|
|
|
![]() |
|
|||||||
|
||||||||
![]() |
|
|
Thread Tools | Rate Thread | Display Modes |
|
|
|
#1
|
||||
|
||||
|
Re: IFI Control System (OI/RC) - The Future???
It's not surprising that the OI/RC are out of stock until next season. These are high priced items. If I was at IFI, I wouldn't want to keep too many in stock for post season. The same thing happened with CIMs last year and the Vex Field this year. Once the main competition season is over, you don't have much demand for these expensive items. So why stock them? I'm sure if a team really needed an RC or OI IFI would have one.
As far as development goes, that would be another reason not to stock OI/RCs post season. If IFI changes interfaces or components, like a new PIC, it would make any models in stock obsolete unless it were a simple retrofit. These are simply good business practices, not a clue to changes afoot. With that said, IFI has always worked to improve these systems as technology improved or deficiencies have been found. The new PIC and more memory on this year's RC were in direct response to at least one team who ran out of memory and processing horsepower last season. As for new technologies, the April IEEE Spectrum magazine had an article on wireless USB. Unfortunately, the IEEE committee working on standards for IEEE 802.15.3a ultrawideband (UWB) couldn't agree on a standard, so it looks like the competing technologies will launch soon and the market will have to sort it out. Just think someday... wireless USB joysticks, wireless victors and spikes oh my! ![]() |
|
#2
|
||||
|
||||
|
Re: IFI Control System (OI/RC) - The Future???
Quote:
It just makes me wonder what is going on with IFI and what this means for 2007. |
|
#3
|
||||
|
||||
|
Re: IFI Control System (OI/RC) - The Future???
Quote:
I know our team was at least one of those guilty of overloading last year's memory for code. After failing to get the camera to work very well and then running out of memory, we dropped it from our program last year. It cleared up about half the memory. |
|
#4
|
||||
|
||||
|
Re: IFI Control System (OI/RC) - The Future???
Quote:
|
|
#5
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
Re: IFI Control System (OI/RC) - The Future???
If anyone wanted to get a replacement for any of their control system all that person would have to do is give IFI a call and they will gladly help you out, Im 2004 I ordered a 2001 OI, the only difference is some slight hardware and software upgrades. IFI won't be going anywhere they're too reliable to let go. They're always there when you need them, whether at the event, on and off the field, customer service and whatever you else can come up with.
|
|
#6
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
Re: IFI Control System (OI/RC) - The Future???
that would be AWESOME. but it would not require as much engineering and insight to how each pin in the Pinout of the DOS joysticks does and all of that stuff and you dont need to dig through the root of the problem and look it up.. all you have to do is plug and play and I'm against it because I Think that the teams that did all the reasearch for the Ps2 controllers and stuff wasted their times trying to help their teammates..
Pavan |
|
#7
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
Re: IFI Control System (OI/RC) - The Future???
A few responses to some suggestions here:
RJ45 connectors - Why would you use giant 8 position connectors for 3 wires? Now the tiny 4 position ones like on telephone handsets would be doable. But there's no way you could fit enough on the RC. The whole point of the connectors are that they're standard for all RC Hobby equipment, and they're standard because they take up SO little space. USB joysticks would be nice, but the drivers would be a royal pain to work out. And you'd still need ports for custom controls. A USB RC would similarly be nice... but do you really want to be forced to be 5m away from your robot to program? We've got a pair of 30' serial cables to tether the robot and have it hooked up for debugging and it's rather useful. Also, if you're scraping your hands up pressing the program button on the RC, use the program/reset pin header and put some buttons in easier to reach areas. I had the students figure that one out when they started complaining about that. |
|
#8
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
Re: IFI Control System (OI/RC) - The Future???
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=45687
Maybe it is premature to assume that IFI is in the middle of developing advancements for 2007. The linked thread describes how IFI is at the end of their current contract with FIRST. Since they're at the end of a 5-year contract, perhaps they're burning inventory in case there is no renewal? |
|
#9
|
||||
|
||||
|
Re: IFI Control System (OI/RC) - The Future???
I talked to The IFI guy at the Peachtree regional about the future of the controller. He told me that it has "outlived its useful lifespan" and that it was coming time for a new model. He told me that they had not yet decided what the new model would be like, only that there would be one.
I predict
I would also like but do not think it is likely
Last edited by Rickertsen2 : 04-05-2006 at 16:12. |
|
#10
|
||||
|
||||
|
Re: IFI Control System (OI/RC) - The Future???
Quote:
Is there a significant reason for predicting that the PIC is here to stay? THere are plenty other mC that are just as easy and even easier to use. AVRs, Gumstix, ect..... The advantage of switching to another mC I think is that there is more support for the one they switch to. Speaking from personal expirience and you can ask mike from 237 and matt krause I think it is about AVRs, but they are EXTREMELY EASY TO USE. You can get compilers that make libraries for you, I know of a few compilers that let you write code in other languages. So maybe for a rookie team they can program in PBASIC because they don't have much time to focus on that part. Then in off-season they switch to C Also wouldn't they want to put the LCD on the OI rather than the RC beause then you can display diagnostics while in a match. And other messages, like you could have done shooter speed this year, or just plain old text that will let you chanegs something significant on your robot. I don't really know It just seems alot more useful on the OI. |
|
#11
|
||||
|
||||
|
Re: IFI Control System (OI/RC) - The Future???
Quote:
Is there a significant reason for predicting that the PIC is here to stay? THere are plenty other mC that are just as easy and even easier to use. AVRs, Gumstix, ect..... The advantage of switching to another mC I think is that there is more support for the one they switch to. Speaking from personal expirience and you can ask mike from 237 and matt krass I think it is about AVRs, but they are EXTREMELY EASY TO USE. You can get compilers that make libraries for you, I know of a few compilers that let you write code in other languages. So maybe for a rookie team they can program in PBASIC because they don't have much time to focus on that part. Then in off-season they switch to C Also wouldn't they want to put the LCD on the OI rather than the RC beause then you can display diagnostics while in a match. And other messages, like you could have done shooter speed this year, or just plain old text that will let you chanegs something significant on your robot. I don't really know It just seems alot more useful on the OI. Quote:
Like as to the radio problem, what if they changed it to a blue tooth radio but made it a standard part just like the radios now. Just plug and play. Also maybe IFI can make some ambidextrous joysticks rather then FIRST giving us 2 right handed ones. I just don't see how you can build a robot in six weeks but can't figure out how to make ambidextrous joysticks. I even remember one team using pens for the handles! |
|
#12
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
Re: IFI Control System (OI/RC) - The Future???
Quote:
For joysticks, IFI isn't in the business of providing them or making them. You'll note that there isn't a single one on their site, so you're barking up the wrong tree. Finally, bluetooth. *shudders* Okay. So Bluetooth works in the same frequency band as 802.11b+g wireless lans, and is meant for low power devices with an operating range of 30 ft. This means it's highly susceptible to being blocked by people, metal and generally just about anything. It's also likely to be interfered with by networks at universities, laptops, cordless phones, and microwaves. on top of this, if you're actually implementing Bluetooth, it has to accept and deal with attempts by other bluetooth devices to sync with it. So basically, I think it's a lot more trouble than it's worth. Meanwhile, IFI's radios are pretty darn robust and have good range and deal well with noise, etc. |
|
#13
|
|||
|
|||
|
Re: IFI Control System (OI/RC) - The Future???
Instead of Bluetooth look at Zigbee. A high computing power Zigbee module and a few components could replace the whole operator interface and cost allot less. The master proc and separate radio modem could be replaced on the robot controller by a Zigbee module. I've used couple Zigbee parts at work and the results have been very good considering Zigbee is just getting going as a standard.
|
|
#14
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
Re: IFI Control System (OI/RC) - The Future???
Quote:
Last edited by Billfred : 03-06-2006 at 20:32. |
|
#15
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
Re: IFI Control System (OI/RC) - The Future???
Quote:
Quote:
On an unrelated note, I'd love to see the ring terminals return to the RC like they were in 2004. Secure, and so much less prone to break! |
![]() |
| Thread Tools | |
| Display Modes | Rate This Thread |
|
|
Similar Threads
|
||||
| Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
| Concept of PID explained | ConKbot of Doom | Technical Discussion | 11 | 27-01-2008 00:11 |
| Team 314 Control System 2002 | CaptainPlaid | Electrical | 12 | 18-04-2002 12:14 |
| Bloody control system | smokescreen | Rumor Mill | 9 | 07-03-2002 13:07 |
| Control System default proggie.. | dense | Programming | 3 | 08-01-2002 10:20 |
| Building a control system | Katie Reynolds | Technical Discussion | 3 | 16-11-2001 09:34 |