Beginner
10 min

Control both industrial and consumer-grade stepper motors with DRV8424 and PIC18F57Q43

PWM microstepping stepper motor driver with simple STEP/DIR interface and up to 1/256 microstepping indexer

Stepper 19 Click with Curiosity Nano with PIC18F57Q43

Published Mar 25, 2024

Click board™

Stepper 19 Click

Dev. board

Curiosity Nano with PIC18F57Q43

Compiler

NECTO Studio

MCU

PIC18F57Q43

Capable of delivering up to 2.5A of full-scale output current, ideal for driving various stepper motors in robotics, precision systems, and automation

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Hardware Overview

How does it work?

Stepper 19 Click is based on the DRV8424, a stepper motor driver from Texas Instruments, made for both industrial and consumer applications. This integrated circuit stands out with its comprehensive integration, including dual N-channel power MOSFET H-bridge drivers, a microstepping indexer, and integrated current sensing. The DRV8424 operates on an external power supply ranging from 5V to 30V and can drive up to 2.5A of full-scale output current. Its design eliminates the need for external power sense resistors by utilizing an internal current sense architecture, conserving PCB space and reducing overall system cost. The DRV8424 optimizes performance through an internal PWM current regulation scheme, offering smart tune, slow, and mixed decay options selections. The smart tune feature dynamically adjusts to ensure optimal current regulation,

compensates for motor variations and aging, and minimizes audible noise produced by the motor. Control over the stepper motor is achieved via a straightforward STEP/DIR interface, which permits an external controller to dictate the motor's stepping direction and rate. Microstepping resolution ranges from full-step to 1/256, selectable through the STP pin of the mikroBUS™ socket, with the direction controlled by the DIR pin. The device also includes a low-power sleep mode accessible via the RST pin. It has several protection features for conditions like supply undervoltage, charge pump faults, overcurrent, short circuits, and overtemperature, with fault indications through the FLT pin. The DRV8424's enable/disable function is managed by the EN pin. Additional functionalities on this Click board™ are achieved over the PCA9538A, an 8-bit I/O port from NXP, which

interfaces with the main MCU via I2C, offering selectable addresses through the ADDR SEL jumpers. Besides DIR and STP pins on the mikroBUS™ socket, the PCA9538A can also control these functions if the R12 and R16 resistors are populated on the board. This configuration flexibility, combined with the DRV8424's efficiency and the PCA9538A's extensive control capabilities, makes Stepper 19 Click a powerful solution for driving stepper motors in various application scenarios. This Click board™ can operate with either 3.3V or 5V logic voltage levels selected via the VCC SEL jumper. This way, both 3.3V and 5V capable MCUs can use the communication lines properly. Also, this Click board™ comes equipped with a library containing easy-to-use functions and an example code that can be used as a reference for further development.

Stepper 19 Click hardware overview image

Features overview

Development board

PIC18F57Q43 Curiosity Nano evaluation kit is a cutting-edge hardware platform designed to evaluate microcontrollers within the PIC18-Q43 family. Central to its design is the inclusion of the powerful PIC18F57Q43 microcontroller (MCU), offering advanced functionalities and robust performance. Key features of this evaluation kit include a yellow user LED and a responsive

mechanical user switch, providing seamless interaction and testing. The provision for a 32.768kHz crystal footprint ensures precision timing capabilities. With an onboard debugger boasting a green power and status LED, programming and debugging become intuitive and efficient. Further enhancing its utility is the Virtual serial port (CDC) and a debug GPIO channel (DGI

GPIO), offering extensive connectivity options. Powered via USB, this kit boasts an adjustable target voltage feature facilitated by the MIC5353 LDO regulator, ensuring stable operation with an output voltage ranging from 1.8V to 5.1V, with a maximum output current of 500mA, subject to ambient temperature and voltage constraints.

PIC18F57Q43 Curiosity Nano double side image

Microcontroller Overview

MCU Card / MCU

default

Architecture

PIC

MCU Memory (KB)

128

Silicon Vendor

Microchip

Pin count

48

RAM (Bytes)

8196

You complete me!

Accessories

Curiosity Nano Base for Click boards is a versatile hardware extension platform created to streamline the integration between Curiosity Nano kits and extension boards, tailored explicitly for the mikroBUS™-standardized Click boards and Xplained Pro extension boards. This innovative base board (shield) offers seamless connectivity and expansion possibilities, simplifying experimentation and development. Key features include USB power compatibility from the Curiosity Nano kit, alongside an alternative external power input option for enhanced flexibility. The onboard Li-Ion/LiPo charger and management circuit ensure smooth operation for battery-powered applications, simplifying usage and management. Moreover, the base incorporates a fixed 3.3V PSU dedicated to target and mikroBUS™ power rails, alongside a fixed 5.0V boost converter catering to 5V power rails of mikroBUS™ sockets, providing stable power delivery for various connected devices.

Curiosity Nano Base for Click boards accessories 1 image

The 28BYJ-48 is an adaptable 5VDC stepper motor with a compact design, ideal for various applications. It features four phases, a speed variation ratio of 1/64, and a stride angle of 5.625°/64 steps, allowing precise control. The motor operates at a frequency of 100Hz and has a DC resistance of 50Ω ±7% at 25°C. It boasts an idle in-traction frequency greater than 600Hz and an idle out-traction frequency exceeding 1000Hz, ensuring reliability in different scenarios. With a self-positioning torque and in-traction torque both exceeding 34.3mN.m at 120Hz, the 28BYJ-48 offers robust performance. Its friction torque ranges from 600 to 1200 gf.cm, while the pull-in torque is 300 gf.cm. This motor makes a reliable and efficient choice for your stepper motor needs.

Stepper 19 Click accessories 1 image

Used MCU Pins

mikroBUS™ mapper

Stepping Direction Control
PA0
AN
Sleep Mode Control / ID SEL
PA7
RST
Device Enable / ID COMM
PD4
CS
NC
NC
SCK
NC
NC
MISO
NC
NC
MOSI
Power Supply
3.3V
3.3V
Ground
GND
GND
Step Input Control
PB0
PWM
Fault Interrupt
PA6
INT
NC
NC
TX
NC
NC
RX
I2C Clock
PB2
SCL
I2C Data
PB1
SDA
Power Supply
5V
5V
Ground
GND
GND
1

Take a closer look

Click board™ Schematic

Stepper 19 Click Schematic schematic

Step by step

Project assembly

Curiosity Nano Base for Click boards front image hardware assembly

Start by selecting your development board and Click board™. Begin with the Curiosity Nano with PIC18F57Q43 as your development board.

Curiosity Nano Base for Click boards front image hardware assembly
Charger 27 Click front image hardware assembly
PIC18F47Q10 Curiosity Nano front image hardware assembly
Prog-cut hardware assembly
Charger 27 Click complete accessories setup image hardware assembly
Curiosity Nano with PICXXX Access MB 1 - upright/background hardware assembly
Necto image step 2 hardware assembly
Necto image step 3 hardware assembly
Necto image step 4 hardware assembly
Necto image step 5 hardware assembly
Necto image step 6 hardware assembly
PIC18F57Q43 Curiosity MCU Step hardware assembly
Necto No Display image step 8 hardware assembly
Necto image step 9 hardware assembly
Necto image step 10 hardware assembly
Debug Image Necto Step hardware assembly

Track your results in real time

Application Output

1. Application Output - In Debug mode, the 'Application Output' window enables real-time data monitoring, offering direct insight into execution results. Ensure proper data display by configuring the environment correctly using the provided tutorial.

2. UART Terminal - Use the UART Terminal to monitor data transmission via a USB to UART converter, allowing direct communication between the Click board™ and your development system. Configure the baud rate and other serial settings according to your project's requirements to ensure proper functionality. For step-by-step setup instructions, refer to the provided tutorial.

3. Plot Output - The Plot feature offers a powerful way to visualize real-time sensor data, enabling trend analysis, debugging, and comparison of multiple data points. To set it up correctly, follow the provided tutorial, which includes a step-by-step example of using the Plot feature to display Click board™ readings. To use the Plot feature in your code, use the function: plot(*insert_graph_name*, variable_name);. This is a general format, and it is up to the user to replace 'insert_graph_name' with the actual graph name and 'variable_name' with the parameter to be displayed.

Software Support

Library Description

This library contains API for Stepper 19 Click driver.

Key functions:

  • stepper19_rotate_by_angle - This function rotates the shaft through a desired step speed and angle

  • stepper19_rotate_by_step - This function rotates the shaft through for the specific number of steps at the selected speed

  • stepper19_set_direction - This function sets the desired direction of motor movement: clockwise or counterclockwise

Open Source

Code example

The complete application code and a ready-to-use project are available through the NECTO Studio Package Manager for direct installation in the NECTO Studio. The application code can also be found on the MIKROE GitHub account.

/*!
 * @file main.c
 * @brief Stepper 19 Click example
 *
 * # Description
 * This example demonstrates the use of Stepper 19 Click board 
 * by driving the motor in both directions for a desired rotation angle.
 *
 * The demo application is composed of two sections :
 *
 * ## Application Init
 * The initialization of I2C module and log UART.
 * After driver initialization, the app sets the default configuration.
 *
 * ## Application Task
 * The application task represents an example that demonstrates 
 * the use of the Stepper 19 Click board with which the user can sequentially move the motor. 
 * The first part of the sequence executes the clockwise/counterclockwise motor movement 
 * for an angle of 90 degrees with a step speed of 50%, 
 * all the way to the last sequence of the same movement routine 
 * of 360 degree angle with a step speed of 90%. 
 * Results are being sent to the UART Terminal, where you can track their changes.
 *
 * @author Nenad Filipovic
 *
 */

#include "board.h"
#include "log.h"
#include "stepper19.h"


// Bipolar stepper motor, resolution of 200 steps per revolution (1.8 degrees)
#define STEPPER19_STEP_RES_200    200

static stepper19_t stepper19;
static log_t logger;

void application_init ( void ) 
{
    log_cfg_t log_cfg;  /**< Logger config object. */
    stepper19_cfg_t stepper19_cfg;  /**< Click config object. */

    /** 
     * 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.
    stepper19_cfg_setup( &stepper19_cfg );
    STEPPER19_MAP_MIKROBUS( stepper19_cfg, MIKROBUS_1 );
    if ( I2C_MASTER_ERROR == stepper19_init( &stepper19, &stepper19_cfg ) ) 
    {
        log_error( &logger, " Communication init." );
        for ( ; ; );
    }
    
    if ( STEPPER19_ERROR == stepper19_default_cfg ( &stepper19 ) )
    {
        log_error( &logger, " Default configuration." );
        for ( ; ; );
    }
    
    log_info( &logger, " Application Task " );
    log_printf( &logger, "-----------------------------\r\n" );
}

void application_task ( void ) 
{
    log_printf( &logger, " Clockwise motion\r\n" );
    log_printf( &logger, " Angle of rotation :  90 degrees\r\n" );
    log_printf( &logger, " Step speed        :  50 %%\r\n" );
    stepper19_set_direction( &stepper19, STEPPER19_DIR_CLOCKWISE );
    if ( STEPPER19_OK == stepper19_rotate_by_angle( &stepper19, 50, 90, STEPPER19_STEP_RES_200 ) )
    {
        log_printf( &logger, "-----------------------------\r\n" );
        Delay_ms( 2000 );
    }
    
    log_printf( &logger, " Counterclockwise motion\r\n" );
    log_printf( &logger, " Angle of rotation :  180 deg\r\n" );
    log_printf( &logger, " Step speed        :  50 %%\r\n" );
    stepper19_set_direction( &stepper19, STEPPER19_DIR_COUNTERCLOCKWISE );
    if ( STEPPER19_OK == stepper19_rotate_by_angle( &stepper19, 50, 180, STEPPER19_STEP_RES_200 ) )
    {
        log_printf( &logger, "-----------------------------\r\n" );
        Delay_ms( 2000 );
    }
    
    log_printf( &logger, " Clockwise motion\r\n" );
    log_printf( &logger, " Angle of rotation : 270 deg\r\n" );
    log_printf( &logger, " Step speed        :  90 %% \r\n" );
    stepper19_set_direction( &stepper19, STEPPER19_DIR_CLOCKWISE );
    if ( STEPPER19_OK == stepper19_rotate_by_angle( &stepper19, 90, 270, STEPPER19_STEP_RES_200 ) )
    {
        log_printf( &logger, "-----------------------------\r\n" );
        Delay_ms( 2000 );
    }
    
    log_printf( &logger, " Counterclockwise motion\r\n" );
    log_printf( &logger, " Angle of rotation : 360 deg\r\n" );
    log_printf( &logger, " Step speed        : 90 %%\r\n" );
    stepper19_set_direction( &stepper19, STEPPER19_DIR_COUNTERCLOCKWISE );
    if ( STEPPER19_OK == stepper19_rotate_by_angle( &stepper19, 90, 360, STEPPER19_STEP_RES_200 ) )
    {
        log_printf( &logger, "-----------------------------\r\n" );
        Delay_ms( 2000 );
    }
    
    log_printf( &logger, " Clockwise motion\r\n" );
    log_printf( &logger, " Angle of rotation : 360 deg\r\n" );
    log_printf( &logger, " Step speed        : 90 %% \r\n" );
    stepper19_set_direction( &stepper19, STEPPER19_DIR_CLOCKWISE );
    if ( STEPPER19_OK == stepper19_rotate_by_angle( &stepper19, 90, 360, STEPPER19_STEP_RES_200 ) )
    {
        log_printf( &logger, "-----------------------------\r\n" );
        Delay_ms( 2000 );
    }
}

void main ( void ) 
{
    application_init( );

    for ( ; ; ) 
    {
        application_task( );
    }
}

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

Additional Support

Resources

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