Analog and digital input question

[Robby]

I know that the FRC controller must be present on the robot and control radio communications etc., but is there anything in the rules that says that sensors need to be connected to the FRC controller? or can they be connected to another board?

For example, if I wanted to use a gyro and accelerometer, would I need to connect them to the FRC controller and then relay data to the other board?, or can I hook them up to the other board directly?

In addition, I would assume that the camera would be considered pretty much the same as any other sensor, but just to make sure, would it be legal to directly interface the camera with another board?

In all cases the FRC controller would be handling all radio communications and controlling all pwm/relay outputs.

Thanks,
--Robby

[gburlison]

I know that the FRC controller must be present on the robot and control radio communications etc., but is there anything in the rules that says that sensors need to be connected to the FRC controller? or can they be connected to another board?

For example, if I wanted to use a gyro and accelerometer, would I need to connect them to the FRC controller and then relay data to the other board?, or can I hook them up to the other board directly?

In addition, I would assume that the camera would be considered pretty much the same as any other sensor, but just to make sure, would it be legal to directly interface the camera with another board?

In all cases the FRC controller would be handling all radio communications and controlling all pwm/relay outputs.

Thanks,
--Robby

The way I see the rules, the sensors are part of the custom electronics and can be connected to any other custom electronics before the signal gets to the FRC controller. The generic rule is that only the FRC controller can control the outputs.

[Ricky Q.]

From a mentor to a student on my team :)

According the Robot section of the 2005 Rules, you can connect allowed electronics to the inputs of custom circuits and then the custom circuits to the RC.

So yes and yes.

See Page 17 of http://www2.usfirst.org/2005comp/Section_5-The_Robot_rev_B.pdf

[kevinw]

Yes. In fact, we had sensors connected directly to our custom electronics board this year.

[Andrew Schuetze]

Yes. In fact, we had sensors connected directly to our custom electronics board this year.

I am curious. What was the purpose of your custom electronics board? Our team is still developing a programming and electonics team and have mostly done a job of plug and play each year.

Thanks,

APS

[Al Skierkiewicz]

It is likely better to handle multiple sensor inputs on a custom circuit board since you can use a faster processor and more RAM to process a command set to send to the RC. We have used a custom circuit ever since they were allowed. We have used inputs from current sensors, wheel rotation sensors, gyros, microswitches, etc. to feed the CC. As long as the CC and sensors don't directly control the power feeding motors (see the robot rules for CC and sensors) you are open to develope alsmost anything.

[kevinw]

I am curious. What was the purpose of your custom electronics board? Our team is still developing a programming and electonics team and have mostly done a job of plug and play each year.

Thanks,

APS

Our custom electronics board was used to calculate our heading and distance travelled. In this manner, we were able to tell where we were on the field, and where we were headed in autonomous.

We also used the board to load autonomous scripts which not only controlled the robot, but also sent arm commands to the FRC during autonomous.

[Robby]

Our custom electronics board was used to calculate our heading and distance travelled. In this manner, we were able to tell where we were on the field, and where we were headed in autonomous.

We also used the board to load autonomous scripts which not only controlled the robot, but also sent arm commands to the FRC during autonomous.

Well, it will do positioning in autonomous, but I also have some other interesting plans that I would rather be a surprise. I'm hoping I find time to get it all working before IRI.