[wireties]

Originally Posted by Jon Stratis

Be wary of a rule like 2014's R71:
As an LRI, I would probably call your description (having not seen it and not having next years rules in front of me, I can't make a definitive ruling) a custom circuit - even if the latching connectors are just pass-throughs, I would need a Q&A to allow it AND time with the bare circuit to verify it. It would be better to limit yourself to a circuit on the MPX with some plastic latching features that extend out to the other IO without actually interfacing with the IO pins, similar to the latches that extended up and over the lip of the PWM cables on the DSC and breakout boards.

Thanks for the input Jon - sounds like someone at FIRST would need some time with a circuit like this. Maybe I'll try to get some time on it with a couple beta teams. It is passive (with respect to the discrete I/O) and the connector pins are the same (only the housing is latching) so maybe approval would be quick. The serial level converter, LEDs and Arduino-ish features meet the letter of the 2014-R71. The plastic latching features would be more complex to design and make fit properly - out of my league. I've never done any plastic work, I'm an EE - wouldn't know where to start.