Opto Isolator v1.0

From RepRap
Jump to: navigation, search
Cache-2527617519 b667a0a36b.jpg

The Opto Isolator board allows you to pass signals between two circuits without having to connect them electrically. They are great for eliminating noise problems, or to connect circuits that have different voltages. In the RepRap system, they allow us to isolate the noisy motor driving circuits from the rest of the electronics. This makes it easy to do advanced things like use interrupt driven rotary encoders, etc.


Get It!

There are currently no known kit sellers. For help on collecting the parts, see below.

Files

Cache-2527625529 07afbeb8e1.jpg

You can download the electronics files from Sourceforge.

This file contains the following:

  • GERBER files for getting it manufactured
  • PDF files of the schematic, copper layers, and silkscreen
  • Eagle source files for modification
  • 3D rendered image as well as POVRay scene file
  • exerciser code to test your board.

Schematic

Cache-2528453076 00ecca46f5.jpg

Interface

The opto isolator isolates 2 circuits electronically by sending data as light. It has 2 separate VCC and 2 separate Ground connections.

With IDC cables, the red pin generally denotes pin 1. The pins are counted up from that pin until reaching the other side of the cable.

IN

Cache-2585056032 7905dd5e6e m.jpg

This is the side that is sending data.

Pin Name Function
1 IN_VCC This is the pin to supply +5 volts from the 'local' power supply. (Red pin)
2 IN1 This is the signal 1 pin. Connect this to the pin on your uC sending data.
3 IN2 This is the signal 2 pin. Ditto.
4 IN3 This is the signal 3 pin. Ditto.
5 IN4 This is the signal 4 pin. Ditto.
6 IN_GND This is the ground pin. Connect it to your 'local' ground.


OUT

Cache-2584226519 262dd26b43 m.jpg

This is the side that is receiving data.

Pin Name Function
1 OUT_VCC This is the pin to supply +5 volts from the 'external' power supply (Red pin).
2 OUT1 This is the signal 1 pin. Connect this to the pin that will be receiving data.
3 OUT2 This is the signal 2 pin. Ditto.
4 OUT3 This is the signal 3 pin. Ditto.
5 OUT4 This is the signal 4 pin. Ditto.
6 OUT_GND This is the ground pin. Connect it to your 'external' ground.


Build It

Watch the video

<videoflash type="vimeo">1193313</videoflash>

Board Bugs

  • No bugs yet, please report any you find to the forums.

Printed Circuit Board

Cache-2528492840 40a409bf81.jpg

Currently, there are no known vendors of this PCB, so you have to make your own or order custom made ones from a prototype PCB manufacturer. The image above shows the professionally manufactured PCB ready for soldering.

Components

Cache-2519682216 11a2567f35.jpg

Refer to the parts.reprap.org for information on where to get the stuff you need.

Opto Isolator v1.0
Part Name Quantity Type
PCB Opto Isolator v1.0 PCB 1 pcb
C1-C4 100 nF ceramic capacitor 4 component
R1,R2,R5,R6 220 ohm resistor 4 component
R3,R4,R7,R8 3.3K ohm resistor 4 component
IC1,IC2 HCPL2631 2 component
16 pin DIP socket 1 component
6 pin IDC header 2 component
6 pin IDC connector 2 component
10 pin ribbon cable 12 wire


Soldering Instructions

Cache-2528430012 d7a9748830.jpg

Socket

The socket will hold both chips. Make sure the semi-circle lines up with the mark on the silkscreen.

Cache-2527610309 36f97d60e7.jpg

220 Ohm Resistors

Fold the wire over close to the body and insert it into the PCB. Make sure the wire faces the chip socket.

Cache-2527611067 471d612dc8.jpg

3.3K Ohm Resistors

Fold the wire over close to the body and insert it into the PCB. Make sure the wire faces the chip socket.

Cache-2528433092 c85304cab5.jpg

C1-C4

Ceramic capacitors can be inserted in any direction.

Cache-2527613595 032dd2b845.jpg

IDC Headers

Insert the headers and solder them. Make sure you put the notches facing inwards so that they line up with the silkscreen.

Cache-2528434756 67aa26695a.jpg

Insert Chips

There are 2 chips to insert. Insert one at the very top, and one at the very bottom. They both have a semicircle mark that needs to line up with the top of the board and the semicircle in the socket as well as the silkscreen.

Cache-2527617519 b667a0a36b.jpg

Insert IDC Cables

First, you must make some IDC cables. Next, insert them into the headers. They're keyed, so they can only be inserted in one orientation. Yay!

Use It

The opto isolator is very easy to use. Since it just passes signals through it, you just hook it up between the two different devices you want to communicate. Additionally, you will need to properly hook it up to each devices power supply. The device is intended to isolate the circuits electrically, so each side needs to be powered independently.

The basic technique is this (with device A (sender) and device B receiver)

  1. Attach +5v on device A to IN +5v
  2. Attach GND on device A to IN GND
  3. Attach up to 4 output signals on device A to the 4 IN inputs
  4. Attach +5v on device B to OUT +5v
  5. Attach GND on device B to OUT GND
  6. Attach the corresponding outputs to device B

Opto Isolate the DC Motor Driver v1.1

The DC motor driver can generate a bit of line noise. In normal operation, this is not a problem. However, if you want to do more advanced things (like combining it with a quadrature encoder and doing edge-triggered interrupts) then you will want to use an opto isolator to keep things nice and clean.

Here are some instructions on how to use it with our DC Motor Driver.

Here are the basic steps:

  1. Unhook DC Motor Driver from Arduino / Power / Motor(s)
  2. Desolder connector wires from DC Motor driver
  3. Solder in new wires from OUT IDC connector
  4. Tape and secure newly soldered wires to prevent breakage
  5. Wire up IN wires to Arduino as they were previously

Hookup Schematic

Cache-2582019402 764f7d7653.jpg

Hookup Pictures

Here is how it should look from the top:

Cache-2582972746 490f884629.jpg

Here is where to solder the red (OUT_VCC) pin to. It is the 5V pin of the voltage regulator:

Cache-2582146513 b1b78ce0ae.jpg

Opto Isolate the Stepper Motor Driver v1.1

The stepper motor driver is a bit better when it comes to generated noise. However, opto isolation also protects against dangerous line spikes and such that could destroy your Arduino. There's probably even a minuscule chance that a non-isolated board could send dangerous current through the Arduino to your computer and fry something important. It's highly unlikely, but if you really want to be sure, its best to opto isolate.

Here are the basic steps:

  1. Unhook Stepper Motor Driver from Arduino / Power / Motor / Endstops
  2. Desolder connector wires from Stepper Motor driver
  3. Solder in new wires from OUT IDC connector
  4. Tape and secure newly soldered wires to prevent breakage
  5. Wire up IN wires to Arduino as they were previously
  6. Wire Opto Endstops directly to Arduino using the local Arduino GND/5V and the signal to the appropriate Arduino pin.

Hookup Schematic

Cache-2582019446 1d9d6e68da.jpg

Hookup Pictures

Here's a shot from the top:

Cache-2582977538 87071d999f.jpg

Wire the OUT_VCC pin (red) to the 5V pin on the molex connector: (v1.1 / v1.0 of the Stepper Motor Driver has no voltage regulator)

Cache-2582149939 10bf6f3942.jpg

Further reading