SSC-32 Servo Controller V2

How to use the SSC-32 Servo Controller V2 robot skill

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Adding the Synthiam ARC SSC-32 servo Controller robot skill to your project lets ARC communicate with a Lynxmotion SSC-32 servo controller so you can move servos connected to the SSC-32 from inside ARC. This is an improved version of the SSC-32 ARC robot skill with better performance, reliability, and error handling.

Beginner note: ARC does not generate servo signals directly. ARC sends serial commands through a connection (USB/COM port or via UART from an EZB or Arduino), and the SSC-32 generates the servo PWM signals that actually move the servos.

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What this skill does

• Creates a serial communication bridge between ARC and the SSC-32.
• Maps ARC’s Virtual servo Ports (V0-V31) to physical servo channels on the SSC-32.
• Allows any ARC robot skill that supports servos to control SSC-32-connected servos transparently.

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Connection options (hardware + wiring)

You can connect to the SSC-32 in multiple supported ways depending on your robot layout and whether you want a wired or wireless setup.

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Option 1: Direct connection to the PC (USB or USB-to-COM)

This is the simplest setup for bench testing or stationary robots.

How it works:

ARC USB / USB-to-Serial SSC-32 Servos

Supported connection types:

• USB (if your SSC-32 variant supports native USB)
• USB-to-Serial adapter (COM port)
• Built-in serial port (COM port on older PCs)

Wiring:

• Plug the SSC-32 directly into your PC using:

  • USB cable (if supported by your SSC-32)
  • OR USB-to-serial adapter connected to the SSC-32 serial pins

• Windows will assign a COM port (for example: COM3)

ARC Configuration:

• Connection Type: COM Port
• COM Port: Select the port assigned by Windows
• Baud Rate: Must match the SSC-32’s configured baud rate

Tip: You can find the COM port in Windows Device Manager under "Ports (COM & LPT)."

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Option 2: Wireless or remote robot (EZB UART SSC-32)

This is the most common setup for mobile robots. ARC talks wirelessly to the EZB, and the EZB relays serial commands to the SSC-32.

How it works:

ARC Wi-Fi EZB UART SSC-32 Servos

Supported controllers:

• EZ-Robot EZ-B v4
• EZ-B v2
• Any EZB-compatible controller as long as the firmware supports UART
• Arduino Mega (also works using hardware serial)

Important: The EZB firmware must support UART. Not all firmwares expose UART, so verify this before wiring.

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UART Wiring (EZB SSC-32)

Minimum required connections:

EZB UART Pin	SSC-32 Pin	Purpose
TX	RX	Data from EZB to SSC-32
RX	TX	Data from SSC-32 to EZB
GND	GND	Shared ground reference

Wiring rules:

• TX always goes to RX
• RX always goes to TX
• Ground must be shared
• Do not connect 5V or 3.3V power lines between devices unless explicitly required (power the SSC-32 separately for servos)

Power note: The SSC-32 should be powered using its own servo power supply. Do NOT power servos from the EZB.

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Option 3: Arduino Mega UART SSC-32

This setup works the same way as EZB UART wiring:

How it works:

ARC USB Arduino Mega UART SSC-32 Servos

Wiring example (Arduino Mega Serial1):

Arduino Mega	SSC-32
TX1 (Pin 18)	RX
RX1 (Pin 19)	TX
GND	GND

ARC talks to the Arduino, and your firmware relays data to the SSC-32.

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Baud rate requirements

All devices in the chain must use the same baud rate:

ARC UART Device SSC-32

If the baud rate does not match:

• Servos will not move
• SSC-32 will not respond
• Commands may be garbled

Common baud rates: 9600, 38400, 115200 Use the baud rate configured on the SSC-32.

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Virtual servo Ports (V0-V31)

After adding and configuring the skill, ARC exposes servo ports:

V0, V1, V2, ... V31

These map directly to SSC-32 servo channels:

ARC Port	SSC-32 Channel
V0	Channel 0
V1	Channel 1
...	...
V31	Channel 31

This lets all ARC robot skills treat SSC-32 servos like native ARC servo ports.

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Configuration (Skill Settings)

In the skill’s Configuration menu, set:

• Connection Type

  • COM Port (direct USB / USB-to-serial)
  • UART (via EZB or Arduino)

• COM Port or UART Port

• Baud Rate

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Using SSC-32 servos in ARC skills

Once connected, SSC-32 servos can be used by:

• Auto Position
• Camera Tracking
• Joystick
• WiiMote
• Myo
• Any skill that moves servos

Beginner tip: When a skill asks for a servo port, choose V0-V31 for SSC-32 servos.

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Basic troubleshooting

No movement

• Wrong COM port selected
• UART TX/RX reversed
• Baud rate mismatch
• SSC-32 not powered

Random or jittery movement

• Missing ground connection
• Noisy power supply
• Baud rate mismatch

Skill connects but nothing moves

• SSC-32 powered but servos not powered
• Servo power rail disabled or disconnected

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Recommended wiring checklist

• Shared ground between EZB/Arduino and SSC-32
• TX RX crossed correctly
• Correct baud rate on all devices
• SSC-32 powered separately
• Servos powered from SSC-32 supply
• Firmware supports UART