Motoron M2U256 Dual Serial Motor Controller

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Pololu item #: 5067
Brand: Pololu
Status: Active and Preferred 
RoHS 3 compliant


The Motoron M2U256 Dual I²C Motor Controller offers a compact solution for controlling two DC motors using a UART serial interface. Multiple Motoron controllers can be connected to the same serial bus, making it easy to expand a system with additional motors. The M2U256 supports motor supply voltages from 4.5 V to 48 V and can deliver continuous output currents up to 1.8 A per motor. This version ships with header pins included but not soldered in.

Alternatives available with variations in these parameter(s): control interface header pins soldered? Select variant…

Pictures

Motoron M2T256/M2U256 Dual Motor Controller.

Motoron M2T256/M2U256 Dual Motor Controller, top view.

Motoron M2U256 Dual Serial Motor Controller, bottom view with dimensions.

Motoron M2T256/M2U256 Dual Motor Controller with included headers.

Motoron M2U256 Dual Serial Motor Controller, bottom view.

A Raspberry Pi Pico on a breadboard using a Motoron M2T256/M2U256 Dual Motor Controller to control two motors.

Motoron M2U256 Dual Serial Motor Controller pinout.

Typical wiring diagram for connecting a microcontroller to a Motoron M2U256/M2U550 Dual Serial Motor Controller.

Standard packaging for the Motoron M2U256 Dual Serial Motor Controller.




Overview

The Motoron M2T256 and M2U256 controllers make it easy to control two bidirectional, brushed DC motors using an I²C or TTL serial (UART) interface, respectively. These compact (0.6″ × 0.8″) boards support motor supply voltages from 4.5 V to 48 V and can deliver continuous output currents up to 1.8 A per motor. Multiple Motoron controllers can be configured to work on a single I²C or serial bus, allowing independent control of many motors. Unlike most of our motor drivers, the Motoron does not require any PWM outputs or timers on your microcontroller. Instead, only a single I²C or UART interface is needed regardless of how many Motorons you connect.

These Motoron controllers are available in several versions with different combinations of communication interfaces and connector options:

For smaller single-channel alternatives, consider the Motoron M1T256 and M1U256.

Details for item #5067

Typical wiring diagram for connecting a microcontroller to a Motoron M2U256/M2U550 Dual Serial Motor Controller.

The M2U256 has a non-inverted TTL serial (UART) interface, and this version ships with a 1×16 breakaway male header included but not soldered in.

Motoron M2T256/M2U256 Dual Motor Controller with included headers.

Motoron M2U256 Dual Serial Motor Controller, bottom view.

Features and specifications

A Raspberry Pi Pico on a breadboard using a Motoron M2T256/M2U256 Dual Motor Controller to control two motors.

The Motoron family

The tables below list the members of the Motoron family and show the key differences among them. Each type is available in several versions to provide different options for the through-hole connectors: they can be purchased as an assembled product with connectors soldered in, as a kit with connectors included but not soldered in, or (for Arduino and Raspberry Pi expansions) as a standalone board without connectors.

Motoron motor controllers
micro versions

M1T550



M1U550

M2T550



M2U550

M1T256



M1U256

M2T256



M2U256
Control interface: I²C or UART serial
Motor channels: 1 (single) 2 (dual) 1 (single) 2 (dual)
Minimum motor
supply voltage:
1.8 V 4.5 V
Absolute max motor
supply voltage:
22 V 48 V
Recommended max
nominal battery voltage:
16 V 36 V
Max continuous
current per channel:
1.8 A 1.6 A 2.2 A 1.8 A
Logic voltage range: 3.0 V to 4.9 V(1) 3.0 V to 5.5 V
Current sensing/limiting:
Available versions
with I²C:
Available verions
with UART serial:
Price: $12.49$14.49 $15.95$17.95 $16.95$18.95 $23.95$25.95
1 The M1x550 and M2x550 are not recommended for use with 5V nominal logic.
Motoron motor controllers
Arduino and Raspberry Pi form factor versions

M3S550



M3H550

M3S256



M3H256

M2S24v14



M2H24v14

M2S24v16



M2H24v16

M2S18v18



M2H18v18

M2S18v20



M2H18v20
Control interface: I²C
Motor channels: 3 (triple) 2 (dual)
Minimum motor
supply voltage:
1.8 V 4.5 V 6.5 V
Absolute max motor
supply voltage:
22 V 48 V 40 V 30 V
Recommended max
nominal battery voltage:
16 V 36 V 28 V 18 V
Max continuous
current per channel:
1.7 A 2 A 14 A 16 A 18 A 20 A
Logic voltage range: M3S550
3.1 V to 5.5 V
3.0 V to 5.5 V 3.0 V to 5.5 V
M3H550
3.0 V to 4.9 V(1)
Current sensing/limiting:
Available versions
for Arduino:
M3S550 M3S256 M2S24v14 M2S24v16 M2S18v18 M2S18v20
Available versions
for Raspberry Pi:
M3H550 M3H256 M2H24v14 M2H24v16 M2H18v18 M2H18v20
Price: $20.95$30.95 $34.95$44.95 $59.95$69.95 $79.95$89.95 $59.95$69.95 $95.95$104.95
1 The M3H550 is not recommended for use with 5V nominal logic.

Dimensions

Size: 0.6″ × 0.8″
Weight: 1.5 g1

General specifications

Channels: 2
Model: Motoron M2U256
Control interface: non-inverted TTL serial (UART)
Minimum operating voltage: 4.5 V
Maximum operating voltage: 48 V2
Continuous output current per channel: 1.8 A
Peak output current per channel: 6.4 A
Minimum logic voltage: 3.0 V
Maximum logic voltage: 5.5 V
Reverse voltage protection?: Y3
Connectors soldered?: N

Identifying markings

PCB dev codes: mc2u42a
Other PCB markings: 0J13891

Notes:

1
PCB assembly only, without optional included headers.
2
Absolute maximum; higher voltages can permanently destroy the motor drivers. Recommended maximum nominal battery voltage is approximately 36 V, which leaves a safety margin for ripple voltage on the supply line.
3
Note: Reverse voltage protection only works up to 40 V.

Documentation and other information

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Frequently-asked questions

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