Open Source VNH5019 Motor Controller

The purpose of this project is to create an I2C and USB enabled motor controller powered by a Dual VNH5019 Motor Driver Shield coupled with an Arduino Uno. The project aims to provide firmware for the Arduino Uno as well as C++ and Python libraries for interfacing from an external device.

Features

The motor controller can be switched between two primary states: standby and active. In standby, the controller will not write any commands to the connected motors. As a safety feature, the controller powers up into standby mode and must be instructed to switch to an active state before it will respond to any motor-related directives. In addition, an LED and piezo buzzer may be connected to pins 5 and 13 respectively to provide audio-visual confirmation regarding its state. The Arduino receiver will listen over both I2C and USB Serial for commands and will respond to either without placing any expectations on the transmitting device.

Firmware

The software for the Arduino Uno controller is included in the Firmware directory. It requires the user to install the DualVNH5019MotorShield library in their Arduino/libraries folder in order to run. Once this pre-requisite is met, put the Firmware folder into your sketches directory and upload it as usual.

Arduino Library

The Arduino library for interfacing with the controller from an external Arduino is provided in the Arduino folder. Simply save the Arduino/VNH5019Controller folder to your Arduino/libraries directory and include it in your sketches with #include VNH5019Controller.h. Documentation as well as an example sketch has been provided in the Arduino folder.

Python Library

A Python library for interfacing with the controller from an external device has been provided and is hosted on the Python Package Index. Simply pip install VNH5019-Serial-Controller to make use of it. Documentation as well as an example sketch has been provided in the Python folder.

Audio-Visual Feedback And Wiring

LED and Audio feedback denoting the state of the controller is included in the firmware. When the controller first powers up, a start-up chime will play and an LED will light up. Whilst the controller is in standby, the LED will blink at regular 2 second intervals but will change to a solid light when the controller is in an active state. Additionally, a unique chime will play when the controller enters a standby state and when it enters an active state. Use of this feature is optional, but be aware that the led is controlled by digital pin 5 and the piezo buzzer is controlled by digital pin 13. Refer to VNH5019_Controller_Schematic.pdf for further wiring details.