Servo Motor Control
Servo motor control is a fundamental technique used in robotics to achieve accurate control of angular position. A servo motor typically combines a motor, gearbox, position sensor, and control circuit. Unlike a simple DC motor that continuously rotates, a servo motor can be commanded to move to a specific angle, such as 0°, 90°, or 180°. This makes it useful for robotic arms, grippers, steering mechanisms, and camera platforms.
A controller such as an Arduino, microcontroller, or robotic control system sends a control signal to the servo. The servo interprets the signal and rotates its shaft toward the desired position. A feedback sensor measures the actual shaft position, allowing the internal controller to correct errors between the commanded angle and the actual angle. This closed-loop operation provides precise and stable movement.
In robotics, multiple servo motors can be coordinated to produce complex movements. For example, a robotic arm may use separate servos for its base, shoulder, elbow, wrist, and gripper. By controlling each servo independently and adjusting their angles, the robot can reach different positions and manipulate objects. Servo motor control is therefore an important part of robotic automation, motion control, and mechatronic systems.
⚙️ Servo Motor Control Simulation
🎛️ Control
A servo motor normally receives a PWM control signal. The pulse width determines the desired shaft angle. Move the slider to control the simulated servo from 0° to 180°.
🔌 Servo Control Principle
A microcontroller sends a PWM signal to the servo motor. The servo’s internal controller compares the requested position with the actual shaft position.
The motor then rotates the shaft until the desired angle is reached. In this simulation, the orange servo represents the motor and the black arm represents its rotating shaft.