Network Servo Interface Adapters for LinuxCNC

This release requires card firmware 3.0.0 or later. Please contact me for update instructions.

Installation - Debian 12 Bookworm (PREEMPT_RT)

Install Debian 12 Bookworm PREEMPT-RT
Download and install LinuxCNC 2.9.2nyx44 .deb packages. This build includes the card driver module and sample configurations

$ sudo apt update
$ sudo apt upgrade
$ sudo apt install wget dkms linux-image-rt-amd64 linux-headers-rt-amd64
$ sudo reboot
$ wget http://yurtaev.com/files/2.9.2nyx44/bookworm-uspace/linuxcnc-uspace_2.9.2nyx44_amd64.deb
$ wget http://yurtaev.com/files/2.9.2nyx44/bookworm-uspace/nyx-pci-dkms_3.2.0_amd64.deb
$ sudo dpkg -i linuxcnc-uspace_2.9.2nyx44_amd64.deb nyx-pci-dkms_3.2.0_amd64.deb
$ sudo apt -f install
$ sudo systemctl stop systemd-timesyncd # disrupts servo-thread period
$ sudo systemctl disable systemd-timesyncd # during system time adjustment

Configuration

Check realtime latency. Should be somewhere under plus/minus 50us:
```
$ latency-histogram --nobase --servo 888888
```

Verify the YxxxxP PCI card has been detected:

$ sudo nyxq info
NYX v3.2.1 YMDS2P -- Oct  4 2023 13:52:35, http://yurtaev.com
axes:9 mds:7 gpi:12+17 gpo:8 enc:6 dac:2 yio:8 stepgen:2

If required, edit ~/linuxcnc/configs/nyx/par/*.par parameter file for your servo drives. Initially those files contain default parameters which will be transfered to drives (and will overwrite EEPROM contents on J2/J2S/J3/J4 amps - backup servo drive parameters using MR Configurator software if you need them)
Start LinuxCNC and select sample config matching your card/drives from the tree under "nyx" node.

Connected amps should get initialized, corresponding green indicators in the LinuxCNC Axis window should turn on.

LinuxCNC driver v3.2.0 and up

LinuxCNC HAL driver module name is nyx. During operation the controller and SSCNET network are synchronized to servo thread of the LinuxCNC. Servo thread period should be set to

888888 ns for YSSC1P, YSSC2P, YMDS2P
222222 ns for YSSC3P, YSSC3HP, YMDS3P
1000000 ns for YMTL1P, YMTL2P

Module parameters:

maxdrives=N - limit number of axes the module creates pins for
param_file=PATH - servo parameters file
nodma=dir - disable DMA PCI transfers, 1=read, 2=write, 3=both. Motherboards with chipsets supporting native PCI usually perform better with nodma=0. With PCIE-to-PCI bridges try nodma=1
cycle=div - communication cycle divider: 0=servo-thread frequency, 1=1/2, 2=1/4, etc.
encres=res0,res1,... - feedback resolution override

The following HAL commands load the driver and add its callback function to the servo thread:

loadrt motmod servo_period_nsec=888888 ...
loadrt nyx maxdrives=6 param_file=par/j2s.par
addf nyx.0.rd servo-thread	
addf nyx.0.wr servo-thread

servo parameter file

Servo parameters are transfered to drives during initialization after LinuxCNC startup. Sample files are located in /usr/share/nyx. For MR-J*-B and SGD* parameter file is optional - drives will use values from the EEPROM. For MDS drives parameter file is mandatory.

Consult servo drive manual for parameters description.

nyx

Controller status pins:

nyx.0.ready (bit, out) - the controller is in sync with LinuxCNC servo thread. Before it come true other pins are inactive
nyx.0.error-cnt (u32, out) - communication error count. Number of clocks when servo thread sync was absent. If the value increases then the jitter is probably too large. Jitter tolerance is about 50 microseconds
nyx.0.phase (float, out) - an offset of the servo thread call relative from the timing slot of controller's cycle, 45MHz ticks. Should not exceed about 1000

servo

Depending on adapter the driver supports up to 16 servo amplifiers, AX number is 00 thru 15. Parameters:

nyx.0.servo-AX.pos-scale (float, rw) - position scale factor, in length units per revolution. Default is 5, which is suitable for direct motor coupling to 5mm lead ball screw
nyx.0.servo-AX.vel-scale (bit, rw) - velocity scale factor. Default is 10, so that vel-cmd is in rotation per minute with 0.1 rpm resolution. For J3/J4 should be set to 100
nyx.0.servo-AX.trq-scale (bit, rw) - torque scale factor. Default is 1
nyx.0.servo-AX.origin (signed, rw) - position offset

Mechatrolink uses a fraction of max motor speed/torque as units during velocity control, see [NYX] section in nyx-mtl2.ini sample config for sample values.

Pins:

nyx.0.servo-AX.online (bit, out) - the controller has detected and initialized AX servo amplifier
nyx.0.servo-AX.offline (bit, out) - inverted online pin output
nyx.0.servo-AX.ready (bit, out) - READY-ON status (power relay is on)
nyx.0.servo-AX.enabled (bit, out) - SERVO-ON status
nyx.0.servo-AX.warning (bit, out) - servo amplifier warning
nyx.0.servo-AX.alarm (bit, out) - servo amplifier alarm
nyx.0.servo-AX.alarm-code (u32, out) - servo amplifier alarm code (hex)
nyx.0.servo-AX.zero-speed (bit, out) - motor velocity is below zero speed threshold (set by amp param)
nyx.0.servo-AX.in-position (bit, out) - position complete (threshold set by amp param)
nyx.0.servo-AX.at-speed (bit, out) - motor at reached commanded speed (velocity control mode)
nyx.0.servo-AX.in-NN (bit, out) - [ssc3/mii] amplifier digital input state, NN is 00 thru 02
nyx.0.servo-AX.in-NN-not (bit, out) - [ssc3/mii] .. inverted
nyx.0.servo-AX.out-NN (bit, in) - [ssc3] set servo amplifier digital output selected by 0x21, 0x22, 0x23 in PD07..PD09

nyx.0.servo-AX.power (bit, in) - turn on amplifier power relay (READY-ON)
nyx.0.servo-AX.enable (bit, in) - enable servo (SERVO-ON)
nyx.0.servo-AX.reset-alarm (bit, in) - reset servo amp alarm when true
nyx.0.servo-AX.pos-cmd (float, in) - position command input
nyx.0.servo-AX.pos-fb (float, out) - motor feedback position
nyx.0.servo-AX.velocity-mode (bit, rw) - [ssc2/ssc3/mii] velocity control mode. Change is possible at zero speed only
nyx.0.servo-AX.vel-cmd (float, in) - [ssc2/ssc3/mii/mds] commanded velocity
nyx.0.servo-AX.vel-fb (float, out) - motor velocity feedback
nyx.0.servo-AX.trq-fb (float, out) - motor torque feedback, percent of nominal motor torque
nyx.0.servo-AX.error-cnt (s32, out) - amplifier feedback receive error count
nyx.0.servo-AX.spindle-fwd (bit, in) - [mds] start spindle in forward direction with vel-cmd speed. enable should be false
nyx.0.servo-AX.spindle-rev (bit, in) - [mds] start spindle in reverse direction with vel-cmd speed. enable should be false
nyx.0.servo-AX.spindle-orient (bit, in) - [mds] start spindle orientation. Has proirity over spindle-fwd, spindle-rev
nyx.0.servo-AX.spindle-orienting (bit, out) - [mds] spindle orientation in progress
nyx.0.servo-AX.spindle-oriented (bit, out) - [mds] spindle orientation complete
nyx.0.servo-AX.spindle-lcoil (bit, in) - [mds] select spindle low-speed coil
nyx.0.servo-AX.spindle-in-coil-change (bit, out) - [mds] true during coil change
nyx.0.servo-AX.spindle-in-lcoil (bit, out) - [mds] low-speed spingle coil active
nyx.0.servo-AX.counts (s32, out) - servo position feedback counts in native encoder resolution
nyx.0.servo-AX.counts-cmd (s32, out) - servo position command counts in native encoder resolution
nyx.0.servo-AX.droop (s32, out) - amplifier reported following error, in native encoder resolution
nyx.0.servo-AX.rxtime (s32, out) - amplifier feedback reception time during servo cycle for servo protocol debug

nyx.0.servo-AX.forward-torque (float, in) - forward rotation torque limit, percents
nyx.0.servo-AX.reverse-torque (float, in) - reverse rotation torque limit, percents
nyx.0.servo-AX.limit-torque (bit, in) - turn on torque limiting
nyx.0.servo-AX.torque-clamped (bit, out) - torque clamp indication

nyx.0.servo-AX.absolute (bit, out) - absolute position feedback is valid (set by amp param)
nyx.0.servo-AX.abs-lost (bit, out) - absolute position is not valid due to e.g. motor disconnection or discharged backup battery
nyx.0.servo-AX.abs-ok (bit, out) - absolute position is enabled and valid
nyx.0.servo-AX.index-enable (bit, io) - [ssc3] reset pos-fb to zero on encoder index pulse, for z-index homing
nyx.0.servo-AX.undroop (bit, in) - connect to joint.x.homing to add droop pulses to pos-fb to avoid jerk during z-index homing
nyx.0.servo-AX.z-offs (s32, out) - connect to joint.x.homing to add droop pulses to pos-fb to avoid jerk during z-index homing
nyx.0.servo-AX.z-offs-delay (s32, in) - delay (cycles) when z-offset is available after the z-passed flag is raised

encoder

An encoder input channel converts quadrature signals on CN2 Phase A, Phase B, Index Z into 32-bit up/down counter values. The sampling requency is 45 MHz. NN is encoder channel: 00 or 01. Parameter:

nyx.0.encoder-NN.cpr (float, rw) - encoder resolution, counts per revolution. Sign defines rotation direction. Default is -10000
nyx.0.encoder-NN.x4-mode (bit, rw) - count on every edge

Pins:

nyx.0.encoder-NN.index-enable (bit, io) - reset counter on next index mark Z
nyx.0.encoder-NN.pos (float, out) - encoder counter divided by the cpr parameter value. Signed fractional number of revolutions.
nyx.0.encoder-NN.counts (s32, io) - encoder counter.
nyx.0.encoder-NN.velocity (float, out) - estimated velocity, RPM.

The interface is intended for use with motion.spindle-index-enable and motion.spindle-revs.

gpio

Digital input signals IN0..IN11 connected to CN1. Pins:

nyx.0.in-NN (bit, out) - a state of digital input NN 00 thru 11
nyx.0.in-NN-not (bit, out) - inverted

Expansion connector CN2 as GP inputs IN12..IN29. Pins:

nyx.0.in-NN (bit, out) - a state of digital input NN 12 thru 29
nyx.0.in-NN-not (bit, out) - inverted

Digital output signals OUT0..OUT7 going to CN3:

nyx.0.out-NN (bit, in) - set output number NN 00 thru 07

dac

2-channel 12-bit digital-to-analog converter on YEX1-A expansion board. Paramaters:

nyx.0.dac-CH.scale (float, rw) - max input value (for 10V output voltage). Default is 1.0, CH is 00 or 01
nyx.0.dac-CH.bias (float, rw) - DAC offset. output voltage = 10V * (value / scale + bias)

Pins:

nyx.0.dac-CH.value (float, in) - DAC output voltage, values 0..scale give 0..10V

yio

Connected YIO modules are detected, pins are created for each on nyx module load. ID is by DIP switches, 00 thru 15.

Pins:

nyx.0.yio-ID.in-NN (bit, out) - a state of digital input NN 00 thru 15(1f)
nyx.0.yio-ID.in-NN-not (bit, out) - a state of digital input NN 00 thru 15(1f)
nyx.0.yio-ID.out-NN (bit, in) - set output NN 00 thru 15(1f)
nyx.0.yio-ID.alarm (bit, out) - true if serial connection to the module is interrupted or fault is reported by the I/O module
nyx.0.yio-ID.error-cnt (s32, out) - communication error counter

YO32P pins:

nyx.0.yio-ID.vb1 (float, out) - 00..0f output driver field voltage supply
nyx.0.yio-ID.vb2 (float, out) - 10..1f output driver field voltage supply
nyx.0.yio-ID.t1 (float, out) - 00..0f output driver temperature, degrees centigrade
nyx.0.yio-ID.t2 (float, out) - 10..1f output driver temperature, degrees centigrade
nyx.0.yio-ID.i-NN (float, out) - digital output NN 00 thru 1f current, mA
nyx.0.yio-ID.v-NN (float, out) - digital output NN 00 thru 1f voltage, V
nyx.0.yio-ID.pull-down (bit, in) - disaable weak pull-ups on outputs

YAO2 params:

nyx.0.yio-ID.encoder-NN.cpr (float, rw) - counts per revolution
nyx.0.yio-ID.encoder-NN.min-speed-estimate (float, rw) - the minimum velocity at it will be reported as nonzero
nyx.0.yio-ID.encoder-NN.x4-mode (bit, rw) - when true (the default), the counter counts each edge of the quadrature waveform (four counts per full cycle)

YAO2 pins:

nyx.0.yio-ID.dac-NN.value (float, in) - DAC output voltage, values -scale..scale give -10V..10V
nyx.0.yio-ID.dac-NN.bias (float, in) - DAC offset. output voltage = 10V * (value / scale + bias)
nyx.0.yio-ID.dac-NN.scale (float, in)
nyx.0.yio-ID.encoder-NN.index-enable (bit, io) - encoder Z index enable
nyx.0.yio-ID.encoder-NN.pos (float, out) - counts / cpr
nyx.0.yio-ID.encoder-NN.velocity (float, out)
nyx.0.yio-ID.encoder-NN.velocity-rps (float, out)
nyx.0.yio-ID.encoder-NN.counts (s32, out)

Absolute encoder support

Motors with absolute encoders allow to skip LinuxCNC homing operation on each startup. Patched version of LinuxCNC adds the folloing pins to halui module:

halui.joint.n.set-homed (bit, in) - set axis "homed" state to true for current offsets without actually performing a homing operation

Those pins can be connected to

net x-abs-ok   halui.joint.0.set-homed <= nyx.0.servo-00.abs-ok
net x-abs-lost halui.joint.0.unhome <= nyx.0.servo-00.abs-lost

To enable absolute encoder mode, set parameters:

MR-J2(S)-B: No.1=0001
MR-J3/J4-B: PA03=0001
MDS-x-V: SV017 bit 7 (0080)
SGDS: Pn002=_0__

For Yaskawa drives write Pn002 to NVRAM. Start LinuxCNC and execute the following commands (should be in servo-off):

$ sudo nyxq servo pwnv 0-2:Pn002=0x13 # axes 0..2. power cycle amps, will show A.810
$ sudo nyxq servo abs 0 1 2 # execute encoder setup op and power cycle again

Add [JOINT_n]ABSOLUTE_ENCODER=1 var to .ini configuration file. LinuxCNC will save the motor_offset to the position file instead of current position.

Mitsubishi MDS-x-SP spindle drive sync moves

The mdssp component emulates ABZ incremental encoder using spindle drive postion feedback. To use it for lathe threading or rigid tapping make sure SP038 bit 2 (0x0004) is set to 1 and make the following HAL connections:

loadrt mdssp
addf mdssp.0 servo-thread
net s-counts   nyx.0.servo-05.counts => mdssp.0.spindle-counts-in
net s-oriented nyx.0.servo-05.spindle-oriented => mdssp.0.spindle-oriented-in
net s-index    spindle.0.index-enable  => mdssp.0.index-request
net s-revs     spindle.0.revs          <= mdssp.0.revs

To make emulated spindle index postiion repeatable between LinuxCNC restarts, execute the "orient spindle" op once.

Z-index homing

When using MR-J3-BS or MR-J4-B-RJ amps in fully-closed mode with an ABZ incremental linear/rotary load-side encoder LinuxCNC's Z-index homing is supported. To use it add to HAL/INI:

net x-home   nyx.0.servo-00.di3           => joint.0.home-sw-in
net x-index  nyx.0.servo-00.index-enable <=> joint.0.index-enable
net x-homing nyx.0.servo-00.undroop      <=  joint.0.homing

HOME_USE_INDEX = YES
ABSOLUTE_ENCODER = 0

Z-index homing is also supported with SSCNET III/H and Mechatrolink I, II since fw 3.0.10, MDS-A/B/C-V since 3.4.0

nyxq utility

Card firmware information

$ sudo nyxq info
NYX v2.4.0 YMDS2P -- Jun  2 2020 20:16:07, http://yurtaev.com
axes:7 mds:7 gpi:12+17 gpo:8 enc:2+4 dac:2 yio:12

Servo information

$ sudo nyxq servo info
SSCNET III 8 axes replied:0 online:1
0: [e9] pos= 2113657638 vel=0.0 trq=0.0 inp wrn

Servo parameters writing/reading

$ sudo nyxq servo pw 0,2:pa9=10
$ sudo nyxq servo pr 0-2:PA9 # works for SSCNET-III and Mechatrolink-II only
0:P9=10 0xa
1:P9=12 0xc
2:P9=10 0xa

I/O monitor

$ sudo nyxq io
ENC0: 45656
ENC1: 0
DAC0: 0
DAC1: 0
------- fedcba9876543210fedcba9876543210
GPI:       -11-111-111111111------------
GPO:                            --------
0: YI16                 ----------1--111
1: YO16                 ---------------1
------- fedcba9876543210fedcba9876543210