PHYSICAL OUTPUT — SETUP + VERIFICATION

Connect and prove the first real Apex servo adapter.

Apex now checks the Windows bridge, ESP32 handshake, COM port and hardware mode, then runs a tiny controlled servo motion test before it records the physical adapter as verified. Use a small unloaded hobby servo only.

WINDOWS BRIDGE + ADAPTER STATUS

Not checked yet

1 · PARTS

First prototype hardware

ESP32 development board Small unloaded hobby servo Regulated 5–6 V servo supply + common ground USB cable from ESP32 to Windows PC

2 · WIRING

Servo bench wiring

ESP32 GPIO 18 → servo signal

Servo + → regulated 5–6 V

Servo ground → supply ground

ESP32 ground → same common ground

Do not power a high-current servo from the ESP32 3.3 V pin.

3 · FIRMWARE

Flash Apex Servo Adapter

Open ApexServoAdapter.ino in Arduino IDE, install the ESP32 board package and ESP32Servo library, then upload. The adapter identifies itself as APEX_SERVO_ADAPTER/1.

Firmware uploaded successfully

4 · AUTOMATIC PHYSICAL VERIFICATION

Tiny servo movement test

Apex will arm the verified ESP32 adapter, command neutral, move only about 4.5° each direction, return to neutral, and disarm. Run this only with a small unloaded servo and nothing attached to the servo horn.

Run the adapter check first. Hardware output stays disarmed until the verification test starts.

5 · TEST ORDER

Close any old v0.1 bridge window.
Start START-APEX-BRIDGE-v0.2.bat.
Connect the flashed ESP32 by USB.
Click Check Local Bridge + ESP32.
Confirm mode hardware, adapter esp32-servo-v1, and a COM port.
Run the controlled servo test above.
Confirm the servo moved slightly both directions and returned to center.
Return to Bench Test and continue the TX16S physical-output test.

READINESS

Finish setup and physical verification before real output

Return to Bench Test Open Hardware Lab