Tic T834 USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controller (Connectors Soldered)

The Tic T834 USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controller makes basic control of a stepper motor easy, with quick configuration over USB using our free software.

AUD$ 62.95

In stock in Australia

Shipping from $9.90

+118 more from our supplier in 7-10 days

Our Code: SKU-004347

Supplier Link: [Pololu MPN:3132]

The Tic T834 USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controller makes basic control of a stepper motor easy, with quick configuration over USB using our free software. The controller supports six control interfaces: USB, TTL serial, I²C, analog voltage (potentiometer), quadrature encoder, and hobby radio control (RC). This version incorporates a TI DRV8834 driver and ships with soldered header pins and terminal blocks. It can operate from 2.5 V to 10.8 V and can deliver up to approximately 1.5 A per phase without a heat sink or forced air flow (or 2 A max with sufficient additional cooling).

Description

Overview

The Tic family of stepper motor controllers makes it easy to add basic control of a bipolar stepper motor to a variety of projects. These versatile, general-purpose modules support six different control interfaces: USB for direct connection to a computer, TTL serial and I²C for use with a microcontroller, RC hobby servo pulses for use in an RC system, analog voltages for use with a potentiometer or analog joystick, and quadrature encoder for use with a rotary encoder dial. They also offer many settings that can be configured using our free configuration utility (for Windows, Linux, and macOS). This software simplifies initial setup of the device and allows for in-system testing and monitoring of the controller via USB (a micro-B USB cable is required to connect the Tic to a computer).

The table below lists the members of the Tic family and shows the key differences among them.

	Tic T500	Tic T834	Tic T825	Tic T249	Tic 36v4
Operating voltage range:	4.5 V to 35 V⁽¹⁾	2.5 V to 10.8 V	8.5 V to 45 V⁽¹⁾	10 V to 47 V⁽¹⁾	8 V to 50 V⁽¹⁾
Max continuous current per phase (no additional cooling):	1.5 A	1.5 A	1.5 A	1.8 A	4 A
Peak current per phase (additional cooling required):	2.5 A	2 A	2.5 A	4.5 A	6 A
Microstep resolutions:	full half 1/4 1/8	full half 1/4 1/8 1/16 1/32	full half 1/4 1/8 1/16 1/32	full half 1/4 1/8 1/16 1/32	full half 1/4 1/8 1/16 1/32 1/64 1/128 1/256
Automatic decay selection:
Automatic gain control (AGC):
Driver IC:	MP6500	DRV8834	DRV8825	TB67S249FTG	discrete MOSFETs
Price (connectors not soldered):	$32.95	$42.95	$42.95	$52.95	$62.95
Price (connectors soldered):	$34.95	$44.95	$44.95	$54.95	$64.95

1 See product pages and user’s guide for operating voltage limitations.

Tic T500 USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controller, bottom view with dimensions.

Tic T834 USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controller, bottom view with dimensions.

Tic T825 USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controller, bottom view with dimensions.

Tic T249 USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controller, bottom view with dimensions.

Tic 36v4 USB Multi-Interface High-Power Stepper Motor Controller, bottom view with dimensions.

Features and specifications

Open-loop speed or position control of one bipolar stepper motor
A variety of control interfaces:
- USB for direct connection to a computer
- TTL serial operating at 5 V for use with a microcontroller
- I²C for use with a microcontroller
- RC hobby servo pulses for use in an RC system
- Analogue voltage for use with a potentiometer or analogue joystick
- Quadrature encoder input for use with a rotary encoder dial, allowing full rotation without limits (not for position feedback)
- STEP/DIR inputs for compatibility with existing stepper motor control firmware
Acceleration and deceleration limiting
Maximum stepper speed: 50,000 steps per second
Very slow speeds down to 1 step every 200 seconds (or 1 step every 1428 seconds with reduced resolution).
Selectable microstep modes up to 1/256-step resolution:
- The Tic 36v4 supports full-step to 1/256-step modes
- The Tic T825, Tic T834, and T249 support full-step to 1/32-step modes
- The Tic T500 supports full-step to 1/8-step modes
Digitally adjustable current limit
Optional safety controls to avoid unexpectedly powering the motor
Input calibration (learning) and adjustable scaling degree for analogue and RC signals
5 V regulator (no external logic voltage supply needed)
Optional limit switch inputs with homing capabilities
Optional kill switch inputs
STEP/DIR outputs for controlling external stepper motor drivers
Connects to a computer through USB via a USB A to Micro-B cable (not included)
Free configuration software available for Windows, Linux, and macOS
Arduino library makes it easy to get started using these controllers with an Arduino or compatible board
Comprehensive user’s guide

Details for item #3132

Basic pinout diagram of the Tic T834 USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controller.

The Tic T834 is based on the DRV8834 IC from Texas Instruments. It can operate from 2.5 V to 10.8 V and can deliver up to approximately 1.5 A continuous per phase without a heat sink or forced air flow (the peak current per phase is 2 A). This version is sold with connectors soldered so no soldering is necessary to use it.

Tic T834 USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controller (Connectors Soldered).

A version is also available with header pins and terminal blocks included but not soldered.

Specifications

Dimensions

Size:	1.50″ × 1.05″ × 0.47″
Weight:	8.4 g

General specifications

Model:	Tic T834
Motor driver:	DRV8834
Control interface:	USB; non-inverted TTL serial; I²C; RC servo pulses; analogue voltage; quadrature encoder
Minimum operating voltage:	2.5 V
Maximum operating voltage:	10.8 V
Continuous current per phase:	1.5 A¹
Maximum current per phase:	2 A²
Maximum step rate:	50000 PPS
Microstep resolutions:	full, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, and 1/32
Reverse voltage protection?:	Y
Connectors soldered?:	Y

Identifying markings

PCB dev codes:	tic02a
Other PCB markings:	0J10607

Notes:

1: Without a heat sink or forced air flow.
2: With sufficient additional cooling.

Resources

Documentation and other information

Tic Stepper Motor Controller User’s Guide (Printable PDF)

User’s manual for the Pololu Tic USB Stepper Motor Controller.

File downloads

Tic Software and Drivers for Windows (10MB msi)
Tic Software for Linux (x86) (8MB xz)
Tic Software for Linux (Raspberry Pi) (6MB xz)
Tic Software for macOS (7MB pkg)
Dimension diagrams of the Tic USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controllers (1MB pdf)
3D models of the Tic USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controllers (11MB zip)

This file contains 3D models (in the step file format) of all the Tic USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controllers.
Drill guides for the Tic USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controllers (23k zip)

This file contains DXF drawings that show the locations of the holes on all of the different Tic PCBs.
MPS MP6500 stepper motor driver datasheet (1MB pdf)
TB67S249FTG datasheet (533k pdf)
UM10204 I²C-bus specification and user manual (1MB pdf)

The official specification for the I²C-bus, which is maintained by NXP.

FAQs

I want to control a 3.9 V, 600 mA bipolar stepper motor. Can I use a Tic stepper motor controller that has a minimum operating voltage above 3.9 V without damaging the stepper motor?

Yes. To avoid damaging your stepper motor, you want to avoid exceeding the rated current, which is 600 mA in this instance. All of our Tic stepper motor controllers have configurable current limiting, so you can set a limit that is appropriate for your stepper motor. As long as you set the limit below the rated current, you will be within spec for your motor, even if the voltage exceeds the rated voltage. The voltage rating is just the voltage at which each coil draws the rated current, so the coils of your stepper motor will draw 600 mA at 3.9 V. By using a higher voltage along with active current limiting, the current is able to ramp up faster, which lets you achieve higher step rates than you could using the rated voltage.

If you do want to use a lower motor supply voltage for other reasons, consider using the Tic T834, which operates from 2.5 V to 10.8 V, or the Tic T500, which operates from 4.5 V to 35 V.