[Al Skierkiewicz]

There has been a lot of discussion about the new controller in this thread, especially on the software/programming side. (I will leave software to the experts ) I however, have an opinion similar to Mark McLeod's above. What the new controller and interface represent is a nightmare for rookie teams and those with little or no electrical mentorship. In comparing with the present controller where single point failures are reduced to an absolute minimum, the future contoller has multiple power supplies (I count five min.), negative power on the case, multiple interfaces and multiple connections between the RC and the outboard hardware. Diagnosing a failure in the controller will be next to impossible for anyone that is not skilled in in this black art. Rookie teams will be especially vulnerable to failure and damage of the control system.
We need to put ourselves in the shoes of a rookie team to see what they go through. As an inspector and mentor who regularly visits rookie teams, I can tell you that many rookies can't get a motor connected properly without guidance. To add this level of complexity will doom many rookies from participating once registered or from enjoying their first year's experience. Although, a lot of thought has gone into the interface boards and connector design, there is just too many places for something to go wrong. As Mark has pointed out, the power supply wiring is just one place that things can go horribly wrong.
Power distro is another area of concern. As I have pointed out in lectures for many years, the battery is capable of supplying 600+ amps and the power distro needs to be able to withstand that current. In addition, the design must take into account the voltage drop across the distro panel as far as power supply droop and noise is concerned. At what voltage does the DC-DC power supply drop out? I can tell you that the battery terminal voltage regularly drops to 4 volts (for short pulses) under load. Add a game that requires pushing and you will find teams with six motor drives drawing the battery down below 8 volts a regular occurence. These same teams will (and have in the past) depleted a battery in less than two minutes.
Although weight is not an issue for most rookies, it is more than considerable for experienced teams that weigh in at 120 lbs. Added together with the multiple modules teams are likely to want, the control system, DC-DC power supply and interface boards will likely produce a system that weighs in excess of 5 lbs. A considerable mass that will need secure mounting.
Finally, a delivery date of kickoff is too late (see above). When asked, I stated I need it next week. FIRST, if you are listening, please consider giving some teams prototype systems now so we can break them. Give us the chance to work out problems and solve them before the 2009 season starts.