Pacer Systems ZE4500 Axiomatic Technology Motion Control Board
Product Overview
The Pacer Systems ZE4500 is a rugged motion control board manufactured under Axiomatic Technology Ltd. Designed for heavy-duty mobile equipment and industrial machines, this board provides closed-loop control for hydraulic actuators, electric motors, and servo systems. It integrates a high-speed DSP, resolver/encoder interfaces, and multiple analog/digital I/O for demanding environments such as construction machinery, agricultural vehicles, and off-highway equipment.
Key Specifications
Model: ZE4500
Manufacturer: Pacer Systems / Axiomatic Technology
Processor: 32-bit DSP (floating-point)
Feedback Interfaces: Resolver input (excitation 2 Vrms or 4 Vrms), incremental encoder (5V TTL)
Analog Inputs: 6 channels (0-5V, 0-10V, 4-20mA, or potentiometer)
Analog Outputs: 2 channels (0-10V or 4-20mA) for valve/actuator control
Digital I/O: 8 opto-isolated inputs (12/24 VDC), 6 high-side outputs (2 A each)
Communication: CAN 2.0B (J1939, CANopen), RS-232
Control Algorithms: PID with feedforward, programmable filters
Power Supply: 8-36 VDC (transient protected)
Environmental Rating: IP67 (when properly enclosed)
Operating Temperature: -40°C to +85°C
Rugged Design for Mobile Applications
The ZE4500 is built to withstand extreme vibration, moisture, and temperature swings found in mobile industrial environments. Its conformal-coated PCBs and sealed connectors ensure reliable operation under harsh conditions. The board’s wide power supply range (8-36 VDC) and reverse polarity protection make it suitable for direct connection to vehicle batteries.
Precision Motion and Hydraulic Control
With its high-speed DSP and real-time operating system, the ZE4500 can perform closed-loop control of hydraulic proportional valves or electric servo drives. The resolver input allows accurate position and speed feedback from hydraulic motors or rotary actuators, while the encoder input supports standard incremental encoders for electric servo systems. PID loops can be tuned individually for each axis, with programmable output limiting and ramp rates.
CAN Bus and System Integration
The onboard CAN interface supports popular protocols such as J1939 (off-highway vehicles) and CANopen (industrial automation). This allows the ZE4500 to exchange data with vehicle ECUs, display panels, and other controllers. A secondary RS-232 port is available for debugging or connecting to GPS/GNSS receivers. The board can also be programmed using Axiomatic’s Axiom Design Studio (IEC 61131-3 or C code).
Industrial Applications
Mobile cranes and aerial lifts (boom position control)
Harvesters and sprayers (steering and implement control)
Mining vehicles (drill positioning, conveyor drives)
Robotic arms for heavy material handling
Conclusion
The Pacer Systems ZE4500 motion control board combines industrial-grade ruggedness with advanced control capabilities. Its resolver/encoder interfaces, CAN connectivity, and PID control make it a versatile solution for off-highway and industrial automation applications.
