[nzlug] Controlling a basic servo-motor ...

[Toby Collett]

Not really an answer to any of your questions, but once you have your 
servos doing something interesting, check out the Player Project if you 
want a robotics framework to build up your applications. 
(playerstage.sf.net).

Toby

Disclaimer: I am one of the developers on the project

Bernard O'Leary wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I'd like to spend a bit of time over Christmas messing with a servo-motor.
> Initial goal is to get my head around how to control it via the serial port,
> more long term to be able to apply the techniques I learn to small-scale
> robotics projects.
>
> Am hoping to be able to be able to do things from (more-or-less) first
> principals - write the device driver that will be the source of the PCM
> signal, some sort of controlling application, etc. I'm aware that there is
> some risk of damaging the servo if it is sent a PCM signal that is out of
> range.
>
> At this stage I'm looking for pointers, advise, and answers to a few
> questions. For example - is it advisable to test the serial port output
> using an oscilloscope prior to hooking up the servo? And is it sweet to hook
> the serial port output directly to the PCM signal input on the servo, or
> should there be some hardware in-between? What is the recommended way to
> power a servo (I assume the serial port lacks the necessary juice
> requirements)? etc ...
>
> Clearly I'm no electronics engineer. I do have some basic digital
> electronics experience and knowledge though, and tons of textbooks. One way
> or the other I'll be going ahead with this project - so some time (and
> potentially harware) saving guidance would be appreciated ;-)
>
> Ta,
>
> Bernard.
> _______________________________________________
> NZLUG mailing list NZLUG at linux.net.nz
> http://www.linux.net.nz/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/nzlug
>
>