Connect your SPARK MAX Motor Controller to your computer with a USB-C cable.
Open the REV SPARK MAX Client application.
The Client should automatically scan and connect to your SPARK MAX.
Once the SPARK MAX is connected via USB-C select it within the Connected Hardware.
If the SPARK MAX connected via USB-C is running firmware version 1.5.0 or later allows the SPARK MAX to work as a USB to CAN Bridge. Other CAN connected SPARK MAXs running version 1.4.0 can be selected for firmware updates over CAN.
Within the Hardware Client, for the SPARK MAX, there are 5 tabs. The Hardware Client will open up on the Basic tab. To update firmware select the Update tab.
Under SPARK MAX Firmware, select download to download the latest version of the firmware.
Once the firmware has downloaded select update.
The update process will flash the firmware image onto the SPARK MAX. The status bar will show the progress of the process.
Once the firmware update is done your SPARK MAX will show a new status of Up-to-Date.
If your SPARK MAX is running firmware older than 1.4.0, you may need to unplug and replug the USB-C cable into the SPARK MAX for it to reconnect to the Client.
SPARK MAX Firmware Version 1.5.0 includes a USB-to-CAN Bridge feature that allows a single USB-connected SPARK MAX to act as a bridge to the entire CAN bus it is connected to. This allows for configuration and simultaneous updating of multiple SPARK MAX controllers without having to connect to each one individually. Using this feature requires the following:
A USB-connected SPARK MAX that is updated to firmware version 1.5.0 or newer to act as the Bridge.
Other SPARK MAXs connected on the CAN bus must be individually updated to firmware version 1.4.0 before they are able to receive mass-updates from the Bridging SPARK MAX.
Once these requirements are satisfied, navigate to the Hardware tab, select the Update All button.
Each device with the Out-of-Date warning will update with the latest version of the firmware.
12V Power source
SPARK MAX
Motor connected to the SPARK MAX
Windows Computer with the REV Hardware Client installed
Data Capable USB C cable
First, connect your SPARK MAX to a computer with the REV Hardware Client installed via a data capable USB C cable. Then selecting it from the list of connected devices.
Verify that the settings are correct for the motor you have attached to your SPARK MAX. Once you have verified the settings and hit "Burn Flash" to save any changes, click on the run tab.
Within the Run Tab you can run one motor with a SPARK MAX. You can control it in many different ways, and change the PIDF algorithm.
Need to run more than one SPARK MAX? If on the same CAN Bus you can run multiple SPARK MAX motor controllers using the Run Multiple function under the Telemetry Tab!
Run Motor: Click this button to run the motor with the selected settings
Mode: Choose the run mode for running your motor. Percent mode is a great starting point for turning a motor on to test a prototype mechanism.
Setpoint: Set the value for running the motor here
PIDF: Adjust your PIDF algorithm here. You can learn more about PIDF in our section on Closed Loop Control
View Graph: Shortcut to the Telemetry Tab to view data about your SPARK MAX
Once your settings have been chosen, click the orange Run Motor button.
When you are done running your motor, press the Stop Motor button.
Connect your SPARK MAX Motor Controller to your computer with a USB C cable.
Open the REV Hardware Client application.
The Client should automatically scan and connect to your SPARK MAX
All SPARK MAX Motor Controllers comes with a USB C to USB A cable.
Additional SPARK MAX devices connected via CAN to the USB Host SPARK MAX are visible when using the latest firmware. For more information see the SPARK MAX User's Manual.
The REV Hardware Client has four tabs to manage different features of the Client. The "Hardware Tab" is where supported hardware devices are managed. The "Utilities Tab" allows for viewing log files collected by the Control Hub or Driver Hub. The "Downloads Tab" allows for the downloading of supported device software for updating when offline. The "About Tab" has information on what devices are supported, updating the REV Hardware Client, and troubleshooting.
Individual devices, like the SPARK MAX, have additional tabs available when the device is selected. For a full overview of the default navigation features of the REV Hardware Client see the User's Manual. Below is more information on using the specific features for the SPARK MAX.
The Hardware Tab is used to select devices connected via USB or the USB to CAN bridge for configuration, updates, and more.
Once a SPARK MAX is selected from the Hardware tab a number of device specific tabs will show.
The Basic Tab is used to set the most common parameters for the SPARK MAX.
Device Identify: Blink the selected SPARK MAX's LED for identification.
CAN ID: This assigns a SPARK MAX a CAN ID for identification over the CAN BUS. Any configured SPARK MAX must have a CAN ID.
Configurations: This drop down allows you to select pre-existing configurations store on the Windows machine running the SPARK MAX Client or to pull the existing parameters stored on in RAM on the SPARK MAX. This is helpful when configuring multiple motor controllers to the same settings.
Configured Parameters: Change the motor type, sensor type, idle mode behavior, and more.
The Advanced Tab allows for changing all configurable parameters of the SPARK MAX without needing to set them in code.
Search Parameters: Allows for easy look up of a specific parameter for editing.
Parameter Table: Select the arrow to show all configurable parameters within a specific group. For more information on each parameter type see Configuration Parameters.
Remember to burn the parameters to flash memory before disconnecting the SPARK MAX
The Run Tab allows for the SPARK MAX to operate over USB or a USB to CAN Bridge without the need for a full control system. This is helpful for testing mechanisms and tuning their control loops.
Run: Choose setpoints to run a motor connected to a SPARK MAX using various modes, including position, velocity, and duty cycle.
PIDF: Update PIDF parameters on the fly to tune control loops on the SPARK MAX.
View Graph: Moves the Client over to the Telemetry Tab to show any added signals in graph form when running a SPARK MAX. This is helpful when tuning control loops.
The Update tab shows what version of firmware is on the selected device, if that device is up to date, and update the firmware of the selected device.
Download Latest Firmware: Downloads latest firmware onto the local machine running the Client.
Update Firmware: Updates the selected device with the latest firmware.
Out-of-date Firmware Warning: Warning to alert the user there is new firmware available for any connected device.
For more information on the firmware updating process see Updating Device Firmware