This is the Revision F version of the Servo4 module. The status of this project is finished.

Servo4 Module (Revision F)

Table of Contents

This document is also available as a PDF document.

• 1. Introduction ]
• 2. Programming
• 3. Hardware
  • 3.1 Circuit Schematic
  • 3.2 Printed Circuit Board
• 4. Software
• 5. Issues

1. Introduction

The Servo4 module allows for the control of up to 4 hobby grade servos.

2. Programming

The Servo4 module can independently control up to 4 servos. Each servo has 1) an enable bit and 2) a current position. The position is represented as an 8-bit number. Some experimentation is needed to determine how the 8-bit numbers correspond to actual servo positions. All servos are initialized to have the enable flags off.

The Servo4 commands are summarized in the table below:

.

Command	Send/ Receive	Byte Value								Discussion
		7	6	5	4	3	2	1	0
Set High	Send	0	0	h	h	h	h	s	s	Set high order 4 bits of servo ss to hhhh and set the remaining 4 low order bits to zero.
Set Low	Send	0	1	l	l	l	l	s	s	Set the low order 4 bits of servo ss position to llll.
Increment	Send	1	0	0	i	i	i	s	s	Add iii to the position of servo ss.
Decrement	Send	1	0	1	d	d	d	s	s	Subtract ddd from the position of servo ss.
Set Position/Enable	Send	1	1	0	0	0	e	s	s	Select servo ss and set its position to ppppppp and enable flag to e.
	Send	p	p	p	p	p	p	p	p
Set Enable Flag	Send	1	1	0	0	1	e	s	s	Select servo ss and set its enable flag to e.
Read Position	Send	1	1	0	1	0	0	s	s	Return the current position pppppppp for servo ss.
	Receive	p	p	p	p	p	p	p	p
Read Enable	Send	1	1	0	1	0	1	s	s	Return the enable bit e for servo ss.
	Receive	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	e
Read Enables	Send	1	1	0	1	1	0	0	0	Return the enable flags eeee for all four servos.
	Receive	0	0	0	0	e	e	e	e
Set Enables	Send	1	1	0	1	1	0	0	1	Set enable flags for all four servos to eeee.
	Send	0	0	0	0	e	e	e	e
Shared Commands	Send	1	1	1	1	1	c	c	c	Execute shared command ccc.

3. Hardware

The hardware consists of a circuit schematic and a printed circuit board.

3.1 Circuit Schematic

The schematic for the Servo4 module is shown below:

The parts list kept in a separate file -- servo4.ptl.

3.2 Printed Circuit Board

The printed circuit board files are listed below:

servo4_back.png

The solder side layer is shown below:

servo4_front.png

The component side layer is shown below:

servo4_artwork.png

The artwork layer is shown below

servo4.gbl

The RS-274X "Gerber" back (solder side) layer.

servo4.gtl

The RS-274X "Gerber" top (component side) layer.

servo4.gal

The RS-274X "Gerber" artwork layer.

servo4.drl

The "Excellon" NC drill file.

servo4.tol

The "Excellon" tool rack file.

4. Software

The Servo4 software is available as one of:

servo4.ucl

The µCL source file.

servo4.asm

The resulting human readable PIC assembly file.

servo4.lst

The resulting human readable PIC listing file.

servo4.hex

The resulting Intel^® Hex file.

5. Issues

The following software issues have came up:

• There is a request for enhancement from William Hubbard for the ability to set "set points" and a command to "return to set point". Reasonable request; it might even fit.
• William Hubbard is requesting the ability to delay servo changes until a single command is sent. Reasonable request; it might be a tight fit.