Re: PWM control with encoder regulation

Andrew wrote:

Yes it can go in reverse.

The geckodrive 320 actually looks awesome!

As long as I can use the PWM input into the STEP input on the unit (or
at least my PWM input filtered), this should be awesome.

Also, on this gecko unit, do I NEED to use 4 encoder inputs?  I have
not settled on an encoder yet, but it would be easier to only need to
use one line of the encoder input, rather than 4 like the gecko has
inputs for.  Do I need all 4?

If it can go in reverse you need to look at both channels of the quadrature signal from the encoder -- just one channel will tell you speed but not direction, and in perverse situations it can tell you the thing is moving when it's really at rest.

I don't know why the gecko has 4 wires but I suspect it's for separate ground and signal for each channel, or it's for power, ground, channel A and channel B. At any rate you have to understand what the thing is supposed to do for you.

--

Tim Wescott
Wescott Design Services
http://www.wescottdesign.com
.