Data Sheet

Connecting Optical Encoders
Advanced Digital Motor Controller User Manual 53
Connecting Sensors to Pulse Inputs
The controller has several pulse inputs capable of capturing Pulse Length, Duty Cycle or
Frequency with excellent precision. Being a digital signal, pulses are also immune to noise
compared to analog inputs.
Important Notice
On newer motor controllers models, activating the pulse mode on an input will also
enable a pull up resistor on that input. If the input is also used for analog capture,
the analog reading will be wrong.
Connecting to RC Radios
The pulse inputs are designed to allow direct connection to an RC radio without additional
components.
Controller
Power
Optional
Power
to
Radio
R/C Radio
R/C Channel 1
R/C Channel 2
R/C Radio Ground
Controller
Ground
5V Out
MCU
FIGURE 3-15. RC Radio powered by controller electrical diagram
Connecting to PWM Joysticks and Position Sensors
The controller’s pulse inputs can also be used to connect to sensors with PWM outputs.
These sensors provide excellent noise immunity and precision. When using PWM sen-
sors, configure the pulse input in Duty Cycle mode. Beware that the sensor should always
be pulsing and never output a steady DC voltage at its ends. The absence of pulses is con-
sidered by the controller as a loss of signal.
Connecting Optical Encoders
Optical Incremental Encoders Overview
Optical incremental encoders are a means for capturing speed and traveled distance on a
motor. Unlike absolute encoders which give out a multi-bit number (depending on the res-
olution), incremental encoders output pulses as they rotate. Counting the pulses tells the
application how many revolutions, or fractions of, the motor has turned. Rotation velocity
can be determined from the time interval between pulses or by the number of pulses
within a given time period. Because they are digital devices, incremental encoders will
measure distance and speed with perfect accuracy.
Since motors can move in forward and reverse directions, it is necessary to differentiate
the manner that pulses are counted so that they can increment or decrement a position