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Re: Future Control System
Posted by Jeff Burch, Engineer on team #45, TechnoKats, from Kokomo High School and Delphi Delco Electronics Systems.
Posted on 4/1/99 1:59 PM MST
In Reply to: Future Control System posted by John Cunningham on 4/1/99 11:19 AM MST:
John Cunnigham,
Thanks for asking! This question actually came up on this forum back in mid-February. Click on Archives at the top of the page, select 'Old Forums' then click on 'General' on the left and go to about the 8th thread down.
For me the three most important things are more variable space, more PWM outputs and sensor inputs, and two-way communication.
The variable space is essential! We're forced to do all kinds of squirly things to squeak out every last bit, like changing the rx_sw varibale from a word to a nibble and shifting in only 4 bits in ReadSwitches (if we're only using a few limit switches), or reusing variables between the relay outputs and the PWM outputs.
You can never have too many speed controllers or too many potentiometers. We've used all four pots these last two years and could have easily found good uses for a couple more. Likewise, there's almost no reason to run a motor from the relay outputs (except the pump and valves). There are just too many neat things you can do with them like limiting acceleration, allowing multiple speeds, etc.
The two-way communication doesn't necessarily mean a programmable transmitter (although that would be nice too). We could get a lot of use out of a row of say 6 LEDs on the transmitter that can be activated from the receiver. This would be useful for telling the operator when a limit switch has been hit (when you're not using it as a hard stop) or when the optical sensor is blocked (e.g. lined up with the pole) or what gear you're in, etc..
I like that PBasic is pretty easy for the students to learn and understand, but a more powerful language with better tools (especially debugging) would really help. All this may seem like more than we should need for a simple robot, but the robots aren't so simple anymore. And if you compare this to the almost limitless things you can do mechanically, I don't think it's too much to ask.
I'm sure you'll get a lot more responses with good ideas; thank you again for asking for our input.
Jeff Burch
Team #45
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