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QUBE-Servo 3

A compact introduction to modeling, sensing, and feedback.

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Rotary servo · inverted pendulum

What the system does

A direct-drive DC motor accepts either an inertia disk or a rotary pendulum attachment. The disk experiment is a single-input, single-output (SISO) position-control problem. With the pendulum attached, one motor must regulate two measured angles: an underactuated system.

Inputs & outputs

One motor-voltage command; disk angle for servo control, or arm and pendulum angles for pendulum experiments.

QUBE-Servo 3 product photograph supplied by Quanser
Product photograph and technical source: Quanser QUBE-Servo 3 ↗

Inside the experiment

ComponentRole in the system
ActuationOne brushed DC motor drives the disk or pendulum arm.
SensingOptical encoders measure motor-shaft and pendulum angles.
InterfaceIntegrated data acquisition and amplifier; USB connection to the host.
SoftwareMATLAB/Simulink with QUARC; Python through supported Quanser libraries.
Annotated QUBE-Servo 3 figure showing the motor, inertia disk, pendulum, interface, and stop button
QUBE-Servo 3 components. Figure reproduced from AVRC’s laboratory equipment report. View full-size figure · Manufacturer documentation

Build understanding through evidence

Suggested AVRC learning activities. Use the linked manufacturer procedure and the instructor’s approved setup for the actual experiment.

A practical learning sequence

  1. Identify the motor command and encoder channels before running the supplied instrumentation example.
  2. Estimate a motor model from a limited, instructor-approved input; compare predicted and measured response.
  3. Compare tracking and control effort for two controller settings. Progress to pendulum balancing only after completing the servo exercises.

Teaching, outreach & research

  • Teaching: connect DC motor models, transient response, and feedback design.
  • Outreach: demonstrate why feedback corrects a disturbed position.
  • Research question: how do saturation, friction, or sampling affect tracking and pendulum balance?

Go directly to the source

Official manuals and resources may have their own licensing or sign-in requirements. Use material for the exact platform generation and software release.

MATLAB, Python & QLabs setupTechnical video libraryResearch reading & examples

Prepare before operating.

Complete lab orientation and platform-specific training. Coordinate the experiment with the AVRC team in B20, Mackey Building.

Safety & access

All equipment · Faculty course integration