PPM & PWM Tester/Analyser

Arduino projects on the go
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Phil_G
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Joined: 15 Feb 2018, 23:32
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PPM & PWM Tester/Analyser

Post by Phil_G »

Unfortunately the original project is now lost and I never kept a local copy - I didnt even have the drawing Ron posted - its soul destroying to realise how much time and effort has been lost from the old forum.
I have found a couple of photos of the vero layout but I've not been able to recover anything from Wayback or from my own backups.

So here is an attempt to retrospectively describe the Arduino PPM and PWM tester. Firstly, what is it for?
In a nutshell, it displays all the information contained within a PPM stream.
its ideal for testing new encoders before they're dispatched, ensuring that they generate PPM and that all the channels operate as expected. Its great for checking mixes, measuring servo outputs, setting up channel switches, etc...

As well as displaying channel values from a PPM stream, it also shows the pulse duration, pulse polarity, channel count, frame rate and sync pause length. Optionally it also drives 6 servos for test purposes.

It can sense if the input is a single servo signal, say from a receiver channel or a servo tester - and will automagically switch from PPM to PWM mode, displaying the servo pulse width.

I find it very hard to photograph back-lit displays, so I have to turn the white-balance right down,
hence the dark photo. Honestly, its clear as a bell in practise!
IMG_20180226_231422.jpg
Here it shows a 20ms frame carrying 8 channels, using negative-going pulses of 300uS duration. The first 6 channel values are shown, 1500uS being 'neutral' of course. All values are shown in microseconds:
mogplus_ppm.jpg

There is very little to it, just a slab of vero, a 4-line by 20-character LCD display from ebay, a Nano and a few headers. I haven't done a detailed vero layout but its very easy to recreate from this drawing, I've aligned as many connections as poss but there are some cuts and bridges to make. The hardest part is the servo block which is 'against the grain' as you can see in the vero photos. Track cuts have to be made between the servo block holes, or you could use a small vero strip mounted at 90 degrees to the mainboard, carrying the pos & neg to the servo block:

top.jpg
under.jpg
under_annot.jpg




Checking the video I noticed a brainfart, I said 'sync pulse' when of course I meant to say 'sync pause'.
Also I forgot to mention that it measures PWM servo pulses too, ie from a receiver channel output:

pwm_mode.jpg

Here's the diagram which is also a suggested layout:
ppm_test.jpg
NOTE the weird orientation of the contrast preset pot - see 'top' photo.

Sketch is here:
It uses the Hasi method to read the PPM with a resolution of 0.5uS.

and here's Ron's S/C transmitter connected to the PPM tester...
...and an explanatory diagram showing how the numbers relate to the PPM stream:
rons_tx_ppm.jpg
Thats it chaps, works well, accurate, does the job Image

Cheers
Phil
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RON
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Re: PPM & PWM Tester/Analyser

Post by RON »

Here's a photo of my finished tester connected to a tranny.
This is a fantastic project thats very easy to build and super useful.
Thanks Phil :P
IMG_0321.jpg
G0MBV Class A Radio Amateur, North Yorkshire
Scott Todd
Posts: 66
Joined: 26 Mar 2018, 23:21

Re: PPM & PWM Tester/Analyser

Post by Scott Todd »

This is super cool! I ordered the parts to build one. I'll post back when its done.

Scott
Mosfets
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Joined: 18 Feb 2018, 20:14

Re: PPM & PWM Tester/Analyser

Post by Mosfets »

Scot, you will not regret building one.

This is the one I built....
P1090197e.jpg

1 1/2 yrs on and it is still unboxed but still used to check my projects.

Ade
Scott Todd
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Joined: 26 Mar 2018, 23:21

Re: PPM & PWM Tester/Analyser

Post by Scott Todd »

Its great! Can't stop playing with it :)

Thanks Phil...
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IMG_8477.JPG
Scott Todd
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Re: PPM & PWM Tester/Analyser

Post by Scott Todd »

I had sat this aside for a while and then went to use it. I noticed the servos were real jittery. I couldn't figure it out. I tried plugging in an aux battery and inadvertently plugged in a 2S liPo. Oops...

Now no servos. I went back over the schematic and realized I shouldn't have been supplying Module voltage on the PPM input line, which I was. After some trouble shooting, I realized it just popped the traces where the PPM line came in. I repaired it and plugged in the correct power, after disconnecting the +V line at the PPM plug. All seems well. Servos smoothed right up. I also blew some of the lines in the display but I had a spare just for that occasion.

Question: Can I put a 5V regulator on there so I can use the Vin from the radio? That way I don't need the aux power supply. I get I don't want to drive the servos from the regulator on the Nano.

BTW, its an awesome tool!

Scott
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Wayne_H
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Re: PPM & PWM Tester/Analyser

Post by Wayne_H »

I finally did something creative with the nano I had burned for this project almost 2years ago (you shouldn't rush these things :shock: )
the splash screen
the splash screen
What a great gizmo!! Now that I have mine and have used it "in anger", I wonder why on earth I didn't make it sooner :oops: Thanks Phil, it's a rippa :D
showing the output from my Reed Tx that uses Phil's encoder
showing the output from my Reed Tx that uses Phil's encoder
connector block in the side of the box
connector block in the side of the box
connected to a servo driver
connected to a servo driver
One minor mod I made was to fit a 5v regulator on the power input, just so I can grab any battery at hand & not inadvertently fry anything :cry:


Phil_G wrote: 27 Feb 2018, 01:05 Unfortunately the original project is now lost and I never kept a local copy - I didnt even have the drawing Ron posted - its soul destroying to realise how much time and effort has been lost from the old forum.
I have found a couple of photos of the vero layout but I've not been able to recover anything from Wayback or from my own backups...........

BTW, if anyone is interested, I have a PDF version of the original pages as posted on the old forum. I believe all the important bits have been covered in this new thread, but if it's of interest /use I can email them or re-post here.
Cheers,

Wayne
Once a Retrobate, always a Retrobate............ ;)
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drigotti
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Joined: 29 Aug 2018, 12:44
Location: Ohio USA

Re: PPM & PWM Tester/Analyser

Post by drigotti »

Here's my build of the analyser. Basically wired it point to point. A real test of my 67 year old eyes! I designed and 3D printed the 110x85x40 case for it. If anyone is interested I can email the .stl file to them. The LCD opening was a bit tight and a few strokes with sandpaper got it in. The servo header opening requires cutting out manually.
I altered Phil's sketch to show the "Americanized" spelling of "analyser" to "analyzer" and to allow the splash screen to be displayed for 2 1/2 seconds. This allows an easier read for me anyhow. :D
Thanks Phil!
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Dave Rigotti
MaxZ
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Re: PPM & PWM Tester/Analyser

Post by MaxZ »

Phil_G wrote: 27 Feb 2018, 01:05 Here it shows a 20ms frame carrying 8 channels, using negative-going pulses of 300uS duration.
Hi Phil,

I am contemplating building one, for use with my regular transmitters. One of them is the Multiplex Royal SX 16, so the question is what happens if the number of channels is more than eight?. The SX does deliver a ppm stream, I am not sure that it delivers all 16 channels, but just in case.

Max.
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