Experimental Physics and
Industrial Control System

David Maden <[email protected]> · Tue, 21 Oct 2003 09:01:41 +0200

Robert,
Another couple of alternatives are the SSI550 (for up to 16 encoders) or
the ECM504 (for up to 4 encoders), both from Kramert GmbH. The SSI550
requires an extra rack for interfacing to the encoder signals whereas the
ECM504 has everything you need packaged into the VME board. See
 www.sls.psi.ch/controls/hardware/
for links to data sheets for these modules in pdf format. There is a simple
EPICS driver ... much more lightweight than handling any sort of RS232
protocol.
If you decide later to run your motors with encoder feedback, it's simply a
case of setting up the RDBL field of the motor record.
David Maden
SLS Beamline Controls
Kurt A. Goetze wrote:

Robert,
If you are running synApps, OMS boards, and the "APS standard" motor
connection hardware, then the easiest way to read your encoder into EPICS
is to use the OMS VME58-4E card.  You also could use something like this
http://www.usdigital.com/products/ad4b/
and read the encoder counts with an EPICS generic serial record.
Kurt Goetze
APS/AOD/Beamline Controls

Robert Henning wrote:
I am trying to integrate some Renishaw encoders into EPICS and I am
trying to find a simple solution.  I don't have a lot of experience with
encoders so any comments or suggestions would be welcome.  At this point
I only want to use the encoders to verify my stepper motor position and
I was hoping for a simple RS232 interface.  I know this has been done
with other brands of encoders but I have not seen anything with the
Renishaw brand.  The encoders have "Differential signals in quadrature
to RS422 - output via line drivers".
I know I could use the OMS58-4 card but I think that is more then I
need.  I just want to be able to read in the information to EPICS for
now.
Thanks in advance,
Robert Henning
Operations Manager/Beamline Scientist/User Support Specialist
University of Chicago at Argonne
9700 South Cass Avenue
BioCARS - Building 434 B
Argonne, IL 60439
phone: (630) 252-0446
fax:   (630) 252-0443

Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System

Experimental Physics and
Industrial Control System