Document Outline

• Pololu Simple Motor Controller User's Guide
  • 1. Overview
    • Key Features
    • Additional Features
    • Simple Motor Controller Comparison Table
    • 1.1. 18v7 Included Hardware
    • 1.2. 18v15 and 24v12 Included Hardware
    • 1.3. 18v25 and 24v23 Included Hardware
    • 1.4. Supported Operating Systems
  • 2. Contacting Pololu
  • 3. Getting Started
    • 3.1. Installing Windows Drivers and Software
    • 3.2. Installing Linux Drivers and Software
    • 3.3. Understanding the Control Center Status Tab
      • Target Speed and Current Speed
      • Motor Limits
      • Input Channels
      • Conditions
      • Manually set speed (Serial/USB mode only)
    • 3.4. Errors
    • 3.5. LED Feedback
      • Green USB LED
      • Red Error LED
      • Yellow Status LED
  • 4. Connecting Your Motor Controller
    • 4.1. Connecting Power and a Motor
      • Power Considerations
      • Motor Considerations
      • Power and Motor Connectors
      • Logic Power
      • Trying Out the Controller with USB
    • 4.2. Connecting a Serial Device
      • Serial Connections Overview
      • Serial Interface Pin Descriptions
      • Simple Wiring Example: Connecting to a Microcontroller
      • The ERR Pin in Detail
      • The TXIN Pin in Detail
    • 4.3. Connecting an RC Receiver
      • RC Connections Overview
      • Simple Wiring Example: Connecting to an RC Receiver
      • Using the RC Channels
    • 4.4. Connecting a Potentiometer or Analog Joystick
      • Analog Connections Overview
      • Simple Wiring Example: Connecting to a Potentiometer
      • Using the Analog Channels
  • 5. Configuring Your Motor Controller
    • 5.1. Input Settings
      • Input Mode
      • Mixing Mode
      • Alternate Use
      • Learn button
      • Enable pull-up resistor (analog channels only)
      • Scaling Parameters
      • 5.1.1. Configuring a Limit or Kill Switch
    • 5.2. Motor Settings
      • Hard Limits
    • 5.3. Advanced Settings
      • VIN Detection
      • Over-temperature Response
      • RC Pulse Detection
      • Miscellaneous
    • 5.4. Upgrading Firmware
      • Firmware Versions
      • Upgrade Instructions
  • 6. Using the Serial Interface
    • COM Port
    • TTL Serial
    • 6.1. Serial Settings
    • 6.2. Binary Commands
      • Compact Protocol
      • Pololu Protocol
      • Mini SSC Protocol
      • Trying the Binary Serial Interface
      • 6.2.1. Binary Command Reference
        • Exit Safe-Start (Serial/USB input mode only)
        • Motor Forward (Serial/USB input mode only)
        • Motor Reverse (Serial/USB input mode only)
        • Motor Forward 7-Bit (Serial/USB input mode only)
        • Motor Reverse 7-Bit (Serial/USB input mode only)
        • Set Speed Mini SSC (Serial/USB input mode only)
        • Motor Brake (Serial/USB input mode only)
        • Get Variable (any input mode)
        • Set Motor Limit (any input mode)
        • Get Firmware Version (any input mode)
        • Stop Motor (any input mode)
    • 6.3. ASCII Commands
      • Command Format
      • Command Strings
      • Argument Strings
      • Termination Characters
      • Responses
      • Using a Terminal Program
      • 6.3.1. ASCII Command Reference
        • Exit Safe-Start (Serial/USB input mode only)
        • Motor Forward (Serial/USB input mode only)
        • Motor Reverse (Serial/USB input mode only)
        • Motor Brake (Serial/USB input mode only)
        • Get Variable (any input mode)
        • Set Motor Limit(any input mode)
        • Get Firmware Version (any input mode)
        • Stop Motor (any input mode)
    • 6.4. Controller Variables
      • Status Flag Registers
      • RC Channel Inputs
      • Analog Channel Inputs
      • Diagnostic Variables
      • Temporary Motor Limits
    • 6.5. Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) Error Detection
    • 6.6. Daisy Chaining
      • Connections
      • Sending commands
    • 6.7. Sample Code
      • 6.7.1. Arduino Examples
        • Simple Example
        • Advanced Example
      • 6.7.2. Orangutan Examples
        • Simple Example
        • Advanced Example
      • 6.7.3. Cross-platform C Example
      • 6.7.4. Windows C Example
      • 6.7.5. Bash Script Example
      • 6.7.6. CRC Computation in C
        • Simple Example
        • Advanced Example
  • 7. Writing PC Software to Control the Simple Motor Controller
    • Native USB Interface
    • Virtual Serial Port