SSC-32 Servo Controller

Name: SSC-32 Servo Controller
Author: Synthiam

ARC integration for SSC-32 servo controllers via PC COM or EZ-B/Arduino UART; maps V0-V31, configurable baud, enables servos in ARC skills.

How to add the SSC-32 Servo Controller robot skill

Load the most recent release of ARC (Get ARC).
Press the Project tab from the top menu bar in ARC.
Press Add Robot Skill from the button ribbon bar in ARC.
Choose the Servo category tab.
Press the SSC-32 Servo Controller icon to add the robot skill to your project.

Don't have a robot yet?

Follow the Getting Started Guide to build a robot and use the SSC-32 Servo Controller robot skill.

How to use the SSC-32 Servo Controller robot skill

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.

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

What this skill does

Creates a bridge between ARC and the SSC-32 servo controller.
Maps ARC’s Virtual Servo Ports (V0, V1, V2 … V31) to servo channels on the SSC-32.
Allows other ARC robot skills to use those servos as if they were regular ARC servo ports.

Connection options

You can connect to the SSC-32 in two common ways:

Option 1: Direct connection to the PC (COM port)

Connect the SSC-32 to your computer using a serial/USB-to-serial connection (depending on your SSC-32 setup). Windows will assign a COM port (for example, COM3).

Choose the correct COM port in the skill configuration.
Set the correct baud rate (must match the SSC-32 settings).

Option 2: Connection through a controller with UART (EZB / Arduino Mega)

Instead of plugging the SSC-32 into the PC directly, you can route communication through hardware that supports serial UART communication, such as:

EZ-Robot EZ-B v4/2 Wi-Fi Robot Controller (Hardware UART or Software UART)
Arduino Mega (supports multiple hardware serial ports)

In this setup, ARC talks to your controller (EZB/Arduino), and that controller relays the serial data to the SSC-32. This is useful when your SSC-32 is physically on the robot and you want wireless control through ARC.

Important: The baud rate and UART wiring/settings must match on both sides (ARC ↔ UART device ↔ SSC-32). If the baud rate is wrong, the SSC-32 will not respond.

Virtual Servo Ports (V0–V31)

After this skill is added and configured, ARC exposes a set of servo ports labeled: V0 through V31. These are called Virtual Servo Ports.

When another ARC skill moves V0, the command is sent to the SSC-32 channel assigned to that virtual port.
This lets you treat SSC-32 servos the same way you treat servos connected to other supported servo controllers.
You can use these virtual ports in your ARC project anywhere a servo port is requested.

Configuration (what to set in the skill menu)

Open the skill’s Configuration menu to choose how ARC connects to the SSC-32. Typical settings include:

Connection type (Direct COM port or via UART through another controller)
COM port (if connecting directly to the PC)
Baud rate (must match the SSC-32’s serial settings)

Using SSC-32 servos in other ARC robot skills

Once connected, servos plugged into the SSC-32 can be used by most ARC robot skills that support servos, such as:

Auto Position
Camera Tracking
WiiMote
Myo
And any other skill/control that moves servos

Beginner tip: If a skill asks you to select a servo port, choose V0–V31 for servos connected to the SSC-32.

Basic troubleshooting checklist

No movement: Confirm the correct COM port (direct connection) or correct UART settings (through controller).
Wrong/erratic movement: Verify the correct channel/virtual port mapping and servo power requirements.
Not responding: Double-check baud rate matches the SSC-32 configuration.