The jrk 12v12 is a versatile, general-purpose motor controller that supports a variety of interfaces, including USB.

The 6 V to 16 V operating range and high continuous output current of 12 A (30 A peak) allow this board to control many medium-sized DC brushed motors.

Downloads
Qik 2s12v10 User’s Guide
VNH2SP30 motor driver data sheet
Pololu Serial Transmitter utility for Windows

Analog voltage and tachometer (frequency) feedback options allow quick implementation of closed-loop servo systems, and a free configuration utility (for Windows XP or Vista) allows easy calibration and configuration through the USB port.

Key improvements over competing products and earlier Pololu motor controllers with feedback include:

• USB connectivity with emulated serial (COM) port allows direct motor control from a PC.
  
• Ultrasonic PWM to eliminate switching-induced motor shaft hum or whine.
  
• Robust, high-speed communication protocol with user-configurable error condition response.
  
• High internal resolution (12 bits) for smooth and flexible calibration to various input and feedback devices.
  
• Current sensing and limiting.
  
• Reversed power protection.
  
• Field-upgradeable firmware.

Main Features of the Jrk 12v12

• Simple bidirectional control of one DC brush motor.
  
• 6 V to 16 V operating supply range.
  
• 12 A maximum continuous current output (30 A peak).
  
• Four communication or control options:
• USB interface for direct connection to a PC.
• Full-duplex, TTL-level asynchronous serial interface for direct connection to microcontrollers or other embedded controllers.
• Hobby radio control (RC) pulse width (PWM) interface for direct connection to an RC receiver or RC servo controller.
• 0–5 V analog voltage interface for direct connection to potentiometers and analog joysticks.
• Two closed-loop feedback options:
• 0–5 V analog voltage.
• Frequency/tachometer digital input up to 2 MHz with 1 ms PID period.
• (Open-loop control with no feedback also available.)

• Simple configuration andcalibrationover USB with free configuration program (Windows XP and Vista compatible).
• Configurable parameters include:
• PID period and PID constants (feedback tuning parameters).
• Maximum current.
• Maximum duty cycle.
• Maximum acceleration.
• Error response.
• Input calibration (learning) for analog and RC control.

• Optional CRC error detection eliminates communication errors caused by noise or software faults.
  
• Reversed power protection.
  
• Field-upgradeable firmware.
  
• Optional feedback potentiometer disconnect detection.

Specifications

Size: 1.35" x 1.85"
Weight: 0.5oz

Motor channels:	1
Operating voltage:	6-16V
Continuous output current:	12 A
Peak output current:	30 A
Auto-detect baud rate range:	300 – 115,200 bps
Available fixed baud rates:	300 – 115,200 bps
Available PWM frequencies:	20 kHz, 5 kHz
Reverse voltage protection?:	Yes
USB connector style:	USB Mini-B

Included Hardware

The jrk ships with a 14×1 straight 0.100" male header strip and two 5mm, 2-pin terminal blocks. To provide maximum flexibility, none of these parts are soldered to the board.

For the most compact installation, you can solder wires directly to the jrk pads themselves and skip using the included hardware. The included hardware allows you to make less permanent connections. You can break the 14×1 header strip into an 8×1 piece and two 3×1 pieces and solder these strips into the jrk’s I/O pads.

NOTE: USB CABLE NOT INCLUDED

FAQ

There might be an error preventing the Jrk from driving the motor; check the Errors tab in the configuration utility. If you are trying to use a feedback mode, make sure that you have entered some non-zero PID constants (good starting values are Proportional=1, Integral=0, Derivative=0) and make sure there is a large difference between the values of the Target and Feedback variables. If you are trying to use the no-feedback (speed control) mode, then make sure that the target is not close to 2048 (speed 0); try setting the target to 2648 (full speed forward). In either case, you should look at the graph and make sure that the Duty Cycle is not close to 0; try to get it closer to +600 or -600 (full speed forward or full speed reverse).

Downloads
Pololu Jrk USB Motor Controller User’s Guide
Drivers and configuration Utility