io_decoder Project

USB HAL driver for LinuxCNC

View project on GitHub

⚑ Quick Start Guide

Welcome to the io_decoder quick start guide. Follow these steps to get your board up and running in less than 5 minutes.


1. System Requirements

  • OS: Linux with Real-Time kernel.
  • LinuxCNC: Version 2.8 or higher.
  • Hardware: One free USB port.

2. Driver Installation

Open the terminal in the project folder and compile the HAL module.

Create a udev rule to set a unique persistent symlink for the device.


3. HAL Configuration

Add the following lines to your .hal configuration file to integrate the board:

   loadrt io_decoder output=24 input=24
   addf io_decoder.update	servo-thread

4. Testing and Diagnostics

Check that everything is working by launching the LinuxCNC β€˜halshow’ tool:

In the Pins section, look for io_decoder.in.00-0 to see real-time signals (e.g., if you have a button connected to terminal 0 of board 00).


The full manual explains in depth all the configurations and possibilities of this hardware/software system for LinuxCNC.

πŸ”— Useful Resources