Poll: Is your team using an external processor?

[Chris Hibner]

Originally Posted by Darkswordsmith

can someone tell me what this external processor is or why is it necessary for tasks?

In past years, we had a 2-D navigation system using angular rate sensors and an encoder on a 5th wheel. The system would calculate X,Y coordinates of the robot so it always knew where th robot was on the field. In addition to that, it had all of the control algorithms necessary to drive in a straight line, turn in place, follow an arc of a give radius, or go directly to any X,Y position on the field. It could also send commands to the RC to move the arm, etc. It was all controlled by a scripting language that was complete with variables and logic (for instance, if you don't make it to X,Y within a certain time, you can take a different route). All of this would barely fit in a Motorola HC12, and it wouldn't come close to fitting in the RC.

The external processor read all of our sensors, did all of the math, ran the control algorithms, and performed two-way communication with the RC. The RC could update the external processor with information from the arm, and the external processor could send all of the drive-train commands back to the RC.

It was a really nice system and it made autonomous operation a breeze. It's just not necessary this year. In past years, you had to be in very precise positions in autonomous mode to pick up objects and score them. This year, you can shoot from anywhere on the field if you have the ability to auto-aim. Therefore, precise positioning of the robot is just not necessary in autonomous mode, so we're not using it this year.