A little confusion about the LaunhPad

[The_Waffleing]

So my team has decided to use the LaunchPad that came with the KOP and I know that it can be programmed using C++ and that it can't be programmed in Labiew. The only form of confusion that I have is this, how would one go about programming this micro controller? Would one go about programming all the functions that one is wanting to do with the micro-controller (i.e having a button that when pressed grabs a tote that is in the robot and lifts it up a specified distance) or can one program the functions needed in labview and port all the information over onto the micro-controller? Any info on this would be much appreciated.

[Mark McLeod]

The usual application is to attach it to the Driver Station for custom buttons/dials/knobs/switches, then the robot receives the values in the LabVIEW code and performs whatever actions you imagine.

[The_Waffleing]

So you're pretty much saying that both Labview and the LaunchPad need to have the code for the Auxiliary controls and just make sure that the keywords for the code correspond with each other. Or did I read that wrong.

[Mark McLeod]

The Launchpad needs to get setup using the FRC Gamepad Tool as described here.

After it has been setup, no coding is required.
It looks like just another joystick to the Driver Station and your LabVIEW code, and becomes just a set of Axis/Buttons.

All the code for what you do when a button is pushed or an axis twisted is entirely in your LabVIEW code.

[The_Waffleing]

Thank you that clears up a lot of questions I had in mind.

[BitTwiddler]

It just occurred to me that it would be nice to be able to program this board to expand the number of analog inputs to the RoboRIO via the USB port. That way we can get another 8 analog inputs.
Is that something that sounds feasible?

[Mark McLeod]

Originally Posted by BitTwiddler

It just occurred to me that it would be nice to be able to program this board to expand the number of analog inputs to the RoboRIO via the USB port. That way we can get another 8 analog inputs.
Is that something that sounds feasible?

Check out this thread where they're discussing making various modifications to the Launchpad code to customize for other purposes.