KoP Revamp?

[Maxpower57]

I heard something about ifi updating all of their electronics for the robots next year.
any more information on that, or is it just a rumor?
i'd assume innovationFirst is gonna have a bit more cash flowing now with them owning vex and all.
so what are we in for?

[Steve S.]

we're in for no IFI next year

[Luckyfish05]

Originally Posted by Steve S.

we're in for no IFI next year

Yep, no IFI but they have said that the programing will continue to be C or C++.

[Maxpower57]

O Rly?
so whats it going to be instead? or have they not announced it?
or is FIRST trying to pull it off themselves...?

[thefro526]

There's been info floating around about multiple sources making the control system. I don't believe much of it except that fact that team will still be able to use C and most likely the OI will not use gameports.

Some sources are reporting that it will be similar to the new FTC platform's control system. If so it looks like we're in for some cool surprises. Remember though that we will be using new speed controllers, relays and anything else dependent on IFI next year. (unless first gives us the option to reuse these parts)

[Maxpower57]

Originally Posted by thefro526

most likely the OI will not use gameports.

THANK YOU GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!
hahaha
what would they use instead though?
hope to god they don't shoot for usb. that would suck for custom circuits.


eitherway i'm excited to see some new stuff roll out!

[Daniel_LaFleur]

Originally Posted by Maxpower57

T
hope to god they don't shoot for usb. that would suck for custom circuits.

Why? Just get a USB to serial (or joystick) adaptor and create your own custom circuits

Or better get one of the ~$99 daq modules and make whatever controller you want.

[Maxpower57]

Originally Posted by Daniel_LaFleur

Why? Just get a USB to serial (or joystick) adaptor and create your own custom circuits

Or better get one of the ~$99 daq modules and make whatever controller you want.

those are slow as .... something slow.... (Apple computers? *ducks to get out of fanboy's aim*)
i wouldn't trust any circuit with it.

[Golto]

What about an FTDI Chip. They're normally used to go from RS232 to USB, but I don't see why you couldn't do it in reverse.

They're relatively cheap, and fast enough for input.

[Tapoore]

Originally Posted by Luckyfish05

Yep, no IFI but they have said that the programing will continue to be C or C++.

When did they say that?

[Luckyfish05]

Originally Posted by Tapoore

When did they say that?

I honestly don't know, all I know is that my brother and father (who are the main programers of PantherTech) were discussing it at dinner just last night and talking about how FIRST had said it was going to still be C or C++. I figure they know what they're talking about...

[Daniel_LaFleur]

Originally Posted by Maxpower57

those are slow as .... something slow.... (Apple computers? *ducks to get out of fanboy's aim*)
i wouldn't trust any circuit with it.

The USB to serial or USB to joystick??? Yup slow but effective.

The USB DAQs can be quite fast though ... depending on the overhead of the DAQ driver.

Something like This or this could be a real possibility.

[thefro526]

Originally Posted by Maxpower57

THANK YOU GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!
hahaha
what would they use instead though?
hope to god they don't shoot for usb. that would suck for custom circuits.


eitherway i'm excited to see some new stuff roll out!

You can get an adapter that goes from a gameport input to a USB output for 20 dollars or less. Ex. http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Game-Joystick-adapter-DB-15-F-to-4-pin-USB-Port_W0QQitemZ260221285250QQihZ016QQcategoryZ42322 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem. Trossen robotics also has some mini joysticks and other stuff that works with USB: http://www.trossenrobotics.com/robot-parts.aspx

[Maxpower57]

Originally Posted by thefro526

You can get an adapter that goes from a gameport input to a USB output for 20 dollars or less. Ex. http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Game-Joystick-adapter-DB-15-F-to-4-pin-USB-Port_W0QQitemZ260221285250QQihZ016QQcategoryZ42322 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem. Trossen robotics also has some mini joysticks and other stuff that works with USB: http://www.trossenrobotics.com/robot-parts.aspx

also you're forgetting that all usb things need drivers.
and its hard enough going through that mess with operating systems,

[thefro526]

I understand that USB things need drivers, I was just saying If you wanted to do it there is a way. Next year will be a learning year for almost every team and you will see a lot of people sharing their experiences on how to interface with the robot, so I wouldn't worry about too much of anything yet. Also I highly doubt FIRST will give us this new control system without some technical documents to help us out. In the past almost anything you could ever want to know about the current control system has been published and in time it will be the same in time, just you watch.