Robot with Arduino Setup Guide

This detailed and beginner-friendly guide walks you through every step needed to build, connect, program, and troubleshoot a robot using the SMD Red motor controller and an Arduino board. Whether you're a student, teacher, hobbyist, or engineer, this guide is designed to be practical and accessible.

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Introduction

The SMD Red is a smart motor controller that lets you easily drive motors, control servos, and read sensor data. It communicates with Arduino through an RS-485 connection via the Arduino Gateway Module, making it powerful yet easy to use even for beginners.

This guide explains everything you need to:

• Build your robot with SMD Red and Arduino

• Wire all components correctly

• Write and upload code using Arduino IDE

• Understand how the SMD Red system works

• Test and troubleshoot each part step by step

Even if you've never built a robot or written a line of code, this guide will help you go from zero to a working robot confidently.

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1. User PC Setup

Install Arduino IDE and SMD Library

1. Download Arduino IDE from arduino.cc.

2. Install and open the IDE.

3. Navigate to Sketch > Include Library > Manage Libraries.

4. Search for Acrome-SMD and click Install.

Install SMD UI for:

• Verify the IDs of connected modules and controllers

• Change SMD Red IDs to unique values for project usage

• Test functionality of motors and modules

✅ Your computer is now ready to program your robot.

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2. Robot Assembly + Arduino Setup

🔌 Connecting SMD Red to Arduino

• Use the Arduino Gateway Module — a red shield that plugs directly into your Arduino Uno/Mega headers.

• Plug an RJ-11 cable from the Gateway Module to the first SMD Red Motor Driver Board.

Connecting Modules

• Connect modules (e.g., motors, servos, sensors) to the SMD Red using RJ-45 cables.

Module IDs

Each SMD module comes with a module ID that identifies it. These IDs are hardware-based and may vary between module versions. Use the SMD UI to:

• Detect which modules are connected

• Confirm or discover module IDs

• Test functionality

📌 If multiple modules share the same ID, they must be connected to different SMD Red controllers to prevent conflict.

Daisy-Chaining Multiple SMD Reds

• Use RJ-11 cables to connect additional SMD Reds.

• Each SMD Red must have a unique ID (0, 1, 2, ...).

• Use SMD UI to:

  • Assign and verify SMD Red IDs

  • Monitor and test all connected modules

⚡ Powering Your System

• Plug a 12V DC adapter into the power port of the SMD Red.

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3. Programming and Code Upload

To control the SMD Red from Arduino, you'll write and upload C++ code using the Arduino IDE. Here’s a breakdown of how it works:

Program Flow

1. Include the library for SMD Red: #include <Acrome-SMD.h>

2. Define the serial baud rate (default is 115200).

3. Create a Red object, defining which SMD Red you’re connecting to.

4. In setup(), initialize the communication, choose control mode, and enable torque.

5. In loop(), send commands to control motors.

Example Code: Basic Motor Control

#include <Acrome-SMD.h>
#define BAUDRATE 115200

Red red(0, Serial, BAUDRATE);  // SMD Red ID 0 on Serial port

void setup() {
  red.begin();                       // Start communication
  red.setOperationMode(PWMControl); // Set PWM speed control mode
  red.torqueEnable(1);              // Turn motor output ON
}

void loop() {
  red.setpoint(0, 50);  // Run motor 0 forward at 50% power
  delay(1000);
  red.setpoint(0, 0);   // Stop motor
  delay(1000);
}

Code Explained

• Red red(...): Creates a connection to SMD Red ID 0

• begin(): Establishes communication

• setOperationMode(PWMControl): Sets control mode to PWM (speed)

• torqueEnable(1): Enables motor power output

• setpoint(0, 50): Sends command to motor 0 to run at 50% forward

• delay(1000): Waits for 1 second before stopping

💡 You can add more setpoint() lines or change the speed/direction with values from -100 to 100.

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4. Run and Test Your Robot

Uploading the Code

1. Connect Arduino to your PC using USB.

2. In Arduino IDE, go to Tools > Port and select the correct COM port.

3. Click the Upload button to flash your code.

Verifying Operation

• After uploading, the motor should spin forward for 1 second, then stop.

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5. Troubleshooting Table (SMD Red Troubleshooting Guide)

Problem	Possible Cause	Recommended Fix
Nothing is moving	No power to SMD Red	Connect 12V adapter
Upload error in IDE	TX/RX conflict with Serial	Disconnect SMD Red before uploading
Module not detected	Wrong ID / cable loose	Verify using SMD UI
Motor spins wrong way	Wiring reversed	Swap motor wires or use negative setpoint
Sensor returns 0 always	Wrong module ID or bad cable	Check ID with SMD UI and replug cable

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6. Final Checklist

• Arduino IDE installed

• Acrome-SMD library installed

• Arduino Gateway Module attached

• RJ-11 cable connected to SMD Red

• Modules connected via RJ-45

• 12V power supply connected

• SMD Red IDs confirmed via SMD UI

• Code uploaded and working

🎉 You’re done! Your robot is now fully operational using Arduino + SMD Red. Start adding new features like servo control, sensor-based actions, or AI-assisted navigation!