino as they are not the same things at all!.
Besides the "arduino" drives the sabertooth via serial interface (possible delay here for transmission of data if not wrong), while the AMC1280USB drive the Sabetooth using 12-bit DAC analog voltages (up to 8 of them in latest revision PCB ).


Thanks
Thanos

For comparison an arduino uno with SMC3-SPS can drive one sabertooth using packet serial mode at over 600 motor updates per second. So any delay present in serial transmission is inconsequential. Also if there are any connection issues between an arduino and sabertooth during operation when using packet serial mode the sabertooth can be programmed to shut itself down. However when using the analog method and there are connection issues (such as a short from a loose connection in the wiring) the affected motor will begin running at full speed since 0v equals full speed in the motors backwards direction.

Good luck though with your kickstarter project as it offers more options especially for VFD users.

So serial is safer?

Please discuss further on this by opening a new thread. Thank you.

Okay, Arduino board is only used to update the AMC firmware and during normal operation, there's no arduino in the circuit?

There is no Arduino.... why you insist that is arduino? Take any Arduino board and try to load the AMC1280USB firmware... It just won't work!

After I install my own Bootloader and firmware, the ATmega1280 board that looks to you like "arduino" is arduino no more!

Watch those two videos: See any arduino IDE or software or anything related?








Thanks
Thanos

From the Sabertooth manual:

DIP switch 6 selects between bidirection and single direction modes. Bidirection control is selected by setting DIP switch 6 to the ON position. In this mode, an input signal of 2.5 volts is stopped. Voltages higher than 2.5 volts cause the motor to go forward, and voltages less than 2.5 volts cause the motor to go in reverse. Single direction mode is selected by setting DIP switch 6 to the OFF position. In this mode, a command of 0V stops the motor and a command of 5V is full speed. The direction the motor runs can be controlled by the A1 and A2 inputs. If you connect a switch between 5V and A1, it will act as a forward/reverse switch for the signal being fed into S1.
https://www.dimensionengineering.com/datasheets/Sabertooth2x32.pdf

You can also use single direction analog signal with extra pin to select Forward/Reverse!
Analog signal for speed: S1
Digital Direction Pin: A1

Alternatively you can change the MIN and Max of analog voltage input to be higher that 0 volts so it won't activate the motor until the analog signal is in the range of the sabertooth (Sabetooth range can be: 0.1v Min to 2.5v center, to 4.9v Max).

I hope that helps.

PS. Good luck with the serial interface, its great for controlling one motor driver per arduino.


Thanks
Thanos

One motor ? Don't you mean 1 motor driver ?

understood!

I think that's the reason for the confusion. Since you are repurposing the Arduino hardware with new firmware, it still looks like an Arduino even though it's functionality has totally changed. It's probably not obvious to many what you're doing.

But that's a really good idea. You get all the speed and power of the Atmel micros on a prebuilt board that is easy to incorporate into other designs. Very clever!

Yes, forgot the "driver" word there.

Thanks
Thanos

Body language gave it up! LOL

Nearly there only $1500 to go, i think you may just hit your target

I am driving 3 Sabertooth 2x32 @115200 bauds and 6 motors with an Arduino Micro using SoftwareSerial