Basicmicro Python Library

A modernized Python 3 library for controlling Basicmicro motor controllers using the Basicmicro packet serial mode.

Features

• Full support for all Basicmicro packet serial commands
• Comprehensive type hints for better IDE integration
• Detailed logging for debugging
• Context manager support for safe resource handling
• Exception handling for robust error management
• Extensive documentation
• Modular file structure for better maintainability

Installation

From PyPI (recommended)

pip install basicmicro

From Source

Clone the repository and install:

git clone https://github.com/basicmicro/basicmicro_python.git
cd basicmicro_python
pip install -e .

Platform-Specific Instructions

Windows

On Windows, you'll need to identify the correct COM port for your controller:

1. Open Device Manager (right-click on Start Menu → Device Manager)
2. Expand "Ports (COM & LPT)"
3. Find your controller (e.g., "USB Serial Device") and note the COM port (e.g., COM3)

Example usage:

controller = Basicmicro("COM3", 38400)

Linux

On Linux, the serial port is typically in the /dev directory:

controller = Basicmicro("/dev/ttyACM0", 38400)  # or /dev/ttyUSB0

You may need to add your user to the 'dialout' group for permission to access serial ports:

sudo usermod -a -G dialout $USER

Then log out and log back in for changes to take effect.

macOS

On macOS, the serial port will be in the /dev directory:

controller = Basicmicro("/dev/tty.usbserial-XXXXXXXX", 38400)

The exact name will depend on your USB-serial adapter.

Quick Start

import logging
from basicmicro import Basicmicro

# Enable logging
logging.basicConfig(
    level=logging.INFO,
    format='%(asctime)s - %(name)s - %(levelname)s - %(message)s'
)

# Using context manager for automatic resource handling
with Basicmicro("/dev/ttyACM0", 38400) as controller:  # Use "COM3" on Windows
    address = 0x80  # Default address

    # Simple motor control
    controller.DutyM1(address, 16384)  # Half speed forward for motor 1
    controller.DutyM2(address, -8192)  # Quarter speed backward for motor 2

    # Read encoder values
    enc1 = controller.ReadEncM1(address)
    if enc1[0]:  # Check if read was successful
        print(f"Encoder 1 count: {enc1[1]}")

    # Set velocity PID values
    controller.SetM1VelocityPID(address, kp=1.0, ki=0.5, kd=0.25, qpps=44000)

Usage Examples

Basic Motor Control

from basicmicro import Basicmicro

# Initialize and open connection
controller = Basicmicro("/dev/ttyACM0", 38400)  # Use "COM3" on Windows
controller.Open()

address = 0x80  # Default controller address

# Control motors by duty cycle (-32767 to +32767)
controller.DutyM1(address, 16384)  # 50% forward
controller.DutyM2(address, -8192)  # 25% backward

# Control motors by speed (encoder counts per second)
controller.SpeedM1(address, 1000)  # 1000 counts per second forward
controller.SpeedM2(address, -500)  # 500 counts per second backward

# Control both motors simultaneously
controller.DutyM1M2(address, 8192, -8192)  # Motor 1 forward, Motor 2 backward

# Always close connection when done
controller.close()

Using Context Manager

from basicmicro import Basicmicro

# The context manager automatically closes the connection when done
with Basicmicro("/dev/ttyACM0", 38400) as controller:  # Use "COM3" on Windows
    address = 0x80
    
    # Read battery voltages
    main_batt = controller.ReadMainBatteryVoltage(address)
    logic_batt = controller.ReadLogicBatteryVoltage(address)
    
    if main_batt[0] and logic_batt[0]:
        print(f"Main battery: {main_batt[1]/10.0}V")
        print(f"Logic battery: {logic_batt[1]/10.0}V")
    
    # Read temperatures
    temp = controller.ReadTemp(address)
    if temp[0]:
        print(f"Temperature: {temp[1]/10.0}°C")

Reading Encoders and Speed

from basicmicro import Basicmicro
import time

controller = Basicmicro("/dev/ttyACM0", 38400)  # Use "COM3" on Windows
controller.Open()
address = 0x80

# Reset encoders to zero
controller.ResetEncoders(address)

# Set motor speed
controller.SpeedM1(address, 1000)  # 1000 counts per second

# Monitor encoders and speed
try:
    for _ in range(10):
        enc = controller.ReadEncM1(address)
        speed = controller.ReadSpeedM1(address)
        
        if enc[0] and speed[0]:
            print(f"Encoder: {enc[1]}, Speed: {speed[1]} counts/sec, Status: {enc[2]}")
        
        time.sleep(0.5)
finally:
    controller.DutyM1(address, 0)  # Stop motor
    controller.close()

Setting PID Parameters

from basicmicro import Basicmicro

controller = Basicmicro("/dev/ttyACM0", 38400)  # Use "COM3" on Windows
controller.Open()
address = 0x80

# Set velocity PID parameters
kp = 1.0  # Proportional constant
ki = 0.5  # Integral constant
kd = 0.25  # Derivative constant
qpps = 44000  # Maximum speed in quadrature pulses per second

controller.SetM1VelocityPID(address, kp, ki, kd, qpps)

# Read back the PID settings to verify
result = controller.ReadM1VelocityPID(address)
if result[0]:
    print(f"P: {result[1]}, I: {result[2]}, D: {result[3]}, QPPS: {result[4]}")

controller.close()

Examples

For more detailed examples, check the examples directory:

1. Basic Movement: Demonstrates fundamental motor control
2. Acceleration & Position: Shows speed and position control with acceleration
3. PID Configuration: Examples of reading and setting PID parameters
4. Status & Diagnostics: Reading controller status and diagnostic information
5. Configuration Management: Managing controller settings
6. CAN Communication: Using the CAN bus interface
7. Mixed Mode & Differential Drive: Controlling differential drive robots
8. Advanced Scripting: Multi-threaded control and complex sequences

Run examples using:

python -m examples.01_basic_movement -p COM3  # On Windows
python -m examples.01_basic_movement -p /dev/ttyACM0  # On Linux

Logging

The library uses Python's standard logging module. To enable logging:

import logging

# Configure global logging level
logging.basicConfig(
    level=logging.INFO,  # Set to DEBUG for more detailed output
    format='%(asctime)s - %(name)s - %(levelname)s - %(message)s'
)

# Enable DEBUG level for just the basicmicro module
logging.getLogger('basicmicro').setLevel(logging.DEBUG)

Documentation

For detailed API documentation, see the API Reference.

License

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

Contributing

Contributions are welcome! Please feel free to submit a Pull Request.# Test change

Test docs