MDB Muscle Controller
From Merlin Systems Wiki
The Merlin Multi-Valve Control Board (MVB) is a board-level interface subsystem designed to drive multiple Merlin MAV Proportional Air Valves and monitor sensor inputs.
- Ideal for automation projects involving Merlin valves or air muscles (which use air-valves -see Dual Valve Muscles or Leaky Muscles)
- Combines control and monitoring in one system
- Expandable up to 128 inputs and outputs per controller
- Communication via serial or ethernet connection
NOTE: the MVB is also referred to as MDB (especially in older documents).
They are the same thing.
MVB assembly with 4 IO boards:
(click here for hi-res version)
In use, the MVB controls a group of Valves or Muscles, via protected current-driven outputs at up to about 0.7A per channel. It also provides an analogue input for each control output.
Inputs and outputs connect via MDBIO IO Boards, which plug together and to the MDB control board in a 'stack'. Each IO board supports 8 inputs + 8 outputs. The stack can have a maximum of 16 IO boards, and hence up to 128 inputs + 128 outputs.
The MDB can be controlled either over an RS232 serial link, or via a 10-BaseT Ethernet convertor module (optionally fitted).
Contents |
