Reading MKS Servo42 Encoder Data

[newguyhelp]

Hi all, I've been playing around with the MKS Servo42C. The encoder attached to the stepper has a screen on the back that already automatically reads the degree/position from 0 point, error (shaft), and pulses received.

Manual:

MKS%20SERVO42C%20User%20Manual%20V1.1.2.pdf

See video link: [Imgur: The magic of the Internet] (Imgur: The magic of the Internet)

I wrote a quick program to turn the shaft 180deg back and forth. The encoder screen on the back outputs the 3 variables continuously. I'd like my Uno to read these 3 variables as they're outputted on the encoder, but am not sure how to go about this. Do I need to use the UART pins? If so, can someone point me to any example code to reference?

Any help or direction is much appreciated.

[sherzaad]

@newguyhelp

Do I need to use the UART pins?

page 6 of the manual clearly say that!

and Part5 of the manual lists the commands you can you and how to interpret the output

as a starter you can try to just read out one of those with something like this:
(compliles, NOT tested!)

/*
  Software serial multple serial test

 Receives from the hardware serial, sends to software serial.
 Receives from software serial, sends to hardware serial.

 The circuit (UNO):
 * RX is digital pin 2 (connect to TX of other device)
 * TX is digital pin 3 (connect to RX of other device)

 Note:
 Not all pins on the Mega and Mega 2560 support change interrupts,
 so only the following can be used for RX:
 10, 11, 12, 13, 50, 51, 52, 53, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69

 Not all pins on the Leonardo support change interrupts,
 so only the following can be used for RX:
 8, 9, 10, 11, 14 (MISO), 15 (SCK), 16 (MOSI).

 created back in the mists of time
 modified 25 May 2012
 by Tom Igoe
 based on Mikal Hart's example

 This example code is in the public domain.

 */
#include <SoftwareSerial.h>

SoftwareSerial mySerial(2, 3); // RX, TX

uint8_t cmd1[3] = {0xE0,0x30,0x10}; //read encoder value
uint8_t j =0;

void setup()
{
  // Open serial communications and wait for port to open:
  Serial.begin(115200);

  // set the data rate for the SoftwareSerial port (change baudrate to match you device)
  mySerial.begin(38400);

  //send read command
  for(uint8_t i=0; i<3; ++i){
    mySerial.write(cmd1[i]);
  }
}

void loop() // run over and over
{
  if (mySerial.available()){
    Serial.print(mySerial.read(), HEX); //print out reply from device
    Serial.print(" ");
    ++j;
  }

  if(j==8){
    Serial.println("");  
    j =0;
    delay(100); //arbitrary 100ms between read requests

    //send read command
    for(uint8_t i=0; i<3; ++i){
      mySerial.write(cmd1[i]);
    }
  }
 
}

hope that helps...