Intermediate
30 min

Make your motor-controlled projects reliable with DRV8830 and PIC18F27K40

Achieve optimal motor responsiveness

DC Motor 11 Click with EasyPIC v8

Published Nov 01, 2023

Click board™

DC Motor 11 Click

Dev Board

EasyPIC v8

Compiler

NECTO Studio

MCU

PIC18F27K40

Embrace brushed motor control. Control motor current limiting and current sensing using this DC motor control solution!

A

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Hardware Overview

How does it work?

DC Motor 11 Click is based on the DRV8830, a low-voltage motor driver with a serial interface from Texas Instruments. This IC is an integrated H-Bridge driver with a current regulation circuit limiting the current through the connected load with a single resistor. A low ON resistance through the H-Bridge reduces the overall power dissipation, while an advanced control circuit injects dead-time intervals whenever the outputs change their state, preventing current shoot-throughs. The DRV8830 also integrates protection features, including undervoltage, overcurrent, and overtemperature protection. Each of these events will cause the H-Bridge MOSFETs to be disabled. After removing a fault condition, the device will continue its operation. The DRV8830 includes an internal reference voltage that is connected to a DAC. This DAC generates

a voltage that is used to set the PWM-regulated output voltage and, therefore, the speed and direction of the motor rotation. The DAC is controlled by the VSET bits from the I2C interface. For detailed commands for desired output voltages, refer to the DRV8830 datasheet. DC Motor 11 click uses the I2C interface to communicate with the main MCU and the fault pin (FLT), which is routed to the INT pin of the mikroBUS™ socket. The I2C address can be selected using additional SMD jumpers (JP1 and JP2) labeled ADDR SEL, determining the least significant bits of the DRV8830 slave I2C address. Although the DRV8830 supports up to 1A Maximum DC/RMS or Peak Drive Current Current through the connected load, it is limited to a maximum of 0.6A. A higher current will cause the overcurrent protection to be activated.

The peak current through the motor is limited to about 1A, ensuring reliable spin-up while preventing the overcurrent protection from being activated, even if a large load torque is applied. Although there is a low resistance across the H-Bridge, the current should be monitored to prevent excessive heating in situations where the load is reasonably high. This Click board™ can only be operated with a 3.3V logic voltage level. The board must perform appropriate logic voltage level conversion before using MCUs with different logic levels. However, the Click board™ comes equipped with a library containing functions and an example code that can be used as a reference for further development.

dc-motor-11-click-hardware-overview

Features overview

Development board

EasyPIC v8 is a development board specially designed for the needs of rapid development of embedded applications. It supports many high pin count 8-bit PIC microcontrollers from Microchip, regardless of their number of pins, and a broad set of unique functions, such as the first-ever embedded debugger/programmer. The development board is well organized and designed so that the end-user has all the necessary elements, such as switches, buttons, indicators, connectors, and others, in one place. Thanks to innovative manufacturing technology, EasyPIC v8 provides a fluid and immersive working experience, allowing access anywhere and under any

circumstances at any time. Each part of the EasyPIC v8 development board contains the components necessary for the most efficient operation of the same board. In addition to the advanced integrated CODEGRIP programmer/debugger module, which offers many valuable programming/debugging options and seamless integration with the Mikroe software environment, the board also includes a clean and regulated power supply module for the development board. It can use a wide range of external power sources, including a battery, an external 12V power supply, and a power source via the USB Type-C (USB-C) connector.

Communication options such as USB-UART, USB DEVICE, and CAN are also included, including the well-established mikroBUS™ standard, two display options (graphical and character-based LCD), and several different DIP sockets. These sockets cover a wide range of 8-bit PIC MCUs, from the smallest PIC MCU devices with only eight up to forty pins. EasyPIC v8 is an integral part of the Mikroe ecosystem for rapid development. Natively supported by Mikroe software tools, it covers many aspects of prototyping and development thanks to a considerable number of different Click boards™ (over a thousand boards), the number of which is growing every day.

EasyPIC v8 horizontal image

Microcontroller Overview

MCU Card / MCU

default

Architecture

PIC

MCU Memory (KB)

128

Silicon Vendor

Microchip

Pin count

28

RAM (Bytes)

3728

You complete me!

Accessories

DC Gear Motor - 430RPM (3-6V) represents an all-in-one combination of a motor and gearbox, where the addition of gear leads to a reduction of motor speed while increasing the torque output. This gear motor has a spur gearbox, making it a highly reliable solution for applications with lower torque and speed requirements. The most critical parameters for gear motors are speed, torque, and efficiency, which are, in this case, 520RPM with no load and 430RPM at maximum efficiency, alongside a current of 60mA and a torque of 50g.cm. Rated for a 3-6V operational voltage range and clockwise/counterclockwise rotation direction, this motor represents an excellent solution for many functions initially performed by brushed DC motors in robotics, medical equipment, electric door locks, and much more.

DC Motor 11 Click accessories image

Used MCU Pins

mikroBUS™ mapper

NC
NC
AN
NC
NC
RST
NC
NC
CS
NC
NC
SCK
NC
NC
MISO
NC
NC
MOSI
Power Supply
3.3V
3.3V
Ground
GND
GND
NC
NC
PWM
Fault Indicator
RB1
INT
NC
NC
TX
NC
NC
RX
I2C Clock
RC3
SCL
I2C Data
RC4
SDA
NC
NC
5V
Ground
GND
GND
2

Take a closer look

Schematic

DC Motor 11 Click Schematic schematic

Step by step

Project assembly

EasyPIC v8 front image hardware assembly

Start by selecting your development board and Click board™. Begin with the EasyPIC v8 as your development board.

EasyPIC v8 front image hardware assembly
LTE IoT 5 Click front image hardware assembly
MCU DIP 28 hardware assembly
LTE IoT 5 Click complete accessories setup image hardware assembly
EasyPIC v8 28pin-DIP Access - upright/background hardware assembly
Necto image step 2 hardware assembly
Necto image step 3 hardware assembly
Necto image step 4 hardware assembly
NECTO Compiler Selection Step Image hardware assembly
NECTO Output Selection Step Image hardware assembly
Necto image step 6 hardware assembly
Necto DIP image step 7 hardware assembly
Necto image step 8 hardware assembly
Necto image step 9 hardware assembly
Necto image step 10 hardware assembly
Necto PreFlash Image hardware assembly

Track your results in real time

Application Output

1. Once the code example is loaded, pressing the "FLASH" button initiates the build process, and programs it on the created setup.

2. After the programming is completed, click on the Tools icon in the upper-right panel, and select the UART Terminal.

3. After opening the UART Terminal tab, first check the baud rate setting in the Options menu (default is 115200). If this parameter is correct, activate the terminal by clicking the "CONNECT" button.

4. Now terminal status changes from Disconnected to Connected in green, and the data is displayed in the Received data field.

UART_Application_Output

Software Support

Library Description

This library contains API for DC Motor 11 Click driver.

Key functions:

  • dcmotor11_control - Motor Control

  • dcmotor11_get_fault - Get Fault

  • dcmotor11_get_interrupt_state - Interrupt state on the INT pin

Open Source

Code example

This example can be found in NECTO Studio. Feel free to download the code, or you can copy the code below.

/*!
 * \file 
 * \brief DcMotor11 Click example
 * 
 * # Description
 * This application is motor driver with the current limiting and current sensing.
 *
 * The demo application is composed of two sections :
 * 
 * ## Application Init 
 * Initialization driver init and sets first motor settings.
 * 
 * ## Application Task  
 * Waits for valid user input and executes functions based on set of valid commands.
 * 
 * 
 * \author MikroE Team
 *
 */
// ------------------------------------------------------------------- INCLUDES

#include "board.h"
#include "log.h"
#include "dcmotor11.h"

// ------------------------------------------------------------------ VARIABLES

static dcmotor11_t dcmotor11;
static log_t logger;

uint8_t motor_speed;
uint8_t motor_dir;
uint8_t f_motor_state = 1;

// ------------------------------------------------------ APPLICATION FUNCTIONS

void application_init ( void )
{
    log_cfg_t log_cfg;
    dcmotor11_cfg_t cfg;

    /** 
     * Logger initialization.
     * Default baud rate: 115200
     * Default log level: LOG_LEVEL_DEBUG
     * @note If USB_UART_RX and USB_UART_TX 
     * are defined as HAL_PIN_NC, you will 
     * need to define them manually for log to work. 
     * See @b LOG_MAP_USB_UART macro definition for detailed explanation.
     */
    LOG_MAP_USB_UART( log_cfg );
    log_init( &logger, &log_cfg );
    log_info( &logger, "---- Application Init ----" );

    //  Click initialization.

    dcmotor11_cfg_setup( &cfg );
    DCMOTOR11_MAP_MIKROBUS( cfg, MIKROBUS_1 );
    dcmotor11_init( &dcmotor11, &cfg );

    dcmotor11_get_fault( &dcmotor11 );
    
    // Start settings 
    motor_dir = DCMOTOR11_DIRECTION_FORWARD;
    motor_speed = DCMOTOR11_VSET_480mV;
    dcmotor11_control( &dcmotor11, DCMOTOR11_DIRECTION_FORWARD, motor_speed );
}

void application_task ( void )
{
    // Speed increase 
    motor_speed += 4;
    if ( motor_speed >= DCMOTOR11_VSET_4820mV )
    {
        log_printf( &logger, "---- MAX SPEED ---- \r\n" );
        motor_speed = DCMOTOR11_VSET_4820mV;
        dcmotor11_control( &dcmotor11, motor_dir, motor_speed );
    }
    else
    {
        log_printf( &logger, "---- Speed increase ---- \r\n" );
        log_printf( &logger, " MOTOR SPEED: %d \r\n", motor_speed );
        
        dcmotor11_control( &dcmotor11, motor_dir, motor_speed );
    }

    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );

    // Speed decrease 
    motor_speed -= 4;
    if ( motor_speed < DCMOTOR11_VSET_480mV )
    {
        log_printf( &logger, "---- MIN SPEED ---- \r\n" );
        motor_speed = DCMOTOR11_VSET_480mV;
    }
    else
    {
        log_printf( &logger, "---- Speed decrease ---- \r\n");
        log_printf( &logger, " MOTOR SPEED: %d \r\n", motor_speed );
        
        dcmotor11_control( &dcmotor11, motor_dir, motor_speed );
    }

    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );

    // Stop / Start
    if( f_motor_state == 1 )
    {
        log_printf( &logger,"---- Stop Motor!!! ---- \r\n" );
        f_motor_state = 0;
        dcmotor11_stop( &dcmotor11 );
    }
    else
    {
        log_printf( &logger,"---- Start Motor ---- \r\n" );
        f_motor_state = 1;
        motor_speed = DCMOTOR11_VSET_480mV;
        dcmotor11_control( &dcmotor11, motor_dir, motor_speed );
    }

    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );

    // Direction - Forward / Backword 
    if ( motor_dir == 2 )
    {
        log_printf( &logger,"---- Direction - [FORWARD] ---- \r\n" );
        motor_dir = 1;
        dcmotor11_control( &dcmotor11, motor_dir, motor_speed );
    }
    else
    {
        log_printf( &logger,"---- Direction - [BACKWARD] ---- \r\n" );
        motor_dir = 2;
        dcmotor11_control( &dcmotor11, motor_dir, motor_speed );
    }
}

int main ( void ) 
{
    /* Do not remove this line or clock might not be set correctly. */
    #ifdef PREINIT_SUPPORTED
    preinit();
    #endif
    
    application_init( );
    
    for ( ; ; ) 
    {
        application_task( );
    }

    return 0;
}

// ------------------------------------------------------------------------ END
/*!
 * \file 
 * \brief DcMotor11 Click example
 * 
 * # Description
 * This application is motor driver with the current limiting and current sensing.
 *
 * The demo application is composed of two sections :
 * 
 * ## Application Init 
 * Initialization driver init and sets first motor settings.
 * 
 * ## Application Task  
 * Waits for valid user input and executes functions based on set of valid commands.
 * 
 * 
 * \author MikroE Team
 *
 */
// ------------------------------------------------------------------- INCLUDES

#include "board.h"
#include "log.h"
#include "dcmotor11.h"

// ------------------------------------------------------------------ VARIABLES

static dcmotor11_t dcmotor11;
static log_t logger;

uint8_t motor_speed;
uint8_t motor_dir;
uint8_t f_motor_state = 1;

// ------------------------------------------------------ APPLICATION FUNCTIONS

void application_init ( void )
{
    log_cfg_t log_cfg;
    dcmotor11_cfg_t cfg;

    /** 
     * Logger initialization.
     * Default baud rate: 115200
     * Default log level: LOG_LEVEL_DEBUG
     * @note If USB_UART_RX and USB_UART_TX 
     * are defined as HAL_PIN_NC, you will 
     * need to define them manually for log to work. 
     * See @b LOG_MAP_USB_UART macro definition for detailed explanation.
     */
    LOG_MAP_USB_UART( log_cfg );
    log_init( &logger, &log_cfg );
    log_info( &logger, "---- Application Init ----" );

    //  Click initialization.

    dcmotor11_cfg_setup( &cfg );
    DCMOTOR11_MAP_MIKROBUS( cfg, MIKROBUS_1 );
    dcmotor11_init( &dcmotor11, &cfg );

    dcmotor11_get_fault( &dcmotor11 );
    
    // Start settings 
    motor_dir = DCMOTOR11_DIRECTION_FORWARD;
    motor_speed = DCMOTOR11_VSET_480mV;
    dcmotor11_control( &dcmotor11, DCMOTOR11_DIRECTION_FORWARD, motor_speed );
}

void application_task ( void )
{
    // Speed increase 
    motor_speed += 4;
    if ( motor_speed >= DCMOTOR11_VSET_4820mV )
    {
        log_printf( &logger, "---- MAX SPEED ---- \r\n" );
        motor_speed = DCMOTOR11_VSET_4820mV;
        dcmotor11_control( &dcmotor11, motor_dir, motor_speed );
    }
    else
    {
        log_printf( &logger, "---- Speed increase ---- \r\n" );
        log_printf( &logger, " MOTOR SPEED: %d \r\n", motor_speed );
        
        dcmotor11_control( &dcmotor11, motor_dir, motor_speed );
    }

    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );

    // Speed decrease 
    motor_speed -= 4;
    if ( motor_speed < DCMOTOR11_VSET_480mV )
    {
        log_printf( &logger, "---- MIN SPEED ---- \r\n" );
        motor_speed = DCMOTOR11_VSET_480mV;
    }
    else
    {
        log_printf( &logger, "---- Speed decrease ---- \r\n");
        log_printf( &logger, " MOTOR SPEED: %d \r\n", motor_speed );
        
        dcmotor11_control( &dcmotor11, motor_dir, motor_speed );
    }

    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );

    // Stop / Start
    if( f_motor_state == 1 )
    {
        log_printf( &logger,"---- Stop Motor!!! ---- \r\n" );
        f_motor_state = 0;
        dcmotor11_stop( &dcmotor11 );
    }
    else
    {
        log_printf( &logger,"---- Start Motor ---- \r\n" );
        f_motor_state = 1;
        motor_speed = DCMOTOR11_VSET_480mV;
        dcmotor11_control( &dcmotor11, motor_dir, motor_speed );
    }

    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );

    // Direction - Forward / Backword 
    if ( motor_dir == 2 )
    {
        log_printf( &logger,"---- Direction - [FORWARD] ---- \r\n" );
        motor_dir = 1;
        dcmotor11_control( &dcmotor11, motor_dir, motor_speed );
    }
    else
    {
        log_printf( &logger,"---- Direction - [BACKWARD] ---- \r\n" );
        motor_dir = 2;
        dcmotor11_control( &dcmotor11, motor_dir, motor_speed );
    }
}

int main ( void ) 
{
    /* Do not remove this line or clock might not be set correctly. */
    #ifdef PREINIT_SUPPORTED
    preinit();
    #endif
    
    application_init( );
    
    for ( ; ; ) 
    {
        application_task( );
    }

    return 0;
}

// ------------------------------------------------------------------------ END

Additional Support

Resources

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