Motoron M2U256 Dual Serial Motor Controller

Overview

The Motoron M2T256 and M2U256 controllers make it easy to control two bidirectional, brushed DC motors using an I²C or TTL serial (UART) interface, respectively. These compact (0.6″ × 0.8″) boards operate from 4.5 V to 48 V and can deliver continuous output currents up to 1.8 A per motor. Multiple Motoron controllers can be configured to work on a single I²C or serial bus, allowing independent control of many motors. Unlike most of our motor drivers, the Motoron does not require any PWM outputs or timers on your microcontroller. Instead, only a single I²C or UART interface is needed regardless of how many Motorons you connect.

These Motoron controllers are available in several versions with different combinations of communication interfaces and connector options:

• M2T256 (I²C):
  • headers soldered
  • headers included but not soldered in
• M2U256 (TTL serial):
  • headers soldered
  • headers included but not soldered in

Details for item #5067

The M2U256 has a non-inverted TTL serial (UART) interface, and this version ships with a 1×16 breakaway male header included but not soldered in.

Features and specifications

• Two motor control channels allow for independent control of up to two bidirectional brushed DC motors per Motoron
• Wide operating voltage range: 4.5 V to 48 V (absolute maximum)
  • Recommended maximum nominal battery voltage is approximately 36 V
• Maximum output current per motor: 1.8 A continuous, 6.4 A peak for <1 second
• Reverse-voltage protection on motor power supply (down to -40 V)
• Logic voltage range: 3.0 V to 5.5 V
• Control interface:
  • M2T256: I²C (up to 400 kHz)
  • M2U256: non-inverted TTL serial (up to 250 kbps)
• Optional cyclic redundancy checking (CRC)
• Configurable motion parameters:
  • Max acceleration/deceleration forward/reverse
  • Starting speed forward/reverse
  • Direction change delay forward/reverse
• PWM frequency: eight options available from 1 kHz to 80 kHz
• Command timeout feature stops motors if the Arduino stops functioning
• Configurable automatic error response
• Motor power supply (VIN) voltage measurement
• Two status LEDs
• Motor direction indicator LEDs
• Error output for easier detection of error conditions
• Motoron Arduino library simplifies getting started using the Motoron with an Arduino or compatible controller
• Comprehensive user’s guide

The Motoron family

The tables below list the members of the Motoron family and show the key differences among them. Each type is available in several versions to provide different options for the through-hole connectors: they can be purchased as an assembled product with connectors soldered in, as a kit with connectors included but not soldered in, or (for Arduino and Raspberry Pi expansions) as a standalone board without connectors.

Motoron motor controllers micro versions
	M2T256	M2U256
Control interface:	I²C	UART serial
Motor channels:	2 (dual)
Absolute max input voltage:	48 V
Recommended max nominal battery voltage:	36 V
Max continuous current per channel:	1.8 A
Available versions:	headers soldered headers included	headers soldered headers included

Motoron motor controllers Arduino and Raspberry Pi form factor versions
	M3S256 M3H256	M2S24v14 M2H24v14	M2S24v16 M2H24v16	M2S18v18 M2H18v18	M2S18v20 M2H18v20
Control interface:	I²C
Motor channels:	3 (triple)	2 (dual)
Absolute max input voltage:	48 V	40 V		30 V
Recommended max nominal battery voltage:	36 V	28 V		18 V
Max continuous current per channel:	2 A	14 A	16 A	18 A	20 A
Available versions for Arduino:	M3S256 assembled kit board only	M2S24v14 assembled kit board only	M2S24v16 assembled kit board only	M2S18v18 assembled kit board only	M2S18v20 assembled kit board only
Available versions for Raspberry Pi:	M3H256 assembled kit board only	M2H24v14 assembled kit board only	M2H24v16 assembled kit board only	M2H18v18 assembled kit board only	M2H18v20 assembled kit board only

Dimensions

General specifications

Identifying markings

Notes:

1

Without included optional headers

2

Absolute maximum; higher voltages can permanently destroy the motor drivers. Recommended maximum nominal battery voltage is approximately 36 V, which leaves a safety margin for ripple voltage on the supply line.

3

Note: Reverse voltage protection only works up to 40 V.

Documentation and other information

• 

  Pololu Motoron Motor Controller User’s Guide

  User’s manual for the Pololu Motoron Motor Controllers.

File downloads

• Dimension diagram of the Motoron M2x256 Dual Motor Controller (322k pdf)

• 3D model of the Motoron M2x256 Dual Motor Controller (7MB step)

• Drill guide for the Motoron M2x256 Dual Motor Controller (16k dxf)

  This DXF drawing shows the locations of all of the board’s holes.

Recommended links

• Motoron Motor Controller library for Arduino

• Motoron Motor Controller Python library for Raspberry Pi