To make an R2 move, most builders use a PS2 controller with several control boards. The controller operates the foot drives and dome motor. Recently, the manufacturer of one of those boards retired, leaving no viable replacements.
So, to control my R2, I created an Arduino shield that hooks up to a PS2 controller. After testing my concept by hacking a normal PS2 receptor and wiring it directly to the Arduino, which leaves several extra wires exposed and requires a very delicate touch to adjust, I began building my board.
The first step was to find the exact positioning of the Arduino’s headers and to space the board’s connectors out accordingly. Once I knew how much space I had to work with, I began designing the schematic and adding the components with the proper footprints for each. Then, once I had finished the schematic, I began the board layout. I had to place the connectors first, then the receiver and terminal blocks, then the resistors and LED. After I had them placed, I created the ground plane and the 3.3V power plane and routed the board.
With the board finished, I sent it out for fabrication and, less than a month later, I had the board! I then applied the components to the board and tested it, and it works!
So, to control my R2, I created an Arduino shield that hooks up to a PS2 controller. After testing my concept by hacking a normal PS2 receptor and wiring it directly to the Arduino, which leaves several extra wires exposed and requires a very delicate touch to adjust, I began building my board.
The first step was to find the exact positioning of the Arduino’s headers and to space the board’s connectors out accordingly. Once I knew how much space I had to work with, I began designing the schematic and adding the components with the proper footprints for each. Then, once I had finished the schematic, I began the board layout. I had to place the connectors first, then the receiver and terminal blocks, then the resistors and LED. After I had them placed, I created the ground plane and the 3.3V power plane and routed the board.
With the board finished, I sent it out for fabrication and, less than a month later, I had the board! I then applied the components to the board and tested it, and it works!
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