IFI Controllers For 2004

[Ian W.]

Keep in mind though, Motorola is a huge sponsor of FIRST, and they have many chips that run some sort of embedded C (I've never used them, but I've heard bits and pieces about them). Plus, I wouldn't mind a redesign of the controller, as they might then change the Dashboard Port output, which would make me happy, because there's a much better chance of more than 9 bits of user-controllable information coming back from the RC.

[Sachiel7]

You should check the other thread about the new IFI controllers.
It's longer and contains info we've gained from IFI and other places.

[vladg12]

The current RCs use PIC16C84s, which are very similar to other Microchip PICs, except that these are programmed with a basic interpreter. This slows them down (normal PICs have an instruction execution time of 200 ns, and operate at about 20 MHz.) Replacing these with another PIC would allow users to program them in assembly, C, Basic, Pascal, C++, and even Java (there are several free compilers available that would take any of these languages and output assembly). It would be a small transition to make (just take the current PIC out of the socket and put in the new one), since they have the same pin-out and form-factor, and would also be the easiest transition for programming. I guess we'll see in a week.

[FotoPlasma]

Originally posted by vladg12
The current RCs use PIC16C84s, which are very similar to other Microchip PICs, except that these are programmed with a basic interpreter. This slows them down (normal PICs have an instruction execution time of 200 ns, and operate at about 20 MHz.) Replacing these with another PIC would allow users to program them in assembly, C, Basic, Pascal, C++, and even Java (there are several free compilers available that would take any of these languages and output assembly). It would be a small transition to make (just take the current PIC out of the socket and put in the new one), since they have the same pin-out and form-factor, and would also be the easiest transition for programming. I guess we'll see in a week.

Uh. The first few sentences of your post contain at least one technical fallacy. The PIC16[F/C]84 can be programmed in BASIC (PicBasic), but it's not interpreted. The PicBasic compiler generates hexcode from BASIC-style source. You can write programs for the 84s in C and ASM.

I won't even get into the rest of the post, right now...

[Elgin Clock]

looks like the fine folks at IFI are cruising these boards right at this very minute.... (09-26-2003 05:43 PM EST)

Maybe they will clue us in on the (possibility of) a new OI and RC and programming language if we ask very nicely???



edit: and then again, maybe not!! I think I scared them away!!
Not cruising the boards anymore @ 09-26-2003 at 06:00 PM EST

[Wetzel]

From a FIRST email blast.

"The rumors are true; a new control system is coming. The new RC has a user programmable Microchip PIC" controller operating at 10 MIPS, gives direct access to I/O, has interrupts, and is programmable in C. Please do not contact Innovation First requesting information as more details will be available at www.InnovationFirst.com in the next few weeks when the product ships.

Last year all teams received the FIRST EDUrobotics kit to assist in preparation for the FIRST Robotics Competition season. Based on the overwhelming response and positive feedback from teams for survey results, FIRST will again offer the FIRST EDUrobotics Kit to the incoming rookie and returning teams that did not compete last year. After these teams register for an event, and upon receipt of a $500 deposit at FIRST, they will receive the kit that will include the new Innovation First Control System. All deposits are applied toward the $5,000 registration fee; however, once product is shipped the deposit is non-refundable. In order to allow everyone to build familiarity with the system, all teams that received the FIRST EDUrobotics kit last year will receive the new control system when they register. On-line instructional materials will be available on our website at www.usfirst.org. Both items should start shipping approximately October 15, so register early.

In order to provide the new robot controllers and other new parts in the kit this coming year and stay within budget constraints, it is necessary for FIRST to make some changes to the kit of parts. Battery chargers, joysticks and compressors will be supplied to teams in their first and second year. Veteran teams should have two sets of these parts and can use them on their 2004 robot. We hope you find some of the new parts exciting and challenging."


Wetzel

[Sachiel7]

Yeah, IFI emailed me saying that the new info will be posted tomorrow (10/01/03).

[Karl Loeffler]

Head to the web-site listed below and be prepared to see some nice new features.

Get your C-Language skills in shape everybody!

http://innovationfirst.com/FIRSTRobotics/edu-rc.htm

Regards,
Karl Loeffler
Mentor
Team Ford FIRST