Hello all,
I downloaded a hexapod program from sourceforge that uses an Axon to control a SSC-32. I read somewhere that the SSC-32 connects to the Axon on Uart3, but where does the Axon connect to the SSC-32? Does the SSC-32 get it’s power from the Axon or from another source?
The code is from WGhost9. The hexapod I milled myself, it has 6 legs with 3 servos each. Thanks for any help.
I have an Axon2 on one of my Brats which works well.
From your description it sounds like you should create a connection for UArt3 of the Axon board to the serial input of the SSC-32. My assumption here is that you would be connecting up to the TTL connections of the SSC-32. You will need at least wires that connect between the two boards. One would be a common ground and the second would go from the TX pin of Uart3 of the Axon board to the RX pin of the SSC-32. I am not sure if his program relies on bi-directional communications to the SSC-32. If so you may need a third wire between the two board which goes from the TX pin of the SSC-32 to the RX pin of UART3 on the Axon board.
As for power that is always an interesting issue. In my hexapods, I usually have two power sources. One which controls the logic. This is often just a simple 9 volt battery on one switch, which I would connect to the VL input of the SSC-32 and would probably daisy chain up to the Axon board. I then have a second battery such as one of the lynmotion 2800mah 6v NIMH batteries that I use to power my servos. This I plug into the VS connection of the SSC-32 through another switch. With this configuration you need to remove the VS=VL jumper on the SSC-32. This has worked well for me. Others have used LIPO batteries, which they may connect directly to the VL and one or more external voltage regulators (BEC) such as: dimensionengineering.com/SportBEC.htm to reduce the voltage down to 6 volts to plug into the VS ports. There are lots of options here, but a lot depends on what servos you are using, what voltages they support, etc.
Kurt
You should be able to connect the SSC-32 to any of the available UARTS (0, 2, or 3) on the AXON. When I am using an SSC-32 with my AXON, I power the SSC-32 directly from my main battery using a battery wiring harness with switch. Then jumper from one of the SSC-32 servo connectors set for unregulated power (be sure your power and grounds line up properly!) to the AXON’s power header.
Then make sure the serial/ttl jumpers next to the DB9 on the SSC-32 are removed. Finally, jumper from one of the AXON’s UARTs (0, 2, or 3) to the TTL UART pins (make sure RX, TX< and Ground are properly oriented) on the SSC-32. I can’t remember if you have to cross RX and TX or not.
From here you can use the AXON UART to send commands to, and receive information from, the SSC-32.
8-Dale
