Data Connectivity

Roboteq controllers can be interfaced in a uniquely flexible number of ways. Each of these command interface modes can be assigned a different priority. A switching mechanism will enable one command mode upon the loss of another. For example the loss of serial commands will automatically enable the analog joystick to allow manual override.

Available on most roboteq controller, USB provides a simple interface to the PC for product configuration, monitoring and troubleshooting. On controllers without USB, serial communication can be used instead.

Pulses can be captured in Frequency, Duty Cycle, or Pulse Width mode. Pulse width is the common way to interface to R/C Radios, and is the simplest and least expensive method to build and operate a remote controlled robot. In this mode, the controller supports many configurable options, including joystick calibration of min, max and center positions and deadband adjustment.

Using the serial mode, the controller may be interfaced to a microcomputer for autonomous operation. Using a wireless modem or wireless network adapter (802.11), more advanced remote control operations are possible, including remote control via the Internet.

A simple 0-5V analog control mode is also provided for direct connection to potentiometers or analog joysticks.

On all motor controllers, the range of the analog input (Min, Max, Center and Deadband) can be calibrated to meet the the joystick's range.

Up to 127 controllers can be networked on a low cost twisted pair network up to 1000m long and at speeds up to 1Mbit/s. Roboteq support four CAN protocols: MiniCAN and Raw CAN are two low-level protocols. RoboCAN is a simple but very effective meshed network protocol. CANOpen ensures interoperability with other vendor's devices.

EtherCAT (Ethernet for Control Automation Technology) is an Ethernet-based fieldbus system, invented by Beckhoff Automation and that has been standardized in IEC 61158. EtherCAT is ideally suited for multi-axis robotics application thanks to its microsecond-level synchronization. EtherCAT is available in a growing selection of Roboteq controllers. Read the description of Roboteq's EtherCAT Implementation

 Modbus is a serial communication protocol developed by Modicon for transmitting information over serial lines between electronic devices. Roboteq implented Modbus over Serial on all our products, and Ethernet or soon over RS485 on selected models. Read the description of Roboteq's Modbus Implementation