REV Robotics SPARKmini User manual

REV-31-1230-QS-01 Copyright © 2018 REV Robotics, LLC 1
SPARKmini MOTOR CONTROLLER
QUICK START GUIDE
The SPARKmini Motor Controller is an inexpensive in-line brushed DC motor controller designed to give FIRST® Tech
Challenge teams more bang for their buck. It offers the same performance characteristics as the REV Expansion Hub
motor ports in a small 60mm x 22mm footprint. Now FTC teams can add a SPARKmini Motor Controller to utilize more
than four DC motors from a single Expansion Hub in a space-efficient package.
This Quick Start Guide gives a brief overview of the SPARKmini features and the necessary information to get started.
POWER AND MOTOR CONNECTIONS
The SPARKmini has three integrated wires with connectors dedicated to power, control, and the motor; one XT30
connector for power, one 3-wire servo-PWM connector for control, and one JST-VH connector for the motor. Figure 1
shows each of these connections.
Figure 1 - SPARKmini Connection Diagram
Connect the power wire to a free XT30 port on the REV Expansion Hub (REV-31-1153) or through an XT30 Power
Distribution Block (REV-31-1293). Connect the control wire to an open servo port on the REV Expansion Hub and the
motor wire a JST-VH port on a motor, like the REV HD Hex Motor (REV-41-1301) or the REV Core Hex Motor (REV-41-
1300).
CAUTION
DO NOT reverse polarity on the power input connections. The SPARKmini does not contain reverse polarity
protection. This can permanently damage the SPARKmini and will void the warranty.
CAUTION
DO NOT swap the motor and power connections. This can result in uncontrolled motor operation and can permanently
damage the SPARKmini, voiding the warranty.
Con trol
PWM/oServ
Power
30XT
Motor
JST VH
ROB OTICS
PO W ER
MOTOR
CB

REV-31-1230-QS-01 Copyright © 2018 REV Robotics, LLC 2
SERVO-PWM INPUT
A motor’s speed is controlled by varying the voltage that is applied to it. The SPARKmini’s output voltage can be
controlled by sending it an extended-range servo-PWM pulse. The extended 500µs to 2500µs servo-pulse corresponds to
full-reverse and full-forward rotation with 1500µs as the neutral position (no rotation). The pulses are proportionally
related to the motor output duty cycle, therefore variable speed can be achieved with pulses in between the extremes. The
following table describes the pulse ranges in more detail.
Table 1 - Control Signal Pulse Ranges
Pulse Width (pin µs)
Full Reverse Prop. Reverse Neutral Prop. Forward Full Forward
p≤ 500 500 < p< 1490 1490 ≤ p≤ 1510 1510 < p< 2500 2500 ≤ p
ZERO-POWER BEHAVIOR
When the SPARKmini is receiving a neutral command it will not provide any power to the attached motor. There are two
options for how the SPARKmini handles this zero-power state:
Brake - Motor terminals are shorted to each other to dissipate electrical energy, effectively braking the motor.
Coast - Motor terminals are disconnected, allowing the motor to spin down at its own rate.
The zero-power behavior can be selected via a switch located towards the center of the SPARKmini housing, shown in
Figure 2. Each mode can be selected by sliding the switch to either the Brake (B) or Coast (C) positions.
Figure 2 - Brake Coast Switch
The SPARKmini will indicate whether it is in Brake or Coast mode via the Status LED, located in the center of the housing,
whenever it is outputting zero-power. Solid or flashing blue indicates Brake Mode while solid or flashing yellow indicates
Coast Mode. See the LED Status Codes section for more details.
Coast Brake

REV-31-1230-QS-01 Copyright © 2018 REV Robotics, LLC 3
LED STATUS CODES
LED Status Code
Time Scale
1 second
1 second
State
Normal Operation
No Signal
Brake
Coast
Full Forward
Proportional Forward
Neutral
Brake
Coast
Proportional Reverse
Full Reverse
SPECIFICATIONS
Parameter
Min
Typ
Max
Unit
Supply voltage range (V
IN
)
6.0
12
20
V
Supply voltage absolute maximum
-
-
25
V
Continuous output current
-
-
15
A
Peak output current
-
-
20
A
Output voltage range
- V
IN
-
+ V
IN
V
Output frequency
-
10
-
kHz
Input pulse width range 500 - 2500 µs
Input frequency
16
50
200
Hz
Input timeout
-
65.5
-
ms
Input deadband
-
±10
-
µs
Input low-level voltage
-0.3
-
0.8
V
Input high-level voltage
2.0
5.0
5.3
V
Weight
-
0.87
-
oz
Dimensions (excluding wires)
-
60 x 22 x 12
-
mm