Re: cRIO FRC2
 

Bill says he was told sometime in the fall, otherwise than that I do not know.

Re: cRIO FRC2
 

I just wanted to correct myself here, as I did go and talk to an NI rep on Saturday after I posted this just to get it straight from the horses mouth. The differences we'll for those who don't want to read the specs are basically the smaller form factor, a smaller 2-pin power cable instead of that 4-pin we've been using, we lose the second network port and the DIP switches, more memory and flash, and a new chipset, which, while not exactly more powerful will still be faster than the old one

Re: cRIO FRC2
 

According to the FRC Live session it's a newer processor (Freescale 5125), but still at the same 400MHz clockspeed. Someone would probably have to go digging through manuals to find if there's any kind of performance benefit, i.e. between the ISAs.

--Ryan

Re: cRIO FRC2
 

They removed the physical DIP switches and one Ethernet connector. That cuts down on the number of places debris can find its way inside, and apparently a lot of teams have been breaking switches by using inappropriate tools (e.g. a large screwdriver) to flip them. The equivalent of "virtual DIP switches" can be set using software (the MAX tool, I think). Holding down the reset button for the right time will boot the cRIO in safe mode.

The FPGA is a newer one with the possibility of DSP features being used.

The power connector is the same size, but it only has two pins instead of four. The new cRIO will function down to 9 volts (the old one dropped out at 19), so prototyping and development power options are less limited.

The types of modules supported in each slot is still defined by the FPGA image. The fourth slot isn't yet set; they'll be using team input such as results from the Kit of Parts survey to decide what to do with it.

It sounded like teams are eligible this fall to buy both a full system (~$550) and a bare chassis (~$300).

Re: cRIO FRC2
 

must be soon; they already had 2 samples at the NI area in the pits.

I wonder if the crio will be wired like the old IFI controllers with a 20A run from the distribution board or if the 24v connector will continue to be used.

I like the new 2c connector and the wire shell it provides. that is a nice feature since the existing 4c connectors tend to lose their wires a lot.

Re: cRIO FRC2
 

The FPGA in the cRIO-FRC2 is the same Xilinx Spartan 6 LX45 that is in the cRIO-9076.

-Joe

Re: cRIO FRC2
 

You should still connect it to the 24V connector for competition so you are taking advantage of the regulation on the PD that will keep your cRIO operating even if the battery drops to 5V.

Re: cRIO FRC2
 

Bigger cache and higher memory bandwidth.

Re: cRIO FRC2
 

Since the photo posted earlier in the thread is now a broken link, here's another photo of the cRio FRC2:

Re: cRIO FRC2
 

One more pair of factoids: the mounting holes through the base are smaller, and there are only two holes at the end of the chassis instead of three.

Re: cRIO FRC2
 

So in other words if our team has one compact rio now we could, for 850 dollars have 3 chassis (1 old, 2 new) with one of each of the 3 modules if what you believe you heard was correct.

Re: cRIO FRC2
 

The bare chassis alone will cost $300; the bare chassis with the Analog Breakout, Digital Sidecar, and Solenoid Breakout modules will cost $550.

I personally doubt that you will be able to purchase both packages for the lump sum of $850 because it is likely that some sort of discount for the first purchase of the year will be instituted, and then a full price will be charged for all the other purchases (as has been the system with cRIOs for the past 2 years).

Re: cRIO FRC2
 

It was mentioned at FRC Live that the bare chassis would be considered an "upgrade" cRIO, whereas the full chassis with modules would be an "extra" cRIO. Thus, for the first year they are available, a team would be able to purchase both one upgrade and one extra for a total of $850.

Re: cRIO FRC2
 

After speaking with one of the NI Reps at the Championship, the impression that I got was that the New CRio was being designed so that it could run on 12V, eliminating the need for 24V power from the PD board. But, I may have been wrong in my interpretation.

Overall, I'm happy with the idea of a newer smaller CRio, considering that we've never used more than 4 of the slots in the original CRio - and I'm happy that someone somewhere is listening to the feedback teams have been giving over the last few years in respect to the CRio.

Re: cRIO FRC2
 

Considering that my team as well as a few others were able to brown out the cRIO when under heavy load (6+ CIMs + RS775s near stall at once) at various points this year, I certainly intend on using the 24V regulated supply if it is still allowed. You could probably run on an unregulated 12V supply for a benchtop test, but I wouldn't trust it when traction wheels meet carpet.