Electrical / Software test bed

[Jaci]

I use a fairly simple Test-Bed for testing OpenRIO code during the Offseason. Here's a few suggestions:

- Battery: Don't do this. Use a 12V wallwart if you're powering just a RIO / Radio, it'll save you so much time, especially if you're testing code for long periods of time. If you're using actual motors, then the battery is a good idea. Just be prepared to charge it.

- Radio: Honestly don't even bother. Just link your computer to the RIO using USB, or your RIO to a Local Network (you could use an old D-Link router for this, just turn off the wireless). Waiting for windows to find the wireless network each time you reboot the testbed isn't worth it, and it also means if you're on the Local Network you'll have Internet Connectivity without switching networks if you need to troubleshoot something or procrastina-- help the community on Chief Delphi

- Motors: Use small, low-power motors that aren't very fast. If they aren't very fast, it'll be easy to tell which way they are turning and how fast (as a rough percentage). Low-power means you don't have to swap out your battery very often.

[GreyingJay]

Depending on what exactly you want to do, you could definitely power it all using a 12 volt wall wart (use the highest current output you can find) or a 12 volt bench power supply (5-10A or more).

If you don't need real motors and motor controllers, you can plug in servos to stand in for motors. Continuous rotation servos would give you a good visual indicator of movement. If you're not using motors or other high current draw devices, you can probably dispense with the PDP entirely.

How many RoboRios do most teams have? If we had the resources I'd want at least three: one set up in a testbed configuration like this, another one mounted in a full drive platform (either purpose built, or reusing a robot from previous years) for autonomous testing, and then the competition robot.

[virtuald]

I'm fairly lazy, so I don't bother with a testbed... I just use a low-fidelity robot simulator (pyfrc), and we can simulate most robot actions without further modifications.