Interfacing a Servo Motor with Arduino

A servo motor is a rotary actuator that precisely controls angular position. It is commonly used in robotics, model planes, and other projects requiring controlled movement. A typical servo has three connections: power, ground, and a signal line.

Components:

• Arduino (any model, like Uno)

• Servo motor (e.g., SG90 or MG996R)

• Jumper wires

• External power supply (optional for larger servo motors)

Servo Motor Pin Description:

1. Power (VCC) → Connects to a 5V or 6V power source.

2. Ground (GND) → Connects to the ground of the power source and Arduino.

3. Signal (Control) → Connects to a digital pin on the Arduino.

   
   

Wiring the Servo Motor to Arduino:

1. VCC → 5V pin on Arduino (use an external power supply if required for higher current draw).

2. GND → GND pin on Arduino.

3. Signal → Digital Pin (e.g., D9) on Arduino.

Code Example:

#include <Servo.h> // Include the Servo library

Servo myServo; // Create a Servo object

void setup() {

myServo.attach(9); // Attach the servo to pin 9

}

void loop() {

// Move the servo to 0 degrees

myServo.write(0);

delay(1000); // Wait for 1 second

// Move the servo to 90 degrees

myServo.write(90);

delay(1000); // Wait for 1 second

// Move the servo to 180 degrees

myServo.write(180);

delay(1000); // Wait for 1 second

}

How the Code Works:

• #include <Servo.h>: Includes the Servo library, which simplifies controlling servo motors.

• Servo myServo: Creates a servo object.

• myServo.attach(9): Attaches the servo object to pin 9 on the Arduino.

• myServo.write(angle): Sends a command to move the servo to the specified angle (0 to 180 degrees).

• delay(1000): Pauses for 1 second to allow the servo to move to the position.

Testing:

1. Upload the code to your Arduino using the Arduino IDE.

2. Observe the servo motor moving to 0 degrees, then 90 degrees, and finally 180 degrees, each time pausing for 1 second.

Tips:

• Power Supply: Small servo motors (e.g., SG90) can be powered directly from the Arduino. Larger servos may need an external power source to avoid overloading the Arduino.

• Connections: Always connect the ground of the external power supply to the Arduino ground when using an external power source.

This setup allows you to control the angle of a servo motor, enabling projects like robotic arms, automated doors, and pan/tilt camera systems.