Motoron M1U256 Single Serial Motor Controller

The Motoron M1T256 and M1U256 controllers make it easy to control a single bidirectional, brushed DC motor using an I²C or TTL serial (UART) interface, respectively. These compact (0.6" × 0.6") boards operate from 4.5 V to 48 V and can deliver continuous output currents up to 2.2 A. Multiple Motoron controllers can be configured to work on a single I²C or serial bus, allowing independent control of many motors. Unlike most of Pololu's motor drivers, the Motoron does not require any PWM outputs or timers on your microcontroller. Instead, only a single I²C or UART interface is needed regardless of how many Motorons you connect.

These Motoron controllers are available in several versions with different combinations of communication interfaces and connector options:

• M1T256 (I²C):
  • headers soldered
  • headers included but not soldered in
• M1U256 (TTL serial):
  • headers soldered
  • headers included but not soldered in

For dual-channel alternatives, consider the Motoron M2T256 and M2U256.

Details for item #5063

Typical wiring diagram for connecting a microcontroller to a Motoron M1U256 Single Serial Motor Controller.

The M1U256 has a TTL serial (UART) interface, and this version ships with a 1×12 breakaway male header included but not soldered in.

Motoron M1T256/M1U256 Single Motor Controller with included headers.

Motoron M1U256 Single Serial Motor Controller, bottom view.

Features and specifications

• One motor control channel allows for control of one bidirectional brushed DC motor per Motoron
• Wide operating voltage range: 4.5 V to 48 V (absolute maximum)
  • Recommended maximum nominal battery voltage is approximately 36 V
• Maximum output current per motor: 2.2 A continuous, 6.4 A peak for <1 second
• Reverse-voltage protection on motor power supply (down to -40 V)
• Logic voltage range: 3.0 V to 5.5 V
• Control interface:
  • M1T256: I²C (up to 400 kHz)
  • M1U256: non-inverted TTL serial (up to 250 kbps)
• Optional cyclic redundancy checking (CRC)
• Configurable motion parameters:
  • Max acceleration/deceleration forward/reverse
  • Starting speed forward/reverse
  • Direction change delay forward/reverse
• PWM frequency: eight options available from 1 kHz to 80 kHz
• Command timeout feature stops the motor if the Motoron stops receiving commands
• Configurable automatic error response
• Motor power supply (VIN) voltage measurement
• Two status LEDs
• Motor direction indicator LEDs
• Error output for easier detection of error conditions
• Motoron Arduino library simplifies using the Motoron with an Arduino or compatible controller
• Motoron Python library simplifies using the Motoron with Python code
• Comprehensive user’s guide
• Compact 0.6" × 0.6" size

A Raspberry Pi Pico on a breadboard using a Motoron M1T256/M1U256 Motor Controller to control a motor.

The Motoron family

The tables below list the members of the Motoron family and show the key differences among them. Each type is available in several versions to provide different options for the through-hole connectors: they can be purchased as an assembled product with connectors soldered in, as a kit with connectors included but not soldered in, or (for Arduino and Raspberry Pi expansions) as a standalone board without connectors.

Motoron motor controllers micro versions
	M1T256	M1U256	M2T256	M2U256
Control interface:	I²C	UART serial	I²C	UART serial
Motor channels:	1 (single)		2 (dual)
Absolute max input voltage:	48 V		48 V
Recommended max nominal battery voltage:	36 V		36 V
Max continuous current per channel:	2.2 A		1.8 A
Available versions:	headers soldered headers included	headers soldered headers included	headers soldered headers included	headers soldered headers included

Motoron motor controllers Arduino and Raspberry Pi form factor versions
	M3S256 M3H256	M2S24v14 M2H24v14	M2S24v16 M2H24v16	M2S18v18 M2H18v18	M2S18v20 M2H18v20
Control interface:	I²C
Motor channels:	3 (triple)	2 (dual)
Absolute max input voltage:	48 V	40 V		30 V
Recommended max nominal battery voltage:	36 V	28 V		18 V
Max continuous current per channel:	2 A	14 A	16 A	18 A	20 A
Available versions for Arduino:	M3S256 assembled kit board only	M2S24v14 assembled kit board only	M2S24v16 assembled kit board only	M2S18v18 assembled kit board only	M2S18v20 assembled kit board only
Available versions for Raspberry Pi:	M3H256 assembled kit board only	M2H24v14 assembled kit board only	M2H24v16 assembled kit board only	M2H18v18 assembled kit board only	M2H18v20 assembled kit board only

Dimensions

General specifications

Identifying markings

Notes:

1

Without optional included headers.

2

Absolute maximum; higher voltages can permanently destroy the motor drivers. Recommended maximum nominal battery voltage is approximately 36 V, which leaves a safety margin for ripple voltage on the supply line.

3

Note: Reverse voltage protection only works up to 40 V.

Documentation and other information

• 

  Pololu Motoron Motor Controller User’s Guide

  User’s manual for the Pololu Motoron Motor Controllers.

File downloads

• Dimension diagram of the Motoron M1x256 Single Motor Controller (302k pdf)

• 3D model of the Motoron M1x256 Single Motor Controller (6MB step)

• Drill guide for the Motoron M1x256 Single Motor Controller (14k dxf)

  This DXF drawing shows the locations of all of the board’s holes.

Recommended links

• Motoron Motor Controller library for Arduino

• Motoron Motor Controller Python library for Raspberry Pi