New Firmware and Roborun v1.9b

New release candidate software is at <A onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)" href="dev.roboteq.com/dev1/files/software/roborun-setup19b-060107.exe" target=_blank target=_blank>www.roboteq.com/files/software/roborun-setup19b-060107.exe

We are rushing to finish the manual as it is needed to use some of the new feature.

Please report any problem.<BR>
<SCRIPT><!--D(["mi",0,2,"112e38fbe5a4f05d",0,"0","Tony Santoni","Tony","tony@roboteq.com",[[],[["cosma","cosma@roboteq.com","112e38fbe5a4f05d"]],[]],"9:13 pm (4 hours ago)",["cosma pabouctsidis This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>"],[],[],[],"May 31, 2007 9:13 PM","Re: new roborun setup & firmware","",[],1,,,"Thu May 31 2007_9:13 PM","On 5/31/07, Tony Santoni This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.> wrote:","On 5/31/07, u003cb classu003dgmail_sendername>Tony Santoniu003c/b> <tony@roboteq.com&gt; wrote:",,,,"","",0,,"This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>",0,,0,"In reply to "new roborun setup & firmware"",0]);//-->Firmware improvements/additions from 1.7b are:

Added Output C active when Motors On
<UL><LI>Fixed Encoder Limit Switches</LI><LI>Protection in case of Encoder failure in Closed Loop Speed</LI><LI>Added Short Circuit Protection (with supporting hardware)</LI><LI>Added Analog 3 and 4 Inputs (with supporting hardware)</LI><LI>Added Operating Mode Change on-the-fly</LI><LI>Changeable PWM frequency</LI><LI>Selectable polarity for Dead Man Switch</LI><LI>Modified Flashing Pattern</LI><LI>Separate PID Gains for Ch1 and C2, changeagle on-the-fly</LI><LI>Miscellaneous additions and correction</LI><LI>Added Amps Calibration option</LI><LI>Misc small fixes</LI><LI>Eliminated Ouput D</LI></UL>
Roborun Changes (from 1.7)
<UL><LI style="MARGIN: 0px">Save and restore context (com port, joystick settings, tab)</LI><LI style="MARGIN: 0px">Console (replaces hyperterm)</LI><LI style="MARGIN: 0px">Misc improvements and fixes</LI></UL>

"Output C active when Motors on"

What exactly does this mean?

If any motor has a power level different than 0, the output will activate.

This is typically used to release mechanical brakes or to energize the armature of a motor with separate excitation.

I'm assuming that this is an optional feature.

Regarding the PWM changes, what would that allow you to do?

The Output C on when Motor On feature can be enabled with Roborun. It is disabled by default.

Changing the PWM frequency may help with EMI if the PWM frequency harmonics interfere with your radio receiver.

However, this feature is only available in RS232 or Analog mode. It will not work in RC mode.