Brushless DC Motor Driver [RKI-1350] Users Manual Robokits India info@robokits.co.in http://www.robokitsworld.com Page 1
Looking for a low-cost and powerful brushless DC motor driver? Your search ends here! This brushless DC motor driver is perfect for RC controlled application or any robotic or industrial application that requires running a brushless DC motor. The motor speed can be controlled by an I2C interface or a traditional PPM signal interface. There is a short circuit or high current protection which protects the driver in case of faults. This Package Includes A Brushless-DC Motor Driver Features Simple connectivity with and MCU over I2C Simple connectivity with an RC receiver PPM signal Simple connectivity with potentiometer for testing and debug Compatible with motors rated up 15V Can easily deliver 15A of current during normal operation Four I2C address selection options Applications RC Helicopter, robotic multi-copters, RC aero-planes etc. Robotic or industrial Brushless Motor Applications needing I2C or PPM interface Electrical Characteristics Input Voltage: 7V minimum to 15V maximum Continuous Current (< 1seconds) ~ 30A Continuous Current (< 10seconds) ~ 20A Continuous Current (> 10seconds) ~ 15A Absolute Maximum Peak Current ~ 50A Short circuit and high current protection on output of the driver http://www.robokitsworld.com Page 2
Connector Information V(+) and V(-): Power Supply input to driver (Input Voltage) MCU Side Six row contacts: GND ground to be connected to receiver or controller board 5V regulated output to be connect if required to receiver or controller board NC leave it open SCL I2C clock SDA I2C data NC leave it open MCU Side PPM contact: PPM pulse position modulation into to control motor speed Bottom Side Three contacts: ADR1 address pin 1 GND ground ADR2 address pin 2 I2C Address Selection The default I2C address is 0x12. ADR2 shorted to GND will set the address to 0x14, ADR1 shorted to GND will set the address to 0x16, ADR1 and ADR2 shorted to GND will set the address to 0x18. If the PPM signal is shorted to GND on start-up the driver will set the addresses as 0x22, 0x24, 0x26 and 0x28 instead of 0x12, 0x14, 0x16 and 0x18. This allows for an additional 4 address. I2C Set Speed Send an I2C start command with the I2C address that is set for the driver. Then write a byte from 0 255 which denotes the speed of the motor. Then send the I2C stop command. The motor speed will be set accordingly. http://www.robokitsworld.com Page 3
PPM signal The speed of the motor can also be set by sending a PPM signal to the PPM contact. Refer to online information regarding standard PPM signals and how they are used. The PPM output of most RC receivers is compatible. Potentiometer Test and Debug The brushless motor and driver can be tested by connecting GND to the SCL pin and applying a fixed analog voltage from 0V to 5V on the SDA pin using a 1kohm 100kohm potentiometer. The driver will enter test mode on start-up if SCL is connected to GND and start the motor at a speed depending on the voltage on the SDA pin. This can be used to simply test the functionality of the motor driver and the brushless motor. LED Info LED 1 on when powered up and motor is in stand-by. Off when motor is running. LED2 blinks if there is a hardware error on start-up. Blinks 10 times if there is a short-circuit detected or abnormally high current through the circuit. Don ts Do s Touch the driver circuitry while it is powered up Put any material on the circuitry that prevents dissipation of the heat from the circuitry Electrically short the outputs of the driver Mount the driver securely before use to prevent electrical shorting Provide sufficient open space above and below the driver to allow the driver to cool down easily If an enclosure is necessary put a heat sink on the MOSFETS. http://www.robokitsworld.com Page 4
Usage Steps 1. Solder thick wires for external power at the supply contacts V(+) and V(-) with the correct polarity. 2. Connect the A, B and C contacts at output of driver MOSFETS to the terminals of your brushless DC motor. Now power up the driver. 3. The brushless motor driver will enter a hardware test and produce tones through the motor windings. 4. LED1 should be on and LED 2 should turn on in a couple of seconds after the test 5. Connect a PPM signal wire to the PPM contact and GND and 5V as required. 6. Alternately, connect the SDA and SCL lines to the I2C lines on a controller board. Make sure you have pull-ups for the I2C lines on your board and remember to connect the GND of the motor driver to the ground on the control board. Use the correct I2C address. 7. Send a speed byte over I2C or a PPM signal to get the motor to start-up and run at the speed set 8. Alternately, connect the SCL line to logic low or ground and set a voltage between 0V to 5V on the SDA pin. Then power up or reset the driver circuit. The brushless DC motor will be powered and will rotate at a speed proportional to the voltage on SDA. http://www.robokitsworld.com Page 5
Service and Support Service and support for this product are available from Robokits India. The Robokits Web site () maintains current contact information for all Robokits products. Limitations and Warrantees The is intended for personal experimental and amusement use and in no case should be used where the health or safety of persons may depend on its proper operation. Robokits provides no warrantee of suitability or performance for any purpose for the product. Use of the product software and or hardware is with the understanding that any outcome whatsoever is at the users own risk. Robokits sole guarantee is that the software and hardware perform in compliance with this document at the time it was shipped to the best of our ability given reasonable care in manufacture and testing. All products are tested for their best performance before shipping, and no warranty or guarantee is provided on any of them. Of course the support is available on all of them for no cost. Disclaimer Copyright Robokits India, 2011 Neither the whole nor any part of the information contained in, or the product described in this manual, may be adapted or reproduced in any material or electronic form without the prior written consent of the copyright holder. This product and its documentation are supplied on an as-is basis and no warranty as to their suitability for any particular purpose is either made or implied. This document provides preliminary information that may be subject to change without notice. http://www.robokitsworld.com Page 6