The Arduino Nano Motor Carrier is an expansion board specifically designed to complement Arduino Nano boards, enhancing their capabilities for controlling motors and other mechanical devices. Here are the key features and details about this carrier:
- Compatibility: The Nano Motor Carrier is designed to work seamlessly with Arduino Nano boards, including models like the Nano Every, Nano 33 IoT, Nano 33 BLE, and Nano RP2040 Connect.
- Motor Control:
- DC Motors: Supports up to 2 brushed DC motors with current control.
- Stepper Motors: Can drive one bipolar or unipolar stepper motor.
- Servo Motors: Provides connectors for up to 6 servos.
- Power Supply:
- Vin Pin: Can take power from the Arduino Nano’s Vin pin or an external power source up to 18V.
- Battery Terminal: Includes a terminal for connecting a battery pack directly to the carrier.
- Current Measurement: Features current sensors for monitoring motor current, which can be useful for controlling motor load and detecting stalls or overloads.
- Onboard Components:
- Voltage Regulator: Regulates voltage to 5V for the Arduino Nano and other components.
- Power Switch: Includes a power switch for easy power management.
- Status LEDs: LEDs for indicating power status and motor activity.
- Protection Features:
- Overcurrent Protection: Protects the board and connected motors from excessive current draw.
- Reverse Polarity Protection: Guards against incorrect power connections.
- Expansion Options:
- Grove Connectors: Includes Grove connectors for easy integration with other sensors or components from the Seeed Grove ecosystem.
- Programming: While the carrier itself doesn’t require programming, it extends the capabilities of the Arduino Nano, which you can program using the Arduino IDE or other compatible environments to control motors.
Unique Capabilities:
- Motor Versatility: Supports a range of motor types, making it adaptable for various robotics or automation projects.
- Ease of Use: The carrier simplifies motor control by providing dedicated hardware for motor driving, allowing users to focus on programming without worrying about motor electronics.
- Current Feedback: The ability to measure motor current provides valuable data for feedback control or monitoring.
Use Cases:
- Robotics: Ideal for small robots or robotic arms where precise motor control is required.
- Automation: Suitable for automated systems that involve moving parts like doors, windows, or mechanical arms.
- Prototyping: Great for prototyping motor-driven projects, reducing the need for custom motor driver circuits.
- Education: A useful tool for teaching robotics, motor control, and electronics, as it simplifies the connection and control of motors.
- Interactive Installations: Can be used in kinetic art or interactive installations where motorized movement is part of the display.
The Arduino Nano Motor Carrier extends the capabilities of the Arduino Nano into the realm of motor control, providing a straightforward and protected way to drive various types of motors, which is invaluable for robotics, automation, and any project requiring motorized movement.
Tech specs
| Microcontroller | ATSAMD11 ( Arm Cortex-M0+ @48 Mhz) |
| Motor Drivers (x4) | MP6522 |
| Max Input voltage (power terminals) | 4V (1S Li-Ion Battery) |
| Max output current per motor driver | 500 mA |
| Motor driver output voltage | 12V |
| Over Temperature shutdown protection (for DC motor drivers) | Yes |
| Battery charging | Yes |
| Max battery charging current | 500mA (configurable) |
| Power terminals (connectors) | XT-30 and 2POS terminal block |
| Servo connector | 4 terminals |
| Encoder inputs | 2 ports |
| DC motor control | 4 ports |
| 3V digital/analog sensor input/output | 4 ports |
| IMU | BNO055 9axis Acc/Gyr/Mag |