Pololu Jrk 12v12 USB Motor Controller with Feedback

SKU: POLOLU-1393 Brand: Pololu Guides (1)

Retired Product

Replaced by: POLOLU-3146
This product has been replaced by: POLOLU-3146
This product is no longer available. This page is only for reference.

Not recommended for new designs: Pololu strongly recommend Pololu's newer and better (and smaller) Jrk G2 18v19 and Jrk G2 24v13 USB motor controllers with feedback over this controller, as they offer increased power and many other improvements at the same price. (Even higher-power G2 18v27 and G2 24v21 versions are also available.)

Pololu are continuing to offer the Jrk 12v12 for now as a legacy product for those with systems designed specifically for this controller. However, please note that the motor driver IC used on the Jrk 12v12 has been discontinued, so Pololu will not be able to manufacture this product once Pololu's supply of that IC runs out.

The Jrk 12v12 is a versatile, general-purpose motor controller that supports a variety of interfaces, including USB. The 6 V to 16 V operating range and high continuous output current of 12 A (30 A peak) allow this board to control many medium-sized DC brushed motors. Analog voltage and tachometer (frequency) feedback options allow quick implementation of closed-loop servo systems, and a free configuration utility (for Windows) allows easy calibration and configuration through the USB port. A USB A to mini-B cable (not included) is required to connect this controller to a computer.

Key improvements over competing products and earlier Pololu motor controllers with feedback include:

  • USB connectivity with emulated serial (COM) port allows direct motor control from a PC.
  • Ultrasonic PWM to eliminate switching-induced motor shaft hum or whine.
  • Robust, high-speed communication protocol with user-configurable error condition response.
  • High internal resolution (12 bits) for smooth and flexible calibration to various input and feedback devices.
  • Current sensing and limiting.
  • Reversed power protection.
  • Field-upgradeable firmware.

The table below lists the members of the Jrk family, including the original (green) and newer G2 (black) versions, and shows the key differences among them.


Jrk
21v3

Jrk
12v12

Jrk G2
21v3

Jrk G2
18v19

Jrk G2
24v13

Jrk G2
18v27

Jrk G2
24v21
Recommended max
operating voltage:
28 V(1) 16 V 28 V(1) 24 V(2) 34 V(3) 24 V(2) 34 V(3)
Max nominal
battery voltage:
24 V 12 V 24 V 18 V 28 V 18 V 28 V
Max continuous current
(no additional cooling):
2.5 A* 12 A 2.6 A 19 A 13 A 27 A 21 A
USB, TTL serial,
Analog, RC control:
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
I²C control: Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Hardware current limiting: Yes Yes Yes Yes
Dimensions: 1.35" × 1.35" 1.85" × 1.35" 1.0" × 1.2" 1.4" × 1.2" 1.7" × 1.2"
1 Transient operation (< 500 ms) up to 40 V.
2 30 V absolute max.
3 40 V absolute max.
* Reduced from “3 A” based on newer, more stringent tests. The value now is directly comparable to the rating for the newer G2 21v3.

Main Features of the Jrk 12v12

  • Simple bidirectional control of one DC brush motor.
  • 6 V to 16 V operating supply range.
  • 12 A maximum continuous current output (30 A peak).
  • Four communication or control options:
    • USB interface for direct connection to a PC.
    • Full-duplex, TTL-level asynchronous serial interface for direct connection to microcontrollers or other embedded controllers.
    • Hobby radio control (RC) pulse width interface for direct connection to an RC receiver or RC servo controller.
    • 0 V to 5 V analog voltage interface for direct connection to potentiometers and analog joysticks.
  • Two closed-loop feedback options:
    • 0 V to 5 V analog voltage.
    • Frequency/tachometer digital input up to 2 MHz with 1 ms PID period.
    • (Open-loop control with no feedback also available.)
  • Simple configuration and calibration over USB with free configuration program for Windows.
  • Configurable parameters include:
    • PID period and PID constants (feedback tuning parameters).
    • Maximum current.
    • Maximum duty cycle.
    • Maximum acceleration.
    • Error response.
    • Input calibration (learning) for analog and RC control.
  • Optional CRC error detection eliminates communication errors caused by noise or software faults.
  • Reversed power protection.
  • Field-upgradeable firmware.
  • Optional feedback potentiometer disconnect detection.
  • Comprehensive user’s guide.

Specifications

Motor channels: 1
Operating voltage: 6 V to 16 V
Continuous output current: 12 A
Peak output current: 30 A
Auto-detect baud rate range: 300 bps to 115,200 bps
Available fixed baud rates: 300 bps to 115,200 bps
Available PWM frequencies: 20 kHz, 5 kHz
Reverse voltage protection?: Yes
USB connector style: USB Mini-B

The Jrk 12v12 is the larger of two Jrk motor controllers. For a lower-power version that has a wider operating voltage range, see the Jrk 21v3.

Included Hardware

The Jrk ships with a straight 0.1" breakaway male header strip and two 5mm, 2-pin terminal blocks. To provide maximum flexibility, none of these parts are soldered to the board.

For the most compact installation, you can solder wires directly to the Jrk pads themselves and skip using the included hardware. The included hardware allows you to make less permanent connections. You can break the header strip into smaller pieces, such as an 8×1 piece and two 3×1 pieces, and solder these strips into the Jrk’s I/O pads.

The three mounting holes are intended for use with #2 screws (not included).

Firmware change notice: The latest firmware version for the Jrk 12v12, version 1.4, changes the way the motor is controlled when the duty cycle is set to 0. All Jrk 12v12s manufactured after August 24, 2012 ship with this new firmware version. You can tell what version of the firmware you have by running the Jrk Configuration Utility. See the Upgrading Firmware section of the user’s guide for more information.

People often buy this product together with:

Mounting Bracket for Glideforce Light-Duty Linear Actuators - Aluminum Mounting Bracket for Glideforce Light-Duty Linear Actuators - Aluminum

Dimensions

Size: 1.35" x 1.85"
Weight: 0.5 oz

General specifications

Motor driver: VNH2SP30
Motor channels: 1
Control interface: USB; non-inverted TTL serial;
RC servo pulses; analog voltage1
Minimum operating voltage: 6 V
Maximum operating voltage: 16 V
Continuous output current per channel: 12 A
Peak output current per channel: 30 A
Current sense: 0.13 V/A2
Maximum PWM frequency: 20 kHz
Minimum logic voltage: 4 V3
Maximum logic voltage: 5 V
Reverse voltage protection?: Y
Version: original 12v12 (16 V max, 12 A max continuous)

Notes:

1
Autodetects baud rates between 300 and 115,200 bps, or can be set to any fixed baud rate in this range.
2
Current readings are converted to a digital number from 0-255.
3
In RC mode, the pulses can be as low as 2V.

Documentation and other information

File downloads

Recommended links

  • The Haunted Organist

    A spooky animatronic skeleton using the Jrk USB Motor Controller. See the final result. By Mark Goodson, October 2009.

  • R2D2 dome position control

    A replica of the famous Star Wars droid R2D2 that uses the Jrk USB Motor Controller for position control. See the video which shows the Jrk Configuration Utility in action, or read the blog post which has more information. By ggpipe, February 2010.

  • Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5

    The Microsoft .NET Framework version 3.5 is required for many Pololu configuration, control, and utility programs under Windows. Most computers will have this installed already or can automatically install it over the internet, but you can also get .NET 3.5 directly from Microsoft at this link. If you are installing on a computer without internet access, make sure to get the Full Redistributable Package.

This product is listed in:

Retired

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