Pololu
Pololu Serial 8-Servo Controller (assembled)
The Pololu Serial 8-Servo Controller lets you control up to eight RC servos from almost any robot controller, microcontroller, or computer with a serial port...
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The Pololu Serial 8-Servo Controller lets you control up to eight RC servos from almost any robot controller, microcontroller, or computer with a serial port. It accepts standard RS-232 or TTL-level serial signals with automatic baud rate detection from 1200 to 38400 bps.
Multiple controllers can be connected to the same serial line, allowing independent control of up to 128 servos. Each servo has individual speed and range control with 0.5 µs resolution (approximately 0.05°). This assembled version is ready to use — just connect power, servos, and your controller.
Key Features
- 8 Servo Channels – Control up to 8 RC servos independently
- Daisy-Chainable – Connect multiple units on one serial line for up to 128 servos
- Auto Baud Detection – Supports 1200–38400 bps automatically
- High Resolution – 0.5 µs servo positioning (~0.05°)
- Individual Speed Control – Set speed and range per servo
- Three Diagnostic LEDs – Visual feedback for power, serial, and error status
- Serial Reset – Reset via DTR or RTS handshaking lines
Specifications
- Logic Supply Voltage – 5–16V
- Data Voltage – 0V and 5V
- Servo Pulse Range – 250–2750 µs
- Pulse Rate – 50 Hz
- Serial Interface – RS-232 or TTL-level
- PCB Size – 31mm × 50mm (1.22" × 1.95")
Ideal For
- Robotics projects requiring multi-servo control
- Animatronics and kinetic sculptures
- Pan-tilt camera mounts
- Robotic arms and grippers
Resources
Jargon buster
Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.
- baud
- Baud is the signalling rate of a serial connection, often used as the speed setting for UART communication. Matching the baud rate matters because both connected devices must use the same setting for readable data.
- microcontroller
- A microcontroller is a small computer on a single chip that runs a stored program and controls connected inputs and outputs such as buttons, sensors, displays and communication interfaces. In a device built around one, it is the part that executes the code and coordinates the device's behaviour.
- PCB
- A printed circuit board (PCB) is a board, usually rigid, with etched copper tracks that connect electronic components together without loose wiring. Components are mounted on the board and signals route between them through the copper layout.
- RS-232
- RS-232 is an older serial communication standard that uses higher, inverted signal voltages (typically around plus or minus 3 to 15 volts) rather than the low logic levels of modern microcontroller pins. When connecting RS-232 equipment to a microcontroller, you usually need an RS-232 transceiver or level converter rather than wiring it directly, or you risk damaging the pins.
- RTS
- RTS stands for Request To Send, a serial flow-control signal used to manage when a device is ready to receive data. It matters when moving fast serial streams because flow control can help prevent lost data.
- servo
- A servo is a motor with built-in position control, usually told to move to a specific angle by a control signal. It matters when you need repeatable movement, such as steering, arms, flaps, or linkages, rather than continuous spinning.
Find this product in
Brands
Robotics & Motion
Related Tutorials
Free guides on learn.littlebird.com.au
