Team UPDATE - 2013-02-15

[Joe Ross]

Game Manual


Driver Station Update
There is a new version of the Driver Station software, and we strongly recommend that teams install this update. This is not a mandatory update because the 01.29.2013 version will function at a competition; however, it fails to log or plot actual packet communications loss and latency data. The Field Management System (FMS) does report this data to the field crew correctly, but the team will not see it on their Driver Station machine. The new version, 2.12.13.00, of the Driver Station software corrects this, and the charts tab shows the blue packet loss plot and the green packet latency. Additionally, the DS logged data will include those values so they can be viewed in the DS Log File Viewer. Such data reported in the Driver Station is extremely useful to teams evaluating their wireless traffic at home and on the practice fields. It will also be very helpful to CSAs or others attempting to trouble-shoot control issues. In addition to correcting the data issue, the Dashboard window position will be docked properly while in the Driver account.

FMS Twitter Feed
At the conclusion of each match, the Field Management System posts the results to Twitter. Specific details on the data included in each tweet and the format can be found in the 2013 FMS Twitter Feed document posted on the Manual homepage.

Pre-Field Checklist
In order to help teams have a smooth experience with their Control System on the competition Field, FRC has compiled a list of tips and tricks that teams should use to help prepare for the event. We recommend you use this as punch list before you head to the Field for a Match; either at home, in your Pit, and/or on the Practice Field.If you run in to any issues, please ask about them using the FRC Technical Q&A if still at home or, if at an event, contact the Control System Advisor (CSA) using National Instruments’ Parkway System (via the Parkway kiosks or a mobile device). A short guide to using NI Parkway is available here if you wish to familiarize yourself with the system before your event.

Good luck to all teams participating in Week 0 events!

AWARDS SUBMISSION PROCESS

The FIRST® Future Innovator Award (FFIA) must be submitted via the FFIA portal. http://www.allthingspatent.com/FRC/ LINK COMING SOON. Submission for awards will open at Noon Eastern Time on Thursday, November 8, 2012 and close for submissions at Noon Eastern Time on Thursday, February 21, 2013.

Looks like FIRST has been working hard to make sure the control system works smoothly.