BFF modular
CL system brushless motor driver
UPDATE Sept 17 - New automatic power-up
calibration movement features have been added to the cards.
See
here for more details, and
here
for a quick video.
The BFF modular control loader driver
system provides brushless motor drives for up to 3 control
axes in flight simulator control loader systems.
Each control station installation will require:
-
1 x CL_SPU control and communications card,
with...
-
1 to 3 BLDRV2-24 motor drivers (one for each active
control axis)
The CL_SPU handles communications with the PC
software and shares data and instructions with the
individual BLDRV2-24 driver cards.
Up to three (3) BLDRV2-24 driver cards are then
connected to the CL_SPU - one for each control axis (ie
elevator, aileron and rudder).
The BLDRV2-24 drivers are designed to be used with
the recommended
brushless motors (see below).
In properly designed and built
simulator flight controls the
BLDRV2-24 drivers and brushless motors develop very smooth
control forces in response to the changing dynamics of the
simulated
flight.
NOTES:
The CL_SPU + BLDRV2-24 cards are driven by the
BFF Control Loader
software which is available for both FS9/X/P3D and X-Plane.
NOTE these cards DO NOT operate with conventional USB output
for FFB joysticks.
Please note that the BFF CL System generates force levels
much larger than those from conventional FFB joysticks and
this gives a more realistic flight experience when flying with a
yoke, stick or flight column. The system can also be used to
build FFB rudder pedals. The level of force generated
depends on the transmission ratios designed-into the flight
controls.
The BFF CL system was primarily intended for
leisure use by flight simulation enthusiasts – it is not
directly certified for
flight training use. It has however been adopted by several
sim builders providing systems for flight training.
I normally supply the CL_SPU + BLDRV2-24 cards only; to complete
a Control Loader
project you will need to source for yourself all other components
required for the system.
For an essential review of the steps required to
build and complete a flight control loader system please
read CAREFULLY the
project overview documentation provided for the DIY
flight yoke project.
FEATURES:
|
CL_SPU communications and control card |
|
BLDRV2-24 motor driver |
-
For operation with
BFF Control Loader software.
Follow the link for more details of the loading
components and features.
-
For use with
Agenzia
Pini SpeederMotion MB082GA210 BLDC motors which should be fitted
with 360 ppr (5V DC, A + B) quadrature shaft encoders.
-
24V DC operation.
-
Modular system - up to 3 x BLDRV2-24
driver cards can be plugged into one CL-SPU control and
communications card.
-
CL_SPU card provides full electrical
isolation between the high current motor drives and the
PC/USB system. PC connection is by included USB/TTL
converter cable.
-
Simplified system wiring; driver cards
plug directly into the CL_SPU to provide inter-card shared
communications. Pluggable screw connectors provided for
external power and motor side wiring.
-
3 phase continuous sinusoidal motor commutation to
generate smooth torque output for more realistic flight
control force feel.
-
Onboard force calculation at 500Hz (for flight control
movement related load components) with circa. 50Hz insertion of
simulator flight dynamics related force components -
combines fast and stable control loop operation with low
resource on-PC CL software.
-
+/-
9bit force output resolution for smooth force control, 10KHz PWM.
-
PID
controlled position following mode for AP following (and control station electrical linking).
-
Improved upgrade path - CL_SPU setup
parameters held in EEPROM can now be programmed directly
from PC. This reduces the need for firmware reflashing.
-
NEW Sept 17 -
Automatic power-up calibration (APUC) movement
features as alternative to standard manual movement
calibration.
For
further technical details PLEASE READ the
data sheet here.
|
MB082 BLDC Motor |
The
default BLDRV2-24 card programming is for use with
Agenzia
Pini SpeederMotion MB082GA210 BLDC motors which should be fitted
with 360 cpr (5V DC, A + B) quadrature shaft encoders.
When
building these
motors into flight controls the mechanical
transmission speed reduction ratios should be designed to
generate the control force levels you require. Please
contact me for guidance.
System
Build
The
BLDRV-12/24 drives MUST be used in a properly designed and constructed
electrical/mechanical system.
The
mechanical transmission connecting your flight controls to
the drive motors must be carefully designed and built - it
must be strong and stiff enough to carry the considerable
forces generated
by the motors. It must also be completely free of any play or
backlash, be smooth in operation, have low levels of
friction and have a suitable overall gearing ratio which is
constant over the full working travel of the controls. The
CL software and electronic hardware can not compensate for
poorly designed or built mechanical transmissions.....
System
Wiring
Please also
read the card datasheet for further technical details.
The
above system diagram MUST be read in conjunction with these
notes -
BFF
System Wiring Notes.
You should also ensure that you
download and READ carefully the
BLDRV2-24 data sheet
BEFORE attempting the project.
Power
Supply
The Mean Well S-350-24
(or later equivalents) is suggested for 2 axis systems.
See -
http://www.meanwell.com/search/s-350/s-350-spec.pdf
The supply
rated at 14.6 Amp which is sufficient for a 2 axis system
such as the flight yoke, but it may be too small for a 3
axis system (including rudder pedals). It is available on
eBay at a fairly low cost.
The
Mean Well SE-450-24 (or equivalent) 18.8 Amp is
suitable for most 3 axis systems. However if all three axes
are to be used routinely at full output simultaneously then
a larger PSU may be required.
In
some highly geared systems it may also be necessary to
provide some current sinking capacity in the power supply.
This is to allow the supply to handle current generated by
the drive motors under some circumstances. A Lead-Acid
battery pair wired in series with the PSU can provide this.
BFF CL
Software features
See
the Control Loader
software see here for details of the CL software and
loading features.
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