Wiki source code of LSS-PRO Configuration Software

Version 116.1 by Eric Nantel on 2024/07/12 10:55

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Eric Nantel 21.1 1 [[image:LSS-P-Configuration-Software.png||width="350"]]
Eric Nantel 12.1 2
Eric Nantel 115.1 3 [[[[image:[email protected]]]>>attach:LSS_PRO_Config_Setup_v1.14.0.zip]]
Eric Nantel 1.2 4
5 **Table of Contents**
6
7 {{toc/}}
8
9 = Description =
Eric Nantel 21.1 10
Eric Nantel 48.1 11 The Lynxmotion Smart Servo PRO Configuration Software (“LSS PRO Config” for short) is intended to be a tool to quickly interact with the Lynxmotion Professional Smart Servos (LSS-P) loaded with our Lynxmotion firmware. Features include sending action and configuration commands, queries (and receiving the reply), updating the firmware, monitoring sensor data and more. The software works on Windows 7 operating systems and above.
Eric Nantel 21.1 12
Eric Nantel 44.2 13 Note: The software can be connected to multiple servos, but the interface can only control and communicate with one at any time (unless using the free format commands described below). Each servo must have a unique ID. The servo(s) must be powered correctly and connected to the computer via USB from the first servo in the BUS.
Eric Nantel 23.1 14
Eric Nantel 44.2 15 = Features =
16
17 * Send action, configuration and query commands to an individual PRO servo
18 * Obtain visual feedback from various onboard sensors
19 * Create custom actions for testing purpose
20 * Update PRO servo’s firmware
21 * Auto-Update if connected to Internet
22
Eric Nantel 24.1 23 = User Guide =
24
Eric Nantel 116.1 25 This section provides step-by-step instructions and tips to help you get the most out of your LSS-P actuator. Whether you are setting up your hardware, configuring your servos, or troubleshooting, you'll find detailed information to assist you. Follow the guidelines below to ensure optimal performance and a smooth experience.
Eric Nantel 24.1 26
Eric Nantel 44.2 27 == Information ==
28
29 [[image:LSS-P-Config-Info.png]]
30
31 1. The Information (capital I) button at the top right of the interface leads to this user guide.
32
Eric Nantel 26.1 33 == Connection ==
34
Eric Nantel 44.2 35 In order for the LSS PRO Config software to detect the servos, the correct USB to serial drivers must be installed on the computer. Windows will automatically detect and install the drivers.
36
37
Eric Nantel 32.1 38 [[image:LSS-P-Config-Connection.png]]
Eric Nantel 26.1 39
Eric Nantel 44.2 40 1. Select the appropriate COM port
41 1. Click on the "Connect" button (All servos in the communication BUS should be detected)
42 1. Select a particular servo from the list
Eric Nantel 30.1 43
Eric Nantel 44.2 44 Note: The interface will then display and control that single actuator.
Eric Nantel 30.1 45
Eric Nantel 67.1 46 == Safety & Useful Buttons ==
47
Eric Nantel 68.1 48 This section includes the important emergency stop (removes power from the motors via software) and other useful commands.
Eric Nantel 67.1 49
Eric Nantel 68.1 50 Note: Those commands are sent to the selected servo, if "254 - All servos" is selected then it will be sent to all of them.
51
Eric Nantel 67.1 52 [[image:LSS-P-Config-Buttons.png]]
53
Eric Nantel 68.1 54 1. This button sends a RESET command. More information [[HERE>>doc:ses-pro.lss-pro.lss-p-communication-protocol.WebHome||anchor="HReset"]]
Eric Nantel 67.1 55 1. This reset the servo to factory default settings, removing all configurations, including the ID. More information [[HERE>>doc:ses-pro.lss-pro.lss-p-communication-protocol.WebHome||anchor="HDefault26confirm"]]
56 1. This command halts the actuator at whatever angle it is (whether during a motion or already at an angle) and causes it to hold that position (motor is powered and holding). The following command is sent to all servos, not just the one connected via USB.
57 \\Command sent: #254H<cr>
58
59 1. (((
60 This command halts the actuator at whatever angle it is (whether during a motion or already at an angle) and causes it to hold that position (motor is powered and holding). The following command is sent to all servos, not just the one connected via USB.
61
62 Command sent: #254L<cr>
63
Eric Nantel 68.1 64 Just like the emergency stop button the 36V large power supply which is provided with each PRO arm, the E-Stop is meant to be under emergency only, as power is cut to all motors, which may result in joints rotating because of high torque being applied. In the case of a robotic arm, __the arm may fall and damage itself__ or whatever is in its environment.
Eric Nantel 67.1 65 )))
66
Eric Nantel 26.1 67 == Status ==
68
Eric Nantel 68.1 69 As a servo is intended to be moved to specific angles, the position of the servo, to 0.01 degrees of accuracy, is displayed at the bottom left of the interface.
70
Eric Nantel 34.1 71 [[image:LSS-P-Config-Status.png]]
Eric Nantel 26.1 72
Eric Nantel 34.1 73 This is a section to directly give information to the user on what's happening with their actuator.
74
Eric Nantel 68.1 75 1. The Position shows the current angle of the output shaft of the servo in relation to its configured origin (0 degree) angle (including any adjustment to the Origin Offset). It also displays angles over 360 degrees, and it’s important to note this is a calculated position as the internal sensor can only read 0 to 360 degrees. The multi-turn angle is retained even after a power cycle.
76 1. Status of what the actuator is currently doing. More information HERE
77 1. Errors that are happening. More information HERE
Eric Nantel 34.1 78
Eric Nantel 68.1 79 Note: Most errors will require the problem to be solved & the servo either Reset or set Limp. To view and resolve any errors, go to the troubleshooting section
Eric Nantel 44.2 80
Eric Nantel 49.2 81 == Servo Control ==
Eric Nantel 48.1 82
Eric Nantel 65.2 83 In order to view the various commands available for each drop-down, a PRO servo needs to be properly connected to the computer, powered, turned on and detected.
Eric Nantel 48.1 84
Eric Nantel 97.1 85 === Query ===
Eric Nantel 26.1 86
Eric Nantel 38.1 87 [[image:LSS-P-Config-Query.png]]
Eric Nantel 26.1 88
Eric Nantel 65.2 89 1. The drop down list below Query provides a list of most query commands possible. More information click HERE
Eric Nantel 38.1 90 1. Click the "Send" button to initiate the Query.
91 1. The Query protocol command will be displayed here as well as the answer from the actuator. (ex: #1QID / *1QID1)
92
Eric Nantel 49.2 93 === Action ===
Eric Nantel 26.1 94
Eric Nantel 38.1 95 [[image:LSS-P-Config-Action.png]]
Eric Nantel 26.1 96
Eric Nantel 65.2 97 1. The drop down list below Action provides a list of most action commands possible. More information click HERE.
Eric Nantel 38.1 98 1. Input the value of the Action required in the text input field. (ex: 9000 for a 90deg move)
99 1. Click the "Send" button to initiate the Action.
100 1. The Action protocol command will be displayed here and the actuator should be doing it.
101
Eric Nantel 49.2 102 === Configuration ===
Eric Nantel 26.1 103
Eric Nantel 38.1 104 [[image:LSS-P-Config-Config.png]]
Eric Nantel 26.1 105
Eric Nantel 65.2 106 1. The drop down list below Configuration provides a list of most configuration commands possible. More information click HERE.
Eric Nantel 49.1 107 1. Input the value of the Configuration required in the text input field. (ex: 1 for an ID change to 1)
Eric Nantel 38.1 108 1. Click the "Send" button to initiate the Configuration.
109 1. The Configuration protocol command will be displayed here.
110
Eric Nantel 48.1 111 === Free format command ===
112
Eric Nantel 65.2 113 This command line interface allows the user to send commands, including those not otherwise found in the drop-down list, as well as any special commands provided by Lynxmotion staff. Once sent the commands will be displayed in the area bellow (like a terminal) and can be cleared if required. This can help with debugging or better understanding the communication protocol.
Eric Nantel 48.1 114
115 [[image:LSS-P-Config-Free-Cmd.png]]
116
Eric Nantel 26.1 117 == Telemetry ==
118
Eric Nantel 53.1 119 A graph within the software is used to display output of any query commands, which can include sensor data or calculated data.
Eric Nantel 26.1 120
Eric Nantel 53.1 121 [[image:LSS-P-Config-Telemetry.png]]
Eric Nantel 52.1 122
Eric Nantel 53.1 123 1. To activate a specific value, click on the button and click again to disable it. he software start memorizing the data as soon as one query is activated.
124 1. Pause will stop recording until you click back on it.
125 1. Restart will wipe all the recorded values.
126 1. The Y-axis of the graph auto-scales depending on what output is selected. To switch between traces, use the mouse wheel and confirm that the y axis label is the one you selected.
127 1. The X-axis display the time & expands up to 20 minutes then scrolls a 20 minute time window.
Eric Nantel 54.2 128 1. Saving the data is possible by doing a right click on the graph and select Copy, it's then possible to paste them in a spreadsheet application (Excel / Google Sheets)
Eric Nantel 52.1 129
Eric Nantel 53.1 130 === Personalize Query ===
Eric Nantel 52.1 131
Eric Nantel 40.1 132 To change the query for a specific button, you have to do a "CTRL + CLICK" on the desired button, this interface will then be displayed.
133
134 [[image:LSS-P-Config-Telemetry-Custom.png]]
135
136 1. Trace Name: Displayed name for that particular query.
137 1. Two separate "Add" button and drop down are present, they are shortcuts to add to the query bellow.
Eric Nantel 64.1 138 1. Query that will be sent to the actuator plus displayed units for the interface.
Eric Nantel 40.1 139
Eric Nantel 26.1 140 == Custom Actions ==
141
Eric Nantel 64.1 142 This list of assignable buttons allows the user to select specific commands to send to the servo. These can be used to quickly position the servo to specific angles, experiment with different speeds and more.
Eric Nantel 26.1 143
Eric Nantel 64.1 144 [[image:LSS-P-Config-Custom-Actions.png]]
145
146 1. All of those buttons can be set to trigger any action required.
147 1. Save will let you do a backup of the current Custom Actions.
148 1. Load will let you select and load a previously saved Custom Action file.
149
Eric Nantel 65.1 150 === Personalize Action ===
151
Eric Nantel 64.1 152 To change the Action for a specific button, you have to do a "CTRL + CLICK" on the desired button, this interface will then be displayed.
153
154 [[image:LSS-P-Config-Custom-Actions-Custom.png]]
155
156 1. Action Name: Displayed name for that particular action.
157 1. Two separate "Add" button and drop down are present, they are shortcuts to add to the action bellow.
158 1. Action command that will be sent to the actuator plus displayed units for the interface.
159
Eric Nantel 78.1 160 == Firmware Update ==
Eric Nantel 28.1 161
Eric Nantel 69.1 162 It is good to periodically check for firmware updates for the servos. A firmware update requires that the computer running the software be connected to the Internet.
Eric Nantel 61.1 163
Eric Nantel 69.1 164 Firmware updates can resolve bugs or add improvements. The information in this Wiki (for example the PRO Communication Protocol Page) will always refer to the latest version of firmware (though in certain instances will detail which firmware version of the firmware the feature or function started with).
Eric Nantel 61.1 165
166 [[image:LSS-P-Config-Firmware-Available.png]]
167
Eric Nantel 72.1 168 1. When a firmware update is available, the logo will turn green.
169
170 Note: Only a servo connected via USB can be updated and all the other servos on the bus will not be displayed with a green logo unless connected directly via USB.
171
Eric Nantel 78.1 172 === Online Update ===
Eric Nantel 72.1 173
Eric Nantel 90.1 174 1. Select the servo ID that requires a firmware update
Eric Nantel 72.1 175 1. If the logo is green, click on the "Firmware Update" button
176 1. A message will ask you if you want do download the latest firmware, click Yes.
Eric Nantel 82.1 177 [[image:LSS-P-Config-Firmware-Download-Yes.png||alt="LSS-P-Config-Firmware-Download.png"]]
Eric Nantel 72.1 178 1. It's pretty quick but once downloaded another message will ask you if you want to proceed click Yes.
Eric Nantel 92.1 179 [[image:LSS-P-Config-Firmware-Write-Acknowledge.png]]
Eric Nantel 72.1 180 1. The servo will be put in "Firmware Update" mode and flashing will start. A progress bar will show the progress. DO NOT UNPLUG / UNPOWER the servo while updating.
Eric Nantel 74.1 181 [[image:LSS-P-Config-Firmware-Uploading.png]]
Eric Nantel 77.1 182 1. Once the procedure is done you will have a confirmation pop-up.
183 [[image:LSS-P-Config-Firmware-Success.png]]
Eric Nantel 61.1 184
Eric Nantel 78.1 185 === Offline Update ===
Eric Nantel 72.1 186
Eric Nantel 77.1 187 In some rare occasions, our staff could ask you to try a firmware which they provided and here's how to flash it.
188
Eric Nantel 90.1 189 1. Select the servo ID that requires a firmware update
Eric Nantel 85.1 190 1. Click on the "Firmware Update" button and depending on the pop-up select as shown. 
Eric Nantel 90.1 191 [[image:LSS-P-Config-Firmware-Download-No.png||alt="LSS-P-Config-Firmware-Download.png"]] [[image:LSS-P-Config-Firmware-Write-Yes.png||alt="LSS-P-Config-Firmware-Local.png"]]
Eric Nantel 87.1 192 1. Browse and select & open the firmware file provided by our staff.
193 [[image:LSS-P-Config-Firmware-Local-Browse.png]]
194 1. Another message will ask you if you want to proceed click Yes.
Eric Nantel 92.1 195 [[image:LSS-P-Config-Firmware-Write-Acknowledge.png]]
Eric Nantel 77.1 196 1. The servo will be put in "Firmware Update" mode and flashing will start. A progress bar will show the progress. DO NOT UNPLUG / UNPOWER the servo while updating.
197 [[image:LSS-P-Config-Firmware-Uploading.png]]
198 1. Once the procedure is done you will have a confirmation pop-up.
Eric Nantel 61.1 199 [[image:LSS-P-Config-Firmware-Success.png]]
Eric Nantel 107.2 200
201 == Troubleshooting ==
202
Eric Nantel 108.1 203 === Connection Error ===
Eric Nantel 107.2 204
Eric Nantel 108.1 205 **LSS PRO device not found at this port!**
Eric Nantel 107.2 206
Eric Nantel 108.1 207 If the software does not detect any servos, this can be for multiple reasons:
208
209 * Forgot to connect the USB port to ONLY the first servo of the assembly
210 * Servo not connected to the power supply, or power supply not turned on.
211 * Wrong COM port selected in the software
212 * USB drivers have not been properly installed
213 * Advanced users may have written their own firmware (Arduino format) and uploaded it to the microcontroller within the servo. The PRO Config software cannot be used in this instance.
214
215 To resolve this issue:
216
217 * Ensure the power is ON. 
218 ** If you have the 30V power supply, ensure the switch is set to ON
219 ** If you have the 36V power supply, also ensure the switch is set to ON & E-Stop button is not pressed
220 * Verify the Device Manager in Windows to see if the COM port is present
221
222 === Software Issues ===
223
224 **Firmware update stalled / frozen**
225
226 If the LSS Config screen freezes during a firmware update or the process takes many minutes without an update.
227
228 To resolve this issue:
229
230 * Power cycle the servo, keeping it connected via USB to the computer.
231 * Restart the LSS PRO Config application
232 * The update should resume.
233
234 If the firmware was being updated using a local file (rare), then the Firmware Update button needs to be pressed again for the update process to restart.
235
236 **Interface freezes**
237
238 If the interface freezes for any reason outside of a Firmware update, end the Windows Task corresponding to the LSS Config via Windows’ Task Manager (accessible via shortcut by simultaneously pressing CTRL + SHIFT + ESC on the keyboard).
239
240 **Wrong Servo Detected**
241
242 If the display is showing the wrong servo detected (for example if you have a STANDARD servo connected, but it’s appearing as a MEGA), which should not happen, please reach out to RobotShop with details and instructions will be provided on how to correct this.
243
244 **Appearance**
245
246 If the appearance or aesthetics seem “off”, this may be due to the "Scale" factor in Windows 11, set it to 100%. 
247
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