CMD-standalone controllers are HID devices and is USB 2.0 compliant. The The controllers have a built-in USB hub that allows it to connect to the motion core, and to select top boards.


All USB communication to the motion core is done using an ASCII command protocol using a DLL API.

There are 2 versions of the USB DLL.

  • v1.0 only works with firmware version 1.0.0 - 3.03.9
    • Uses the HID protocol to communicate with the Commander board.
    • Available for Windows x64 and x86 platforms.
  • v2.0 works with firmware version 3.05.0 and later. It is fully backwards compatible with v1.0.
    • Uses a custom protocol to communicate with the Commander board. This allows for faster communication and more features.
    • Available for Windows x64 and x86 platforms, and Linux platforms.
    • Requires a driver installation on Windows.


The data lines have ESD protection. USB does not power the board: logic power must be applied for USB communication.


More information about the Commander USB communication is available in the USB Communication API section of the Commander Theory of Operation manual.