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Electronics => Electronics => Topic started by: Pyro on November 17, 2009, 07:52:23 PM

Title: Controlling Multiple Servos
Post by: Pyro on November 17, 2009, 07:52:23 PM
After searching Google and this forum, I haven't quite found what I'm looking for.  I am wanting to build a compact, cheap servo controller for an upcoming project, able to control 12 servos. I'm pretty new at this so give me a break if I ask some stupid questions :)

The micro-processor I'm using is fairly powerful (32-Bit ARM Cortex M3, ST Microelectronics # STM32F103).  Most of the servo controllers I have seen seem to run off of a PIC controller.  Since there are going to need to be lots of quick, accurate adjustments that need to be made in all 12 servos, will the Pic be powerful enough, or is there a way to interface this controller direction to my Arm-based processing module?

Thanks in advance for the help :)



- Jesse
Title: Re: Controlling Multiple Servos
Post by: SmAsH on November 18, 2009, 01:26:18 AM
A pic could be quick, what kind of response time are you looking for?
Title: Re: Controlling Multiple Servos
Post by: Pyro on November 18, 2009, 09:28:26 AM
Quote from: SmAsH on November 18, 2009, 01:26:18 AM
A pic could be quick, what kind of response time are you looking for?

The best I can get.  All 12 servos need to adjust themselves in time with the rest, so I need the best response time I could get.
Title: Re: Controlling Multiple Servos
Post by: Pyro on November 18, 2009, 11:26:20 PM
Also if splitting the controller up into 2 smaller controllers that control 6 servos each is easier/cheaper, then that will work just fine :)
Title: Re: Controlling Multiple Servos
Post by: SmAsH on November 19, 2009, 02:53:41 AM
Most microcontrollers could do this. Heck, you could use an atmega8... Although not the best choice, its easy as hell to use...
Title: Re: Controlling Multiple Servos
Post by: Pyro on November 19, 2009, 09:21:47 AM
So which feature(s) does my microcontroller need to have in order to do this?  The website has a page that lists most of or all of it's technical features, so I know what it has; I just don't know what I'm looking for:)

Thanks,


- Jesse