The 30V 50A DC Motor Phidget is a high-performance DC motor driver. It has an 8-30V DC supply input, and provides up to 50 amps of continuous current, with a peak current capacity of 75 amps to a single brushed DC motor.
This controller includes three operating modes: DC Motor, Position Controller, and Velocity Controller. The Position and Velocity Controller modes utilize the built-in encoder channel to deliver fast and precise closed-loop control. Prebuilt tuning software is available through the Phidget Control Panel on Windows. In DC Motor mode, users can manually control the motor or implement custom control loops. Comprehensive guides are available for each mode.
There are several built-in safety features, including an E-Stop circuit, thermal protection, over-current protection, advanced failsafe modes, supply voltage monitoring, and polarity protection. For detailed information about these features, refer to the API.
Additional features include regenerative braking, surge current limiting, automatic inductance measurement, electrical isolation, and more.
The 30V 50A DC Motor Phidget must be connected to a VINT Hub Phidget to function. A Power Guard Phidget is also required for most applications. For more information, review our Power Guard Guide.
Features
Delivers 50A continuous (75A peak) current to a single brushed DC motor.
Supports closed-loop position or velocity control via the built-in encoder input.
Advanced safety: E-Stop circuit, thermal and over-current protection, failsafe modes, and more.
Built-in electrical isolation for enhanced system reliability.
This Phidget is a smart device that must be controlled by a VINT Hub. For more information about VINT, have a look at the VINT Overview page. You can use a Phidget Cable to simply and easily connect the two devices. Here's a list of all of the different VINT Hubs currently available:
Use a Phidget cable to connect this device to the hub. You can solder multiple cables together in order to make even longer Phidget cables, but you should be aware of the effects of having long wires in your system.
Using motor controllers with large motors can pose a risk for your power supply. If your supply does not have protective features built-in, you can use a Power Guard Phidget to prevent damage from power spikes from back EMF that is generated when motors brake or change direction. We recommend that you use the SAF2000 for any motor with a current rating between 1 and 5 amperes, and the SAF1000 for motors above 5A.
Having a fuse between your power supply and power guard is crucial for safety in high-power motor systems. These fuses and holder have been selected specifically for use with the DCC1120.
We offer a wide variety of DC motors that can be used with this Phidget. Motors with higher gearbox ratios will have higher torque at the cost of lower speed. If you want a motor that has an encoder attached to it, skip ahead to the next table.
Linear actuators are simply DC motors that are hooked up to a linear screw which causes the shaft to move laterally instead of rotating. Unlike a rotary DC motor, linear actuators have a minimum and maximum position at which the shaft cannot contract or extend any further. On its own, the motor would not be smart enough to stop before attempting to push beyond these limits, possibly damaging the motor. That's why each linear actuator also has a built-in feedback potentiometer so you can monitor the position of the shaft and prevent the actuator from stalling out at its limits. The potentiometer can be read using one of the ports on your VINT Hub in VoltageRatioInput mode.
This Phidget requires a power supply between 10 and 30V DC. We recommend that you use a 12V DC power supply for smaller motors and a 24V supply for larger motors. Check your motor's specifications if you're not sure.
For installation instructions for these packages, see the README file included with each one.
Step 2: Connect Devices
● Connect USB Cable to your Linux Computer
● Connect VINT Device(s)
Step 3: Verify Connection
1. The easiest way to verify that your libraries are working properly is to compile and run an example program. Download and unpack this C example that will
detect any Phidget:
2. Next, open the terminal in the location where you unpacked the example. Compile and run using:
gcc HelloWorld.c -o HelloWorld -lphidget22
sudo ./HelloWorld
ou should receive a “Hello” line for each Phidget channel that is discovered:
I don’t see any Phidgets show up in the HelloWorld example
You need to run it with sudo in order to be able to access USB devices. In order to use
Phidgets without sudo, you need to set your udev rules. See the Advanced Information page on the final slide of this guide for details.
Done!
If you're able to see your devices in the Hello World example, you're done with the Setup part of this guide.
Scroll down to Part 2: Using Your Phidget for the next step.
For more info installing in Linux (e.g. Udev rules, old versions, etc.), visit this page:
If you're unsure which one you should get, press ⊞ WIN + Pause/Break:
Before installing our libraries, be sure to read our Software License.
Step 1: Install Phidgets Library
2. Open the download. If it asks you for permission, select Run
Step 1: Install Phidgets Library
3a. Select Next
Step 1: Install Phidgets Library
3b. Read the Licence Agreement. Select Next.
Step 1: Install Phidgets Library
3c. Choose Installation Location. Select Next.
Step 1: Install Phidgets Library
3d. Select Next to confirm install.
Step 1: Install Phidgets Library
3e. Wait for Installation to complete. This should only take a few moments.
Step 1: Install Phidgets Library
3f. Installation Complete. Close installation Window.
Step 2: Connect Devices
● Connect Power Jack
● Connect VINT Device(s)
● Connect Ethernet to a Router or Switch (optional)
Step 3: Verify Connection
Choose a setup method:
Configure with mobile device
Connect with ethernet cable
(Requires physical access to router or switch)
«
»
Connection (Mobile)
Step 3: Connect Wireless
1. When you connect the power supply to the HUB5000, the red LED should turn on.
Step 3: Connect Wireless
2. On your mobile device, go to the Wi-Fi settings and connect to the HUB5000:
Step 3: Connect Wireless
3. When asked for a password, enter the password printed on the HUB5000’s label.
Step 3: Connect Wireless
4. Once your device is connected to the HUB5000’s WiFi signal:
Click on the WiFi network and find an option that says “Manage router” or “Visit homepage”.
Go to your internet browser and type 192.168.100.1 in the address bar.
Step 3: Connect Wireless
5. Create a password for your HUB5000. You'll use it to access the Configure Page from now on.
Step 3: Connect Wireless
6. Navigate to the network page. Change the Mode to Client.
Step 3: Connect Wireless
7. Enter your Wifi Network details and click Save & Apply. It may take a few minutes for your Phidgets to appear in the Phidget Control Panel, which
we’ll check in the next step.
Step 4: Verify Connection
1. Open the Phidgets Control Panel:
If your Control Panel does not open, look in your taskbar. Double click the Phidget Icon.
Step 4: Verify Connection
2. If connected, your Phidgets will appear in the Phidget Control Panel.
Step 5: Update
Now that you've confirmed that you have access to your Phidgets, you should ensure the HUB5000 is fully updated. You can update the firmware of the VINT Hub by
going back to the Phidget Control Panel. If there's a blue arrow beside the version number, it means an update is available:
Right-click anywhere on that row and select Upgrade Firmware. When it's done, the number in the Version column will change.
Step 5: Update
Next, to update the OS firmware, go to the Network Phidgets tab in the control panel, find your HUB5000 and double-click on it. If the OS firmware is out
of date, you'll see the following window pop up with steps to follow:
1. Download the firmware (you can get it here if the button does not
work)
2. Open the web interface by clicking the button or entering the HUB5000's IP address in your web browser.
3. Go to the System tab and scroll down to the Upgrade Firmware section. Select the file you just downloaded and click Upgrade and Restart.
You'll be instructed to wait a few minutes before logging back into the web interface.
Step 5: Update
When you log back in, you can confirm that the new version has successfully installed by checking to see if the firmware version listed in the
Status section matches the first three numbers in the firmware file name that you downloaded. You can also check the version in the
Network Phidgets tab on the Phidget Control Panel.
Done!
Now that you're able to see and interact with your devices in the Phidget Control Panel and they're fully updated, you're done with the Setup part of this
guide.
Scroll down to Part 2: Using Your Phidget for the next step.
For more help installing in Windows (e.g. manual install, using a VM, etc.), visit this page:
1. When you connect the power supply to the HUB5000, the red LED should turn on.
Step 3: Connect Wireless
2. In your Web Browser, enter hub5000.local
Step 3: Connect Wireless
3. Create a password for your HUB5000. You'll use this password to access the Configure Page from now on.
Step 3: Connect Wireless
4. Navigate to the network page. Change the Mode to Client.
Step 3: Connect Wireless
5. Enter your Wifi Network details to use your Hub wirelessly and click Save & Apply. You can then disconnect the ethernet cable.
It may take a few minutes for your Phidgets to appear in the Phidget Control Panel, which we’ll check in the next step.
Step 4: Verify Connection
1. Open the Phidgets Control Panel:
If your Control Panel does not open, look in your taskbar. Double click the Phidget Icon.
Step 4: Verify Connection
2. If connected, your Phidgets will appear in the Phidget Control Panel.
Step 5: Update
Now that you've confirmed that you have access to your Phidgets, you should ensure the HUB5000 is fully updated. You can update the firmware of the VINT Hub by
going back to the Phidget Control Panel. If there's a blue arrow beside the version number, it means an update is available:
Right-click anywhere on that row and select Upgrade Firmware. When it's done, the number in the Version column will change.
Step 5: Update
Next, to update the OS firmware, go to the Network Phidgets tab in the control panel, find your HUB5000 and double-click on it. If the OS firmware is out
of date, you'll see the following window pop up with steps to follow:
1. Download the firmware (you can get it here if the button does not
work)
2. Open the web interface by clicking the button or entering the HUB5000's IP address in your web browser.
3. Go to the System tab and scroll down to the Upgrade Firmware section. Select the file you just downloaded and click Upgrade and Restart.
You'll be instructed to wait a few minutes before logging back into the web interface.
Step 5: Update
When you log back in, you can confirm that the new version has successfully installed by checking to see if the firmware version listed in the
Status section matches the first three numbers in the firmware file name that you downloaded. You can also check the version in the
Network Phidgets tab on the Phidget Control Panel.
Done!
Now that you're able to see and interact with your devices in the Phidget Control Panel and they're fully updated, you're done with the Setup part of this
guide.
Scroll down to Part 2: Using Your Phidget for the next step.
For more help installing in Windows (e.g. manual install, using a VM, etc.), visit this page:
Before installing our libraries, be sure to read our Software License.
Step 1: Install Phidgets Library
2. Open the download and double click on Phidgets.pkg
Step 1: Install Phidgets Library
3a. Select Continue
Step 1: Install Phidgets Library
3b. Read and continue. Read the License and click Agree.
Step 1: Install Phidgets Library
3c. Here, you have the option to select the installation location. Select Install.
Step 1: Install Phidgets Library
3d. MacOS may ask for permission to install. Enter your username and password and Install Software.
Step 1: Install Phidgets Library
3e. Wait for Installation to complete. This should only take a few moments.
Step 1: Install Phidgets Library
3f. You may see a message that the extension has been blocked. Select Open Security Preferences.
Step 1: Install Phidgets Library
3g. Beside the message for Phidgets Inc, Click Allow.
Step 1: Install Phidgets Library
3h. Installation Complete, Click Close.
Step 1: Install Phidgets Library
3i. To delete the installer, click Move to Trash.
Step 2: Connect Devices
● Connect Power Jack
● Connect VINT Device(s)
● Connect Ethernet to a Router or Switch (optional)
Step 3: Verify Connection
Choose a setup method:
Configure with mobile device
Connect with ethernet cable
(Requires physical access to router or switch)
«
»
Connection (Mobile)
Step 3: Connect Wireless
1. When you connect the power supply to the HUB5000, the red LED should turn on.
Step 3: Connect Wireless
2. On your mobile device, go to the Wi-Fi settings and connect to the HUB5000:
Step 3: Connect Wireless
3. When asked for a password, enter the password printed on the HUB5000’s label.
Step 3: Connect Wireless
4. Once your device is connected to the HUB5000’s WiFi signal:
Click on the WiFi network and find an option that says “Manage router” or “Visit homepage”.
Go to your internet browser and type 192.168.100.1 in the address bar.
Step 3: Connect Wireless
5. Create a password for your HUB5000. You'll use this password to access the Configure Page from now on.
Step 3: Connect Wireless
6. Navigate to the network page. Change the Mode to Client.
Step 3: Connect Wireless
7. Enter your Wifi Network details and click Save & Apply. It may take a few minutes for your Phidgets to appear in the Phidget Control Panel, which
we’ll check in the next step.
Step 4: Verify Connection
1. Open the Phidget Control Panel:
Step 4: Verify Connection
2. If connected, your Phidgets will appear in the Phidget Control Panel.
Step 5: Update
Now that you've confirmed that you have access to your Phidgets, you should ensure the HUB5000 is fully updated. You can update the firmware of the VINT Hub by
going back to the Phidget Control Panel. If the name of the device is red, it means an update is available:
Double click on the device in the control panel to update the VINT Hub firmware. When it's finished, the text will turn from red to black and the number in the
Version column will change.
Step 5: Update
To upgrade the firmware of the operating system on the HUB5000, download the most recent file
here.
Next, go back to the web configuration page and click on the System tab. Scroll down to Upgrade Firmware and select the file you download and hit
Upgrade & Restart. You'll be instructed to wait a few minutes before logging back into the web interface.
When you log back in, you can confirm that the new version has successfully installed by checking to see if the firmware version listed in the
Status section matches the first three numbers in the firmware file name that you downloaded.
Done!
Now that you're able to see and interact with your devices in the Phidget Control Panel, you're done with the Setup part of this guide.
Scroll down to Part 2: Using Your Phidget for the next step.
For more info installing in MacOS (e.g. developer tools, driver extension, etc.), visit this page:
1. When you connect the power supply to the HUB5000, the red LED should turn on.
Step 3: Connect Wireless
2. In your Web Browser, enter hub5000.local
Step 3: Connect Wireless
3. Create a password for your HUB5000. You'll use this password to access the Configure Page from now on.
Step 3: Connect Wireless
4. Navigate to the network page. Change the Mode to Client.
Step 3: Connect Wireless
5. Enter your Wifi Network details to use your Hub wirelessly and click Save & Apply. You can then disconnect the ethernet cable.
It may take a few minutes for your Phidgets to appear in the Phidget Control Panel, which we’ll check in the next step.
Step 4: Verify Connection
1. Open the Phidget Control Panel:
Step 4: Verify Connection
2. If connected, your Phidgets will appear in the Phidget Control Panel.
Step 5: Update
Now that you've confirmed that you have access to your Phidgets, you should ensure the HUB5000 is fully updated. You can update the firmware of the VINT Hub by
going back to the Phidget Control Panel. If the name of the device is red, it means an update is available:
Double click on the device in the control panel to update the VINT Hub firmware. When it's finished, the text will turn from red to black and the number in the
Version column will change.
Step 5: Update
To upgrade the firmware of the operating system on the HUB5000, download the most recent file
here.
Next, go back to the web configuration page and click on the System tab. Scroll down to Upgrade Firmware and select the file you download and hit
Upgrade & Restart. You'll be instructed to wait a few minutes before logging back into the web interface.
When you log back in, you can confirm that the new version has successfully installed by checking to see if the firmware version listed in the
Status section matches the first three numbers in the firmware file name that you downloaded.
Done!
Now that you're able to see and interact with your devices in the Phidget Control Panel, you're done with the Setup part of this guide.
Scroll down to Part 2: Using Your Phidget for the next step.
For more info installing in MacOS (e.g. developer tools, driver extension, etc.), visit this page:
For installation instructions for these packages, see the README file included with each one.
Step 2: Connect Devices
● Connect Power Jack
● Connect VINT Device(s)
● Connect Ethernet to a Router or Switch (optional)
Step 3: Verify Connection
Choose a setup method:
Configure with mobile device
Connect with ethernet cable
(Requires physical access to router or switch)
«
»
Connection (Mobile)
Step 3: Connect Wireless
1. When you connect the power supply to the HUB5000, the red LED should turn on.
Step 3: Connect Wireless
2. On your mobile device, go to the Wi-Fi settings and connect to the HUB5000:
Step 3: Connect Wireless
3. When asked for a password, enter the password printed on the HUB5000’s label.
Step 3: Connect Wireless
4. Once your device is connected to the HUB5000’s WiFi signal:
Click on the WiFi network and find an option that says “Manage router” or “Visit homepage”.
Go to your internet browser and type 192.168.100.1 in the address bar.
Step 3: Connect Wireless
5. Create a password for your HUB5000. You'll use this password to access the Configure Page from now on.
Step 3: Connect Wireless
6. Navigate to the network page. Change the Mode to Client.
Step 3: Connect Wireless
7. Enter your Wifi Network details and click Save & Apply. It may take a few minutes for your Phidgets to appear in the Phidget Control Panel, which
we’ll check in the next step.
Step 4: Verify Connection
1. The easiest way to verify that your libraries are working properly is to compile and run an example program. Download and unpack this C example that will
detect any Phidget:
2. Next, open the terminal in the location where you unpacked the example. Compile and run using:
gcc HelloWorld.c -o HelloWorld -lphidget22
sudo ./HelloWorld
ou should receive a “Hello” line for each Phidget channel that is discovered:
I don’t see any Phidgets show up in the HelloWorld example
You need to run it with sudo in order to be able to access USB devices. In order to use
Phidgets without sudo, you need to set your udev rules. See the Advanced Information page on the final slide of this guide for details.
Step 5: Update
Now that you've confirmed that you have access to your Phidgets, you should ensure the HUB5000 is fully updated. You can update the firmware of the VINT Hub
using the phidget22admin tool (see included readme for further
instructions).
To upgrade the firmware of the operating system on the HUB5000, download the most recent file
here.
Next, go back to the web configuration page and click on the System tab. Scroll down to Upgrade Firmware and select the file you download and hit
Upgrade & Restart. You'll be instructed to wait a few minutes before logging back into the web interface.
When you log back in, you can confirm that the new version has successfully installed by checking to see if the firmware version listed in the
Status section matches the first three numbers in the firmware file name that you downloaded.
Done!
Now that you're able to see your devices in the Hello World example and the device is fully updated, you're done with the Setup part of this guide.
Scroll down to Part 2: Using Your Phidget for the next step.
For more info installing in Linux (e.g. Udev rules, old versions, etc.), visit this page:
1. When you connect the power supply to the HUB5000, the red LED should turn on.
Step 3: Connect Wireless
2. In your Web Browser, enter hub5000.local
Step 3: Connect Wireless
3. Create a password for your HUB5000. You'll use this password to access the Configure Page from now on.
Step 3: Connect Wireless
4. Navigate to the network page. Change the Mode to Client.
Step 3: Connect Wireless
5. Enter your Wifi Network details to use your Hub wirelessly and click Save & Apply. You can then disconnect the ethernet cable.
It may take a few minutes for your Phidgets to appear in the Phidget Control Panel, which we’ll check in the next step.
Step 4: Verify Connection
1. The easiest way to verify that your libraries are working properly is to compile and run an example program. Download and unpack this C example that will
detect any Phidget:
2. Next, open the terminal in the location where you unpacked the example. Compile and run using:
gcc HelloWorld.c -o HelloWorld -lphidget22
sudo ./HelloWorld
You should receive a “Hello” line for each Phidget channel that is discovered:
I don’t see any Phidgets show up in the HelloWorld example
You need to run it with sudo in order to be able to access USB devices. In order to use
Phidgets without sudo, you need to set your udev rules. See the Advanced Information page on the final slide of this guide for details.
Step 5: Update
Now that you've confirmed that you have access to your Phidgets, you should ensure the HUB5000 is fully updated. You can update the firmware of the VINT Hub
using the phidget22admin tool (see included readme for further
instructions).
To upgrade the firmware of the operating system on the HUB5000, download the most recent file
here.
Next, go back to the web configuration page and click on the System tab. Scroll down to Upgrade Firmware and select the file you download and hit
Upgrade & Restart. You'll be instructed to wait a few minutes before logging back into the web interface.
When you log back in, you can confirm that the new version has successfully installed by checking to see if the firmware version listed in the
Status section matches the first three numbers in the firmware file name that you downloaded.
Done!
Now that you're able to see your devices in the Hello World example and the device is fully updated, you're done with the Setup part of this guide.
Scroll down to Part 2: Using Your Phidget for the next step.
For more info installing in Linux (e.g. Udev rules, old versions, etc.), visit this page:
For installation instructions for these packages, see the README file included with each one.
Step 2: Connect Devices
● Connect Power Jack
● Connect VINT Device(s)
● Connect Ethernet to a Router or Switch in the same network as your Linux machine
Step 3: Verify Connection
1. The easiest way to verify that your libraries are working properly is to compile and run an example program. Download and unpack this C example that will
detect any Phidget:
2. Next, open the terminal in the location where you unpacked the example. Compile and run using:
gcc HelloWorld.c -o HelloWorld -lphidget22
sudo ./HelloWorld
If everything is working, you should receive a “Hello” line for each Phidget channel that is discovered:
I don’t see any Phidgets show up in the HelloWorld example
You need to run it with sudo in order to be able to access USB devices. In order to use
Phidgets without sudo, you need to set your udev rules. See the Advanced Information page on the final slide of this guide for details.
Now that the SBC's ethernet connection is verified, it can be connected to wifi.
If you don't have a USB wifi adapter or you're planning to stay on ethernet, you can scroll down to
Part 2: Using Your Phidget
Step 4: Connect Wireless
1. In your web browser, enter phidgetsbc.local
If you're using a terminal-only Linux machine, use the browser on your phone instead.
(If you use a phone, you need to enter the IP address your router assigned to the SBC instead of phidgetsbc.local)
Step 4: Connect Wireless
2. Create a password for your SBC. You will use this to access the configuration page from now on.
Step 4: Connect Wireless
3. Navigate to Network -> Wireless. Select your Network, enter the wifi password and select Add This Network.
Step 4: Connect Wireless
4. Scroll down to your saved networks, click on your network and select Join This Network.
Step 4: Connect Wireless
5. It should now say connected in the status column.
You can now unplug the ethernet cable.
Step 4: Connect Wireless
6. Run the HelloWorld example again to confirm that your Phidgets are accessible over wifi.
Done!
If you're able to see your devices in the Hello World example, you're done with the Setup part of this guide.
Scroll down to Part 2: Using Your Phidget for the next step.
For more info installing in Linux (e.g. Udev rules, old versions, etc.), visit this page:
This device must be connected to a VINT Hub Phidget to function.
Encoder
An encoder is optional when using the DC Motor Controller object, however, it is required for the Position Controller and Velocity Controller objects.
E-Stop
This device features an E-Stop input. The input is shipped with a jumper wire shorting it which disables the E-Stop functionality. When the terminals are opened, it will trigger a Failsafe event.
DC Motor
Connect a DC motor or a DC linear actuator to these inputs.
Power Supply
An external power supply is required for this device (8-30VDC).
Phidget Control Panel
Use the Phidget Control Panel to explore your device's functionality. Each channel is described below.
Expand All
DC Motor Controller
DC Motor Controller
DC Motor Controller application - Phidget Control Panel (Windows)
This channel allows you to control motor speed, direction, current, and more.
View the [DCMotor API Guide] for detailed information.
Position Controller
Position Controller application - Phidget Control Panel (Windows)
Position Controller
This channel provides a built-in control loop to track the position of the motor shaft.
An encoder is required to use this channel.
View the [MotorPositionController API Guide] for detailed information.
Velocity Controller
Velocity Controller application - Phidget Control Panel (Windows)
Velocity Controller
This channel uses a built-in control loop to track the velocity of the motor shaft.
An encoder is required to use this channel.
View the [MotorVelocityController API Guide] for detailed information.
Encoder Input
Encoder Input application - Phidget Control Panel (Windows)
Encoder Input
This controller includes a built-in encoder interface that is used for the position and velocity control channels. You can access this channel directly to implement custom control loops.
For more information, view the 30V 50A DC Motor Phidget (DCC1020_0) API.
Current Sensor
Encoder Input application - Phidget Control Panel (Windows)
Current Sensor
This controller includes a built-in current sensor that is used to implement current limiting on the DC Motor channel, Position Controller channel, and Velocity Controller channel.
You can access this channel directly to implement custom current limiting, or for diagnostics.
For more information, view the 30V 50A DC Motor Phidget (DCC1020_0) API.
Temperature Sensor
Temperature Sensor application - Phidget Control Panel (Windows)
Temperature Sensor
This controller includes a built-in temperature sensor that is used on the DC Motor channel, Position Controller channel, and Velocity Controller channel for thermal protection.
You can access this channel directly to implement custom thermal protection, or for diagnostics.
For more information, view the 30V 50A DC Motor Phidget (DCC1020_0) API.
Supply Voltage Sensor
Supply Voltage Sensor application - Phidget Control Panel (Windows)
Supply Voltage Sensor
This controller includes built-in voltage sensing that is used on the DC Motor channel, Position Controller channel, and Velocity Controller channel to monitor for irregular voltage events.
You can access this channel directly to implement custom monitoring, or for diagnostics.
For more information, view the 30V 50A DC Motor Phidget (DCC1020_0) API.
MacOS users can upgrade device firmware by double-clicking the device row in the Phidget Control Panel.
Linux users can upgrade via the phidget22admin tool (see included readme for instructions).
Windows users can upgrade the firmware for this device using the Phidget Control Panel as shown below.
Firmware Downgrade
Firmware upgrades include important bug fixes and performance improvements, but there are some situations where you may want to revert to an old version of the firmware (for instance, when an application you're using is compiled using an older version of phidget22 that doesn't recognize the new firmware).
MacOS and Linux users can downgrade using the phidget22admin tool in the terminal (see included readme for instructions).
Windows users can downgrade directly from the Phidget Control Panel if they have driver version 1.9.20220112 or newer:
Firmware Version Numbering Schema
Phidgets device firmware is represented by a 3-digit number. For firmware patch notes, see the device history section on the Specifications tab on your device's product page.
If the digit in the 'ones' spot changes, it means there have been bug fixes or optimizations. Sometimes these changes can drastically improve the performance of the device, so you should still upgrade whenever possible. These upgrades are backwards compatible, meaning you can still use this Phidget on a computer that has Phidget22 drivers from before this firmware upgrade was released.
If the digit in the 'tens' spot changes, it means some features were added (e.g. new API commands or events). These upgrades are also backwards compatible, in the sense that computers running old Phidget22 drivers will still be able to use the device, but they will not be able to use any of the new features this version added.
If the digit in the 'hundreds' spot changes, it means a major change has occurred (e.g. a complete rewrite of the firmware or moving to a new architecture). These changes are not backwards compatible, so if you try to use the upgraded board on a computer with old Phidget22 drivers, it will show up as unsupported in the Control Panel and any applications build using the old libraries won't recognize it either. Sometimes, when a Phidget has a new hardware revision (e.g. 1018_2 -> 1018_3), the firmware version's hundreds digit will change because entirely new firmware was needed (usually because a change in the processor). In this case, older hardware revisions won't be able to be upgraded to the higher version number and instead continue to get bug fixes within the same major revision.
