Are 2 RC contorllers on 1 bot legal?

[Tottanka]

Hi..
We were thinking of having 2 Oi's and 2 RC's on this years system. is it legal?

And also, is it possible to have 2 cams connected to one RC?

Thanks, The Black Knights

[Andrew Blair]

Two camera's are legal; the RC controllers may be through some small loopholes, and for some reason, I feel that the two OI's are illegal.

If you are going to use two camera's however, you will need to attach one to a tether or program port, apart from the TTL connection. But as far as I know, the controller is capableof operating two cameras.

[bobmonkey836]

why do you want 2 rc controllers? all the reasons i can think of, can still be done with 1.

[Matt Krass]

The second RC would not satisfy the custom electronics rules, and would occupy multiple radio channels, and the arena controller isn't meant for it, and it probably poses a safety risk somehow, it just seems too complicated to be safe. So it's highly unlikely, however if you feel you need extra power, you can look for the AdamBots presentation on co-processing.

Also, there's a lot of neat tricks to make the RC jump through some serious hoops, I'm sure one is probably enough for what you're thinking, perhaps if you elaborate on your thoughts we can offer some cheaper/easier solutions?

[dlavery]

Actually, depending on how you used it, it looks like you might be OK with the Custom Circuit Rules. For example, you might intend to use the additional RC as a preprocssor that is conditioning the input signals from a series of sensors, to offload the primary processor. As long as radio was not being used and the secondary RC was just providing input to the primary RC and not directly controlling any Spikes or Victors, then it doesn't appear that those rules would be violated (obviously, for an official ruling on this, you should submit a question to the FIRST Q&A system).

However, you would still have a problem with the $400 maximum price per item limit, as the RC costs $449.95.

But if that is what you want to do, there are other solutions that may work. For example, a VEX controller (which has the same processor in it as the RC) is available for 149.99. That would fit within the price constraints. Then, as long as you didn't use it to directly control any motors and disabled the radio channel, it seems like you could use it as a preprocessor for the RC. And if you were doing something like running two cameras, had high-resolution encoders on every rotating shaft, throwing in ten unltrasonic range sensors, and adding in a handful of contact switches to really slam the interrupt stream for the RC, then a preprocessor would make a lot of sense.

-dave

[Billfred]

Originally Posted by dlavery

For example, a VEX controller (which has the same processor in it as the RC) is available for 149.99.

Just for clarity, the Vex controller uses the 18F8520, which was used in the 2004 and 2005 robot controllers. The ones from 2006 and 2007 use the 18F8722. Close, but different.

[dlavery]

Originally Posted by Billfred

Just for clarity, the Vex controller uses the 18F8520, which was used in the 2004 and 2005 robot controllers. The ones from 2006 and 2007 use the 18F8722. Close, but different.

You are right. I stand corrected.

[Matt Krass]

Originally Posted by dlavery

You are right. I stand corrected.

I also stand corrected, thanks for the insights Dave.

Looks like you can in fact pull it off and the Vex controller is probably the most user friendly way to do it.

[ebarker]

The answer should be no.

a) There is a great deal of sensitivity regarding 900 MHz systems being operated in the arena. They don't want 900 MHz systems, especially the unauthorized IFI transmitters on the loose.

b) The second RC violates the cost rule.

I'm sure there are more reasons why it would not be allowed but it only takes one reason to disallow it.

Ed

[dlavery]

Originally Posted by ebarker

The answer should be no.

a) There is a great deal of sensitivity regarding 900 MHz systems being operated in the arena. They don't want 900 MHz systems, especially the unauthorized IFI transmitters on the loose.

Except that he never actually said he was using the radios. The question just had to do with use of an additional RC and OI. So while correct, this assumes information not included in the original question.*

-dave

* sorry, I have been watching way too much "Law And Order" lately

[Greg Marra]

Originally Posted by dlavery

Except that he never actually said he was using the radios. The question just had to do with use of an additional RC and OI. So while correct, this assumes information not included in the original question.*

Even better, a VEX controller gives you a few more digital inputs, in case you have your robot so sensored-up that you have run out of digital I/Os on your actual RC. Also if you are relying on a lot of sensors that require interrupts, the VEX controller would be able to handle all of that and just tell the RC what is going on via serial or some other communication method.