Parallax 28823 User Manual

Parallax Servo Controller – USB (#28823) Rev B
16-Channel Servo Control with a USB Interface
Introduction
With the proliferation of servos used in technology today comes the obligation to manage multiple servos
each executing complex motions.
remove the burden of driving the servo pulses from the controller and thereby expand the number of
servos that one controller could be expected to control.
successful, but for some of the more complex applications writing a textual program to control many
servos executing compounded motions and actions can be tedious to say the least.
One way to make the whole application development process easier is to change the primary interface
from a keyboard (text-based code) to that of a mouse (visual based program). By adding a USB port to
the servo controller and providing the user with a free graphical user interface, a direct link between
mouse and servo is made. Move the mouse, the servo moves in real-time. Now the task of developing a
program to control intricate servo sequences becomes a palatable fun process.
The concept of the frame is introduced to help keep movements and sequences organized and
manageable. Sixteen servo positions and time delays make up a frame; two or more frames constitute a
sequence. Sequences may be stored as files on your PC's hard drive to be retrieved for later use. Like a
movie, a sequence may be played, paused, stopped, or edited repeatedly until you get it just the way you
want it.
With animatronics customers in mind, the current PSCI software supports up to 128 frames. (Most
animal walking sequences require fewer than 8 frames.)
Packing List
Verify that your Parallax Servo Controller is complete in accordance with the list below:
 Parallax Servo Controller – USB (PSCusb)
 Shunt-Jumper
 3-Conductor Cable
 A to mini-B USB cable
 Documentation (this manual)
Parallax, Inc. • Parallax Servo Controller USB – Rev B ver 3.4 (#28823) • 8/2006
599 Menlo Drive, Suite 100
Rocklin, California 95765, USA
Office: (916) 624-8333
Fax: (916) 624-8003
The original Parallax Servo Controller (#28023) was designed to
General: info@parallax.com
Technical: support@parallax.com
Web Site: www.parallax.com
Educational: www.parallax.com/sic
To that end the original PSC was quite
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