Lessons from Week 3

[AndrewN]

As a robot inspector at Seattle, here's some tips for teams:
- Get the latest "Driver Station Update" 02.27.11.00. If you borrow a spare classmate check it has the latest version too. The cRIO firmware image should be v28. Bring all the software updates on a USB thumb drive you can lend to other teams.
- Disable the wireless NIC on your laptop, tether using cable to the D-Link bridge. Connect and disconnect to the D-Link not the cRIO.
- Make sure the D-Link is in bridge mode.
- Slot 1 of the cRIO must have the analog bumper with
a) a jumper on the outside two pins so the FMS can see your battery voltage.
b) power from a 20A breaker to the WAGO connector on top
- The D-Link must be powered through the 12V-5V converter, which must be connected to the 12V output on the power distribution board not the breaker output in the side of the PD. Solves lots of communication problems.
- Don't forget the 12V power to the digital sidecar, it almost works without it.

If you are looking for intermittent problems that occur on the field but not in the pit, shake the robot (safely) while it's running in the pit - look for all those loose wire connections.

It was loads of fun! Let's do it again in week 4 (Portland).

[Mr V]

If you are sharing a minibot make certain the team you loan it to tells the que'er and sees that they record it on the form. The queuing form does have a place for the que'er to record the team number, if they have a minibot and if yes to the minibot whether it is your own or loaned.

Since the minibot can mean big points make sure you start heading for the tower early. You may encounter some defense along the way as well as tubes piled around the base that you may have to push out of the way.