PSoC Applications
 

We just started looking into the PSoC FirstTouch Started Kit that was included with the kit of parts, but we were wondering, is there any real application for this device? I saw one video on Youtube of a team that had used it as a controller for their robot but that was as far as applications went. Documentation is also pretty sparse and I cant find anything relating this device to FIRST. Does anyone have a clue what it does or what it can do?

Re: PSoC Applications
 

The PSoC is really meant to allow your team to design their own controller. You could have a panel of lit buttons for I/O so you can specify individual commands! That's just a little of what it can do ;)

Re: PSoC Applications
 

The main advantage of using the Cypress PSoC from our teams perspective is that it offers the ability to use digital outputs rather than just inputs. The alternatives that I'm aware of (Arduino, hacking gamepads, etc.) are all built on emulation of a USB joystick, which results in an input-only proposition. Another advantage of the Cypress is that it (via the WPIlib Enhanced I/O capabilities) natively support encoder inputs. That inherent support seals the deal for us. We've used it in 2010, 2012 and 2014 and have never suffered from the issues that other teams have reported. Once the correct firmware is installed (a process described in other Chief Delphi posts) it's as reliable as any other input device.

We use the digital outputs on our operator console to control status/ready LEDs so that the operator doesn't have to look over at the laptop display. We also use an encoder with a nice big knob recycled from a Fanuc CNC mill to "tweak" our shooter angle (coarse settings are accomplished via preset buttons). We've found this to be a much easier to use than a potentiometer. We use the other digital inputs to handle 11 buttons on the operation console. We've really maxxed the thing out. There are lots of other capabilities of the Cypress as well, but it's hard to imagine how they might be used in an FRC context.

BTW, the only thing that makes using it feasible is the Cypress Carrier Board from AndyMark. Also highly recommend that you use the enclosure they sell along with it unless you have some other way of protecting it on the Driver Station. Hope that helps...

Re: PSoC Applications
 

While the PSoC undoubtedly has some advantages to other boards/joysticks, we've always had problems installing the firmware. I would suggest using the eStop Robotics Custom Control Interface, available for only $40. It has no firmware to install, you just connect it to your clamshell via USB and add buttons, switches, etc. It reads as a simple joystick in code. We've used the CCI for the past 3 years, and have yet to encounter a failure.