Wiring

The LSS adapter allows up to six sets of servos to be connected to the same bus and share the same power supply, which greatly simplifies wiring for more complex robots. For example, the servos used in an 18 degree of freedom hexapod robot can be split into groups of three for each leg.  

In order to estimate the maximum number and type(s) of servos to daisy chain to each connector on the LSS board, we suggest adding up the stall current for each servo and multiplying by 0.75 (75%). If this value is below 3A, the servos should be safe in most situations.

Power

(1) XT60 Connector for 6V-12V external power input (more information in "LSS - Electrical" section).

(2) LSS servo connectors

(3) Automatic switching between USB and external (VCC) power

(4) VCC and GND pins 

FTDI

The FTDI chip obtains power from either the on-board USB connector or with an external power supply through the XT60 connector. The 5V from the USB will only power the FTDI chip and the Bee socket (if a module is in place) and won't power the servos.

Arduino

In the case where the LSS Adapter is stacked on top of a shield-compatible Arduino microcontroller board, the Arduino can be powered from the Vin pin which is directly connected to the external supply voltage of the LSS Adapter. If the Arduino Board is powered separately via a different external power supply (ex. connected to the Arduino's barrel connector), it will NOT provide power to the LSS Adapter. The LSS adapter is designed to power the Arduino, but not vice-versa. As such, it is suggested that only ONE 6-12V power source be connected to the LSS Adapter which is used to power everything.

Raspberry Pi

The LSS Adapter's onboard 5V regulator does not provide enough current to power a Raspberry Pi and as such it is recommended that a Raspberry Pi be powered separately using an appropriate 5V, 2A+ USB wall adapter or 5V voltage adapter.

Other MCUs

The 5V or 3.3V outputs can be used to power other MCUs/Controllers. The 5V supply can provide up to 1A and the 3.3V can provide up to 500mA.

Servos

To power the servos, an external power supply (6V to 12V) is needed (more information on the LSS - Electrical page). If both a USB and a 7V or higher external power supply are connected at the same time, the external power supply will be automatically selected / preferred in order to power the FTDI chip and Bee module. If the board is supplied with less than 7V, the 5V pins from the internal regulator may supply less than 5V and the adapter may not function properly. The external power supply can be a battery or an AC-to-DC wall adapter with the appropriate barrel to XT60 adapter.

The four pins of all six connectors on the board are connected to one another. Each connector (on both the board and on each servo) can handle a maximum of 3A. The LSS Adapter is intended to provide sufficient current to all six connectors. In higher current applications, be sure to select a power supply / source which can provide the necessary current for all servos.

Arduino

To use the LSS Adapter Board with an Arduino Board, the switch should be on position 1.

This configuration allows controlling LSS actuators from an Arduino Board and can be used to build autonomous or semi-autonomous robots.

When Arduino (position 1) is selected on the communication switch, the Arduino Rx (digital 0) is connected to the LSS actuator's Tx and Arduino Tx (digital 1) is connected to the LSS actuator's Rx. This way, the Arduino communicates with the LSS actuator through the LSS Adapter Board.

By default, the Arduino is powered through the LSS Adapter Board, if the Arduino is powered separately, cut the solder jumper "Vin cut" on the bottom of the LSS Adapter Board.

The LSS Adapter is shield compatible. Therefore it can be stacked on top of an Arduino Board using the included Arduino stacking headers or male-to-male stacking pins.

The stacking headers used are :

3 x 6 positions 0.1" (2.54mm) pitch 16mm (or higher) contact length header receptacle connectors.

1 x 8 positions 0.1" (2.54mm) pitch 16mm (or higher) contact length header receptacle connectors.

Raspberry Pi

To use the LSS Adapter Board with an XBee Module, the switch should be on position 2.

This configuration allows controlling LSS actuators wirelessly with an XBee/Bluetooth Bee/Wifi Bee module.

When XBee (position 2) is selected on the communication switch, the XBee Rx is connected to the LSS actuator's Tx and the XBee Tx is connected to the LSS actuator's Rx. This way, the Bee module communicates directly with the LSS actuator through the adapter.

Plus, when the configuration switch is on position 2, the LSS Tx is connected to the Arduino pin 8 and the LSS Rx is connected to the Arduino pin 9 allowing to use Software Serial

XBee & Compatibles

XBee Explorer

The XBee Rx pin and Tx pins are connected to the Arduino's pin 8 and 9 respectively. Therefore, the LSS Adapter Board can be also used as a USB XBee explorer board to configure the XBee module through USB. To use the LSS Adapter Board as a USB XBee explorer :

• Stack the XBee module on the XBee socket on top of the LSS Adapter.
• Select the USB configuration by turning the switch in position 3
• Connect the Arduino pin 8 (XBee Rx) to the LSS Servo Rx pin
• Connect the Arduino pin 9 (XBee Tx) to the LSS Servo Tx pin

USB Devices

To use the LSS Adapter Board with a Raspberry Pi or a standard computer / laptop through USB, the switch should be on position 3.

This configuration allows controlling LSS actuators by sending serial commands from a computer or a Raspberry Pi via USB.
When USB (position 3) is selected on the communication switch, the FTDI Rx is connected to the LSS actuator's Tx and FTDI Tx is connected to the LSS actuator's Rx.

The mounting holes for the LSS Adapter are compatible with the Raspberry Pi 2 / 3.