Basicmicro ROS2 Driver

A comprehensive ROS2 driver for Basicmicro motor controllers (RoboClaw and MCP series) using the ros2_control framework. This driver provides high-performance motion control with advanced features including trajectory execution, servo positioning, and comprehensive diagnostics.

Quick Start

Installation

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone https://github.com/basicmicro/basicmicro_ros2.git
   cd basicmicro_ros2

2. Run the automated installer:

   ./install.sh

   Note: The install script has execute permissions set in the repository, so you can run it directly after cloning.

The installer will:

• Check and install ROS2 if needed
• Clone the required Basicmicro Python library dependency
• Set up a ROS2 workspace with the driver
• Install all dependencies
• Build the package
• Configure serial port permissions

Manual Installation (Advanced)

If you prefer manual installation:

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone https://github.com/basicmicro/basicmicro_ros2.git
   cd basicmicro_ros2

2. Clone the dependency:

   cd ..
   git clone https://github.com/basicmicro/basicmicro_python.git

3. Set up ROS2 workspace:

   mkdir -p ~/ros2_ws/src
   cp -r basicmicro_ros2 ~/ros2_ws/src/basicmicro_driver
   cd ~/ros2_ws

4. Install dependencies:

   # Install Basicmicro Python library
   cd ../basicmicro_python
   pip install -e .
   cd ~/ros2_ws
   
   # Install ROS2 dependencies
   rosdep install --from-paths src/basicmicro_driver --ignore-src -r -y

5. Build the package:

   colcon build --packages-select basicmicro_driver
   source install/setup.bash

Basic Usage

1. Connect your Basicmicro controller to the system via USB/Serial
2. Identify the serial port (typically /dev/ttyACM0 on Linux, COM3 on Windows)
3. Launch the driver with a predefined configuration:

# Differential drive robot
ros2 launch basicmicro_driver basicmicro_driver.launch.py \
    robot_type:=diff_drive \
    port:=/dev/ttyACM0

# Industrial robot
ros2 launch basicmicro_driver basicmicro_driver.launch.py \
    robot_type:=industrial \
    port:=/dev/ttyACM0 \
    wheel_radius:=0.15 \
    wheel_separation:=0.8

Verify Operation

# Check node status
ros2 node list
ros2 node info /basicmicro_driver

# Test velocity commands
ros2 topic pub /cmd_vel geometry_msgs/msg/Twist \
  '{linear: {x: 0.5}, angular: {z: 0.2}}' --once

# Monitor diagnostics
ros2 topic echo /diagnostics

Robot Configuration

The driver supports four predefined robot configurations that can be selected via the robot_type parameter:

1. Differential Drive (diff_drive)

• Use Case: Educational robots, small autonomous vehicles
• Features: Basic differential drive kinematics, standard sensors
• Default Parameters: 0.1m wheel radius, 0.3m separation
• Example Robots: TurtleBot-style platforms, research robots

2. Industrial (industrial)

• Use Case: Heavy-duty applications, AGVs, material handling
• Features: High torque motors, enhanced safety, payload platform
• Default Parameters: 0.15m wheel radius, 0.8m separation, current monitoring
• Example Robots: Warehouse AGVs, industrial carriers

3. Multi-Controller (multi_controller)

• Use Case: Complex robots with multiple independent drive systems
• Features: 4WD/6WD support, coordinated motion control
• Default Parameters: Multiple controller addresses, synchronized operation
• Example Robots: All-terrain vehicles, large mobile platforms

4. Custom (custom)

• Use Case: Specialized applications requiring unique configurations
• Features: Full parameter customization, advanced motion strategies
• Default Parameters: Configurable via YAML files
• Example Robots: Research platforms, specialized industrial equipment

Motion Control Features

Basic Motion Commands

# Velocity control (standard ROS2 interface)
ros2 topic pub /cmd_vel geometry_msgs/msg/Twist \
  '{linear: {x: 1.0}, angular: {z: 0.5}}'

# Emergency stop
ros2 service call /emergency_stop std_srvs/srv/Empty

Advanced Motion Services

# Change motion strategy
ros2 service call /set_motion_strategy basicmicro_driver/srv/SetMotionStrategy \
  '{strategy: "speed_accel"}'

# Distance-based movement
ros2 service call /move_distance basicmicro_driver/srv/MoveDistance \
  '{left_distance: 1.0, right_distance: 1.0, speed: 0.5, acceleration: 1.0}'

# Absolute position control (servo mode)
ros2 service call /move_to_absolute_position basicmicro_driver/srv/MoveToAbsolutePosition \
  '{left_position_radians: 3.14, right_position_radians: 3.14, max_speed: 0.5}'

Trajectory Execution

# Execute complex trajectory
ros2 service call /execute_trajectory basicmicro_driver/srv/ExecuteTrajectory \
  '{trajectory_points: [
    {command_type: "distance", left_distance: 1.0, right_distance: 1.0, speed: 0.5, acceleration: 1.0},
    {command_type: "distance", left_distance: 0.5, right_distance: -0.5, speed: 0.3, acceleration: 0.8}
  ], trajectory_type: "distance"}'

Configuration Parameters

Hardware Connection

• port: Serial port path (default: /dev/ttyACM0)
• baud: Communication baud rate (default: 38400)
• address: Controller address (default: 128)

Robot Physical Parameters

• wheel_radius: Wheel radius in meters (default: 0.1)
• wheel_separation: Distance between wheels in meters (default: 0.3)
• encoder_counts_per_rev: Encoder resolution (default: 1000)
• gear_ratio: Motor gear ratio (default: 1.0)

Motion Control Parameters

• motion_strategy: Motion control strategy (duty, speed, speed_accel, duty_accel)
• buffer_depth: Command buffer size (default: 4, max: 32)
• default_acceleration: Default acceleration rate (default: 1000)

Servo Parameters (Position Control)

• encoder_type: Encoder type (incremental or absolute)
• auto_home_on_startup: Automatic homing on startup (default: false)
• position_limits_enabled: Enable position limits (default: false)
• limit_violation_behavior: Limit violation response (hard_stop, soft_stop, warning)

Safety Features

Emergency Stop

• Service Interface: /emergency_stop (std_srvs/srv/Empty)
• Topic Interface: /emergency_stop (std_msgs/msg/Empty)
• Behavior: Immediately stops motors and clears all command buffers

Position Limits

# Configure position limits
ros2 service call /set_position_limits basicmicro_driver/srv/SetPositionLimits \
  '{enable_limits: true, 
    left_min_position: -10.0, left_max_position: 10.0,
    right_min_position: -10.0, right_max_position: 10.0,
    violation_behavior: "soft_stop", decel_rate: 2.0}'

Diagnostic Monitoring

# Monitor system health
ros2 topic echo /diagnostics

# Check hardware status
ros2 topic echo /basicmicro_status

Testing and Validation

Run Test Suite

cd basicmicro_driver

# Run all tests
python test/test_runner.py --unit --integration --performance --regression --coverage

# Run specific test categories
python -m pytest test/unit/ -v                    # Unit tests
python -m pytest test/integration/ -v             # Integration tests  
python -m pytest test/performance/ -v             # Performance tests
python -m pytest test/regression/ -v              # Regression tests
python -m pytest test/hardware/ -v --hardware     # Hardware tests (optional)

Hardware-Free Testing

The driver includes comprehensive mock interfaces for testing without hardware:

# Test without hardware dependencies
python -m pytest test/unit/ test/test_package_structure.py test/test_unit_converter.py -v

Performance Characteristics

Target Performance

• Command Latency: <5ms for simple commands, <10ms for complex commands
• Sensor Reading: >100Hz sustained operation
• Memory Usage: <100MB for typical operation
• CPU Usage: <50% on modern hardware during normal operation

Optimization Features

• Batch sensor reading for efficiency
• Command buffering for smooth motion
• Configurable monitoring rates
• Cython-optimized critical paths
• Asynchronous I/O for responsiveness

Supported Controllers

RoboClaw Series

• Models: All current RoboClaw models
• Features: Basic and advanced motion control, servo positioning
• Homing: Home pin (backward direction only), auto-homing on startup
• Communication: USB, Serial, Packet Serial Protocol

MCP Series

• Models: All current MCP models
• Features: Enhanced servo capabilities, bidirectional homing
• Homing: Flexible home pin configuration, current limit homing
• Communication: USB, Serial, advanced diagnostic features

Integration Examples

With Navigation Stack

# Launch with nav2 integration
ros2 launch basicmicro_driver basicmicro_driver.launch.py \
    robot_type:=diff_drive \
    port:=/dev/ttyACM0 \
    use_nav2:=true

With MoveIt2

# Launch with MoveIt2 support
ros2 launch basicmicro_driver basicmicro_driver.launch.py \
    robot_type:=industrial \
    port:=/dev/ttyACM0 \
    use_moveit:=true

Custom URDF Integration

<ros2_control name="BasicmicroSystem" type="system">
  <hardware>
    <plugin>basicmicro_driver/BasicmicroHardwareInterface</plugin>
    <param name="port">/dev/ttyACM0</param>
    <param name="baud">38400</param>
    <param name="address">128</param>
    <param name="wheel_radius">0.1</param>
    <param name="wheel_separation">0.3</param>
    <param name="motion_strategy">speed_accel</param>
  </hardware>
  
  <joint name="left_wheel_joint">
    <command_interface name="velocity"/>
    <state_interface name="position"/>
    <state_interface name="velocity"/>
  </joint>
  
  <joint name="right_wheel_joint">
    <command_interface name="velocity"/>
    <state_interface name="position"/>
    <state_interface name="velocity"/>
  </joint>
</ros2_control>

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Problem: Driver fails to connect to controller

• Solution: Check serial port permissions, verify port path, try different baud rates
• Commands:

  ls -la /dev/ttyACM*
  sudo usermod -a -G dialout $USER  # Add user to dialout group

Problem: Poor motion performance

• Solution: Adjust motion strategy, tune acceleration parameters, check communication timing
• Commands:

  ros2 service call /set_motion_strategy basicmicro_driver/srv/SetMotionStrategy '{strategy: "speed_accel"}'

Problem: Position drift in servo mode

• Solution: Perform homing sequence, check encoder connections, verify position limits
• Commands:

  ros2 service call /perform_homing basicmicro_driver/srv/PerformHoming \
    '{method_id: "home_pin_backward", direction: "backward", homing_speed: 0.1}'

Diagnostic Commands

# Check controller version and capabilities
ros2 topic echo /diagnostics --once

# Monitor communication status
ros2 topic echo /basicmicro_status

# Test basic connectivity
ros2 service call /get_servo_status basicmicro_driver/srv/GetServoStatus

Development and Contributing

Building from Source

# Development build with debug symbols
colcon build --packages-select basicmicro_driver --cmake-args -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Debug

# Run style checks
cd basicmicro_driver
black --check basicmicro_driver/ test/
isort --check-only basicmicro_driver/ test/
flake8 basicmicro_driver/ test/
mypy basicmicro_driver/

Testing Guidelines

• All new features must include unit tests
• Integration tests required for service interfaces
• Performance tests for optimization validation
• Hardware-in-the-loop tests for controller compatibility

Code Style

• Follow ROS2 Python style guidelines
• Use type hints for all public interfaces
• Include comprehensive docstrings
• Maintain test coverage >90%

Documentation

• API Reference: docs/api_reference.md
• Tutorial Examples: docs/tutorial_examples.md
• Troubleshooting Guide: docs/troubleshooting.md
• Developer Guide: docs/developer_guide.md
• Launch Files: docs/launch_files.md
• URDF Integration: docs/urdf_integration_guide.md

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.

Acknowledgments

• Built on the comprehensive Basicmicro Python Library
• Follows ROS2 and ros2_control best practices

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Supported Hardware

This library works with all current Basicmicro motor controllers:

• RoboClaw Motor Controllers — Dual-channel brushed DC, 2×7A through 2×300A, up to 60VDC
• MCP Industrial Motor Controllers — 30A to 60A continuous at 60VDC, CAN bus, RS-232, MCL scripting

Resources

• Motion Studio — Free configuration and PID tuning software (Windows)
• Datasheets, User Manuals & CAD — Datasheets, user manuals, CAD models and drawings
• Tutorials & Guides — Articles, guides, and news
• Contact Support — Technical support and sales inquiries