USB2AX v3.2b

The USB2AX is a small interface to control Dynamixel servos like the AX-12 from a computer. It plugs into a USB port and has a 3-pin Dynamixel connector to be connected to the servos.

A typical use scenario is in a small mobile robot with a laptop or an embedded computer (like a Raspberry Pi) as a brain and servos to move legs, arms or claws.

FEATURES

• • ŸComunication with AX and MX Dynamixel servos (with 3 wires) @ 1Mbps
• • ŸVery small (16x36mm)
• • ŸOptimized latency
• • ŸProtection against ESD and short circuits
• • ŸAdvanced functionalities: sync_read, bulk_read...
• • ŸWindows / Linux / MacOS
• • ŸFirmware updates
• • ŸOpen Source Software & Hardware, programmable and hackable!

What servos can it talk to?

• • ŸBasically, it  can talk with any device which uses a half-duplex TTL interface (3-pins connector) and the • ŸDynamixel protocol. More specifically:
• • ŸAll of the AX servos (AX-12/AX-12+/AX-12A, AX-12W, AX-18F/AX-18A).
• • ŸThe "T" versions of the MX servos (MX-28T, MX-64T, MX-106T).
• • ŸXL-320 with an adapter cable (different connectors and power but compatible communication).

What can't it do?

• • ŸThe USB2AX can not communicate with the Dynamixel servos using the RS485 interface (the one with 4 pins).
• • ŸNeither can it control any sort of hobby/RC servos or other brand of robot servos.
• • ŸCompared to the USB2Dynamixel, it also lacks the RS232 port (with its big DB9 connector) used to • Ÿprogram some controllers from Robotis like the CM-510.
• • ŸIt can not supply power to the servos.
• • ŸIt is not a generic USB to Serial (even though it can be modified to be one) and has very different capabilities than the LN-101.

DOCUMENTS

• • ŸDriver (for Windows)
• • ŸFor documentation, CAD files, sources