Interfacing Actuators

So far, we have covered input and output on the PIC microcontrollers as well as internal modules including the PWM module provided by the microcontroller. In this chapter, we apply the knowledge we learned thus far to control three common actuators in embedded systems: the DC motor, the stepper motor, and the servo motor. We incrementally examine these three actuators based on their ability to be controlled. We start with the DC motor, which has very coarse control of directionality (forward or backward) and is the easiest to control. Next, we look at the servo, which has a greater degree of ability to be controlled, allowing us to control movement to a predefined angle. Finally, the stepper motor has the finest level of granularity with control being down to a very specific degree size. Upon completing this chapter, you will be able to use actuators in robotic systems, appliances, and any other application you may have in mind.