The SerRoute Firmware

The SerRoute firmware converts any of our SimStep or BiStep series of stepper motor controller board-level products into a simplified serial router, designed to allow one serial line to control large numbers of stepper motors. The routed serial lines are all TTL-serial, not RS232; that is to say, it is designed to bypass the RS232 level-conversion process. This product may be used if you have a need to operate two or more of our controller boards from one serial line. We strongly suggest using the SS0705 controller as the host for the SerRoute firmware; it provides the most convenient combination of connection options for any of our products.

On December 7, 2005, we released a major update to our SerRoute serial routing firmware (version 2.0 and later). This update adds TTL pulse width measurements and rotary positional phase-encoder processing. Using this release, you can monitor up to 8 positional encoders while performing all other actions which the firmware understands.

This firmware option allows for 3 (default configuration) to 9 (optional on the SS0705 and SimStepA04 units) motor controller boards to be operated via one serial port (if installed on a SS0705 unit), thus permitting 6 to 18 motors to be controlled by one 9600 baud connection using one SerRoute unit! It supports:

	4 configurable TTL input ports (configured either as 4 TTL/Encoder inputs, or 2 serial I/O)
	If the above ports are configured as TTL inputs, then firmware versions 1.17 and later automatically treat them as phase-based rotary encoder inputs, constantly monitoring them in order to maintain two 32 bit location counters. This monitoring does not affect any other TTL input action (level, pulse counting, or pulse width measurements).
	Any of the TTL inputs ports may be monitored as a pulse source, for performing pulse counting or pulse width measurements (as would be needed for temperature sensors).
	8 configurable small-current "relay" output ports (configured either as 8 relay outputs, or optionally as 4 encoder or 4 serial I/O lines on the SS0705 and the SimStep),
	1-3 serial I/O lines devoted to control of child boards (2 may be switched to use as encoders),
	one dedicated RS232 serial line for communications to the host.
	optional reading of pulses (both as a counting device and as a width measurer) on any of the 4 TTL input lines (firmware versions 1.14 and later)

Note that when we say "relay", we mean that we provide a driver which is designed to operate a relay coil which requires a given voltage and current to actuate. See our table (below) for some examples. You provide the relays.

The unit can be nested; allowing for truly absurd numbers of motors to be controlled via one serial line! To see the complete manual for the product (in Adobe Acrobat 5.0 format), please click here! Hint: If you want to save your own copy of the manual, right click on the above link, and then select the 'Save Target As...' option which appears. Tell the system where to save the manual, and then you will be able to browse it at your leisure.

Click here if you need to download the current version Adobe Acrobat Reader from Adobe's site.

This firmware may be installed on any of our boards; different relay control capabilities are present, depending on which board is used. Once installed, the board no longer controls stepper motors; instead, it becomes a SerRoute unit which supports the above features.

The feature support grid is as follows:

Feature	SimStepA04 Or SS0705	BiStepA04	BiStepA06	BiStep2A
Up to 4 TTL input	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Up to 8 "Relay" Output	0.1 Amp	0.3 Amp	0.5 Amp	1.0 Amp
Max Relay Voltage	26V	15V	34V	43V
Maximum Serial Output Lines	9	5	5	5

The firmware is an upgrade option, and replaces the existing firmware within the selected board.

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Copyright © 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 Peter Norberg Consulting, Inc.