VNM Controller
The VNM Controller output sends actuator positions to a VNM motion platform over a serial connection. It supports up to 9 output channels with 16-bit position resolution, making it suitable for complex multi-axis setups including hexapods and multi-DOF platforms.
Setup Steps
Section titled “Setup Steps”- Connect your VNM controller to your PC via USB.
- In DR Sim Manager, go to the Outputs tab and click the + tab.
- Select VNM Controller from the list.
- Select your COM port from the dropdown (click Refresh if it’s not listed).
- Adjust the Output Rate if needed (default: 2 ms).
- Map each channel to the appropriate sim component actuator.
- The output connects automatically once a valid COM port is selected.
Settings
Section titled “Settings”Serial Port
Section titled “Serial Port”Select the COM port that your VNM controller is connected to from the dropdown. Click Refresh to rescan for available ports if you connected the controller after opening DR Sim Manager.
The connection uses a fixed baud rate of 250,000 with 16-bit position values.
Output Rate
Section titled “Output Rate”Adjust the output rate (in milliseconds) to control how frequently position updates are sent to the controller. The default is 2 ms (500 Hz).
Axis Mapping
Section titled “Axis Mapping”Map each of the 9 available channels to a specific sim component axis. For each channel, you can configure:
- Device — Select the sim component (e.g., your hexapod, seat mover, or other hardware)
- Actuator — Select which actuator output to send on this channel
You do not need to map all 9 channels. Unmapped channels will send a neutral (centered) position value.
Connection Behavior
Section titled “Connection Behavior”The VNM controller does not require any special startup or shutdown procedures. DR Sim Manager opens the serial port and immediately begins sending position data at the configured output rate. When disconnecting, the serial port is closed cleanly.
Troubleshooting
Section titled “Troubleshooting”Actuators not responding
Section titled “Actuators not responding”- Check the COM port — Confirm the correct port is selected. Open Device Manager > Ports (COM & LPT) to verify.
- Check axis mapping — Make sure at least one channel has both a Device and Actuator selected.
- Check USB connection — Use a data-capable USB cable and try a different USB port.
COM port not listed or “Access Denied”
Section titled “COM port not listed or “Access Denied””See Serial Output Not Working for general COM port troubleshooting steps.