Skip to main content
Log in

A VHDL application for kinematic equation solutions of multi-degree-of-freedom systems

  • Published:
Journal of Zhejiang University SCIENCE C Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

As kinematic calculations are complicated, it takes a long time and is difficult to get the desired accurate result with a single processor in real-time motion control of multi-degree-of-freedom (MDOF) systems. Another calculation unit is needed, especially with the increase in the degree of freedom. The main central processing unit (CPU) has additional loads because of numerous motion elements which move independently from each other and their closed-loop controls. The system designed is also complicated because there are many parts and cabling. This paper presents the design and implementation of a hardware that will provide solutions to these problems. It is realized using the Very High Speed Integrated Circuit Hardware Description Language (VHDL) and field-programmable gate array (FPGA). This hardware is designed for a six-legged robot and has been working with servo motors controlled via the serial port. The hardware on FPGA calculates the required joint angles for the feet positions received from the serial port and sends the calculated angels to the servo motors via the serial port. This hardware has a co-processor for the calculation of kinematic equations and can be used together with the equipment that would reduce the electromechanical mess. It is intended to be used as a tool which will accelerate the transition from design to application for robots.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Axelson, J., 2007. Serial Port Complete: COM Ports, USB Virtual COM Ports, and Ports for Embedded Systems (2nd Ed.). Lakeview Research.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barron-Zambrano, J.H., Torres-Huitzil, C., Girau, B., 2012. Configurable embedded CPG-based control for robot locomotion. Int. J. Adv. Robot. Syst., 9:92.1–92.12. [doi:10.5772/50985]

    Google Scholar 

  • Erkol, H.O., Demirel, H., 2013. A serial port hardware design and application by FPGA. Turkish National Meeting on Automatic Control, p.132–135 (in Turkish).

    Google Scholar 

  • Fang, Y., Chen, X., 2011. Design and simulation of UART serial communication module based on VHDL. Proc. 3rd Int. Workshop on Intelligent Systems and Applications, p.1–4. [doi:10.1109/ISA.2011.5873448]

    Google Scholar 

  • Fongjun, T., Tantaworrasilp, A., Kwansud, P., et al., 2011. Automatic multi channel serial I/O interface using FPGA. Proc. SICE Annual Conf., p.864–867.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hani, M.K., Wen, H.Y., Paniandi, A., 2006. Design and implementation of a private and public key crypto processor for next-generation IT security applications. Malaysian J. Comput. Sci., 19(1):29–45.

    Google Scholar 

  • Idris, M.Y.I., Yaacob, M., Razak, Z., 2006. A VHDL implementation of UART design with BIST capability. Malaysian J. Comput. Sci., 19(1):73–86.

    Google Scholar 

  • Juang, Y.S., Sung, T.Y., Ko, L.T., et al., 2013. FPGA implementation of a CORDIC-based joint angle processor for a climbing robot. Int. J. Adv. Robot. Syst., 10:195.1–195.6. [doi:10.5772/53377]

    Google Scholar 

  • Mahapatra, A., Roy, S.S., 2009. Computer aided dynamic simulation of six-legged robot. Int. J. Recent Trends Eng., 2(2):146–151.

    MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Murray, R.M., Li, Z., Sastry, S.S., 1994. A Mathematical Introduction to Robotic Manipulation. CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida, USA.

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Pa, P.S., Wu, C.M., 2012. Design of a hexapod robot with a servo control and a man-machine interface. Robot. Comput.-Integr. Manuf., 28(3):351–358. [doi:10.1016/j.rcim.2011.10.005]

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roennau, A., Kerscher, T., Dillmann, R., 2010. Design and kinematics of a biologically-inspired leg for a six-legged walking machine. Proc. 3rd IEEE RAS and EMBS Int. Conf. on Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics, p.626–631. [doi:10.1109/BIOROB.2010.5626328]

    Google Scholar 

  • Sandoval-Castro, X.Y., Garcia-Murillo, M., Perez-Resendiz, L.A., et al., 2013. Kinematics of hex-piderix—a six-legged robot—using screw theory. Int. J. Adv. Robot. Syst., 10:19.1–19.8. [doi:10.5772/53796]

    Google Scholar 

  • Shih, T.S., Tsai, C.S., Her, I., 2012. Comparison of alternative gaits for multiped robots with severed legs. Int. J. Adv. Robot. Syst., 9:157.1–157.8. [doi:10.5772/52083]

    Google Scholar 

  • Siciliano, B., Sciavicco, L., Villani, L., et al., 2009. Robotics Modelling, Planning and Control. Springer, London, UK. [doi:10.1007/978-1-84628-642-1]

    Google Scholar 

  • Taira, T., Kamata, N., Yamasaki, N., 2005. Design and implementation of reconfigurable modular humanoid robot architecture. IEEE/RSJ Int. Conf. on Intelligent Robots and Systems, p.3566–3571. [doi:10.1109/IROS.2005.1545122]

    Google Scholar 

  • Zheng, Y., Liu, J., Kan, J., 2012. An optimal kinematics calculation method for a multi-DOF manipulator. Przegląd Elektrotechn., 88(7b):320–323.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhu, W., Lamarche, T., Dupuis, E., et al., 2013. Precision control of modular robot manipulators: the VDC approach with embedded FPGA. IEEE Trans. Robot., 29(5):1162–1179. [doi:10.1109/TRO.2013.2265631]

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hüseyin Oktay Erkol.

Additional information

Project (No. KBÜ-BAP-13/1-DR-011) supported by the Department of Bilimsel Araştirma Progeleri, Karabük University, Turkey

ORCID: Hüseyin Oktay ERKOL, http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3595-175X

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Erkol, H.O., Demirel, H. A VHDL application for kinematic equation solutions of multi-degree-of-freedom systems. J. Zhejiang Univ. - Sci. C 15, 1164–1173 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1631/jzus.C1400120

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1631/jzus.C1400120

Keywords

CLC number

Navigation