A device for easy & robust PWM control of up to 16 medium current loads, for example DC-Motors, Solenoids, LED fixtures, Pumps etc. The short circuit and overcurrent protection for each output channel, as well as input polarity protection and DIN-rail mounting hardware enables use in demanding environments, including rapid prototyping, educational robotics and art installations. The RS485 transceiver allows up to 32 Boards to be addressed on a single communications bus, with long cable runs of around 500m in total possible. Protocols such as Modbus, DMX-512 and other UART based & custom ones could be implemented. It is entirely programmable on the Arduino IDE, as well as ESP-IDF.
The Board originated from a request by friend & media Artist Alfredo Ardia, who was looking for a ruggedized control system for his ICEBERG-1410 piece, which is an interactive sound installation, consisting of a computer controlled piano with a custom 84 solenoid actuator array, that receives notes to be played from MAX-MSP. The boards get timing and velocity values over RS485, that result in different forces being applied to the hammers of the piano.
- 16 individually controlled half bridges, can be combined to form 8 full bridges
- 2A continuous, 3.5A max Current per Channel, 20A max total
- 5…30V Supply
- Split Supply Voltage capability (8ch each)
- independent channel overload & short circuit protection
- 12 bit PWM control per Channel, variable frequency
- RS485 Bus Controllable, with switchable Termination
- ESP32 Microcontroller with Arduino Integration, USB-C for onboard programming
- Stemma QT Connector for easy expansion with a wide range of available addons
