Designed for maximal ease-of-use in OEM applications, it is delivered with all necessary cables and hardware and is ready to use in minutes. The controller's two channels can either be operated independently or mixed 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 low-cost position sensors, they may also be set to operate as heavy-duty position servos. The AX3500 may be ordered in one of many assembly options, depending whether optical encoder input is needed and depending on the application’s power, number of channels, and thermal requirements. The AX2550 can be reprogrammed in the field with the latest features by downloading new operating software from Roboteq’s web site. Numerous safety features are incorporated into the controller to ensure reliable and safe operation in the most demanding mobile robotic vehicle applications. Applications • Terrestrial and Underwater Robotic Vehicles • Automatic Guided Vehicles • Police and Military Robots • Hazardous Material Handling Robots • Telepresence Systems • Animatronics • Industrial Controls Key Features Benefits Dual MCU digital design Accurate, reliable, and fully programmable operation. Advanced algorithms R/C mode support Connects directly to simple, low cost R/ C radios RS232 Serial mode support Connects directly to computers for autonomous operation or to wireless modem for two-way remote control Analog mode support Connects directly to analog joystick Optical encoder inputs Stable speed regardless of load. Accurate measurement of travelled distance Built-in power drivers for two motors Supports all common robot drive methods 60A output per channel Gives robot strongest lifting or pushing power Programmable current limitation Protects controller, motors, wiring and battery. Open loop or closed loop speed control Low cost or higher accuracy speed control Closed loop position control Create low cost, ultra-high torque jumbo servos Data Logging Output Capture operating parameters in PC or PDA for analysis Built-in DC/DC converter Operates from a single 12V-40V battery Field upgradable software Never obsolete. Add features via the internet Technical Features Microcomputer-based Digital Design • Multiple operating modes • Fully programmable using either built-in switches and 7 segment LED display or through connection to a PC • Non-volatile storage of user configurable settings. No jumpers needed • Simple operation • Software upgradable with new features Multiple Command Modes • Serial port (RS-232) input • Radio-Control Pulse-Width input • 0-5V Analog Voltage input Multiple Motor Control modes • Independent channel operation • Mixed control (sum and difference) for tank-like steering • Open Loop or Closed Loop Speed mode • Position control mode for building high power position servos • Modes can be set independently for each channel Optical Encoder Inputs • Two Quadrature Optical Encoders inputs • 250kHz max. frequency per channel • 32-bit up-down counters • Inputs may be shared with four optional limit switches Automatic Command Corrections • Joystick min, max and center calibration • Selectable deadband width • Selectable exponentiation factors for each joystick • 3rd R/C channel input for accessory output activation Special Function Inputs/Outputs • 2 Analog inputs. Used as • Tachometer inputs for closed loop speed control • Potentiometer input for position (servo mode) Ordering Information • External temperature sensor inputs • User defined purpose (RS232 mode only) • One Switch input configurable as • Emergency stop command • Reversing commands when running vehicle inverted • Up to 2 general purpose outputs for accessories or weapon • One 24V, 2A output • One low-level digital output • Up to 2 digital input signals • 8 RC pulses outputs for connection to additional Roboteq slave controllers or RC servos Built-in Sensors • Voltage sensor for monitoring the main 12 to 40V battery • Voltage monitoring of internal 12V • Temperature sensors near each Power Transistor bridge Advanced Data Logging Capabilities • 12 internal parameters, including battery voltage, captured R/C command, temperature and Amps accessible via RS232 port • Data may be logged in a PC or microcomputer • Data Logging Software supplied for PC Low Power Consumption • On board DC/DC converter for single 12 to 40V battery system operation • Optional 12V backup power input for powering safely the controller if the main motor batteries are discharged • 200mA at 12V or 100mA at 24V idle current consumption • Power Control wire for turning On or Off the controller from external microcomputer or switch • No consumption by output stage when motors stopped • Regulated 5V output for powering R/C radio. Eliminates the need for separate R/C battery. High Efficiency Motor Power Outputs • Two independent power output stages • Dual H bridge for full forward/reverse operation • Ultra...