Control ESC with Microcontroller directly?

[Lukinho98]

It wants to see 1000us to 2000us pulses, (microseconds), at a 50hz refresh rate, though that's pretty flexible, the key is the pulse length. Many ESC'S "Initialize" by looking for a full sweep from min to max range since transmitters may not hit exactly 1000 and 2000, or can be set to further endpoints.

1500us will be idle, 2000us will be full throttle, 1000us will be full reverse or full braking depending on esc setup.

This is also how servos are controlled.

Some ESC's can calibrate to either endpoint as min/max.

I made an Arduino drive an ESC to run a brushless bump box- thread.

Managed to get my Surpass Hobby 120A ESC working with a simple 3.3V PWM from Function generator. 50 Hz, 1-2ms pulses. 1.5ms is neutral, 1-1.5 ms is reverse and 1.5-2ms is forward. Really cool stuff. Now onto the additional features for long-range support
Thanks again, @tudordewolf !

 

[Mrgoodwrench35]

I assumed some form of pulse width modulation was used. What about steering?

 

[Jerold]

I assumed some form of pulse width modulation was used. What about steering?

Steering is the same PWM but a different channel. You can swap them and they do work, it's super weird but they work.

 

[aklindeman]

I've swapped them purely for troubleshooting purposes. Wasn't sure what was up with reverse. Swapping told me the issue was with the radio on the throttle channel, not the receiver or ESC.