Re: FRC Blog - Behind the Scenes at IRI
 

It would be nice for FIRST to be early adopters of 802.11AD since it utilized a 60GHz frequency. Less interruptions and interference, huge bandwidth (why it's called WiGig) and due to the nature of 60GHz antenna modules vs 2.4GHz antenna modules, the same size package can have far more antennas per module on the order of 32 vs 1. Additionally, there are benefits with efficiency and power consumption. Unfortunately 60GHz reflects rather than penetrates most surfaces so this does affect connection, but from previous network setups at competition, I doubt that would be a huge issue.

Source http://www.networkworld.com/article/...i-picture.html

Re: FRC Blog - Behind the Scenes at IRI
 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1i-dnAH9Y4

Here's a little something to get you started.

Re: FRC Blog - Behind the Scenes at IRI
 

Pretty sure this radio is a hair smaller though, FWIW.

Re: FRC Blog - Behind the Scenes at IRI
 

I don't know why but it just occurred to me that these new APs have a lesser number of ethernet ports on them. Not necessarily a problem but could facilitate adding a switch for some teams. Just a thought.

Re: FRC Blog - Behind the Scenes at IRI
 

This includes plastics too...

The radio shown is very small, about 1/4 the footprint of the current radio. It is available with or without the dual band capability. Currently FRC is using the 5 GHz band for competition. The radios tested at IRI did have a POE marking on the jack although I would expect that feature would not be used if this radio will be used. In watching mounting the radio on the various robots, the current general rules for radio mounting still applies. That is high on the robot, away from surrounding metal objects and local interference devices like open frame motors. It does have a 12 volt input. The antennas are mounted on the sides of the radio so conventional wisdom would be to mount horizontally to maximize coverage and to keep objects away from the sides. Robot rules about keeping the LEDs visible should still apply.

Re: FRC Blog - Behind the Scenes at IRI
 

I would think we'll still be using a barrel jack. There would be minimal benefit to using PoE in FRC, especially considering there's only one or two ethernet cables in the entire robot.

Re: FRC Blog - Behind the Scenes at IRI
 

I didn't realize how small this was when I first saw the picture with the goat. I am pleased.

Re: FRC Blog - Behind the Scenes at IRI
 

That would be ideal for next season's game: http://tinyurl.com/frc2016

Could we re-schedule IRI for June 20th?

Re: FRC Blog - Behind the Scenes at IRI
 

Take FRC back to the Stone Age? Pity teams who have to queue up and place robots like this on the field. Pity volunteers if these are the field elements.

Replace software development with ritual chanting. Replace auton with waiting for sunrise.

Re: FRC Blog - Behind the Scenes at IRI
 

I think I'm more excited to see stonehenge than I am to watch another round of recycle rush though...

Re: FRC Blog - Behind the Scenes at IRI
 

We are in a revolution of automation and mechatronics. Learn it , embrace it. It is your future.

Re: FRC Blog - Behind the Scenes at IRI
 

Re: FRC Blog - Behind the Scenes at IRI
 

You have 100ms to knock down as many stones as possible and then thousands of years to wait for the score. :yikes:

What was this thread about? Ohh yeah, IRI and the new wireless widgets.

Anyone have experience with putting an ethernet switch on the robot. Is it legal? I recognize that we use more ethernet ports than the average team but just curious.

Re: FRC Blog - Behind the Scenes at IRI
 

Per the current rules, the roboRIO must be directly connected to the radio, but I can't find anything that disallows a switch on the robot for other devices. With the VRM, its definitely much easier to get power to a switch then the old control system.

Re: FRC Blog - Behind the Scenes at IRI
 

In the 2015 rules, this would be covered by R48:
Note that R47 specifies that the roboRIO be connected directly to the bridge (or through an Ethernet pigtail), and that all applicable power rules be followed (R32 comes to mind)- if it's a powered switch you would probably want to supply it with regulated voltage, and odds are it would want 5V.