BEI GyroChip Problems

[Kevin Watson]

Originally Posted by Andrew Blair

We have recently begun work with sensors on our 2005 bot, and have been using Kevin Watson's Gyro code, unmodified. We are using a BEI gyro, the model of which can not be discerned. The only clue is that is has a three wire linear input on the top of the gyro, as versus the side, triangular patterned gyro's input. Its wired as per the FIRST manual of 2004, into analog input 1.

When we start the bot, it brings up the terminal window after a few minutes, with the appropriate statements, but exhibits a bias of > 3000, and though the angle is very good about not wavering, so is the gyro output! It seems to take repeated shaking to get the gyro output statement to read much of anything, and only then does the angle increase. It also seems to favor a negative output.

We have switched the BEI gyro #define in order to facilitate the possible rate of our gyro ( as we don't know the actual rate). Nothing works, and we keep getting wacko outputs as said. I have the sneaking suspicion the gyro is kaput. It was found lying around, so it may be broken. Any ideas would be appreciated, as i just about lost my mind trying to figure out what was wrong.

Are you sure you performed all of the installation steps mentioned in gyro_readme.txt and adc_readme.txt? The data sheet for your gyro is attached.

-Kevin