FRC Blog - Behind the Scenes at IRI

[theawesome1730]

It would be nice for FIRST to be early adopters of 802.11AD since it utilized a 60GHz frequency. Less interruptions and interference, huge bandwidth (why it's called WiGig) and due to the nature of 60GHz antenna modules vs 2.4GHz antenna modules, the same size package can have far more antennas per module on the order of 32 vs 1. Additionally, there are benefits with efficiency and power consumption. Unfortunately 60GHz reflects rather than penetrates most surfaces so this does affect connection, but from previous network setups at competition, I doubt that would be a huge issue.

Source http://www.networkworld.com/article/...i-picture.html

[E Dawg]

Originally Posted by AdamHeard

My ideal is a pure mechanical robot, zero volume and weight allocated for electronics and wires.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1i-dnAH9Y4

Here's a little something to get you started.

[PayneTrain]

Originally Posted by Nemo

One of these years, the radio will get smaller, right? I know practically nothing about wireless technology, but one of the things I do know is that you can fit it into a phone or a VexNet key.

Pretty sure this radio is a hair smaller though, FWIW.

[marshall]

I don't know why but it just occurred to me that these new APs have a lesser number of ethernet ports on them. Not necessarily a problem but could facilitate adding a switch for some teams. Just a thought.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Originally Posted by theawesome1730

Unfortunately 60GHz reflects rather than penetrates most surfaces so this does affect connection,

This includes plastics too...

The radio shown is very small, about 1/4 the footprint of the current radio. It is available with or without the dual band capability. Currently FRC is using the 5 GHz band for competition. The radios tested at IRI did have a POE marking on the jack although I would expect that feature would not be used if this radio will be used. In watching mounting the radio on the various robots, the current general rules for radio mounting still applies. That is high on the robot, away from surrounding metal objects and local interference devices like open frame motors. It does have a 12 volt input. The antennas are mounted on the sides of the radio so conventional wisdom would be to mount horizontally to maximize coverage and to keep objects away from the sides. Robot rules about keeping the LEDs visible should still apply.

[evanperryg]

Originally Posted by PayneTrain

I've heard it's the same barrel jack we already use, but it takes 12V.

Also a PSA: just because they have shown us what the radio is, don't go out and buy it expecting it to be official, then complain if FIRST takes a different direction.

I would think we'll still be using a barrel jack. There would be minimal benefit to using PoE in FRC, especially considering there's only one or two ethernet cables in the entire robot.

[Nemo]

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz

The radio shown is very small, about 1/4 the footprint of the current radio.

I didn't realize how small this was when I first saw the picture with the goat. I am pleased.

[MikeE]

Originally Posted by AdamHeard

My ideal is a pure mechanical robot, zero volume and weight allocated for electronics and wires.

That would be ideal for next season's game: http://tinyurl.com/frc2016

Could we re-schedule IRI for June 20th?

[Richard Wallace]

Originally Posted by MikeE

That would be ideal for next season's game: http://tinyurl.com/frc2016

Could we re-schedule IRI for June 20th?

Take FRC back to the Stone Age? Pity teams who have to queue up and place robots like this on the field. Pity volunteers if these are the field elements.

Replace software development with ritual chanting. Replace auton with waiting for sunrise.

[marshall]

Originally Posted by Richard Wallace

Take FRC back to the Stone Age? Pity teams who have to queue up and place robots like this on the field. Pity volunteers if these are the field elements.

Replace software development with ritual chanting. Replace auton with waiting for sunrise.

I think I'm more excited to see stonehenge than I am to watch another round of recycle rush though...

[Gdeaver]

We are in a revolution of automation and mechatronics. Learn it , embrace it. It is your future.

[evanperryg]

Originally Posted by marshall

I think I'm more excited to see stonehenge than I am to watch another round of recycle rush though...

Introducing the 2016 FRC game, stonehenge strike!

[marshall]

Originally Posted by evanperryg

Introducing the 2016 FRC game, stonehenge strike!

You have 100ms to knock down as many stones as possible and then thousands of years to wait for the score.

What was this thread about? Ohh yeah, IRI and the new wireless widgets.

Anyone have experience with putting an ethernet switch on the robot. Is it legal? I recognize that we use more ethernet ports than the average team but just curious.

[Joe Ross]

Originally Posted by marshall

Anyone have experience with putting an ethernet switch on the robot. Is it legal? I recognize that we use more ethernet ports than the average team but just curious.

Per the current rules, the roboRIO must be directly connected to the radio, but I can't find anything that disallows a switch on the robot for other devices. With the VRM, its definitely much easier to get power to a switch then the old control system.

[Jon Stratis]

Originally Posted by marshall

You have 100ms to knock down as many stones as possible and then thousands of years to wait for the score.

What was this thread about? Ohh yeah, IRI and the new wireless widgets.

Anyone have experience with putting an ethernet switch on the robot. Is it legal? I recognize that we use more ethernet ports than the average team but just curious.

In the 2015 rules, this would be covered by R48:

Ethernet-connected COTS devices or CUSTOM CIRCUITS may connect to any remaining Ethernet port on the DAP-1522 Wireless Bridge but must not transmit or receive UDP packets using ports 1100-1200 with the exception of ports 1130 and 1140.

Note that R47 specifies that the roboRIO be connected directly to the bridge (or through an Ethernet pigtail), and that all applicable power rules be followed (R32 comes to mind)- if it's a powered switch you would probably want to supply it with regulated voltage, and odds are it would want 5V.