Arduino Servo Control Tutorial| How to Run servo motor with

Arduino Servo Control Tutorial| How to Run servo motor with Arduino

Controlling a standard hobby servo using an Arduino is one of the most beginner-friendly and versatile intro projects in electronics. The guide walks you through wiring a servo and, optionally, integrating an IR remote control receiver to set angles via remote commands

What You’ll Need

Components Required for Arduino with Servo Control system

A list of the required components is given below. Make sure that the components are working properly and of the correct values.

• Arduino UNO
• TSOP IR reciever
• Servo motor
• IR remote
• LEDs of three different colors
• 16×2 LCD
• 10K potentiometer
• Jumper wires and a breadboard
• 220 ohms resistors
• USB cable for uploading the code

Connect the signal wire (usually orange or yellow) to any PWM-capable digital pin, like D3

• Connect the signal wire (usually orange or yellow) to any PWM-capable digital pin, like D3
• Servo Motor:Connect the servo’s red wire (VCC) to Arduino 5 VConnect the brown/black wire (GND) to Arduino GNDConnect the signal wire (usually orange or yellow) to any PWM-capable digital pin, like D

IR Receiver (if using):

Connect its VCC to 5 V, GND to GND, and output to Arduino D4

• Connect its VCC to 5 V, GND to GND, and output to Arduino D4
• IR Receiver (if using):Connect its VCC to 5 V, GND to GND, and output to Arduino D4

Basic Arduino Code (Without Remote)

cpp

CopyEdit

#include <Servo.h>

Servo myServo;

void setup() {
myServo.attach(3); // Attach servo signal to pin 3
}

void loop(){
myServo.write(0);
delay(2000);
myServo.write(90);
delay(2000);
myServo.write(180);
delay(2000);
myServo.write(90);
delay(2000);
}

cpp

CopyEdit
#include <Servo.h>

Servo myServo;

void setup() {
  myServo.attach(3); // Attach servo signal to pin 3
}

void loop(){
  myServo.write(0);
  delay(2000);
  myServo.write(90);
  delay(2000);
  myServo.write(180);
  delay(2000);
  myServo.write(90);
  delay(2000);
}

This code moves the servo sequentially between 0°, 90°, and 180° with 2-second pauses, demonstrating full-range movement

Adding IR Remote Control

Use the IRremote.h library to decode signal values and map them to servo positions. In the Techatronic tutorial, specific remote codes trigger servo angles like 0°, 60°, 90°, 120°, or 180°.

How It Works

The Arduino’s Servo library generates PWM signals (~50 Hz, repeating every ~20 ms), where the pulse width (typically 1 ms = 0° to 2 ms = 180°) determines the servo arm’s position. The neutral (90°) position is around 1.5 ms

Best Practices & Tips

Use a Stable Power Source: Servos often draw up to 700 mA under stall conditions. If powering from Arduino, issues like jitter can appear. It’s safest to use a dedicated 5 V supply and ensure shared ground between servo and Arduino

• Use a Stable Power Source: Servos often draw up to 700 mA under stall conditions. If powering from Arduino, issues like jitter can appear. It’s safest to use a dedicated 5 V supply and ensure shared ground between servo and Arduino

Reduce Jitter with Delay Adjustment: The typical sweep code includes a delay(15) per angle step. Many users found that reducing it to ~5 ms improved smoothness—and that shorter delays than the servo can handle can cause pauses

• Reduce Jitter with Delay Adjustment: The typical sweep code includes a delay(15) per angle step. Many users found that reducing it to ~5 ms improved smoothness—and that shorter delays than the servo can handle can cause pauses

Detach Signal When Idle: To stop unnecessary jitter, use servo.detach() once movement is complete, then reattach before the next motion. This is especially helpful if the servo isn’t loaded

• Detach Signal When Idle: To stop unnecessary jitter, use servo.detach() once movement is complete, then reattach before the next motion. This is especially helpful if the servo isn’t loaded

Use Cases & Applications

Robotics arms, pan/tilt camera mounts, simple RC vehicles, automation labs

• Robotics arms, pan/tilt camera mounts, simple RC vehicles, automation labs

Combine with sensors for servo-based feedback (e.g. pot to analogRead → servo angle mapping)

• Combine with sensors for servo-based feedback (e.g. pot to analogRead → servo angle mapping)

Summary

Controlling a servo with Arduino involves just three wires and the built-in Servo library. You can sweep, hold, or position the servo precisely in the 0–180° range using write() or writeMicroseconds(). Adding an optional IR remote allows for interactive control. Key considerations: proper power supply, shared ground, and delay tuning help ensure smooth and reliable operation.