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Unread 03-06-2006, 14:00
John Gutmann John Gutmann is offline
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FRC #0340 (GRR)
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Re: IFI Control System (OI/RC) - The Future???

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rickertsen2
I talked to The IFI guy at the Peachtree regional about the future of the controller. He told me that it has "outlived its useful lifespan" and that it was coming time for a new model. He told me that they had not yet decided what the new model would be like, only that there would be one.


I predict
  • The PIC is here to stay
  • Next year's controller will have a USB interface in addition to or in place of the serial port. I is likely that they will just add on an internal usb->uart chip.
  • We may see a different connector scheme (I pray). It would require breaking compatibility with standard RC hardware, but would be well worth it. The can always sell adapter cables. the .1" headers are meant to be well protected. the do not take well to FIRST abuse, are not secure, and are generally a pain.
  • A possible move from the traditional black flat square enclosure. This is WAY bigger than it needs to be. If you take it apart an look at the PCB, its very sparsely populated. Just look at the EDU.
  • add an internal charger for the backup batt

I would also like but do not think it is likely
  • An LCD display on the robot (2x16 characters min)
  • Strong aux power on the OI

Is there a significant reason for predicting that the PIC is here to stay? THere are plenty other mC that are just as easy and even easier to use. AVRs, Gumstix, ect.....

The advantage of switching to another mC I think is that there is more support for the one they switch to.

Speaking from personal expirience and you can ask mike from 237 and matt krause I think it is about AVRs, but they are EXTREMELY EASY TO USE. You can get compilers that make libraries for you, I know of a few compilers that let you write code in other languages. So maybe for a rookie team they can program in PBASIC because they don't have much time to focus on that part. Then in off-season they switch to C

Also wouldn't they want to put the LCD on the OI rather than the RC beause then you can display diagnostics while in a match. And other messages, like you could have done shooter speed this year, or just plain old text that will let you chanegs something significant on your robot. I don't really know It just seems alot more useful on the OI.