Using Cytron Smart Drive Duo-10 with ARC and EZ-b

Question

We know that ARC platform supports the Sabertooth dual DC motor drive in all its modes .. communicating via its serial packetized iface (I think).  Do you have support for the Cytron Smart Drive Duo-10 MDDS10? This is a similar module to the Sabertooth tho considerable less expensive.  It supports a packetised iface and has independent and mixed modes.

DJ Sures · Answer

Should be easy to modify the sabertooth plugin to work with that. Do you have a datasheet with the communication protocol?

mbrooks · Answer

Unresolved .. I was sent a link describing where to source the Cytron smart drive duo-10 but my question is: does the Arc platform manage this motor controller pls?

DJ Sures · Answer

Of course ARC can support anything if you know the protocol. Should be easy to modify the sabertooth plugin to work with that. Do you have a datasheet with the communication protocol?

mbrooks · Answer

mdds10_users_manual.pdf Sorry .. my mistake .. I did not see DJs comment.  Pls see data sheet.  The serial comms protocols are at the end.

mbrooks · Answer

DJ .. is this something that I would do .. would I access the Sabertooth plugin > copy it and rename the copy > then access the protocol and change to suit the Cytron board??  or this something that would have to be done by your team?

DJ Sures · Answer

I am offering to help, personally. I merely need a datasheet or some document or webpage that displays the protocol commands to send.

mbrooks · Answer

mdds10_users_manual.pdf

mbrooks · Answer

Hello DJ .. is this document enough?

DJ Sures · Answer

It sure is. I'll give it a look through - stay tuned

DJ Sures · Answer

Looks like the Sabertooth Movement Panel is compatible with the Cytron Smart Drive Duo in Simplified Serial Mode. Follow the instructions in the manual you attached to set the Cytron into simplified serial. Keep note of the baudrate and connect it to your EZ-B's UART port.

mbrooks · Answer

Thanks DJ.  So if I have this right .. both Sabertooth and Cytron Smart Drive Duo use simplified serial protocol and both connect to one of the EZ-B UART ports.  I understand that every digital port can be configured as one direction serial ie. TXD?? Eg. I could put my Sabertooth on D0 and my Cytron on D1.  Is this correct?  Or , do I have to use the dedicated UART ports UART0, 1, 2?

mbrooks · Answer

Then, do I select the same plugin (Sabertooth) for both my Sabertooth and Cytron modules?

DJ Sures · Answer

yes you use the sabertooth skill to control the cytron. The Sabertooth Movement Panel is compatible with the Cytron Smart Drive Duo in Simplified Serial Mode. 2) I advise using the UART ports to ensure accurate data transmission. The sabertooth config control will also mention the same advice when configuring the control.

DJ Sures · Answer

Also, i used the search on this website and found that there was a recent conversation with someone asking to use the same controller and about sabertooth compatibility. I advise you to read it here: https://synthiam.com/Community/Questions/Does-anyone-have-a-Cytron-Smartdrive-Duo-30-and-what-are-the-18219

mbrooks · Answer

DJ .. thanks for this .. so that I am clear then, rather than using any of the digital channels in serial mode I should use the (black) dedicated UART0 port .. but only the TXD pin?

DJ Sures · Answer

Correct. There are three uarts. You can choose to use which of the the three are most convenient for your setup

mbrooks · Answer

DJ .. understood .. so there is: UART0 - on dedicated (black) connector UART1 - on D5:6 UART2 - on D18:19 but simple serial only communicates in one direction .. EZ-B to module via TXD line.

DJ Sures · Answer

ezb tx to Sabertooth rx and ensure both devices have a common ground.  have fun!

mbrooks

Using Cytron Smart Drive Duo-10 With ARC And EZ-B

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