Mach LightDrive 12 User Manual

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LightDrive 12 – LED Controller
Thank you for purchasing the LightDrive 12 LED controller. The LightDrive is a
very powerful controller built onto a tiny footprint. This guide is meant to give you a good idea of the
LightDrive's capabilities and limitations. After that, it's up to you.
The LightDrive can be controlled several different ways. The user may choose between CANbus, TTL Serial,
and R/C PWM inputs. These methods offer different advantages:
Color Depth
Update Rate
Physical
Signal
Format
For detailed information on these protocols, see Appendix A. The LightDrive will switch automatically to the
proper protocol based on which signal it sees. If more than one is present, the LightDrive will choose a
protocol in the following order: Serial -> CAN -> PWM. Example code, including an API, is available for the
FRC RoboRIO controller in C++, Java, and LabView. Simply use the appropriate API for whichever control
method you want to use (PWM, CAN, Serial).
Connection Diagram
CAN Port
- Connect H and L
- Connect anywhere in
the chain with other
devices
Serial Port
- Connect GND and TXD
- RXD Optional if feedback
is not needed
Rev 2002
R/C PWM CAN
'3 bit' – 8 Colors Full 24bit – 8bit x 12ch
0.8Hz – 1ch/100ms 10Hz – 12ch/100ms
2 R/C PWM Inputs 2-Wire CAN Input
0.5-2.5ms width 1Mbit CAN
50/125/250Hz
Choose One of These 3 Methods
LightDrive User Guide
User Guide
TTL Serial
Full 24bit – 8bit x 12ch
10Hz – 12ch/100ms
TTL Serial Input
115.2kBaud 8N1 Serial
R/C PWM Outputs
- Connect to Any 2
1