ADLINK AMP-104C Four Axis Motion Control Card

ADLINK AMP-104C Four Axis Pulse Motion Control Card Complete Application Guide

In the field of position control for stepper motors and servo motors, pulse type motion control cards have always held an important position due to their simplicity, reliability, and controllable cost. ADLINK AMP-104C is a 4-axis pulse motion control card based on PCI Express Gen1 x1 interface, supporting a maximum pulse output frequency of 4.9Mpps. It provides rich isolated/non isolated I/O, encoder feedback input, position latch, and various acceleration/deceleration curves, suitable for electronic assembly, semiconductor equipment, automation testing, and small CNC systems. This article is based on the official data manual, systematically sorting out its hardware specifications, interface definitions, motion control characteristics, software ecology, and selection matching, providing a complete technical reference for system integration engineers from evaluation to deployment.

Product positioning and core advantages

AMP-104C is positioned for economical multi axis stepper/servo control, with a single card supporting 4 axes. The system can accommodate up to 16 cards (distinguished by card number dip switches) and achieve 64 axis synchronous control. Its core advantages include:

High pulse frequency: The output frequency can be continuously adjusted from 0.5pps to 4.9Mpps, meeting the needs of low-speed positioning to high-speed micro step driving.

Flexible pulse mode: Supports two mainstream formats: CW/CCW (forward/reverse pulse) and OUT/DIR (pulse+direction), compatible with the vast majority of imported and domestic drivers.

High performance encoder feedback: The differential encoder input supports up to 20MHz (at 4x), with a 32-bit counting range, and can achieve closed-loop position verification or dual closed-loop compensation.

Rich isolated I/O: onboard 16 optical isolated digital inputs (24V) and 12 optical isolated digital outputs (24V/100mA), plus 31 TTL expansion GPIO (16 in 15 out), to meet requirements such as limit, origin, emergency stop, and general control.

Hardware level security mechanism: supports emergency stop (EMG) and deceleration stop, which can be set through a dip switch; Both limit logic (normally open/normally closed) and DO initial state can be configured in hardware to ensure power on safety.

Detailed explanation of hardware architecture and interfaces

1. Main connector (68 pin SCSI-II)

All axis motion signals, encoder feedback, limit/origin, servo enable, and some GPIO are all led out through this connector. The key signals include:

Pulse output per axis: OUT/OUT # and DIR/DIR # differential pairs (or CW/CCW), line driven output (RS-422), capable of long-distance transmission (recommended ≤ 10 meters).

Each encoder input: EA+/-, EB+/-, EZ+/- differential input, compatible with 5V differential signal, maximum input frequency 5MHz (20MHz after 4th harmonic).

Limit/Slow Stop Signal: Positive Limit (PEL), Negative Limit (MEL), Positive Slow Stop (PSD), Negative Slow Stop (MSD), Origin (ORG), all of which are isolated light inputs (24V).

External start stop control: STA (start) and STP (stop) pins can be used to control axis movement with external buttons, without the need for upper computer intervention.

Position latch trigger: 8 trigger inputs (LTC0~LTC7), used for high-speed position capture, can be used for probe or flight detection.

Emergency stop input: EMG pin, hardware level emergency stop, immediately stops all axis pulse outputs.

2. Expansion connector (40 pin box head to 37 pin D-SUB)

Provide 16 non isolated TTL inputs and 15 TTL outputs, suitable for connecting encoder frequency division outputs, PLC digital signals, or low voltage logic such as indicator lights. These GPIO are independent of the isolated IO on the main connector and can be flexibly allocated.

3. Card number and configuration dip switch

Card Index: 0~15, set by a rotary switch, used to distinguish devices in multi card systems.

EL Logic: Normally open (NO) or normally closed (NC) can be selected without software inversion to adapt to different sensor types.

Initial state of DO: It can configure the default level of all isolated outputs when powered on to prevent driver misoperation.

Stop mode selection: Emergency Stop (EMG) or Deceleration Stop. The former immediately cuts off the pulse, while the latter stops at a preset deceleration ramp.

Characteristics of motion control function

1. Feedback from position counter and encoder

Instruction position counter: 24 bits (approximately 16777216 pulses), used to record the total number of pulses issued by the software.

Encoder feedback counter: 32-bit, can read the actual position of the motor in real time, and cooperate with software to achieve position comparison or follow error detection.

2. Acceleration and deceleration control

T-curve (linear acceleration and deceleration): The acceleration during acceleration and deceleration is constant, suitable for most general positioning scenarios.

S-curve (symmetrical/asymmetrical): The acceleration (Jerk) can be set to make the speed change smoother and reduce mechanical vibration, especially suitable for high-speed and high-precision equipment.