Specifying the frequency of AnalogWrite() for motor control on RP Pico

Not my area of expertise, but I would first see if Bill has any YT videos about that, if he doesn't then a search in the library manager would be my next step followed by a simple google search. Good luck.

Here is Bill's video https://dronebotworkshop.com/tb6612fng-h-bridge/

@redi45

Have you considered using the pio of the pico for counting encoder pulses.  The assembler code can be run with mp.  Not that I've done this so I wont be much help in this, but it should be doable and I would love to see some good examples of using pio (and I confess this suggestion would be to use you as a guinea pig 😎).  I have also read about counting pulses using PMW, but again I've no idea, and I just made a mental note of this possibility.   

And another aside is the doc I link to below regarding reading encoders with micropython in case you've not perused it. 

https://github.com/peterhinch/micropython-samples/blob/master/encoders/ENCODERS.md

Of particular note in this doc maybe:

1. encoder_rp2.py Version specific to Raspberry Pico RP2 chip. This uses the PIO and Viper code to achieve fast response - upto ~10K transitions/s.

I will have to leave it for others to comment on the setting of the frequency in C++

Have fun.

@byron @redi45 I think using the Sparkfun library like Bill did eliminates the need for any of that. Check out the article at https://dronebotworkshop.com/tb6612fng-h-bridge/ Look at the 2nd sketch.

Posted by: @zander

I think using the Sparkfun library like Bill did eliminates the need for any of that.

It probably does, but it depends on whether @redi45 may prefer to use micropython as its more familiar  or if the wish is to delve more deeply in C++ .  It appears that the latency of micropython interrupts was a possible stumbling block, hence my suggestions for fast read of encoder pulses within micropython 

@byron Not knowing anything python I wanted to point out that even C++ knowledge isn't really needed. Hopefully he will look at Bill's example to determine if it does what he needs.

@zander 

Great Video. However, it doesn't speak to the issue of frequency.

Thank you @zander!

@redi45 Because it's built into the library I bet.

@redi45 Instead of speculating, run the sketch and see if it works for you.

@byron 

O!

I'll have ta check it out! squeek squeek(guinea pig sound)

@redi45 @byron I just looked at the library code and do NOT see any manipulation of the PWM pin other than level. That doesn't sound right but as I said I am not an expert. Maybe it's time I bought that robot kit I have been looking at. Perhaps directing the OP question towards Bill will yield a gem.

Posted by: @redi45

I'll have ta check it out! squeek squeek(guinea pig sound)

I had a look at the doc I linked to.  I had it bookmarked but now just had a good read of it.  A very impressive and knowledgeable write up of the subject matter I must say.   Plus I now see the example program for the rpi pico does all the pio stuff so you may not have to squeek too loud to get it all working. 😀 

Depending on the diameter of your wheels and the encoder pulse frequency my quick and dirty calc (and probably wrong) indicated your small bot would have to be travelling at twice the speed of sound before the counter maxed out.   Is it a bird, is it a plane, no its a redi45 superbot breaking the sound barrier (with a very loud squeek 😎)

@redi45 Here is a link that covers it all. Unless you have a specific need to go deeper, just hooking up a pot to a PWM pin does all the work. The code involving PRE-SCALARS etc is all inside the arduino.

I suggest using Bill's sketch as a start and then maybe move on to learning the underlying hardware and assembler language (the hardest) to roll your own if you have spare time, meanwhile you have a working car while you either do or don't learn the hardware and low level programming techniques just for chuckles.

https://docs.arduino.cc/tutorials/generic/secrets-of-arduino-pwm