Line sensor

[mikets]

Is it legal to use the Line Sensor Array from MindSensors.com and hook it up to the I2C port?

http://www.mindsensors.com/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=111

[Alan Anderson]

Is it legal to use the Line Sensor Array from MindSensors.com and hook it up to the I2C port?

What rule do you think might prohibit it?

[mikets]

Don't know. That's why I asked.

[Alan Anderson]

This is going to sound harsh, but I think it's warranted. If you don't know the rules, you shouldn't be designing a robot.

[EricH]

The relevant rule is <R62>, the sensor input rule. I don't see anything in there that would prohibit this, but I encourage you to look at it just to make sure I'm not missing anything.

<R62> All outputs from sensors, custom circuits and additional electronics shall connect to only the following:
A. other custom circuits, or
B. additional COTS electronics, or
C. input ports on the Digital Sidecar, or
D. input ports on the Analog Breakout, or
E. the RS-232 DB-9 RS-232 port on the cRIO-FRC, or
F. the Ethernet network connected to either Port 1 or Port 2 of the cRIO-FRC, or
G. the CAN-bus if and only if all Jaguar speed controllers on the CAN-bus are wired in full compliance with Rule <R58> and Rule <R59>, or
H. the sensor inputs on the Jaguar speed controller.
Custom circuits and additional electronics are allowed to utilize the Port 2 Ethernet bus and/or the CAN-bus to communicate between devices. Note however, that the ROBOT must be controlled by the cRIO-FRC (see Rule <R49>). Thus, any additional devices on the Ethernet or CAN-bus must not provide command signals that do not originate from the cRIO-FRC It is our intent to incrementally open access to the full control system technologies in a controlled manner that reduces the risk of “unanticipated surprises” as we gain experience with the system.

[mikets]

I did read through the rules and can't find anything indicating they are not allowed. It basically said anything COTS should be fine except for the budget rule. But I may miss some fine print and/or not interpreting the rules correctly. That's why I ask. In addition, I was also involved in FTC and FTC has strict rules on what sensors are allowed. So I just want to make sure it is allowed in FRC.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Mike,
Are you asking if it possible to connect this device to an NXT brick or are you asking if you can interface it to the CAN buss and use it for robot control?
Under the Team Update #1 issued last night, this appears to be an NXT sensor so you can use it for that.
As to interfacing to the CAN buss, that might be a more daunting task and the rules outlined by Eric above apply as well as other electrical rules for power and wiring size.

[mikets]

No, not the CAN bus. I believe the digital sidecar of the cRIO has an I2C port that is compatible with NXT sensors. I am thinking of using that. I know another team in some previous year successfully hooked a NXT compass sensor to it. So I know it is possible. However, we may have to write some I2C code to access the sensor.