New Controller Specs Posted

[Jnadke]

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

Key features are:
-Faster sampling
-More variable space
-Faster/Better processor
-Interrupts

If you look towards the bottom, an extra feature has been thrown in. The Robot Controller will be powered by its own battery. Now the RC won't reset every time when drawing high current...

Programming options in either Assembly or C.

Looks like IFI has been listening... and then some.

[Rickertsen2]

w00t!

[KenWittlief]

ok, I see the specs there,

the drawing is for the EDU controller

the specs for the FIRST competiton controller are listed on the bottom in the table.

Cool! (when can we get our hands on one?)

[Justin Stiltner]

hrmm.. yaknow.. if the actual compeition rc is powerd by its own battery.. that could help out if first wanted to say go to 24v ......
eh, just a brain blast of sorts

[FotoPlasma]

Originally posted by Justin Stiltner
hrmm.. yaknow.. if the actual compeition rc is powerd by its own battery.. that could help out if first wanted to say go to 24v ......
eh, just a brain blast of sorts

I think that's a mistake. Last year's EduRC used a 7.2V battery, while this year's isn't listed as using one.

<edit>
Oh. It was just changed. There will be a 7.2V backup battery on the FRC RC. Interesting.

And what about that TTL serial port? And bi-directional digital?

I'm getting excited.
</edit>

<edit again>
Oh. And it was changed again. Now they list primary and backup batteries. Well, I was right about there being a 7.2V batt on the new EduRC.
</edit again>

[Raven_Writer]

Were do we get the Microchip MPLAB [IDE]?

</> very excited about this....go C'ers! <\>

[KenWittlief]

You can get the MicroChip SW developement tools for free from their website (microchip.com)

and that will let you program in assembly

Microchip C is not free though. They have a demo download, but I dont know what it does.

[WakeZero]

<drools>

[FotoPlasma]

Originally posted by KenWittlief
You can get the MicroChip SW developement tools for free from their website (microchip.com)

and that will let you program in assembly

Microchip C is not free though. They have a demo download, but I dont know what it does.

MPLAB-C18 is basically an add-on to MPLAB which allows you to write C programs for the PIC18 series.
It comes with processor-specific libraries and libraries with functions for common uses (PWM, timers, ADC, USART).

The documentation is pretty good, as well. The demo version is only good for 60 days, though.

[Justin Stiltner]

hrmm.. after reading a bit, what I was originally thinking wouldent work, they list it as a 7.2v backup battery..... i dont know much about pic s so i wonder.. is the ram that the pic uses to store the program volitile? or possably somthing else in the rc is?

[KenWittlief]

I checked the specs on their webpage:
http://www.microchip.com/1010/pline/...8520/index.htm

it has FLASH for program memory, and EEPROM space for program variables. that means your program can store information as its running, that will be there next time you powerup - so you could save things like your yaw rate sensor zero reading, or any other variables you need to fine tune your control algorythms.

the 7.2 'backup' battery is probabally what powers the controller (most likely regulated down to 5V or 3.3). Lke someone else said, this is probabally so the controller doesnt reset if your motors draw a large current spike. We will have to see how it all works together.

BTW, the EDU kit last year, everything ran off a 7.2V battery.

[xplod1236]

the 7.2 'backup' battery is probabally what powers the controller (most likely regulated down to 5V or 3.3).

The controller has to run on at least 5V. The PWM outs have to put out 5V so that servos and speed controllers will work.

[Justin Stiltner]

hrmm.. just another thought, if the battery does power the rc when the 12v isnt there.. would that mean that we can use the battery evean after the 9v mark where before the rc would reset (correct me if im wrong but i think its 9v)

[xplod1236]

Originally posted by Justin Stiltner
hrmm.. just another thought, if the battery does power the rc when the 12v isnt there.. would that mean that we can use the battery evean after the 9v mark where before the rc would reset (correct me if im wrong but i think its 9v)

I'm not sure about the 9v mark, but when the voltage goes down to about 6v or lower, the speed controllers will stop working.

[KenWittlief]

yes, I think that would be the idea - if your main battery is pulled down, or starts going dead, the RC battery will keep the controls and radio link alive

since they call it a backup, Im guessing the 7.2V battey will charge off the 12V battery, so you dont have to charge them separately?