The Pololu USB 16-servo
controller is the latest addition to our line of R/C hobby servo
controllers. The compact module measures just 1.9"x1.0" including the
USB connector, making it smaller than most 8-channel controllers, and it
offers both USB and asynchronous serial (UART) connectivity. No features
are compromised for the small size, as our USB controller supports
independent speed and range settings for each servo while delivering
0.5-microsecond resolution for smooth output across its broad output
pulse range of 250 through 2750 microseconds.
When installed, the USB servo controller appears as a serial port to the
host computer. Programming is therefore as easy as sending commands to a
serial port, and as an added benefit, the servo controller is compatible
with many existing programs. The servo controller can be connected to
additional Pololu
serial devices, such as our serial motor controllers, and
thereby function as both a servo controller and a USB-to-UART bridge.
The servo controller is compatible with USB 2.0 standards, and driver
support will initially be available for Windows 98 through XP.
With its dual USB and UART interface, the servo controller can at first
be used with a PC to quickly develop motion sequences with the advantage
of graphical interfaces and quick program changes. For projects without
dedicated PCs, such as small autonomous robots, the final motion
sequences can then be transferred to an embedded controller, which can
communicate with the servo controller over the standard asynchronous
serial connection.
With the trend toward removing serial ports from new computers, the
Pololu USB 16-Servo Controller provides one of the most simple, small,
and economical alternatives to standard serial servo controllers.
For connecting the controller to your PC, a
USB A to mini-B connector cable is needed.
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Features
Features Include
Control 16 R/C hobby servos
Dual USB and UART interface
Independent speed and range for
each servo
0.5-microsecond resolution
50 Hz update rate
Upgradable firmware
Small size of 1.9"x1.0"
Software Driver Installation Instructions
Before you connect your Pololu USB servo controller to a computer, you
must install its driver by following these steps:
Do steps 1-6 only once, even if you are planning to connect multiple
servo controllers or Pololu USB-to-Serial adapters. These
pre-installation steps need only be carried out once, and the USB servo
controller and USB-to-serial adapter drivers are the same.
1. Download this driver:
usc01a.zip (234k)
2. IMPORTANT: You must extract the files in usc01a.zip into a temporary
directory. DO NOT attempt to
double-click or run any of the files until you have extracted
them.
3. Open the temporary directory and run setup.exe. The "Install Driver"
dialog will open.
4. Browse to the directory in which you would like the driver to be
installed and click "Install".
5. In Windows XP, a "Software Installation" dialog will appear twice,
warning you that this driver has not been tested by Microsoft; click
"Continue Anyway" both times.
6. When the installation is complete, a "setup" dialog that says,
"Installation Successful" will appear; click "OK".
Follow steps 7-10 for each new servo controller you connect to your
computer:
7. Connect the Pololu USB servo controller to your computer; Windows
will detect the new hardware and open the "Found New Hardware Wizard".
8. Select the automatic software installation option; if multiple
drivers are found, you will be prompted to "select the best match for
your hardware" from a list. Select the one for the Pololu USB servo
controller.
9. The "Hardware Installation" dialog will appear, warning you that this
driver has not been tested by Microsoft; click "Continue Anyway". The
installation should then complete; click "Finish".
10. You will have to repeat steps 8 and 9 again (you have to install one
driver for the USB device and another for the serial device). After
that, you are ready to use the USB servo controller!
Download
the Operating Manual
Purchasing the
USB 16 Servo Controller
All prices are in Australian Dollars. Prices
do not include GST (Goods and Services Tax). 10% GST applies to goods delivered in
Australia. Australian GST is not paid on shipments despatched to an international
destination. You can check the exchange rate by going
to http://www.x-rates.com
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