Control made simple

AMATI Technology

SM16

· Advanced mixing and control functions.

· Comprehensive User Interface.

· The SM16 can be driven used with standard RC equipment.

· Built in CAN interface

Product Summary

This professional quality, stand-alone 16 channel Servo Controller is packed with unique mixing and control functions. It uses technology developed for animatronics in the Film & Television industry, which until now has only been available in very expensive equipment.

The SM16 is supplied with dedicated Graphical User Interface (GUI) software, which makes it possible for the user to achieve complex servo control without ANY knowledge of computer programming. Movements can be created in minutes using this custom software.

The key to the SM16 versatility lies in its powerful Mixer functions, so the device is equally at home controlling the facial expressions of an animatronic creature, as it is resolving a 6 DOF motion-base into its coordinate axes.

At the heart of the unit is a high performance 16-bit Digital Signal Processor (DSP), providing a no-compromise hardware platform.

A PC connects via USB to the SM16 to run the User Interface. From this you can set parameters, build, and edit movements. All move processing calculations are carried out within the SM16 in real-time, eliminating the need for a PC once editing is complete. All parameters and movement set-ups are stored in the SM16’s Flash memory.

The SM16 has 8 inputs and 16 servo outputs. All can be individually configured and calibrated for limits and neutral positions.

The SM16  has 16 Mixer channels. Its walk engine provides up to six cyclic walking gait channels, called ServoCycles these can also be configured as Super Mixers. It also features a built-in 16 channel Recording Sequencer. Stored sequences can be replayed by a variety of trigger methods.

The Sequencer can record and store up to 8 separate sequences, with a combined maximum recording time of more than 3.5 minutes. In each sequence, the Mixer channels can be individually set to either Record, Play or Live, this enables a layered recording to be easily produced.

There are a variety of ways the Sequencer may be triggered for playback. In the Auto Play mode, a single sequence will be played continuously, with an adjustable delay between each playback. In the Serial mode, a single input channel can sequentially trigger the stored sequences in any order. The final mode is Parallel, where each sequence is triggered by a different input channel.
An adjustable Ease-Out time may be set, allowing the servos to smoothly travel to their start positions after a sequence completes.

The SM16 has powerful Graphical User Interface, supplied to create and edit the Mixers and Sequencer. Sequences can be individually uploaded and saved to a PC via the User Interface, thereby freeing up SM16 memory for further recordings.

 

SM16 features include:

· CAN Network Interface. This reads 24 input channels from an MX24, reads 16 SM16 CAN channels, and transmits 16 SM16 CAN channels.

· 8 hardware input channels, individually configurable to accept either a standard radio pulse-width, or an analog voltage signal. Each input can be independently calibrated for signal range and neutral control position, thereby optimising the input channel to different joysticks and control devices. This feature is vital when using custom hand controls (waldos).

· Configuring an input as analog, and using a switch contact closure, is a simple way to trigger the Sequencer.

· 16 servo output channels, each with adjustable travel limits and neutral position. Each servo output can also be reversed and turned off. Adjustable filtering on each output enables you to slow down the response of the servos.

· 16 track Recording Sequencer holds up to 8 sequences. Sequences are stored internally in Flash memory with 10 year data retention. 3.5 minutes total storage time.

· Multiple Sequencer trigger modes.

· 16 Mixer channels. These objects allow any combination of the 16 servo outputs to be controlled from a single input channel. Control of extremely complex compound movements can be created in a few minutes.

· 6 channels configured as either ServoCycle or Super Mixers. The former are used to automate complex cyclic moves, where an input signal controls the speed of the cycle. The Super Mixer is a conventional Mixer enhanced by 300%; using this you can smoothly transform a complex creature through up to 9 preset expressions, or snapshots, from a single input control channel – the possibilities are endless with this unique function.

· Adjustable servo travel range. Increase standard travel by up to 150%.

· Automatic battery sensing, with visual warning indicator.

· Fully featured WindowsTM Graphical User Interface, tested on XP Home and Pro.

· User Interface enables graphical creation and editing of animatronic movements, along with real-time monitoring of all input, output, and intermediate signals.

· Complete creature parameter set-up can be saved to PC.

· Firmware bootloader lets you upgrade the SM16 firmware program without returning the unit to base. We will make upgrades available as we develop additional options.

· USB interface.

· Power supply. External DC 4.8 – 7.5 volts required (servo dependent).

· Dimensions 87mm(3.5") long x 57mm(2.25") wide x 22mm(0.75") high.

· Weight 75g (2.75oz).

Watch the SM16 in action

SM16’s making Dinosaurs work

Contact:

Phone: +61 2 9386 5352

Fax:+61 2 9386 5352

E-mail: sales@amati.com.au

< Return to Product List