Beginner
10 min

Enable smooth and silent operation of connected stepper motors with TMC2130 and ATmega2560

Two-phase bipolar stepper motor driver with StealthChop™ for quiet movement

Silent Step 2 Click with Arduino Mega 2560 Rev3

Published Feb 14, 2024

Click board™

Silent Step 2 Click

Dev. board

Arduino Mega 2560 Rev3

Compiler

NECTO Studio

MCU

ATmega2560

A compact and efficient solution for achieving smooth, silent, and precise motor control in diverse industrial applications

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Hardware Overview

How does it work?

Silent Step 2 Click is based on the TMC2130, a high-performance two-phase stepper motor driver from Analog Devices. The highest resolution is 256 microsteps per full step. Some other integrated techniques are SpreadCycle™ as a highly dynamic motor control chopper, DcStep™ as load-dependent speed control, sTallGuard2™ as a high precision sensorless motor load detection, and more. The motor driver supports passive breaking and freewheeling mode. This motor driver also supports a few operating modes that can be used per your needs. Silent Step 2 Click can communicate with the host MCU using a standard 4-wire SPI serial interface. It can also use the

step/direction driver mode, which allows you to control the motor position by sending pulses on the step signal STP pin while indicating the direction on the direction signal DIR pin. The driver uses an external motor power supply of 4.75 up to 43V to power a 2-phase stepper motor up to 2A coil current (2.5A peak). The motor current can be set over the onboard VREF potentiometer. Additional functionalities on this Click board™ are achieved over the PCA9538A, an 8-bit I/O port from NXP. This I/O port communicates with the host MCU over the I2C interface, and you can change the I2C address over the ADDR SEL jumpers. The PCA9538A allows you to control the driver enable

function of the motor driver. It also monitors two driver motors' diagnostic outputs, and if a condition is met (say, stall of the motor), it will interrupt the host MCU over the INT pin. The I/O port can be reset over the RST pin. 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.

Silent Step 2 Click hardware overview image

Features overview

Development board

Arduino Mega 2560 is a robust microcontroller platform built around the ATmega 2560 chip. It has extensive capabilities and boasts 54 digital input/output pins, including 15 PWM outputs, 16 analog inputs, and 4 UARTs. With a 16MHz crystal

oscillator ensuring precise timing, it offers seamless connectivity via USB, a convenient power jack, an ICSP header, and a reset button. This all-inclusive board simplifies microcontroller projects; connect it to your computer via USB or power it up

using an AC-to-DC adapter or battery. Notably, the Mega 2560 maintains compatibility with a wide range of shields crafted for the Uno, Duemilanove, or Diecimila boards, ensuring versatility and ease of integration.

Arduino Mega 2560 Rev3 double side image

Microcontroller Overview

MCU Card / MCU

default

Architecture

AVR

MCU Memory (KB)

256

Silicon Vendor

Microchip

Pin count

100

RAM (Bytes)

8192

You complete me!

Accessories

Click Shield for Arduino Mega comes equipped with four mikroBUS™ sockets, with two in the form of a Shuttle connector, allowing all the Click board™ devices to be interfaced with the Arduino Mega board with no effort. Featuring an AVR 8-bit microcontroller with advanced RISC architecture, 54 digital I/O pins, and Arduino™ compatibility, the Arduino Mega board offers limitless possibilities for prototyping and creating diverse applications. This board is controlled and powered conveniently through a USB connection to program and debug the Arduino Mega board efficiently out of the box, with an additional USB cable connected to the USB B port on the board. Simplify your project development with the integrated ATmega16U2 programmer and unleash creativity using the extensive I/O options and expansion capabilities. There are eight switches, which you can use as inputs, and eight LEDs, which can be used as outputs of the MEGA2560. In addition, the shield features the MCP1501, a high-precision buffered voltage reference from Microchip. This reference is selected by default over the EXT REF jumper at the bottom of the board. You can choose an external one, as you would usually do with an Arduino Mega board. There is also a GND hook for testing purposes. Four additional LEDs are PWR, LED (standard pin D13), RX, and TX LEDs connected to UART1 (mikroBUS™ 1 socket). This Click Shield also has several switches that perform functions such as selecting the logic levels of analog signals on mikroBUS™ sockets and selecting logic voltage levels of the mikroBUS™ sockets themselves. Besides, the user is offered the possibility of using any Click board™ with the help of existing bidirectional level-shifting voltage translators, regardless of whether the Click board™ operates at a 3.3V or 5V logic voltage level. Once you connect the Arduino Mega board with Click Shield for Arduino Mega, you can access hundreds of Click boards™, working with 3.3V or 5V logic voltage levels.

Click Shield for Arduino Mega 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.

Silent Step 2 Click accessories image

Used MCU Pins

mikroBUS™ mapper

Direction Control
PF1
AN
Reset / ID SEL
PL1
RST
SPI Select / ID COMM
PL4
CS
SPI Clock
PB1
SCK
SPI Data OUT
PB3
MISO
SPI Data IN
PB2
MOSI
Power Supply
3.3V
3.3V
Ground
GND
GND
Step Control
PE4
PWM
Interrupt
PB6
INT
NC
NC
TX
NC
NC
RX
I2C Clock
PD0
SCL
I2C Data
PD1
SDA
Power Supply
5V
5V
Ground
GND
GND
1

Take a closer look

Click board™ Schematic

Silent Step 2 Click Schematic schematic

Step by step

Project assembly

Click Shield for Arduino Mega front image hardware assembly

Start by selecting your development board and Click board™. Begin with the Arduino Mega 2560 Rev3 as your development board.

Click Shield for Arduino Mega front image hardware assembly
Arduino Mega 2560 Rev3 front image hardware assembly
Charger 27 Click front image hardware assembly
Prog-cut hardware assembly
Charger 27 Click complete accessories setup image hardware assembly
Arduino Mega 2560 Rev3 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
Arduino MEGA 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 Silent Step 2 Click driver.

Key functions:

  • silentstep2_rotate_by_angle - Silent Step 2 rotates the shaft through a desired angle function.

  • silentstep2_set_direction - Silent Step 2 sets the clockwise or counterclockwise direction movement function.

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 Silent Step 2 Click example
 *
 * # Description
 * This example demonstrates the use of Silent Step 2 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 and SPI 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 15 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 "silentstep2.h"

static silentstep2_t silentstep2;
static log_t logger;

// Bipolar stepper motor, resolution of 200 steps per revolution (1.8 degrees)
#define SILENTSTEP2_STEP_RES_200    200

void application_init ( void )
{
    log_cfg_t log_cfg;  /**< Logger config object. */
    silentstep2_cfg_t silentstep2_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.
    silentstep2_cfg_setup( &silentstep2_cfg );
    SILENTSTEP2_MAP_MIKROBUS( silentstep2_cfg, MIKROBUS_1 );
    err_t init_flag = silentstep2_init( &silentstep2, &silentstep2_cfg );
    if ( ( I2C_MASTER_ERROR == init_flag ) || ( SPI_MASTER_ERROR == init_flag ) )
    {
        log_error( &logger, " Communication init." );
        for ( ; ; );
    }
    
    if ( SILENTSTEP2_ERROR == silentstep2_default_cfg ( &silentstep2 ) )
    {
        log_error( &logger, " Default configuration." );
        for ( ; ; );
    }
    
    log_info( &logger, " Application Task " );
    log_printf( &logger, "-----------------------------\r\n" );
    Delay_ms( 100 );
}

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" );
    silentstep2_set_direction( &silentstep2, SILENTSTEP2_DIRECTION_CLOCKWISE );
    if ( SILENTSTEP2_OK == silentstep2_rotate_by_angle( &silentstep2, 50, 90, SILENTSTEP2_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" );
    silentstep2_set_direction( &silentstep2, SILENTSTEP2_DIRECTION_COUNTERCLOCKWISE );
    if ( SILENTSTEP2_OK == silentstep2_rotate_by_angle( &silentstep2, 50, 180, SILENTSTEP2_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        :  50 %% \r\n" );
    silentstep2_set_direction( &silentstep2, SILENTSTEP2_DIRECTION_CLOCKWISE );
    if ( SILENTSTEP2_OK == silentstep2_rotate_by_angle( &silentstep2, 50, 270, SILENTSTEP2_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" );
    silentstep2_set_direction( &silentstep2, SILENTSTEP2_DIRECTION_COUNTERCLOCKWISE );
    if ( SILENTSTEP2_OK == silentstep2_rotate_by_angle( &silentstep2, 90, 360, SILENTSTEP2_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" );
    silentstep2_set_direction( &silentstep2, SILENTSTEP2_DIRECTION_CLOCKWISE );
    if ( SILENTSTEP2_OK == silentstep2_rotate_by_angle( &silentstep2, 90, 360, SILENTSTEP2_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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