2 Channel Universal
Stepper Motor Controller
The Aeroflex 2 Channel Universal Stepper Motor Controller (USMC) provides two configurable stepper
motor drive circuits, suitable for driving either two independent stepper motors or one dual-redundant
stepper motor pair. The 2 Channel USMC may receive commands from the host system either in the
form of isolated (optically coupled) discrete commands, or in serial digital (RS-422/485) format. The
stepper motors may be of any configuration, either 2-phase or 3-phase, either unipolar or bipolar.
Output waveshapes are synthesized using high-efficiency Pulse Width Modulation, to provide
constant-current pulses to the motor windings, regardless of fluctuations in the +28 VDC line voltage.
Microstepping is also available, with resolution down to 1/64. EMI filters on the input line provide
compliance with Conducted Emitted (CE) and Conducted Susceptibility (CS) requirements of MIL-STD-
461E. Output filters and gaskets provide compliance with Radiated Susceptibility (RS) and Radiated
Emitted (RE) requirements.
The serial digital (RS-422/485) Status/Telemetry Output provides Temperature data from two RTD
temperature sensors, which may be connected externally at convenient locations, e.g. the two stepper
motors.
The unit is radiation hardened to a Total Ionizing Dose (TID) level of 100k Rads (Si), and is completely
immune to latch up
.Key Features
• Configurable for 2-phase or 3-phase stepper • Serial digital input control provides telemetry,
motors, with unipolar or bipolar drive. status and motor control commands.
• Independent control of two stepper motors; • Telemetry outputs provide motor status,
ideal for 2-axis gimbal application or dual temperature and supply voltage data.
winding steppers. • Clock may be either internal (8 MHz crystal) or
• Microstepping capability, with 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, external.
1/16, 1/32, and 1/64 resolution. • Two RTD inputs provided to measure temperature
• Constant-current drive, independent of of motors or other devices.
line voltage variations. Voltage drive mode • EMI filters on input (+28 VDC line) and output
available. to provide compliance with MIL-STD-461E.
• Radiation-hardened to 100 Krad. • Internal expansion connector allows future
• Motor drive current settable on Controller by connection to additional circuits, including
jumpers or by serial commands, independent inputs from incremental encoder, or interface to
for each motor. R/D converters.
• Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) at 62.5 KHz • One 10-bit A/D input for user connection to
provides high efficiency motor drive. external sensors.
• Requires only +28VDC input. • Automatic stepping. Step rate, step width and
number of steps can be programmed via
• User interface either opto-coupled discrete
serial interface then executed without further
(Enable, Step, Direction) or serial digital (RS-
interventions.
422/485).
For the very latest specifications visit [Link]
BLOCK DIAGRAM
INPUT +12 VDC
VOLTAGE
+28 VDC EMI +6.5 VDC
REGULATOR
FILTER +3.3 VDC
+2.5 VDC
SYNC
SERIAL
COMMANDS
CLOCK FET'S
INPUT
+ MOTOR
(RS422/485)
DATA EMI FILTERS A
(X4)
SELECT FPGA
FET'S
WORD SYNC + MOTOR
STATUS EMI FILTERS B
OUTPUT CLOCK (X4)
(RS422/485)
DATA
EXPANSION
I/O
ENABLE O/C
DISCRETE
CONTROLS STEP O/C RTD
(X2) RTD
TEMP
DIRECTION O/C INTERFACE
SENSOR
EXTERNAL
(X2)
CLOCK
8 MHZ
8 MHZ CONFIGURATION
CLOCK JUMPERS
CRYSTAL
OSCILLATOR 8 MHZ
2 CHANNEL UNIVERSAL STEPPER
MOTOR CONTROLLER
PASS-THROUGH PASS-THROUGH
CONNECTIONS CONNECTIONS
OUTLINE DRAWING
For the very latest specifications visit [Link]
SPECIFICATIONS
Line Voltage Range 18 to 36 VDC
Operating Temperature Range -55ºC to +70ºC
Maximum Motor Current 2.0 amperes
Standby Current (with zero motor current) 70 ma
Microstepping Resolution 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, 1/64
Size (Chassis) 6.70" x 3.80" x 1.37"
Weight (Including Chassis) 0.60 Kg
Aeroflex Incorporated Aeroflex Motion Control Systems Aeroflex, Stevenage Division
35 South Service Road 350 Kennedy Drive Longacres House
P.O. Box 6022 Hauppauge, NY 11788 [USA] Six Hills Way
Plainview, NY 11803-0622 [USA] Stevenage SG1 2AN [UK]
Tel: (631) 231-9100 Tel: [+44] 1438 742200
Tel: (516) 694-6700 Fax: (631) 231-8375 Toll Free: [+44] 1438 742200 [UK only]
Toll Free: (800)-843-1553 Fax: [+44] 1438 727601
Fax: (516) 694-2562
As we are always seeking to improve our products
the information in this document gives only a general
indication of the product capacity, performance and
suitability, none of which shall form part of any contract.
[Link] Our passion for performance is defined by three
We reserve the right to make design changes without
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attributes represented by these three icons:
notice. All trademarks are acknowledged. Parent com-
pany Aeroflex, Inc. © Aeroflex 2005 solution-minded, performance-driven and customer-focused
Issue 2, 06/16/05