ClearCore 4-Axis Motion and I/O Controller

A low-cost, multi-axis, motion and industrial I/O controller, ClearCore offers OEMs a new way to save space, money, and wiring in their automated machinery. ClearCore provides 4 axes of motion control, Ethernet, serial, USB, and wireless expandability along with 13 configurable digital & analog I/O points.

 

An extensive C++ library makes coding easier and more productive. The library includes many example projects compatible with the Atmel Studio 7 development environment. With the optional Atmel-ICE debug tool, you can take advantage of sophisticated debug techniques like single-stepping through code and setting complex breakpoints.

 

If you prefer a more lightweight development environment, you can download the optional ClearCore Arduino Wrapper Library. This allows you to write code within the easy-to-use Arduino IDE and using Arduino command syntax. This library includes dozens of Arduino "sketch" examples.

 

You can use ClearCore standalone to control smaller systems, or distributed by networking multiple units to a master CPU (e.g., Raspberry Pi). Communicate with ClearCore using its Ethernet port, one of its two serial ports or via USB; or communicate wirelessly by connecting a compatible XBee module.

 

You can expand each ClearCore’s digital I/O by adding up to eight CCIO-8 expansion modules. This provides up to an additional 64 points of configurable digital I/O.

 

By registering their application with Teknic, OEM machine builders can lock in the single-piece $99 pricing.? Each unit ships within 3 business days and comes with a 3-year warranty and a 90-day money-back guarantee.

• Hardware includes a powerful 32-bit, floating-point ARM Cortex-M4 processor, 192k local RAM, 512k Flash, interrupt handler, and an onboard SD Card interface for storage expansion.
• ClearCore provides up to 4 axes of motion control for Teknic’s ClearPath integrated servos, 3rd party stepper drives, or any brushless servo motor with a digital servo drive.
• ClearCore includes 13 industrially hardened and electrically conditioned, 24V I/O points, including digital and analog inputs and outputs.  Extend your I/O compliment with 8-point I/O expansion modules (CCIO-8) for a total I/O compliment of 73 I/O points.
• Compatible with XBee modules for peer-to-peer wireless communications such as WiFi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, DigiMesh, 802.15.4, and others.
• A rich C++ library & software API including more than 40 extensively commented example projects ensures ease-of-use and accelerates your development cycle.  Advanced debugging via the Atmel IDE and in-circuit emulator enables the serious programmer to step through code, set breakpoints, evaluate expressions, watch variables, and much more.
• All source code is available for download, at no cost, under an open-source, copy-right, MIT license.
• For rapid software prototyping, install the optional but free Arduino wrapper library to easily create programs within the simple and popular Arduino IDE.

MechanicalDimensions5.0 x 3.5 x 1.0 in. (127 x 88.9 x 25.4 mm)Weight (with cover)0.40 lb. (181 g)Material3-mm thick Polycarbonate cover, aluminum mount frameElectricalVoltage Input20 to 28 VDCOutput Current CapabilityI/O 0,1,2,3: 375 mA RMS, (750mA peak)
I/O 4,5: 750 mA RMS, (1,000mA peak)Logic CompatibilityAll I/O is compatible with 3.3 to 24 VDC logic. (ClearCore outputs are internally pulled up to 24V (Vsupply), so 3.3 to 5V logic may require an external clamping diode.)Indicator LEDs for each inputYesIP ratingIP20Operating Temperature/Humidity-20° to 50°C, 0 to 90% non-condensingStorage Temperature-40° to 85°CPower Consumption300mA@24V or 500mA@12V
Adding an XBee will add as much as an additional 100mA@24V or200mA@12VProtection featuresOvercurrent protection on all outputs
Inductive clamping on all outputs
Board master overvoltage and overcurrent protection

ESD protection features on all I/O circuitsProcessing/CommunicationTotal I/O13 built-in I/O points, software configurable as any combination of up to 13 digital inputs, 4 analog inputs, 6 digital outputs, 2 HBridge/speaker outputs and 1 analog output (4-20mA or 0-20mA).

Another 64 digital I/O can be added by using optional 8-point I/O expansion modules (p/n CCIO-8).

All configuration of I/O hardware is controlled by software, i.e., no jumpers, DIP switches, trim-pots, etc. need to be manually set.Serial communication2 Multi-functional, individually configurable serial ports that can be used as a UART, SPI, or RS-232 at up to 115.2kBaud.

Rates up to 2MBaud are achievable depending on cable length, slave transceiver circuit, and grounding.

5V power pins are available on each port.Ethernet10Base-T/100Base-TX EthernetUSBUSB 2.0Wireless connectivityAccepts XBee modules for wireless connectivity (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Mesh, etc.)Programming LanguageC++Memory Capability512 KB Flash
192 KB RAM
Storage expansion via onboard SD card driveSupported development environmentWindows 10, Windows 7* (see note)Processor type and speed32-bit floating-point ARM M4F processor
120 MHz
(p/n SAME53N19A)Max Step Rate500kHz

* Win 7 note: USB driver management in Windows 7 causes issues in some installations which affect the uploading of code to ClearCore. Extra manual steps may be required to upload code in these systems.