The Motoron M2T256 and M2U256 controllers make it easy to control two bidirectional, brushed DC motors using an I²C or TTL serial (UART) interface, respectively.
These compact (0.6″ × 0.8″) boards operate from 4.5 V to 48 V and can deliver continuous output currents up to 1.8 A per motor. Multiple Motoron controllers can be configured to work on a single I²C or serial bus, allowing independent control of many motors. Unlike most of our motor drivers, the Motoron does not require any PWM outputs or timers on your microcontroller. Instead, only a single I²C or UART interface is needed regardless of how many Motorons you connect.
These Motoron controllers are available in two versions:
- M2T256 (I²C)
- M2U256 (TTL serial)
The M2T256 has an I²C interface, and ships with a 1×16 breakaway male header included but not soldered in.
The M2U256 has a non-inverted TTL serial (UART) interface, and ships with a 1×16 breakaway male header included but not soldered in.
Features and specifications
- Two motor control channels allow for independent control of up to two bidirectional brushed DC motors per Motoron
- Wide operating voltage range: 4.5 V to 48 V (absolute maximum)
- Recommended maximum nominal battery voltage is approximately 36 V
- Maximum output current per motor: 1.8 A continuous, 6.4 A peak for <1 second
- Reverse-voltage protection on motor power supply (down to -40 V)
- Logic voltage range: 3.0 V to 5.5 V
- Control interface:
- M2T256: I²C (up to 400 kHz)
- M2U256: non-inverted TTL serial (up to 250 kbps)
- Optional cyclic redundancy checking (CRC)
- Configurable motion parameters:
- Max acceleration/deceleration forward/reverse
- Starting speed forward/reverse
- Direction change delay forward/reverse
- PWM frequency: eight options available from 1 kHz to 80 kHz
- Command timeout feature stops motors if the Motoron stops receiving commands
- Configurable automatic error response
- Motor power supply (VIN) voltage measurement
- Two status LEDs
- Motor direction indicator LEDs
- Error output for easier detection of error conditions
- Motoron Arduino library simplifies getting started using the Motoron with an Arduino or compatible controller
- Comprehensive user’s guide
Resources
- Dimension diagram of the Motoron M2x256 Dual Motor Controller
- 3D model of the Motoron M2x256 Dual Motor Controller
- Drill guide for the Motoron M2x256 Dual Motor Controller - This DXF drawing shows the locations of all of the board’s holes.
- Motoron Motor Controller library for Arduino
- Motoron Motor Controller Python library for Raspberry Pi