Pedal Sensors
Pedal sensors form part of the Pedal Assist System (PAS) for e-bikes. They read pedal cadence speed and/or torque to determine when and how much motor assistance to provide.
Supported Pedal Sensor Types
| Type Value | Sensor Type | Direction | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Single Hall | Duty cycle directional | Greater than 50% duty cycle is forward |
| 1 | Single Hall | Non-directional | No direction detection |
| 3 | Quadrature Speed & Torque | PFS leads Cruise | Duty cycle 50:50 |
| 4 | Quadrature Speed only | PFS leads Cruise | Duty cycle 50:50 |
| 5 | Axle Torque | Non-directional | Simple torque only (legacy) |
| 6 | Single Hall Inverted | Duty cycle directional | Less than 50% duty cycle is forward |
| 7 | Single Hall and Torque | Logical input directional | Cruise input active is forward |
| 8 | Single Hall and Torque | Non-directional | Combined cadence + torque |
| 9 | Dyname Torque | Non-directional | Refined torque only |
Wiring
Single-Output Pedal Cadence Sensor
Single output sensors typically have 3 wires:
| Wire | Connection |
|---|---|
| Power | 5V or 12V supply |
| GND | Ground |
| Signal | PFS/Digital input 2 |
Single-Output with Direction
Sensors with direction detection have 4 wires:
| Wire | Connection |
|---|---|
| Power | 5V or 12V supply |
| GND | Ground |
| Signal | PFS/Digital input 2 |
| Direction | Cruise/Digital input 1 |
Two-Output Quadrature Sensor
Quadrature speed sensors have 4 wires:
| Wire | Connection |
|---|---|
| Power | 5V or 12V supply |
| GND | Ground |
| Sine Signal | PFS/Digital input 2 |
| Cosine Signal | Cruise/Digital input 1 |
Axle Torque Legacy
The Axle torque (Type 5) is a legacy configuration that only supports the Throttle analog input as a source. All other pedal torque sensor inputs can use any available analog input (Throttle, Brake1, Brake2, ABMS, or remote throttle voltage).
Configuration
Safety Warning
Ensure the vehicle is secured in case the motor engages unexpectedly while manually configuring your pedal sensor.
Configuration Tips
- Make backup copies of your parameter file often
- Set
Control command sourceto 0 / Serial stream to prevent motor from spinning while configuring
Cadence-Only Sensors (Types 0, 1, 4, 6)
Set Sensor Type
Set Pedal sensor type to the appropriate value (0, 1, 4, or 6).
Set Pulses Per Revolution
Enter your Pedal speed sensor pulses per revolution.
Note for Quadrature types:
- Firmware 6.026 and earlier: Sum of both PFS/sine and Cruise/cosine pulses
- Firmware 6.027+: Sum of PFS/Sine pulses only
Set Control Source
Set Control command source to:
- 2 / Pedal Sensor for pedal-only control
- 4 / Throttle OR Pedal Sensor for combined control
Test Operation
Verify:
- No faults present
- Pedaling forward spins the motor
- Stopping pedals or pedaling backwards causes motor to coast
Verify with Average Pedal Speed Test
See the Average Pedal Speed Test section below.
Cadence with Torque Sensors (Types 3, 7, 8)
Set Sensor Type
Set Pedal sensor type to the appropriate value (3, 7, or 8).
Set Pulses Per Revolution
Enter your Pedal speed sensor pulses per revolution.
Set Control Source
Set Control command source to 2 / Pedal Sensor or 4 / Throttle OR Pedal Sensor.
Configure Torque Sensor
- Set
Torque sensor voltage sourceto your analog input - Set
Torque sensor offsetto the resting input voltage - Set
Torque sensor gainusing the actual sensitivity in Nm/V
Test Operation
Verify pedaling forward engages motor and stopping causes coast.
Verify with Average Pedal Speed Test
See the Average Pedal Speed Test section below.
Axle Torque Sensor (Type 5)
With the axle torque sensor connected to Throttle/Analog input 1:
Prevent Accidental Engagement
Set Control command source to 0 / Serial stream.
Enable E-Bike Flag
Enable eBike flag bit 10 under communications configuration vector.
Verify Wiring
Poll throttle voltage and apply load to verify voltage responds to torque input.
Set Sensor Type
Set Pedal sensor type to 5 / Axle torque.
Configure Gains
Set Axle torque sensor 1, Axle torque sensor 2, and Axle torque sensor 3 gains.
Set Power Gain
Set Pedalec power gain to 1 for 1:1 power gain initially.
Enable Control
Set Control command source to Pedal sensor or throttle OR pedal sensor.
Test Torque Response
Add resistance to the wheel (using trainer or brakes) and pedal at constant cadence. Verify average pedal torque increases/decreases with resistance.
Dyname Torque Sensor (Type 9)
Set Sensor Type
Set Pedal sensor type to 9 - Dyname torque sensor.
Set Voltage Source
Set Torque sensor voltage source to your input source.
Set Offset
Set Torque sensor offset to the resting sensor voltage.
Set Filter
Set Torque Sensor Voltage Filter bits (0-15):
- Higher value = More filtering, slower response
- Lower value = Less filtering, faster response
- Averaged time = 2^value in milliseconds
- Example: Value 7 = 2^7 = 128ms averaging
Set Gain
Set Torque sensor gain to calculate the torque.
Set Deadband
Set Pedalec deadband torque below which filtered torque is ignored.
Example: At 28 Nm/V gain, a 10Nm threshold = 10 Nm / 28Nm/V = 0.35V deadband.
Optional Dyname Settings
Rolling Start Enable:
- Enable
Features bit 9rolling start enable - Torque will be disabled below
Rolling start speed - Configure
Dyname rolling start ignore torqueas a threshold to bypass rolling start
Static/Stuck Torque Signal Fault Protection:
- Set
Throttle deadband thresholdto prevent static voltage faults - Set
Torque sensor static voltage fault thresholdfor reset voltage change - Set negative value to disable static faults entirely
- Set
Torque sensor static voltage fault timefor fault trigger duration
Tuning Parameters
Cadence Sensor Tuning
| Parameter | Effect | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Pedalec positive motoring torque ramp | Controls assist buildup speed | Increase for softer feel |
| Pedalec negative motoring torque ramp | Controls assist decay speed | Application-dependent |
| Pedal speed map end | RPM for 100% assist | Increase for softer feel |
| Pedal speed map offset | Assist at 0 RPM | 0 for no assist at standstill |
| Pedal sense delay | Pulses before assist starts | Increase to reduce sensitivity |
| Assist cut out distance | Distance-based timeout calculation | For speed-dependent cutout |
| Pedalec minimum timeout | Minimum time before negative ramp | Prevents too-quick cutout |
| Pedalec maximum timeout | Maximum time before negative ramp | Limits coast time |
Softening bike feel: Increase Pedal speed map end and Pedalec positive motoring torque ramp from defaults (64 RPM and 200 ms).
More responsive feel: Decrease these values.
Pedal Speed Map Offset
- Value > 0: Provides assist at 0 RPM when pedals are active
- Value < 0: Requires positive RPM before assist begins
- Value > 1: Assist request becomes 0% above Pedal speed map end
Torque Sensor Tuning
| Parameter | Effect | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Pedalec power gain | Master feel adjustment | Higher = brisker assist arrival |
| Pedalec torque symmetry | Torque averaging method | 0 for smoothest (single-sided sensors) |
| Pedalec deadband torque | Minimum torque before assist | Reduce sensitivity to noise |
| Pedalec initial torque | Initial power on pedal start | Start at 0, increase if needed |
Pedalec Power Gain Calculation
Torque assist request [%] = 100% × Average pedal torque [Nm] × Pedalec power gain / 64 Nm
| Pedalec Power Gain | Full Assist (100%) at |
|---|---|
| 0.5 | 128 Nm |
| 1.0 | 64 Nm |
| 2.0 | 32 Nm |
Pedalec Torque Symmetry Options
| Value | Mode | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | One cycle | Smoothest, single-sided sensors |
| 1 | Half cycle | Moderate responsiveness |
| 2 | Quarter cycle | Faster response |
| 3 | Instantaneous | Throttle-like feel |
Average Pedal Speed Test
To verify pedal sensor configuration:
- Operate pedals in the forward direction
- Examine
average pedal speedparameter value
| Result | Meaning | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Positive when forward, negative when backward | Correct wiring | Configuration complete |
| Values reversed | Wires swapped | Swap PFS/Digital input 2 and Cruise/Digital input 1 wires |
| Erratic at constant cadence | Wiring issue | Check all connections |
Troubleshooting
No Motor Assist When Pedaling
Check Wiring:
- Single output: Power + GND + PFS/Digital input 2
- Dual output: Add Cruise/Digital input 1 for cosine signal
Check Input Signals:
- Single output: Verify
digital inputs bit 3(Pedal First input) toggles 0↔1 - Dual output: Verify both
bit 3andbit 4(Cruise) toggle independently
Check Signal Voltage:
- Scope the sensor signals
- Compare against input specifications in Connector Interface
- Example issue: 1.3V/3.7V output when BAC 855 requires 4V digital low threshold
Check Motor Power Settings:
Rated motor power (Race mode PAS power)must be filled inRated motor power (Street mode PAS power)if using alternate power mode
Check Brake/Cutout:
eBike flags bit 1(Cutout enabled) prevents motor engagement- Usually coupled with
eBike flags bit 0(Brake enabled)
Solutions:
- Disconnect brakes if pulling voltage out of range
- Set
Cutoff brake sensor sourceout of range - Verify chosen source voltage is above
Analogue brake full voltage
Motor Engages When Pedaling Backwards Only
The controller may be interpreting forward cadence as reverse direction.
Solution: Switch pedal sensor type:
- From Single Hall (0) to Single Hall Reverse (6)
- Or vice versa
E-Bike Flag Not Set
Enable communications configuration vector bit 10 (Enable Ebike) to enable pedal sensors.
Key Parameters Reference
| Address | Parameter | Function |
|---|---|---|
| 175 | Pedal sensor type | Sensor type selection (0-9) |
| 176 | Pedal speed sensor pulses per revolution | Pulses per pedal rotation |
| 177 | Pedal sense delay | Pulses before assist starts |
| 178 | Pedal speed map end | RPM for 100% assist |
| 179 | Pedal speed map offset | Assist at 0 RPM |
| 180 | Pedalec positive motoring torque ramp | Assist ramp-up time (ms) |
| 181 | Pedalec negative motoring torque ramp | Assist ramp-down time (ms) |
| 182 | Torque sensor voltage source | Analog input selection |
| 183 | Torque sensor offset | Resting voltage (V) |
| 184 | Torque sensor gain | Sensitivity (Nm/V) |
| 185 | Pedalec power gain | Master torque multiplier |
| 186 | Pedalec torque symmetry | Averaging mode (0-3) |
| 187 | Pedalec deadband torque | Minimum torque threshold (Nm) |
| 188 | Pedalec initial torque | Initial assist boost |
| 189 | Assist cut out distance | Distance-based timeout |
| 190 | Pedalec minimum timeout | Minimum cutout delay (ms) |
| 191 | Pedalec maximum timeout | Maximum cutout delay (ms) |
Next Steps
- Configure Features for assist levels
- Review Motor Setup for proper motor configuration
- Set up Protection Systems for safe operation