[FRC Blog] 2015 Control System and Kit of Parts Survey

[AustinShalit]

2015 Control System and Kit of Parts Survey

Blog Date:
Friday, May 9, 2014 - 12:42
Please see the blog post below for important information from our Kit of Parts team, Kate & Collin:

2015 FRC Control System

One of the exciting parts of the 2014 FIRST Championship was the ability to show off the new hardware components that will make up the 2015 FRC Control System. Members of the CS Team from FIRST, National Instruments, Cross the Road Electronics, and WPI also had the opportunity to take questions from the audience at two 2015 Control System presentations.

2015 CS Layout



2015 FRC Control System Layout

This graphic shows the basic layout of the 2015 FRC Control System. The roboRIO from NI replaces the cRIO, Analog Breakout, and Digital Sidecar. More specs on it can be found here. The Power Distribution Panel (PDP) is from Cross the Road Electronics and replaces the Power Distribution Board used from 2009-2014. The Pneumatic Control Module (PCM) is also from CTRE and replaces the Solenoid Breakout and Spike Relay required to drive the compressor. The PCM connects to the PDP via CAN. The PDP can connect to the roboRIO via CAN to allow current monitoring on each channel. The final new component is the Voltage Regulator Module (VRM), also from CTRE. This component allows access to different voltages to supply power to custom circuits, cameras, sensors, etc.

A chart comparing the 2014 and 2015 FRC Control Systems can be found here.

We’re looking for a wide variety of teams to help us test and develop, and test and develop, and test and develop the 2015 CS. Beta testing will run July through November 2014. Each beta test team will be loaned 2015 hardware to complete the testing. To apply to be a beta test team, please fill out the survey here. The deadline for filling out the application is May 25.

2014 KOP Survey

We’re interested in your feedback on the 2014 FRC Kit of Parts. This feedback is instrumental in pointing us in the direction of new parts for potential inclusion in the 2015 KOP. Last year, more than 1400 people filled out the KOP Survey. This feedback is sent to Suppliers to help them make the best use of their donation. Please have one student and one mentor fill out the 2014 KOP Survey here.

http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprogr...tem-KOP-Survey

[Whippet]

There aren't any Victors in that diagram.

[Ginger Power]

Originally Posted by Whippet

There aren't any Victors in that diagram.

That was my first thought as well! I really hope that's not an indication that Victors are not compatible!

[Christopher149]

Originally Posted by Whippet

There aren't any Victors in that diagram.

I'm assuming it's just kind of assumed, and you can replace a talon with a Victor.

[notmattlythgoe]

I'm so looking forward to the roboRIO just for the update to Java 8.

[Joe G.]

Originally Posted by Whippet

There aren't any Victors in that diagram.

When the equivalent diagram for the cRIO came out, there weren't any CIMs in the diagram, and people got real worried about that as well. I wouldn't read too much into it.

[eddie12390]

Originally Posted by notmattlythgoe

I'm so looking forward to the roboRIO just for the update to Java 8.

So many fun features that we'll finally have access to.

[notmattlythgoe]

Originally Posted by eddie12390

So many fun features that we'll finally have access to.

The two I'm looking forward to the most are ENUMs and Generics. It's amazing how much you take them for granted when they've been around for so long. Having access to Maps will also be nice for things like property readers.

[Pratik Kunapuli]

Originally Posted by Whippet

There aren't any Victors in that diagram.

Nor any CAN enabled Talons

[BigJ]

No keys on the laptop either! Touchscreens only

[wilsonmw04]

The new pneumatic breakout looks awesome. The ability to control and integrate the pressure switch and compressor without programming is going to help a lot of younger teams get up and running.

[ayeckley]

I guess I'm not wild about the fact that what we used to be able to accomplish in three modules (cRIO, PDB, Digital Sidecar) now takes four (roboRio, PDP, PCM and VRM). I get that it's less expensive overall and that each of the components is physically smaller, but it's not a slam-dunk improvement in terms of the architecture. I guess CAN (and all of the benefits and drawbacks thereof) is now mandatory if a team wants to use pneumatics.

I'm also a bit surprised that the Bridge/Access Point is USB-based. When I saw the pre-Alpha unit at NI Week last year it wasn't obvious that this was the route they would go.

I guess it is what it is...

[AllenGregoryIV]

Originally Posted by ayeckley

I guess I'm not wild about the fact that what we used to be able to accomplish in three modules (cRIO, PDB, Digital Sidecar) now takes four (roboRio, PDP, PCM and VRM).

We ended up with 4 in the old system once you account for the voltage regulator for the radio anyway. This system should allow teams that don't need regulated voltage or pneumatics to only use the RoboRIO and PDP.

[Electronica1]

Originally Posted by ayeckley

I guess I'm not wild about the fact that what we used to be able to accomplish in three modules (cRIO, PDB, Digital Sidecar) now takes four (roboRio, PDP, PCM and VRM).

One advantage of more modules is that if one of them breaks it is cheaper to get it replaced.

[StAxis]

I certainly hope that the red cypress board being in the picture means that the driver station software will be readily compatible with it next year.