Dynomotion

Group: DynoMotion Message: 2627 From: rdabs54 Date: 12/6/2011
Subject: setting output channel to supply rather than sink output
Greetings,

I must say right off that I am somewhat of a noob to Kflop and Kanalog board use, and I am finding it somewhat frustrating. I may have lots of questions in the future, but for now I am trying to understand the relation of output channels to IO bits/pin numbers, and the setting of output channel by adding 8 to the output channel setting to get the output to supply LVTTL signals actively (rather than sinking)... and can this be done on JP4 and JP6? The 150 ohm resistor on those IO's pretty much eliminates the use of a Gecko drive. I'm not sure I want to invest more money for Snapamps (already have the Gecko's) if the learning curve is as steep as it seems at this point.
Also, a general "why is it done that way" question. When the Kanalog is installed, it takes the single ended encoder inputs and converts them to differential inputs. This makes it pretty inconvenient to use glass scales (maybe I can't afford the scales that use differential outputs). Anyway, I put together a small circuit that uses differential line drivers to convert single ended to differential. It seemed about as easy as building a TTL/LVTTL converter. It just seemed like unnecessary work. But I'm not a qualified engineer, so maybe it's silly to bring it up.
Thanks in advance for any help and insight.
Group: DynoMotion Message: 2629 From: himykabibble Date: 12/6/2011
Subject: Re: setting output channel to supply rather than sink output
If you're using Step/Dir mode, you don't get to pick the output pins, they're pre-allocated based on the which channels you use. So, for example, channel 0 must use I/Os 8 & 9. These pins should be able to drive a Gecko input with no problem. I'm also using Geckos (3X G320s and 1X G320X), though I do have BOBs between the KFlop and the Geckos.

Regards,
Ray L.

--- In DynoMotion@yahoogroups.com, "rdabs54" <rdabney@...> wrote:
>
> Greetings,
>
> I must say right off that I am somewhat of a noob to Kflop and Kanalog board use, and I am finding it somewhat frustrating. I may have lots of questions in the future, but for now I am trying to understand the relation of output channels to IO bits/pin numbers, and the setting of output channel by adding 8 to the output channel setting to get the output to supply LVTTL signals actively (rather than sinking)... and can this be done on JP4 and JP6? The 150 ohm resistor on those IO's pretty much eliminates the use of a Gecko drive. I'm not sure I want to invest more money for Snapamps (already have the Gecko's) if the learning curve is as steep as it seems at this point.
> Also, a general "why is it done that way" question. When the Kanalog is installed, it takes the single ended encoder inputs and converts them to differential inputs. This makes it pretty inconvenient to use glass scales (maybe I can't afford the scales that use differential outputs). Anyway, I put together a small circuit that uses differential line drivers to convert single ended to differential. It seemed about as easy as building a TTL/LVTTL converter. It just seemed like unnecessary work. But I'm not a qualified engineer, so maybe it's silly to bring it up.
> Thanks in advance for any help and insight.
>
Group: DynoMotion Message: 2631 From: Tom Kerekes Date: 12/6/2011
Subject: Re: setting output channel to supply rather than sink output
Hi rdabs54,
 
Please let us know what kind of Geckos you have.  They should be able to work.
 
I think the majority of Glass Scales output differential signals. There are inexpensive (~$10) converter cables that convert single ended to differential (available at digikey and USDigital).  Differential is much less sensitive to noise so that would be the preferred method.  But the other option is to feed the signals directly into KFLOP as single ended signals.
 
Kanalog was designed expecting to drive analog servos.  If you are using Kanalog (which consumes JP7) and also need Step/Dir outputs you should be able to use the 4 Step/Dir outputs available on JP5.  Those are Step/Dir Generators 4-7 and if you want to drive TTL signals you would add 8 to the channel numbers so they would be 12-15.
 
Regards
TK 
 

Group: DynoMotion Message: 2635 From: rdabs54 Date: 12/7/2011
Subject: Re: setting output channel to supply rather than sink output
Thanks for the quick response. I am using the G320X drives. I had them already, and since I had successfully used them previously, it seemed like a good choice. I am using JP4 and 6 for outputs, though I have yet to observe any change of the outputs ("direction" I think). Just so I'm clear, I am supposed to set channel 0 to input channel = 0 and output channel 8 if I am using JP4 (for my X axis), pins 13 and 14, with the MUX bit set? And the Y and Z axis would be channel 0, input 1 output 9, etc?
I didn't know about the converter cables, that would have saved me building a circuit board. They are probably more robust than what I made.

Best Regards,

Rick

--- In DynoMotion@yahoogroups.com, Tom Kerekes <tk@...> wrote:
>
> Hi rdabs54,
>  
> Please let us know what kind of Geckos you have.  They should be able to work.
>  
> I think the majority of Glass Scales output differential signals. There are inexpensive (~$10) converter cables that convert single ended to differential (available at digikey and USDigital).  Differential is much less sensitive to noise so that would be the preferred method.  But the other option is to feed the signals directly into KFLOP as single ended signals.
>  
> Kanalog was designed expecting to drive analog servos.  If you are using Kanalog (which consumes JP7) and also need Step/Dir outputs you should be able to use the 4 Step/Dir outputs available on JP5.  Those are Step/Dir Generators 4-7 and if you want to drive TTL signals you would add 8 to the channel numbers so they would be 12-15.
>  
> Regards
> TK 
>  
>
> From: rdabs54 <rdabney@...>
> To: DynoMotion@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Tuesday, December 6, 2011 9:52 PM
> Subject: [DynoMotion] setting output channel to supply rather than sink output
>
>
>  
> Greetings,
>
> I must say right off that I am somewhat of a noob to Kflop and Kanalog board use, and I am finding it somewhat frustrating. I may have lots of questions in the future, but for now I am trying to understand the relation of output channels to IO bits/pin numbers, and the setting of output channel by adding 8 to the output channel setting to get the output to supply LVTTL signals actively (rather than sinking)... and can this be done on JP4 and JP6? The 150 ohm resistor on those IO's pretty much eliminates the use of a Gecko drive. I'm not sure I want to invest more money for Snapamps (already have the Gecko's) if the learning curve is as steep as it seems at this point.
> Also, a general "why is it done that way" question. When the Kanalog is installed, it takes the single ended encoder inputs and converts them to differential inputs. This makes it pretty inconvenient to use glass scales (maybe I can't afford the scales that use differential outputs). Anyway, I put together a small circuit that uses differential line drivers to convert single ended to differential. It seemed about as easy as building a TTL/LVTTL converter. It just seemed like unnecessary work. But I'm not a qualified engineer, so maybe it's silly to bring it up.
> Thanks in advance for any help and insight.
>
Group: DynoMotion Message: 2637 From: Tom Kerekes Date: 12/7/2011
Subject: Re: setting output channel to supply rather than sink output
Hi Rick,
 
That all sounds basically correct except when you talk about Y and Z also being axis channel 0?  I assume that was a typo?
 
So it should be:
 
with Mux=1
 
X = Axis Channel 0  configured as InputChan0 = 0 (encoder 0)  Output0 = 8 (Step/Dri Gen0 in TTL mode)  JP4 pins 13,14
Y = Axis Channel 1  configured as InputChan0 = 1 (encoder 1)  Output0 = 9 (Step/Dri Gen1 in TTL mode)  JP4 pins 15,16
Z = Axis Channel 2  configured as InputChan0 = 2 (encoder 2)  Output0 = 10 (Step/Dri Gen2 in TTL mode)  JP6 pins 13,14
 
Regards
TK

 
Group: DynoMotion Message: 2676 From: rdabs54 Date: 12/10/2011
Subject: Re: setting output channel to supply rather than sink output
Hi Tom,

Again, thank you for the info. The confusion about the X,Y,Z=0,1,2 was a brain typo on my part. I did get it to drive the Gecko directly, using the information you provided. I likely had all three axis mapped to channel '0'. I am further setting up the controls for my Bridgeport upgrade, so I expect to have more questions, but I will try to solve them before I impose on you. I'm still at the "don't know what I don't know" point, so it's difficult to ask cogent questions.

Best Regards,

Rick

--- In DynoMotion@yahoogroups.com, Tom Kerekes <tk@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Rick,
>  
> That all sounds basically correct except when you talk about Y and Z also being axis channel 0?  I assume that was a typo?
>  
> So it should be:
>  
> with Mux=1
>  X = Axis Channel 0  configured as InputChan0 = 0 (encoder 0)  Output0 = 8 (Step/Dri Gen0 in TTL mode)  JP4 pins 13,14Y = Axis Channel 1  configured as InputChan0 = 1 (encoder 1)  Output0 = 9 (Step/Dri Gen1 in TTL mode)  JP4 pins 15,16
> Z = Axis Channel 2  configured as InputChan0 = 2 (encoder 2)  Output0 = 10 (Step/Dri Gen2 in TTL mode)  JP6 pins 13,14
>  
> Regards
> TK
>
> ________________________________
> From: rdabs54 <rdabney@...>
> To: DynoMotion@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Wednesday, December 7, 2011 10:34 AM
> Subject: [DynoMotion] Re: setting output channel to supply rather than sink output
>
>
>  
> Thanks for the quick response. I am using the G320X drives. I had them already, and since I had successfully used them previously, it seemed like a good choice. I am using JP4 and 6 for outputs, though I have yet to observe any change of the outputs ("direction" I think). Just so I'm clear, I am supposed to set channel 0 to input channel = 0 and output channel 8 if I am using JP4 (for my X axis), pins 13 and 14, with the MUX bit set? And the Y and Z axis would be channel 0, input 1 output 9, etc?
> I didn't know about the converter cables, that would have saved me building a circuit board. They are probably more robust than what I made.
>
> Best Regards,
>
> Rick
>
> --- In DynoMotion@yahoogroups.com, Tom Kerekes <tk@> wrote:
> >
> > Hi rdabs54,
> >  
> > Please let us know what kind of Geckos you have.  They should be able to work.
> >  
> > I think the majority of Glass Scales output differential signals. There are inexpensive (~$10) converter cables that convert single ended to differential (available at digikey and USDigital).  Differential is much less sensitive to noise so that would be the preferred method.  But the other option is to feed the signals directly into KFLOP as single ended signals.
> >  
> > Kanalog was designed expecting to drive analog servos.  If you are using Kanalog (which consumes JP7) and also need Step/Dir outputs you should be able to use the 4 Step/Dir outputs available on JP5.  Those are Step/Dir Generators 4-7 and if you want to drive TTL signals you would add 8 to the channel numbers so they would be 12-15.
> >  
> > Regards
> > TK 
> >  
> >
> > From: rdabs54 <rdabney@>
> > To: DynoMotion@yahoogroups.com
> > Sent: Tuesday, December 6, 2011 9:52 PM
> > Subject: [DynoMotion] setting output channel to supply rather than sink output
> >
> >
> >  
> > Greetings,
> >
> > I must say right off that I am somewhat of a noob to Kflop and Kanalog board use, and I am finding it somewhat frustrating. I may have lots of questions in the future, but for now I am trying to understand the relation of output channels to IO bits/pin numbers, and the setting of output channel by adding 8 to the output channel setting to get the output to supply LVTTL signals actively (rather than sinking)... and can this be done on JP4 and JP6? The 150 ohm resistor on those IO's pretty much eliminates the use of a Gecko drive. I'm not sure I want to invest more money for Snapamps (already have the Gecko's) if the learning curve is as steep as it seems at this point.
> > Also, a general "why is it done that way" question. When the Kanalog is installed, it takes the single ended encoder inputs and converts them to differential inputs. This makes it pretty inconvenient to use glass scales (maybe I can't afford the scales that use differential outputs). Anyway, I put together a small circuit that uses differential line drivers to convert single ended to differential. It seemed about as easy as building a TTL/LVTTL converter. It just seemed like unnecessary work. But I'm not a qualified engineer, so maybe it's silly to bring it up.
> > Thanks in advance for any help and insight.
> >
>