DEScribe Downloads
| File | Download |
|---|---|
| DEScribe v3.9.9 by Dimension Engineering | Installer (for Windows) Installer (for Mac) Installer (for Linux) Documentation |
What's the wiring for my USB-serial converter?
| SyRen/Sabertooth/Kangaroo | USB-to-TTL Serial Converter |
|---|---|
| 0V | Ground |
| S1 | Transmit ("TX") Signal |
| S2 | Receive ("RX") Signal |
DEScribe FAQ
What are the SyRen/Sabertooth DIP switch settings for DEScribe?
1 and 2 OFF (Packet Serial mode)
4, 5, and 6 ON (address 128, optional but recommended)
What are the Kangaroo DIP switch settings for DEScribe?
1 ON (Digital Input mode)
Arduino Libraries
| Library | Download |
|---|---|
| Arduino Libraries for SyRen/Sabertooth Serial (includes examples) v1.5 by Dimension Engineering | Installer (for Windows) or .zip File Documentation SyRen/Sabertooth Packet Serial USB Sabertooth Packet Serial Sabertooth Simplified Serial SyRen Simplified Serial |
| Arduino Examples for SyRen/Sabertooth R/C Mode v1.1 by Dimension Engineering | .zip File |
| Arduino Library for Kangaroo Packet Serial (includes examples) v1.0.6 by Dimension Engineering | Installer (for Windows) or .zip File Documentation |
Which mode should I use with my motor driver?
| Mode | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Packet Serial | Most powerful Control up to 8 SyRen/Sabertooth per pin SyRen and Sabertooth use the same 8-bit commands Commands are checksummed for reliability Setting commands for ramp time, deadband, etc. | V2 controllers: Baud rate changes require a command V1 controllers: Autobaud requires low startup transients |
| Plain Text Serial | Extremely beginner-friendly Control up to 4 Sabertooth per pin Commands can be checksummed for reliability Reasonably powerful | For USB Sabertooth drivers only |
| Simplified Serial | Beginner-friendly Fast single byte commands Baud rate settable with DIP switches | 7-bit on Sabertooth No checksumming Requires one pin per SyRen or Sabertooth |
| R/C Microcontroller | Control each motor with servo commands Use 3-argument init: servo.attach(pin, 1000, 2000); Compatible with R/C versions of Sabertooth Servo library comes with Arduino software 0°-90° (1000-1500 μs) reverses 90°-180° (1500-2000 μs) goes forward 90° (1500 μs) stops | Requires one pin per motor Not as precise, sensitive to timing jitter |
Packet Serial FAQ
Which motor drivers use autobauding in packet serial?
V1 motor drivers use autobauding. The list of V1 motor drivers is as follows:
- Sabertooth 2X5
- Sabertooth 2X10
- Sabertooth 2X25 V1
V2 and newer motor drivers store their baud rate in an EEPROM setting (the factory default is 9600).
I have a V1 motor driver and the Sweep packet serial sample only moves forward and stops at 9600.
We've run into this with the Arduino Uno and Sabertooth 2X5. There is a startup transient on the Uno that the Sabertooth sees as a very fast autobaud character. As a result it autobauds at its maximum baud rate, 38400. Changing the Serial.begin(9600); line to Serial.begin(38400); got things running for us.