24/05/2020 CNC Control: Command "Signals"

CNC Control Signals

Now that the components of a CNC controller system have been identified, let s look closer into
CNC control though what we will be referring to as command signals.

First let s review how the computer or the stand alone user interface communicates to the
controller. Most systems today operate on a step and direction format of command signals. Some
higher end machines use a proprietary analog or digital signal, but it is usually a variation of the
step and direction format.

The computer is responsible for generating these control signals. It interprets a language such as G-
code into the signals. More will be discussed on the computer and software in the CNC software
section.

The step and direction signal format describes itself. There are two commands sent to each
driver. The step signal and the direction signal. As stated in the controller component section , the
signals generated by the computer are 5V DC supplied to the controller via the communication
(DB25) or the serial (DB9) port. The communication signals are a square wave form known as
Transistor-to-Transistor Logic (TTL) signals. This signal is essentially a series of small pulses ranging
from 0V to +5V that represent 0 s and 1 s in a binary computer language.

This signal is a form of a Pulse-Width Modulated (PWM) signal

where the duration of the pulse is varied to indicate
information. The duration of the pulse determines the binary
code, either 0 or 1 , as communicated by the computer
and interpreted by the motor driver. Each motor driver is
different, that is why it is important to understand the
command signals and CNC control. Let s look at a popular
stepper motor driver for example the Gecko G201.

The product manual specifies that the minimum step pulse

0 time is 0.5 uS (half a microsecond). The minimum step
pulse 1 time is 4uS. Refer to the image below for
clarification.

The direction signal would be similar but with a minimum of 1uS. For ever 1 received by the step
signal input the motor driver would rotate the motor 1 step. The 0 or 1 signal received on the
direction side would determine a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.

The step signal and the direction signal will be sent simultaneously. The step signal may sit at 0
if no steps are commanded. However, the direction signal continuously streams a direction until the
direction changes.

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24/05/2020 CNC Control: Command "Signals"

So, why is all this important? Well, many low end drivers quote the same specifications as the
higher end models except for the maximum frequency allowed. The G201 has a maximum of 200
kHz (200,000 pulses per second) which is very good. In many cases where high precision, speed,
and micro stepping are combined, the frequency can be very high. This also ties in to the
capabilities of your software, here the frequency is often referred to as kernel speed. To learn more
about kernel speed and software go to the CNC controller software section.

Odds are you will not need to know much in regards to the CNC command signals unless working on
a homemade driver etc. However, understanding CNC control signals is very helpful when
troubleshooting.

Next Section: Breakout Boards

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