Servo Motor Pulse Calculation

Pulse Width Formula:

\[ \text{Pulse Width} = \frac{\text{Duty Cycle}}{100} \times \text{Period} \]

Pulse Width:

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1. What is Servo Motor Pulse Calculation?

The Servo Motor Pulse Calculation determines the pulse width required for precise servo motor control. Pulse width modulation (PWM) signals control servo position by varying the duration of high pulses within a fixed period.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the pulse width formula:

\[ \text{Pulse Width} = \frac{\text{Duty Cycle}}{100} \times \text{Period} \]

Where:

\( \text{Pulse Width} \) — Duration of high signal in microseconds (µs)
\( \text{Duty Cycle} \) — Percentage of period signal is high (0-100%)
\( \text{Period} \) — Total duration of one complete cycle in microseconds (µs)

Explanation: The formula calculates the active high time of the PWM signal that controls servo motor position. Typical servo period is 20ms (20,000µs).

3. Importance of Pulse Width Calculation

Details: Accurate pulse width calculation is essential for precise servo motor positioning in robotics, RC vehicles, industrial automation, and embedded systems. Incorrect pulse widths can cause jittery movement or damage to servos.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter duty cycle as percentage (0-100%) and period in microseconds. For standard servos, use 20,000µs period. Typical pulse widths range from 1,000µs to 2,000µs for 0-180 degree rotation.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the typical period for servo control?
A: Standard servos use 20ms (20,000µs) period, with pulse widths of 1,000-2,000µs corresponding to 0-180 degree positions.

Q2: How does duty cycle relate to servo position?
A: Duty cycle determines the pulse width percentage. For 20ms period, 5% duty cycle = 1,000µs, 7.5% = 1,500µs, 10% = 2,000µs pulse width.

Q3: Can I use this for continuous rotation servos?
A: Yes, but continuous rotation servos use pulse width to control speed and direction rather than absolute position.

Q4: What happens if pulse width is outside recommended range?
A: Servos may not respond correctly, exhibit jittery behavior, or potentially be damaged by extreme pulse widths.

Q5: How accurate should pulse width timing be?
A: Servos typically require ±10µs accuracy for stable operation. High-precision applications may require even tighter timing control.