2007 vs 2006 controller

[psh]

What is the difference between the 06 and 07 controller? As far as I can tell it is the same hardware, but the Readme for the 2007 code has this curious comment in it:

1/08/2007
- Added FRC_MASTER_V13.BIN to zip file
- This version will work with the new modems. Previous versions will
- not allow the new modems to be hot swapable.

I presume this means the master code for the 06 and 07 are effectively the same given the above caveat. If this is correct, how can I upgrade the master firmware? I am under the impression that the IFI loader's interaction primarily replaces the code in the Slave processor.

Thanks for your help,

>Per

[Joe Ross]

If this is correct, how can I upgrade the master firmware? I am under the impression that the IFI loader's interaction primarily replaces the code in the Slave processor.

If you load the master firmware bin through the ifi loader, it will flash the master processor.

[Jim E]

Have I missed something here? Where can this new .bin file be located?

This seems like an important note that many teams would miss. I'm assuming the shipped KOP controller already contains this file, correct?

[gnirts]

If you load the master firmware bin through the ifi loader, it will flash the master processor.

Have I missed something here? Where can this new .bin file be located?

Right here (http://ifirobotics.com/docs/frc-code-2007-8722.zip):

- Added FRC_MASTER_V13.BIN to zip file

Good luck,

Robinson Levin

[eugenebrooks]

What is the difference between the 06 and 07 controller? As far as I can tell it is the same hardware, but the Readme for the 2007 code his curious comment in it:

1/08/2007
- Added FRC_MASTER_V13.BIN to zip file
- This version will work with the new modems. Previous versions will
- not allow the new modems to be hot swapable.

I presume this means the master code for the 06 and 07 are effectively the same given the above caveat. If this is correct, how can I upgrade the master firmware? I am under the impression that the IFI loader's interaction primarily replaces the code in the Slave processor.

Thanks for your help,

>Per

The version number of the master code for the 2006 season
was 12. It was something that was checked during inspection,
the version number appears briefly on the OI display upon
startup. Version 13 must be an update for the 2007 season.

[psh]

Thanks for your help! When we entered the 2006 season we upgraded one of our 2005 controllers. If you recall, this required the box to be sent out since the processor was changed. This year we wondered if we would be able to salvage both of our 2006 controllers going forward, since the hardware appeared to be the same.

This is good news since it would give us three controllers to work with.

>Per

[mtaman02]

Yeah the only difference between one one years controller setup and anothers is the Software and sometimes Hardware contained within.

[finni]

upgraded one of our 2005 controllers. If you recall, this required the box to be sent out since the processor was changed.

does any one know if it is still possible to sent out the '04 or '05 controler to besent out to get upgraded to the new chip

[mtaman02]

I'm pretty sure all controllers can be sent back to be upgraded, If all else fails go to IFI's website and ask this question on their forum =).

[Gary Dillard]

I see that all the posts in this thread were prior to the firmware changes later in the season, so I would like an update to this question.

We fried something in the telemetry circuit last year; the controller works fine on tether but won't communicate on radio. During eliminations at regionals we had to borrow an RC from IFI, as noted in this post (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?p=594872#post594872). For fall off-season competitions and projects we plan to use our 2006 controller. Here's the question: do I need to do anything other than download our code for the 2007 robot to this controller in order for it to work with the 2007 modem?

If yes, can you point me toward instructions that a controls poser like me can understand? Thanks.

[Cuog]

I don't work for IFI so no promises here ;) but I believe the Hardware in the 06 is the same as the 07, all you should have to do is run the latest .bin file in ifiloader, load that onto the controller then follow the instructions it will pop up and download the User code and you should be good to go.

[AdamHeard]

What about using the 2005 controller. We want to use it in our prototype robot.

I remember there were some differences in programming for it (settings in MPlab?) but it has been so long.

[Cuog]

I don't think that you can use the 2005 controller as it has a different internal PIC and likely cannot run the new mastercode.(Thats something that you will need to contact IFI about)

[AdamHeard]

I don't think that you can use the 2005 controller as it has a different internal PIC and likely cannot run the new mastercode.(Thats something that you will need to contact IFI about)

It's an offseason event so the only interface w/ the field will be enable/disable and autonomous... and the pinout hasn't changed i believe.

So, if I just get the 2005 code from Kevin Watson's site, It'll work fine right?

(I remember a setting that had to be changed in Mplab from 05 to 06 though... was that bc of the new PIC?).

[Cuog]

Yes you will need to follow the settings how to for the older controller because of the PIC

[Alan Anderson]

I don't think that you can use the 2005 controller as it has a different internal PIC and likely cannot run the new mastercode.(Thats something that you will need to contact IFI about)

The 2006/2007 RC has a different user processor, but I'm pretty sure the master processor is identical to the one in the 2004/2005 RC. The newest master code ought to work in any [post-2003] controller.

[Gary Dillard]

This should probably be in the controls section rather than software, but since all the background is here I'll continue the thread. Let me throw out the what's and see if anyone bites on the why's:

1) Per my earlier notes, we fried the radio connection inside our 2007 RC during competition last year. Don't know what else we fried in the telemetry system. However, somewhere along the line 3 of the 4 screws that hold the modem case together (including the 2 that hold the serial connector in place) departed the case (which is why we originally suspected that the modem was the problem).

2) Last Friday I downloaded our '07 user code to the '06 controller, without making any mods to the firmware. I then hooked up the '07 modem and got signal. We were able to control the robot fine (within a few feet while testing)

3) During Mission Mayhem we lost telemetry intermittently. Between matches I downloaded the firmware update (new .bin file). When we went out for the next match we had no data/radio connection. Heres the diagnostic problem - I think we saw intermittent indicator lights that showed a connection when we wiggled the modem connector, but I'm not sure (that would obviously make a big difference in what the problem is) We changed out the radio with a loaner and everything worked fine after that.

4) Not important to this but amusing to note - during a subsequent match we went out and had no signal. After beating on everything for several minutes someone noticed that we had an OI modem on the robot - apparently when we did some changeouts in the pits someone grabbed the wrong part. Obviously putting the RC modem on fixed that problem.

So, my questions:

a) Why would the firmware update make us lose signal, or did it?
b) Should I load the previous .bin file and see if we get signal again? Where can I get it - I don't think we have it? Is that the 2006 code on the IFI website under legacy documents?
c) Will the '06 radio and modem work with the new firmware?

We have a demo at the school open house in a week, so we need to get telemetry established again (I sent the loaner radio back to SC with Billfred). Thanks

[Joe Ross]

We have run with the '06 modems and the latest firmware.