Based upon Allego Microsystem's SLA7042 Unipolar MicroStep Stepper Motor Controller Chip, the MB3003 MechaBlox card is complete high performance Microstepping Control Solution.

The MB3003 is part of the Mechablox system. It can be used alone, or combined with additional MechaBlox boards for more complex applications.

Small in size (70mmx70mm), but big in performance, The MB3003 is capable of delivering programmable drive currents in exceess of 1 Amp per phase, and because it is a chopper drive, it get's the extra performance you need out of your stepper motor without the inefficiency and excess heat of bulky RL drives.

The QUAD outputs of the MB3003 are independent, and not harware encoded. The level for each phase is controlled by an eight level DAC. All phase drive methods are by software control. This allows for experimenting with different drive methods such as Wave-Drive, or use with different stepping motor and unidirectional DC motor drive configurations.

Also, because the individual drivers are independent, the MB3004 can be used to drive four individual solenoids, relays etc...

The MB3003 uses a Pulse Width Modulated "chopper" drive. It get's the extra performance you need out of your stepper motor without the inefficiency and excess heat of bulky "RL" drives using expensive forcing power resistors. Total Power level is software controlled via a 6bit DAC, giving a wide range of running torque settings, and as well as holding torque settings.

The MB3003 has three complete digital sensor inferfaces with source power and signal conditioning, compatible with photo-interrupters, Hall effect switches, and mechnical switches. Typical use for these interfaces would be a step index indicator, and left and right limit detection. In addition, one unbuffered analog input to the A/D convertor is provided. Provision is made on the PWB to add a bias resistor to support a thermisitor for motor temprature sensing.

The MB3003 comes ready to use, preprogrammed with MechaView software which supports both simple standalone RS232C interface applications, or more complex networked RS485. In addition, all software source code is available under a GPL license. The MB3003 can be reprogrammed using the simple Atmel AVRISP device and free Atmel AVR Studio software tor custom applications or experimentation.

Specifications
CPU-	16-mHz Atmel ATMega8 8-kbytes Program Flash Memory 1-kByte Sram 512-bytes EEROM
Motor Driver-	Allegro Microsystems SLA7042
Output Current-	Programmable 6-bit DAC current control    -from 0 up to 1.5-A per phase¹
Hold Current Control-	Running and Hold power are independently programmable, and automatically switch.
Pulse Rate-	Pulse rates up to 30-ksteps/sec¹
Acceleration/Deceleration-	Programmable Trapezoid acceleration/deceleration curve.
Step Mode-	8 Level Microstep per phase. Can be programmed for Full, Half, Wave etc...
Motor Connector-	6 pin Molex 22-23-2061 (KK© series)
Size-	70mm x 70mm x 12mmm
Com Interfaces-	RS232C, RS485(half duplex), SPI Interface, TWI (I²S), One wire Interface.
Programming interface-	Supports 10pin AVR serial programming interface
Sensor Interfaces-	Three Optical/ Hall Effect/ Mechanical Switch compatible interfaces with analog Schmitt Trigger Comparator. One general purpose Analog input to 10bit ADC.
Input Power-	8-30VDC at 20mA (not including motor current). Input power, and individual motor phase fuses provided
Accessories-	Comes with RS232C Com Cable MB1907-001 and Power cable MB1907-002
Warranty	90 Day Limited Warranty
In stock?-	Coming soon!
¹note-	actual achievable performance is dependent upon the motor selection and drive mechanism's mechanical properties.
McGourty Associates does not assume any responsibility for use of any circuitry described, no circuit patent licenses are implied. McGourty Associates reserves the right at any time without notice to change product specifications as may be required to permit improvements in the perfomance, reliability, or manufacturability. McGOURTY ASSOCIATES’ PRODUCTS ARE NOT AUTHORIZED FOR USE AS CRITICAL COMPONENTS IN LIFE SUPPORT DEVICES OR SYSTEMS.