Java - Servo Brick

This is the description of the Java API bindings for the Servo Brick. General information and technical specifications for the Servo Brick are summarized in its hardware description.

An installation guide for the Java API bindings is part of their general description.

Examples

The example code below is Public Domain (CC0 1.0).

Configuration

Download (ExampleConfiguration.java)

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import com.tinkerforge.IPConnection;
import com.tinkerforge.BrickServo;

public class ExampleConfiguration {
    private static final String HOST = "localhost";
    private static final int PORT = 4223;

    // Change XXYYZZ to the UID of your Servo Brick
    private static final String UID = "XXYYZZ";

    // Note: To make the example code cleaner we do not handle exceptions. Exceptions
    //       you might normally want to catch are described in the documentation
    public static void main(String args[]) throws Exception {
        IPConnection ipcon = new IPConnection(); // Create IP connection
        BrickServo servo = new BrickServo(UID, ipcon); // Create device object

        ipcon.connect(HOST, PORT); // Connect to brickd
        // Don't use device before ipcon is connected

        // Configure two servos with voltage 5.5V
        // Servo 1: Connected to port 0, period of 19.5ms, pulse width of 1 to 2ms
        //          and operating angle -100 to 100°
        //
        // Servo 2: Connected to port 5, period of 20ms, pulse width of 0.95
        //          to 1.95ms and operating angle -90 to 90°
        servo.setOutputVoltage(5500);

        servo.setDegree((short)0, (short)-10000, (short)10000);
        servo.setPulseWidth((short)0, 1000, 2000);
        servo.setPeriod((short)0, 19500);
        servo.setAcceleration((short)0, 1000); // Slow acceleration
        servo.setVelocity((short)0, 65535); // Full speed

        servo.setDegree((short)5, (short)-9000, (short)9000);
        servo.setPulseWidth((short)5, 950, 1950);
        servo.setPeriod((short)5, 20000);
        servo.setAcceleration((short)5, 65535); // Full acceleration
        servo.setVelocity((short)5, 65535); // Full speed

        servo.setPosition((short)0, (short)10000); // Set to most right position
        servo.enable((short)0);

        servo.setPosition((short)5, (short)-9000); // Set to most left position
        servo.enable((short)5);

        System.out.println("Press key to exit"); System.in.read();

        servo.disable((short)0);
        servo.disable((short)5);

        ipcon.disconnect();
    }
}

Callback

Download (ExampleCallback.java)

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import com.tinkerforge.IPConnection;
import com.tinkerforge.BrickServo;
import com.tinkerforge.TinkerforgeException;

public class ExampleCallback {
    private static final String HOST = "localhost";
    private static final int PORT = 4223;

    // Change XXYYZZ to the UID of your Servo Brick
    private static final String UID = "XXYYZZ";

    // Note: To make the example code cleaner we do not handle exceptions. Exceptions
    //       you might normally want to catch are described in the documentation
    public static void main(String args[]) throws Exception {
        IPConnection ipcon = new IPConnection(); // Create IP connection
        // Note: Declare servo as final, so the listener can access it
        final BrickServo servo = new BrickServo(UID, ipcon); // Create device object

        ipcon.connect(HOST, PORT); // Connect to brickd
        // Don't use device before ipcon is connected

        // Use position reached callback to swing back and forth
        servo.addPositionReachedListener(new BrickServo.PositionReachedListener() {
            public void positionReached(short servoNum, short position) {
                if (position == 9000) {
                    System.out.println("Position: 90°, going to -90°");
                    try {
                        servo.setPosition(servoNum, (short)-9000);
                    } catch(TinkerforgeException e) {
                    }
                } else if (position == -9000) {
                    System.out.println("Position: -90°, going to 90°");
                    try {
                        servo.setPosition(servoNum, (short)9000);
                    } catch(TinkerforgeException e) {
                    }
                } else {
                    // Can only happen if another program sets velocity
                    System.out.println("Error");
                }
            }
        });

        // Enable position reached callback
        servo.enablePositionReachedCallback();

        // Set velocity to 100°/s. This has to be smaller or equal to the
        // maximum velocity of the servo you are using, otherwise the position
        // reached callback will be called too early
        servo.setVelocity((short)0, 10000);
        servo.setPosition((short)0, (short)9000);
        servo.enable((short)0);

        System.out.println("Press key to exit"); System.in.read();

        servo.disable((short)0);

        ipcon.disconnect();
    }
}

PWM Generator

Download (ExamplePWMGenerator.java)

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import com.tinkerforge.IPConnection;
import com.tinkerforge.BrickServo;

public class ExamplePWMGenerator {
    private static final String HOST = "localhost";
    private static final int PORT = 4223;

    // Change XXYYZZ to the UID of your Servo Brick
    private static final String UID = "XXYYZZ";

    // Due to the internal clock dividing mechanism of the Servo Brick not all
    // arbitrary PWM frequency values can be achieved. For example, the upper
    // most three available PWM frequency values are 1MHz, 500kHz and 250kHz.
    // The steps are coarser on the high frequency end and much finer on the
    // low end. You can set any value here between 15Hz and 1MHz and the Servo
    // Brick will try to match it as closely as possible.
    private static int PWM_FREQUENCY = 175000; // in Hz [15Hz to 1MHz]
    private static int PWM_DUTY_CYCLE = 20; // in % [0% to 100%]

    private static short SERVO_NUMBER = 0; // [0 to 6]

    // Note: To make the example code cleaner we do not handle exceptions. Exceptions
    //       you might normally want to catch are described in the documentation
    public static void main(String args[]) throws Exception {
        IPConnection ipcon = new IPConnection(); // Create IP connection
        BrickServo servo = new BrickServo(UID, ipcon); // Create device object

        ipcon.connect(HOST, PORT); // Connect to brickd
        // Don't use device before ipcon is connected

        // Set degree range to 0-100, this will allow to set the PWM duty cycle in 1% steps
        servo.setDegree(SERVO_NUMBER, (short)0, (short)100);

        // Set PWM frequency (1-65535µs == 1MHz-15Hz)
        int period = 1000000 / PWM_FREQUENCY;

        if (period < 1) {
            period = 1; // 1MHz
        } else if (period > 65535) {
            period = 65535; // ~15Hz
        }

        servo.setPulseWidth(SERVO_NUMBER, 0, period);
        servo.setPeriod(SERVO_NUMBER, period);

        // Fast acceleration and full speed
        servo.setAcceleration(SERVO_NUMBER, 65535);
        servo.setVelocity(SERVO_NUMBER, 65535);

        // Set PWM duty cycle (0-100 %)
        int position = PWM_DUTY_CYCLE;

        if (position < 0) {
            position = 0;
        } else if (position > 100) {
            position = 100;
        }

        servo.setPosition(SERVO_NUMBER, (short)position);

        // Enable PWM signal
        servo.enable(SERVO_NUMBER);

        System.out.println("Press key to exit"); System.in.read();
        servo.disable(SERVO_NUMBER);
        ipcon.disconnect();
    }
}

API

Generally, every method of the Java bindings that returns a value can throw a TimeoutException. This exception gets thrown if the device did not respond. If a cable based connection is used, it is unlikely that this exception gets thrown (assuming nobody unplugs the device). However, if a wireless connection is used, timeouts will occur if the distance to the device gets too big.

Beside the TimeoutException there is also a NotConnectedException that is thrown if a method needs to communicate with the device while the IP Connection is not connected.

Since Java does not support multiple return values and return by reference is not possible for primitive types, we use small classes that only consist of member variables. The member variables of the returned objects are described in the corresponding method descriptions.

The package for all Brick/Bricklet bindings and the IP Connection is com.tinkerforge.*

All methods listed below are thread-safe.

Every function of the Servo Brick API that has a servo_num parameter can address a servo with the servo number (0 to 6). If it is a setter function then multiple servos can be addressed at once with a bitmask for the servos, if the highest bit is set. For example: 1 will address servo 1, (1 << 1) | (1 << 5) | (1 << 7) will address servos 1 and 5, 0xFF will address all seven servos, etc. This allows to set configurations to several servos with one function call. It is guaranteed that the changes will take effect in the same PWM period for all servos you specified in the bitmask.

Basic Functions

class BrickServo(String uid, IPConnection ipcon)
Parameters:
  • uid – Type: String
  • ipcon – Type: IPConnection
Returns:
  • servo – Type: BrickServo

Creates an object with the unique device ID uid:

BrickServo servo = new BrickServo("YOUR_DEVICE_UID", ipcon);

This object can then be used after the IP Connection is connected.

void BrickServo.enable(short servoNum)
Parameters:
  • servoNum – Type: short, Range: [0 to 6, 128 to 255]

Enables a servo (0 to 6). If a servo is enabled, the configured position, velocity, acceleration, etc. are applied immediately.

void BrickServo.disable(short servoNum)
Parameters:
  • servoNum – Type: short, Range: [0 to 6, 128 to 255]

Disables a servo (0 to 6). Disabled servos are not driven at all, i.e. a disabled servo will not hold its position if a load is applied.

boolean BrickServo.isEnabled(short servoNum)
Parameters:
  • servoNum – Type: short, Range: [0 to 6]
Returns:
  • enabled – Type: boolean, Default: false

Returns true if the specified servo is enabled, false otherwise.

void BrickServo.setPosition(short servoNum, short position)
Parameters:
  • servoNum – Type: short, Range: [0 to 6, 128 to 255]
  • position – Type: short, Unit: 1/100 °, Range: ?

Sets the position for the specified servo.

The default range of the position is -9000 to 9000, but it can be specified according to your servo with setDegree().

If you want to control a linear servo or RC brushless motor controller or similar with the Servo Brick, you can also define lengths or speeds with setDegree().

short BrickServo.getPosition(short servoNum)
Parameters:
  • servoNum – Type: short, Range: [0 to 6]
Returns:
  • position – Type: short, Unit: 1/100 °, Range: ?

Returns the position of the specified servo as set by setPosition().

short BrickServo.getCurrentPosition(short servoNum)
Parameters:
  • servoNum – Type: short, Range: [0 to 6]
Returns:
  • position – Type: short, Unit: 1/100 °, Range: ?

Returns the current position of the specified servo. This may not be the value of setPosition() if the servo is currently approaching a position goal.

void BrickServo.setVelocity(short servoNum, int velocity)
Parameters:
  • servoNum – Type: short, Range: [0 to 6, 128 to 255]
  • velocity – Type: int, Unit: 1/100 °/s, Range: [0 to 216 - 1], Default: 216 - 1

Sets the maximum velocity of the specified servo. The velocity is accelerated according to the value set by setAcceleration().

The minimum velocity is 0 (no movement) and the maximum velocity is 65535. With a value of 65535 the position will be set immediately (no velocity).

int BrickServo.getVelocity(short servoNum)
Parameters:
  • servoNum – Type: short, Range: [0 to 6]
Returns:
  • velocity – Type: int, Unit: 1/100 °/s, Range: [0 to 216 - 1], Default: 216 - 1

Returns the velocity of the specified servo as set by setVelocity().

int BrickServo.getCurrentVelocity(short servoNum)
Parameters:
  • servoNum – Type: short, Range: [0 to 6]
Returns:
  • velocity – Type: int, Unit: 1/100 °/s, Range: [0 to 216 - 1], Default: 216 - 1

Returns the current velocity of the specified servo. This may not be the value of setVelocity() if the servo is currently approaching a velocity goal.

void BrickServo.setAcceleration(short servoNum, int acceleration)
Parameters:
  • servoNum – Type: short, Range: [0 to 6, 128 to 255]
  • acceleration – Type: int, Unit: 1/100 °/s², Range: [0 to 216 - 1], Default: 216 - 1

Sets the acceleration of the specified servo.

The minimum acceleration is 1 and the maximum acceleration is 65535. With a value of 65535 the velocity will be set immediately (no acceleration).

int BrickServo.getAcceleration(short servoNum)
Parameters:
  • servoNum – Type: short, Range: [0 to 6]
Returns:
  • acceleration – Type: int, Unit: 1/100 °/s², Range: [0 to 216 - 1], Default: 216 - 1

Returns the acceleration for the specified servo as set by setAcceleration().

void BrickServo.setOutputVoltage(int voltage)
Parameters:
  • voltage – Type: int, Unit: 1 mV, Range: [2000 to 9000], Default: 5000

Sets the output voltages with which the servos are driven.

Note

We recommend that you set this value to the maximum voltage that is specified for your servo, most servos achieve their maximum force only with high voltages.

int BrickServo.getOutputVoltage()
Returns:
  • voltage – Type: int, Unit: 1 mV, Range: [2000 to 9000], Default: 5000

Returns the output voltage as specified by setOutputVoltage().

void BrickServo.setPulseWidth(short servoNum, int min, int max)
Parameters:
  • servoNum – Type: short, Range: [0 to 6, 128 to 255]
  • min – Type: int, Unit: 1 µs, Range: [0 to 216 - 1], Default: 1000
  • max – Type: int, Unit: 1 µs, Range: [0 to 216 - 1], Default: 2000

Sets the minimum and maximum pulse width of the specified servo.

Usually, servos are controlled with a PWM, whereby the length of the pulse controls the position of the servo. Every servo has different minimum and maximum pulse widths, these can be specified with this function.

If you have a datasheet for your servo that specifies the minimum and maximum pulse width, you should set the values accordingly. If your servo comes without any datasheet you have to find the values via trial and error.

The minimum must be smaller than the maximum.

BrickServo.PulseWidth BrickServo.getPulseWidth(short servoNum)
Parameters:
  • servoNum – Type: short, Range: [0 to 6]
Return Object:
  • min – Type: int, Unit: 1 µs, Range: [0 to 216 - 1], Default: 1000
  • max – Type: int, Unit: 1 µs, Range: [0 to 216 - 1], Default: 2000

Returns the minimum and maximum pulse width for the specified servo as set by setPulseWidth().

void BrickServo.setDegree(short servoNum, short min, short max)
Parameters:
  • servoNum – Type: short, Range: [0 to 6, 128 to 255]
  • min – Type: short, Unit: 1/100 °, Range: [-215 to 215 - 1], Default: -9000
  • max – Type: short, Unit: 1/100 °, Range: [-215 to 215 - 1], Default: 9000

Sets the minimum and maximum degree for the specified servo (by default given as °/100).

This only specifies the abstract values between which the minimum and maximum pulse width is scaled. For example: If you specify a pulse width of 1000µs to 2000µs and a degree range of -90° to 90°, a call of setPosition() with 0 will result in a pulse width of 1500µs (-90° = 1000µs, 90° = 2000µs, etc.).

Possible usage:

  • The datasheet of your servo specifies a range of 200° with the middle position at 110°. In this case you can set the minimum to -9000 and the maximum to 11000.
  • You measure a range of 220° on your servo and you don't have or need a middle position. In this case you can set the minimum to 0 and the maximum to 22000.
  • You have a linear servo with a drive length of 20cm, In this case you could set the minimum to 0 and the maximum to 20000. Now you can set the Position with setPosition() with a resolution of cm/100. Also the velocity will have a resolution of cm/100s and the acceleration will have a resolution of cm/100s².
  • You don't care about units and just want the highest possible resolution. In this case you should set the minimum to -32767 and the maximum to 32767.
  • You have a brushless motor with a maximum speed of 10000 rpm and want to control it with a RC brushless motor controller. In this case you can set the minimum to 0 and the maximum to 10000. setPosition() now controls the rpm.

The minimum must be smaller than the maximum.

BrickServo.Degree BrickServo.getDegree(short servoNum)
Parameters:
  • servoNum – Type: short, Range: [0 to 6]
Return Object:
  • min – Type: short, Unit: 1/100 °, Range: [-215 to 215 - 1], Default: -9000
  • max – Type: short, Unit: 1/100 °, Range: [-215 to 215 - 1], Default: 9000

Returns the minimum and maximum degree for the specified servo as set by setDegree().

void BrickServo.setPeriod(short servoNum, int period)
Parameters:
  • servoNum – Type: short, Range: [0 to 6, 128 to 255]
  • period – Type: int, Unit: 1 µs, Range: [0 to 216 - 1], Default: 19500

Sets the period of the specified servo.

Usually, servos are controlled with a PWM. Different servos expect PWMs with different periods. Most servos run well with a period of about 20ms.

If your servo comes with a datasheet that specifies a period, you should set it accordingly. If you don't have a datasheet and you have no idea what the correct period is, the default value will most likely work fine.

int BrickServo.getPeriod(short servoNum)
Parameters:
  • servoNum – Type: short, Range: [0 to 6]
Returns:
  • period – Type: int, Unit: 1 µs, Range: [0 to 216 - 1], Default: 19500

Returns the period for the specified servo as set by setPeriod().

int BrickServo.getServoCurrent(short servoNum)
Parameters:
  • servoNum – Type: short, Range: [0 to 6]
Returns:
  • current – Type: int, Unit: 1 mA, Range: [0 to 216 - 1]

Returns the current consumption of the specified servo.

int BrickServo.getOverallCurrent()
Returns:
  • current – Type: int, Unit: 1 mA, Range: [0 to 216 - 1]

Returns the current consumption of all servos together.

int BrickServo.getStackInputVoltage()
Returns:
  • voltage – Type: int, Unit: 1 mV, Range: [0 to 216 - 1]

Returns the stack input voltage. The stack input voltage is the voltage that is supplied via the stack, i.e. it is given by a Step-Down or Step-Up Power Supply.

int BrickServo.getExternalInputVoltage()
Returns:
  • voltage – Type: int, Unit: 1 mV, Range: [0 to 216 - 1]

Returns the external input voltage. The external input voltage is given via the black power input connector on the Servo Brick.

If there is an external input voltage and a stack input voltage, the motors will be driven by the external input voltage. If there is only a stack voltage present, the motors will be driven by this voltage.

Warning

This means, if you have a high stack voltage and a low external voltage, the motors will be driven with the low external voltage. If you then remove the external connection, it will immediately be driven by the high stack voltage

Advanced Functions

void BrickServo.setSPITFPBaudrateConfig(boolean enableDynamicBaudrate, long minimumDynamicBaudrate)
Parameters:
  • enableDynamicBaudrate – Type: boolean, Default: true
  • minimumDynamicBaudrate – Type: long, Unit: 1 Bd, Range: [400000 to 2000000], Default: 400000

The SPITF protocol can be used with a dynamic baudrate. If the dynamic baudrate is enabled, the Brick will try to adapt the baudrate for the communication between Bricks and Bricklets according to the amount of data that is transferred.

The baudrate will be increased exponentially if lots of data is sent/received and decreased linearly if little data is sent/received.

This lowers the baudrate in applications where little data is transferred (e.g. a weather station) and increases the robustness. If there is lots of data to transfer (e.g. Thermal Imaging Bricklet) it automatically increases the baudrate as needed.

In cases where some data has to transferred as fast as possible every few seconds (e.g. RS485 Bricklet with a high baudrate but small payload) you may want to turn the dynamic baudrate off to get the highest possible performance.

The maximum value of the baudrate can be set per port with the function setSPITFPBaudrate(). If the dynamic baudrate is disabled, the baudrate as set by setSPITFPBaudrate() will be used statically.

New in version 2.3.4 (Firmware).

BrickServo.SPITFPBaudrateConfig BrickServo.getSPITFPBaudrateConfig()
Return Object:
  • enableDynamicBaudrate – Type: boolean, Default: true
  • minimumDynamicBaudrate – Type: long, Unit: 1 Bd, Range: [400000 to 2000000], Default: 400000

Returns the baudrate config, see setSPITFPBaudrateConfig().

New in version 2.3.4 (Firmware).

long BrickServo.getSendTimeoutCount(short communicationMethod)
Parameters:
  • communicationMethod – Type: short, Range: See constants
Returns:
  • timeoutCount – Type: long, Range: [0 to 232 - 1]

Returns the timeout count for the different communication methods.

The methods 0-2 are available for all Bricks, 3-7 only for Master Bricks.

This function is mostly used for debugging during development, in normal operation the counters should nearly always stay at 0.

The following constants are available for this function:

For communicationMethod:

  • BrickServo.COMMUNICATION_METHOD_NONE = 0
  • BrickServo.COMMUNICATION_METHOD_USB = 1
  • BrickServo.COMMUNICATION_METHOD_SPI_STACK = 2
  • BrickServo.COMMUNICATION_METHOD_CHIBI = 3
  • BrickServo.COMMUNICATION_METHOD_RS485 = 4
  • BrickServo.COMMUNICATION_METHOD_WIFI = 5
  • BrickServo.COMMUNICATION_METHOD_ETHERNET = 6
  • BrickServo.COMMUNICATION_METHOD_WIFI_V2 = 7

New in version 2.3.2 (Firmware).

void BrickServo.setSPITFPBaudrate(char brickletPort, long baudrate)
Parameters:
  • brickletPort – Type: char, Range: ['a' to 'b']
  • baudrate – Type: long, Unit: 1 Bd, Range: [400000 to 2000000], Default: 1400000

Sets the baudrate for a specific Bricklet port.

If you want to increase the throughput of Bricklets you can increase the baudrate. If you get a high error count because of high interference (see getSPITFPErrorCount()) you can decrease the baudrate.

If the dynamic baudrate feature is enabled, the baudrate set by this function corresponds to the maximum baudrate (see setSPITFPBaudrateConfig()).

Regulatory testing is done with the default baudrate. If CE compatibility or similar is necessary in your applications we recommend to not change the baudrate.

New in version 2.3.2 (Firmware).

long BrickServo.getSPITFPBaudrate(char brickletPort)
Parameters:
  • brickletPort – Type: char, Range: ['a' to 'b']
Returns:
  • baudrate – Type: long, Unit: 1 Bd, Range: [400000 to 2000000], Default: 1400000

Returns the baudrate for a given Bricklet port, see setSPITFPBaudrate().

New in version 2.3.2 (Firmware).

BrickServo.SPITFPErrorCount BrickServo.getSPITFPErrorCount(char brickletPort)
Parameters:
  • brickletPort – Type: char, Range: ['a' to 'b']
Return Object:
  • errorCountACKChecksum – Type: long, Range: [0 to 232 - 1]
  • errorCountMessageChecksum – Type: long, Range: [0 to 232 - 1]
  • errorCountFrame – Type: long, Range: [0 to 232 - 1]
  • errorCountOverflow – Type: long, Range: [0 to 232 - 1]

Returns the error count for the communication between Brick and Bricklet.

The errors are divided into

  • ACK checksum errors,
  • message checksum errors,
  • framing errors and
  • overflow errors.

The errors counts are for errors that occur on the Brick side. All Bricklets have a similar function that returns the errors on the Bricklet side.

New in version 2.3.2 (Firmware).

void BrickServo.enableStatusLED()

Enables the status LED.

The status LED is the blue LED next to the USB connector. If enabled is is on and it flickers if data is transfered. If disabled it is always off.

The default state is enabled.

New in version 2.3.1 (Firmware).

void BrickServo.disableStatusLED()

Disables the status LED.

The status LED is the blue LED next to the USB connector. If enabled is is on and it flickers if data is transfered. If disabled it is always off.

The default state is enabled.

New in version 2.3.1 (Firmware).

boolean BrickServo.isStatusLEDEnabled()
Returns:
  • enabled – Type: boolean, Default: true

Returns true if the status LED is enabled, false otherwise.

New in version 2.3.1 (Firmware).

short BrickServo.getChipTemperature()
Returns:
  • temperature – Type: short, Unit: 1/10 °C, Range: [-215 to 215 - 1]

Returns the temperature as measured inside the microcontroller. The value returned is not the ambient temperature!

The temperature is only proportional to the real temperature and it has an accuracy of ±15%. Practically it is only useful as an indicator for temperature changes.

void BrickServo.reset()

Calling this function will reset the Brick. Calling this function on a Brick inside of a stack will reset the whole stack.

After a reset you have to create new device objects, calling functions on the existing ones will result in undefined behavior!

BrickServo.Identity BrickServo.getIdentity()
Return Object:
  • uid – Type: String, Length: up to 8
  • connectedUid – Type: String, Length: up to 8
  • position – Type: char, Range: ['0' to '8']
  • hardwareVersion – Type: short[], Length: 3
    • 0: major – Type: short, Range: [0 to 255]
    • 1: minor – Type: short, Range: [0 to 255]
    • 2: revision – Type: short, Range: [0 to 255]
  • firmwareVersion – Type: short[], Length: 3
    • 0: major – Type: short, Range: [0 to 255]
    • 1: minor – Type: short, Range: [0 to 255]
    • 2: revision – Type: short, Range: [0 to 255]
  • deviceIdentifier – Type: int, Range: [0 to 216 - 1]

Returns the UID, the UID where the Brick is connected to, the position, the hardware and firmware version as well as the device identifier.

The position is the position in the stack from '0' (bottom) to '8' (top).

The device identifier numbers can be found here. There is also a constant for the device identifier of this Brick.

Listener Configuration Functions

void BrickServo.setMinimumVoltage(int voltage)
Parameters:
  • voltage – Type: int, Unit: 1 mV, Range: [0 to 216 - 1], Default: 5000

Sets the minimum voltage, below which the UnderVoltageListener listener is triggered. The minimum possible value that works with the Servo Brick is 5V. You can use this function to detect the discharge of a battery that is used to drive the stepper motor. If you have a fixed power supply, you likely do not need this functionality.

int BrickServo.getMinimumVoltage()
Returns:
  • voltage – Type: int, Unit: 1 mV, Range: [0 to 216 - 1], Default: 5000

Returns the minimum voltage as set by setMinimumVoltage()

void BrickServo.enablePositionReachedCallback()

Enables the PositionReachedListener listener.

Default is disabled.

New in version 2.0.1 (Firmware).

void BrickServo.disablePositionReachedCallback()

Disables the PositionReachedListener listener.

New in version 2.0.1 (Firmware).

boolean BrickServo.isPositionReachedCallbackEnabled()
Returns:
  • enabled – Type: boolean, Default: false

Returns true if PositionReachedListener listener is enabled, false otherwise.

New in version 2.0.1 (Firmware).

void BrickServo.enableVelocityReachedCallback()

Enables the VelocityReachedListener listener.

Default is disabled.

New in version 2.0.1 (Firmware).

void BrickServo.disableVelocityReachedCallback()

Disables the VelocityReachedListener listener.

Default is disabled.

New in version 2.0.1 (Firmware).

boolean BrickServo.isVelocityReachedCallbackEnabled()
Returns:
  • enabled – Type: boolean, Default: false

Returns true if VelocityReachedListener listener is enabled, false otherwise.

New in version 2.0.1 (Firmware).

Listeners

Listeners can be registered to receive time critical or recurring data from the device. The registration is done with add*Listener() functions of the device object.

The parameter is a listener class object, for example:

device.addExampleListener(new BrickServo.ExampleListener() {
    public void property(int value) {
        System.out.println("Value: " + value);
    }
});

The available listener classes with inherent methods to be overwritten are described below. It is possible to add several listeners and to remove them with the corresponding remove*Listener() function.

Note

Using listeners for recurring events is always preferred compared to using getters. It will use less USB bandwidth and the latency will be a lot better, since there is no round trip time.

class BrickServo.UnderVoltageListener()

This listener can be added with the addUnderVoltageListener() function. An added listener can be removed with the removeUnderVoltageListener() function.

void underVoltage(int voltage)
Parameters:
  • voltage – Type: int, Unit: 1 mV, Range: [0 to 216 - 1]

This listener is triggered when the input voltage drops below the value set by setMinimumVoltage(). The parameter is the current voltage.

class BrickServo.PositionReachedListener()

This listener can be added with the addPositionReachedListener() function. An added listener can be removed with the removePositionReachedListener() function.

void positionReached(short servoNum, short position)
Parameters:
  • servoNum – Type: short, Range: [0 to 6]
  • position – Type: short, Unit: 1/100 °, Range: ?

This listener is triggered when a position set by setPosition() is reached. If the new position matches the current position then the listener is not triggered, because the servo didn't move. The parameters are the servo and the position that is reached.

You can enable this listener with enablePositionReachedCallback().

Note

Since we can't get any feedback from the servo, this only works if the velocity (see setVelocity()) is set smaller or equal to the maximum velocity of the servo. Otherwise the servo will lag behind the control value and the listener will be triggered too early.

class BrickServo.VelocityReachedListener()

This listener can be added with the addVelocityReachedListener() function. An added listener can be removed with the removeVelocityReachedListener() function.

void velocityReached(short servoNum, short velocity)
Parameters:
  • servoNum – Type: short, Range: [0 to 6]
  • velocity – Type: short, Unit: 1/100 °/s, Range: [-215 to 215 - 1]

This listener is triggered when a velocity set by setVelocity() is reached. The parameters are the servo and the velocity that is reached.

You can enable this listener with enableVelocityReachedCallback().

Note

Since we can't get any feedback from the servo, this only works if the acceleration (see setAcceleration()) is set smaller or equal to the maximum acceleration of the servo. Otherwise the servo will lag behind the control value and the listener will be triggered too early.

Virtual Functions

Virtual functions don't communicate with the device itself, but operate only on the API bindings device object. They can be called without the corresponding IP Connection object being connected.

short[] BrickServo.getAPIVersion()
Return Object:
  • apiVersion – Type: short[], Length: 3
    • 0: major – Type: short, Range: [0 to 255]
    • 1: minor – Type: short, Range: [0 to 255]
    • 2: revision – Type: short, Range: [0 to 255]

Returns the version of the API definition implemented by this API bindings. This is neither the release version of this API bindings nor does it tell you anything about the represented Brick or Bricklet.

boolean BrickServo.getResponseExpected(byte functionId)
Parameters:
  • functionId – Type: byte, Range: See constants
Returns:
  • responseExpected – Type: boolean

Returns the response expected flag for the function specified by the function ID parameter. It is true if the function is expected to send a response, false otherwise.

For getter functions this is enabled by default and cannot be disabled, because those functions will always send a response. For listener configuration functions it is enabled by default too, but can be disabled by setResponseExpected(). For setter functions it is disabled by default and can be enabled.

Enabling the response expected flag for a setter function allows to detect timeouts and other error conditions calls of this setter as well. The device will then send a response for this purpose. If this flag is disabled for a setter function then no response is sent and errors are silently ignored, because they cannot be detected.

The following constants are available for this function:

For functionId:

  • BrickServo.FUNCTION_ENABLE = 1
  • BrickServo.FUNCTION_DISABLE = 2
  • BrickServo.FUNCTION_SET_POSITION = 4
  • BrickServo.FUNCTION_SET_VELOCITY = 7
  • BrickServo.FUNCTION_SET_ACCELERATION = 10
  • BrickServo.FUNCTION_SET_OUTPUT_VOLTAGE = 12
  • BrickServo.FUNCTION_SET_PULSE_WIDTH = 14
  • BrickServo.FUNCTION_SET_DEGREE = 16
  • BrickServo.FUNCTION_SET_PERIOD = 18
  • BrickServo.FUNCTION_SET_MINIMUM_VOLTAGE = 24
  • BrickServo.FUNCTION_ENABLE_POSITION_REACHED_CALLBACK = 29
  • BrickServo.FUNCTION_DISABLE_POSITION_REACHED_CALLBACK = 30
  • BrickServo.FUNCTION_ENABLE_VELOCITY_REACHED_CALLBACK = 32
  • BrickServo.FUNCTION_DISABLE_VELOCITY_REACHED_CALLBACK = 33
  • BrickServo.FUNCTION_SET_SPITFP_BAUDRATE_CONFIG = 231
  • BrickServo.FUNCTION_SET_SPITFP_BAUDRATE = 234
  • BrickServo.FUNCTION_ENABLE_STATUS_LED = 238
  • BrickServo.FUNCTION_DISABLE_STATUS_LED = 239
  • BrickServo.FUNCTION_RESET = 243
  • BrickServo.FUNCTION_WRITE_BRICKLET_PLUGIN = 246
void BrickServo.setResponseExpected(byte functionId, boolean responseExpected)
Parameters:
  • functionId – Type: byte, Range: See constants
  • responseExpected – Type: boolean

Changes the response expected flag of the function specified by the function ID parameter. This flag can only be changed for setter (default value: false) and listener configuration functions (default value: true). For getter functions it is always enabled.

Enabling the response expected flag for a setter function allows to detect timeouts and other error conditions calls of this setter as well. The device will then send a response for this purpose. If this flag is disabled for a setter function then no response is sent and errors are silently ignored, because they cannot be detected.

The following constants are available for this function:

For functionId:

  • BrickServo.FUNCTION_ENABLE = 1
  • BrickServo.FUNCTION_DISABLE = 2
  • BrickServo.FUNCTION_SET_POSITION = 4
  • BrickServo.FUNCTION_SET_VELOCITY = 7
  • BrickServo.FUNCTION_SET_ACCELERATION = 10
  • BrickServo.FUNCTION_SET_OUTPUT_VOLTAGE = 12
  • BrickServo.FUNCTION_SET_PULSE_WIDTH = 14
  • BrickServo.FUNCTION_SET_DEGREE = 16
  • BrickServo.FUNCTION_SET_PERIOD = 18
  • BrickServo.FUNCTION_SET_MINIMUM_VOLTAGE = 24
  • BrickServo.FUNCTION_ENABLE_POSITION_REACHED_CALLBACK = 29
  • BrickServo.FUNCTION_DISABLE_POSITION_REACHED_CALLBACK = 30
  • BrickServo.FUNCTION_ENABLE_VELOCITY_REACHED_CALLBACK = 32
  • BrickServo.FUNCTION_DISABLE_VELOCITY_REACHED_CALLBACK = 33
  • BrickServo.FUNCTION_SET_SPITFP_BAUDRATE_CONFIG = 231
  • BrickServo.FUNCTION_SET_SPITFP_BAUDRATE = 234
  • BrickServo.FUNCTION_ENABLE_STATUS_LED = 238
  • BrickServo.FUNCTION_DISABLE_STATUS_LED = 239
  • BrickServo.FUNCTION_RESET = 243
  • BrickServo.FUNCTION_WRITE_BRICKLET_PLUGIN = 246
void BrickServo.setResponseExpectedAll(boolean responseExpected)
Parameters:
  • responseExpected – Type: boolean

Changes the response expected flag for all setter and listener configuration functions of this device at once.

Internal Functions

Internal functions are used for maintenance tasks such as flashing a new firmware of changing the UID of a Bricklet. These task should be performed using Brick Viewer instead of using the internal functions directly.

BrickServo.Protocol1BrickletName BrickServo.getProtocol1BrickletName(char port)
Parameters:
  • port – Type: char, Range: ['a' to 'b']
Return Object:
  • protocolVersion – Type: short, Range: [0 to 255]
  • firmwareVersion – Type: short[], Length: 3
    • 0: major – Type: short, Range: [0 to 255]
    • 1: minor – Type: short, Range: [0 to 255]
    • 2: revision – Type: short, Range: [0 to 255]
  • name – Type: String, Length: up to 40

Returns the firmware and protocol version and the name of the Bricklet for a given port.

This functions sole purpose is to allow automatic flashing of v1.x.y Bricklet plugins.

void BrickServo.writeBrickletPlugin(char port, short offset, short[] chunk)
Parameters:
  • port – Type: char, Range: ['a' to 'b']
  • offset – Type: short, Range: [0 to 255]
  • chunk – Type: short[], Length: 32, Range: [0 to 255]

Writes 32 bytes of firmware to the bricklet attached at the given port. The bytes are written to the position offset * 32.

This function is used by Brick Viewer during flashing. It should not be necessary to call it in a normal user program.

short[] BrickServo.readBrickletPlugin(char port, short offset)
Parameters:
  • port – Type: char, Range: ['a' to 'b']
  • offset – Type: short, Range: [0 to 255]
Returns:
  • chunk – Type: short[], Length: 32, Range: [0 to 255]

Reads 32 bytes of firmware from the bricklet attached at the given port. The bytes are read starting at the position offset * 32.

This function is used by Brick Viewer during flashing. It should not be necessary to call it in a normal user program.

Constants

int BrickServo.DEVICE_IDENTIFIER

This constant is used to identify a Servo Brick.

The getIdentity() function and the IPConnection.EnumerateListener listener of the IP Connection have a deviceIdentifier parameter to specify the Brick's or Bricklet's type.

String BrickServo.DEVICE_DISPLAY_NAME

This constant represents the human readable name of a Servo Brick.