Chief Delphi - Wireless Networks at Competitions

Quote:

Originally Posted by UndergroundVoid (Post 752862)

I'm surprised in the no fate it technology and programming here. This is a guess but they might do a lock out system where once a robot is connected and confirms by some code them it will block out all other possible connection attempts. kinda how when you sync up you blue tooth phone to a computer it give you a pass key for confirmation.

That would make sense because of how secure and reliable it would be.

Quote:

Originally Posted by UndergroundVoid (Post 752862)

As for pit wireless, come on people suck it up and just use a Ethernet cable for programming because:
1. You have nothing to lose.
2. You stay out of trouble in the long run.
3. Your programming should have been completed during build season and only should require tweaking.
4. What internet service are you going to be broadcasting out.
So in the long run people just bring a cable and stop trying to be lazy, we have gotten this far with daisy chains of serial cables, so why not buy a 2 foot Ethernet cable for the pit and a 30 foot for the practice field which together would cost less than 15 dollars.

I agree that programmers should stick to ethernet cables to program in the pits because if everyone starts to wirelessly program, then you'll start interfering with everyone else's programs.

So I agree with #1 and #2.
#3-Issues always come up as you start running your robot in competitions. You might want to adjust an angle here or there because the field isn't the same, you might want to give the robot more or less sensitivity, fine tune the hybrid, etc. Either way, the point is that even if your program is complete, you will still want to make it better.
#4-You have a point on the programming and robot side. But the main issue at hand here is the scouting systems. We are all getting tired of using binders full of paper to do our scouting. So our solution is to make them computerized. Some have come up with solutions to do this without going wirelessly, but the easiest way we are all finding is to go wirelessly. That's why we are wanting to have networks.

Also, the intention is not to broadcast the internet. If they want that, then they can wait to get to the hotel, or find a hot spot. The only thing we would broadcast is a server for our scouting systems to communicate with (or for a website if that's how the system works)

Quote:

Originally Posted by UndergroundVoid (Post 752862)

So the real question is not that is it allowed but do you really need it and why a debate over a nonexistent rule? I get the impression here that people want to do things just because they are lazy but yet fear it since they don't trust the technology and programming.

It may be a nonexistent rule now, but the Scouts have a motto- Be Prepared. We debate this now so when it does happen, we have ideas and solutions to work with.

You're an engineer, so you should know well about this. People always advance technology to make life more convenient, easier, and faster. Programmers want to be able to program wirelessly for the same reasons.

To give you a better idea of why this is a good wish, I'll tell you about our programmers from this year.
On our practice field, we have built a wall, a scale wall from the 2007 game. We used it again this year, and will use it again next year because it has a spot for a computer or two and the control boards. We also put up tables so the programmers cane work with the sensors up close. So, when they want to program, they have to run around the entire setup to plug it in and unplug it. I was helping them out for a day or two and watched how they threw the cable over the top of the wall, then ran around it just to plug it in. Overall, it took them about 5 minutes to download their program because they had to run around all the time to program. The wireless capability in programming will end up saving them tons of time next year and make them more efficient.

Quote:

Originally Posted by UndergroundVoid (Post 752862)

This goes back it to the old fashion "what if this, what if that" but you will never know till it happens yet you can always dream.
Please people think before writing and consider all the possibilities and outcomes and do some research in the technology in this field you may be surprised on what you may find.

And that bring us back to the BSA motto-Be Prepared. Look at everything that can go wrong and everything that can go right. You are right about you will never know until it happens, but you can always prepare for when it happens.

You can always dream, but don't forget, most things start with a dream.

I agree with think before posting, it's something that everyone needs to do.

I agree with the last part of your post. This thread is to figure out ways to keep wireless networks and/or methods of wirelessly scouting at competitions legally. Your request is another way we need to look at it.