Power Functions

The ColorDistanceSensor can send infrared signals to control Power Functions infrared receivers. You can use this technique to control medium, large, extra large, and train motors. The infrared range is limited to about 30 cm, depending on the angle and ambient conditions.

../_images/pupdevice-pfmotor.png

Figure 3 Powered Up ColorDistanceSensor (left), Power Functions infrared receiver (middle), and a Power Functions motor (right). Here, the receiver uses channel 1 with a motor on the red port.

../_images/pybricks_variables_set_pf_motor.svg

class PFMotor(sensor, channel, color, positive_direction=Direction.CLOCKWISE)

Control Power Functions motors with the infrared functionality of the ColorDistanceSensor.

Parameters:
  • sensor (ColorDistanceSensor) – Sensor object.

  • channel (int) – Channel number of the receiver: 1, 2, 3, or 4.

  • color (Color) – Color marker on the receiver: Color.BLUE or Color.RED

  • positive_direction (Direction) – Which direction the motor should turn when you give a positive duty cycle value.

../_images/pybricks_blockMotorDuty_PFMotor.svg

awaitdc(duty)

Rotates the motor at a given duty cycle (also known as “power”).

Parameters:

duty (Number, %) – The duty cycle (-100.0 to 100).

../_images/pybricks_blockMotorStop_PFMotor_coast.svg

awaitstop()

Stops the motor and lets it spin freely.

The motor gradually stops due to friction.

../_images/pybricks_blockMotorStop_PFMotor_brake.svg

awaitbrake()

Passively brakes the motor.

The motor stops due to friction, plus the voltage that is generated while the motor is still moving.

Examples

Control a Power Functions motor

from pybricks.pupdevices import ColorDistanceSensor, PFMotor
from pybricks.parameters import Port, Color
from pybricks.tools import wait

# Initialize the sensor.
sensor = ColorDistanceSensor(Port.B)

# Initialize a motor on channel 1, on the red output.
motor = PFMotor(sensor, 1, Color.RED)

# Rotate and then stop.
motor.dc(100)
wait(1000)
motor.stop()
wait(1000)

# Rotate the other way at half speed, and then stop.
motor.dc(-50)
wait(1000)
motor.stop()

Controlling multiple Power Functions motors

from pybricks.pupdevices import ColorDistanceSensor, PFMotor
from pybricks.parameters import Port, Color, Direction
from pybricks.tools import wait

# Initialize the sensor.
sensor = ColorDistanceSensor(Port.B)

# You can use multiple motors on different channels.
arm = PFMotor(sensor, 1, Color.BLUE)
wheel = PFMotor(sensor, 4, Color.RED, Direction.COUNTERCLOCKWISE)

# Accelerate both motors. Only these values are available.
# Other values will be rounded down to the nearest match.
for duty in [15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 100]:
    arm.dc(duty)
    wheel.dc(duty)
    wait(1000)

# To make the signal more reliable, there is a short
# pause between commands. So, they change speed and
# stop at a slightly different time.

# Brake both motors.
arm.brake()
wheel.brake()