[FTC]: FTC Game Manual for 2015-2016?

[RecycledElectro]

I got an email back in June saying:


"2. Game Manual Part I Release!
Due to a flood of inquries we are very exciteded to announce that Game Manual Part I will be released on Monday, July 7th!"


Today is Tuesday, July 7th. Has anyone seen it?


Thanks!

Andrew

[GeeTwo]

When it is posted, it should be at this location:

http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/ftc/game

It currently still has Cascade Effect.

You can also get there by going to http://www.usfirst.org/, selecting FTC, and then "The FTC Game" at the left.

[orangemoore]

I have been watching for it everywhere they have not released it yet.

[MattRain]

I have been watching too! Would like to know a few details!

[orangemoore]

Originally Posted by MattRain

I have been watching too! Would like to know a few details!

It won't give us much.

[MattRain]

I know, but its still nice to see any changes from past years. Especially with a new control system.

[Sasha]

It is now posted:
http://www.usfirst.org/sites/default...ual-Part-I.pdf

Some important points:
- more motors allowed, including VEX 393: http://www.vexrobotics.com/motors.html and Andy Mark am-3102, am 31-03, am-3104, which I was unable to find - probably to be released later. Andy Mark's NeveRest is also allowed.

- Sensors from any manufacturer may be connected to the
Core Device Interface Module. No restrictions on sensors, as far as I can see.

- lasers are not allowed; however, there seem to be no prohibition against IR LEDs - which also makes IR-based distance sensors such as this one legal:
https://www.pololu.com/product/2474

[skatefriday]

Originally Posted by Sasha

- Sensors from any manufacturer may be connected to the
Core Device Interface Module. No restrictions on sensors, as far as I can see.

So I'm somewhat confused by this.

In prior years we could run microcontrollers off of
the protoboard if you could get your mC to draw
a low enough current.

Will the interface module supply power to external
sensors? The manual specifically states no voltage
controllers so a 7805 based circuit to power one is
out.

That also seems to rule out again this year 5V led
light strips. Which is somewhat disappointing.

[MattRain]

I'm wondering if the IR LED is an oversight and wasn't listed. It would make for a fun defensive move to turn on a bunch of IR lights to mess up other autonomous programs during the game. (Of Course that isn't very GP.)

<RE03> c.
The battery pack must connect first to a single power switch before connecting to any powered modules on the Robot. See the FTC Robot Wiring Guide (coming soon!) for sample Robot-power wiring.

There is a power switch on the Power Distubution box... are we allowed to have a different one?

[skatefriday]

Originally Posted by MattRain

It would make for a fun defensive move to turn on a bunch of IR lights

Not fun.

[Sasha]

Originally Posted by skatefriday

Will the interface module supply power to external
sensors? The manual specifically states no voltage
controllers so a 7805 based circuit to power one is
out.

According to documentation on modern robotics website:
http://modernroboticsinc.com/core-de...rface-module-2
the core device interface module can provide up to 150mA at 5V (total to all ports). This should be more than enough for usual sensors (e.g, gyro or distance sensor).

[MattRain]

Originally Posted by skatefriday

Not fun.

My point exactly. (Because you know teams would do it)

[wgardner]

Originally Posted by MattRain

My point exactly. (Because you know teams would do it)

I like this gem from 5.3.1: "One example of a guiding principle is that if a Team would not want an opponent to use a particular design feature against them, it is likely that it will not be allowed in competition."

Let's see how they're going to enforce that one.

[skatefriday]

Originally Posted by wgardner

I like this gem from 5.3.1: "One example of a guiding principle is that if a Team would not want an opponent to use a particular design feature against them, it is likely that it will not be allowed in competition."

Let's see how they're going to enforce that one.

I've always hated the robots that are nothing but a 40 pound
slab of metal and a drivetrain.

[skatefriday]

Originally Posted by Sasha

According to documentation on modern robotics website:
http://modernroboticsinc.com/core-de...rface-module-2
the core device interface module can provide up to 150mA at 5V (total to all ports). This should be more than enough for usual sensors (e.g, gyro or distance sensor).

So say we want to supply 25mA to an arduino (a typical draw), do
we hook it up to one of the digital out ports? The documentation also
says Digital current limit: 220 ohm resistor.

Using I = V/R, I = 5/220 = .0227A, or roughly 23mA.

Am I reading this correctly then that we should not draw more
than 23mA out of any single digital port?