Go to Post GP is a code which is lived by, not a yardstick to measure others by. - Daniel_LaFleur [more]
Home
Go Back   Chief Delphi > Technical > Control System > FRC Control System
CD-Media   CD-Spy  
portal register members calendar search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read FAQ rules

 
 
 
Thread Tools Rating: Thread Rating: 6 votes, 5.00 average. Display Modes
Prev Previous Post   Next Post Next
  #13   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 24-04-2008, 08:52
Unsung FIRST Hero
Al Skierkiewicz Al Skierkiewicz is offline
Broadcast Eng/Chief Robot Inspector
AKA: Big Al WFFA 2005
FRC #0111 (WildStang)
Team Role: Engineer
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Rookie Year: 1996
Location: Wheeling, IL
Posts: 10,798
Al Skierkiewicz has a reputation beyond reputeAl Skierkiewicz has a reputation beyond reputeAl Skierkiewicz has a reputation beyond reputeAl Skierkiewicz has a reputation beyond reputeAl Skierkiewicz has a reputation beyond reputeAl Skierkiewicz has a reputation beyond reputeAl Skierkiewicz has a reputation beyond reputeAl Skierkiewicz has a reputation beyond reputeAl Skierkiewicz has a reputation beyond reputeAl Skierkiewicz has a reputation beyond reputeAl Skierkiewicz has a reputation beyond repute
Re: NEW 2009 Control System Released

There has been a lot of discussion about the new controller in this thread, especially on the software/programming side. (I will leave software to the experts ) I however, have an opinion similar to Mark McLeod's above. What the new controller and interface represent is a nightmare for rookie teams and those with little or no electrical mentorship. In comparing with the present controller where single point failures are reduced to an absolute minimum, the future contoller has multiple power supplies (I count five min.), negative power on the case, multiple interfaces and multiple connections between the RC and the outboard hardware. Diagnosing a failure in the controller will be next to impossible for anyone that is not skilled in in this black art. Rookie teams will be especially vulnerable to failure and damage of the control system.
We need to put ourselves in the shoes of a rookie team to see what they go through. As an inspector and mentor who regularly visits rookie teams, I can tell you that many rookies can't get a motor connected properly without guidance. To add this level of complexity will doom many rookies from participating once registered or from enjoying their first year's experience. Although, a lot of thought has gone into the interface boards and connector design, there is just too many places for something to go wrong. As Mark has pointed out, the power supply wiring is just one place that things can go horribly wrong.
Power distro is another area of concern. As I have pointed out in lectures for many years, the battery is capable of supplying 600+ amps and the power distro needs to be able to withstand that current. In addition, the design must take into account the voltage drop across the distro panel as far as power supply droop and noise is concerned. At what voltage does the DC-DC power supply drop out? I can tell you that the battery terminal voltage regularly drops to 4 volts (for short pulses) under load. Add a game that requires pushing and you will find teams with six motor drives drawing the battery down below 8 volts a regular occurence. These same teams will (and have in the past) depleted a battery in less than two minutes.
Although weight is not an issue for most rookies, it is more than considerable for experienced teams that weigh in at 120 lbs. Added together with the multiple modules teams are likely to want, the control system, DC-DC power supply and interface boards will likely produce a system that weighs in excess of 5 lbs. A considerable mass that will need secure mounting.
Finally, a delivery date of kickoff is too late (see above). When asked, I stated I need it next week. FIRST, if you are listening, please consider giving some teams prototype systems now so we can break them. Give us the chance to work out problems and solve them before the 2009 season starts.
__________________
Good Luck All. Learn something new, everyday!
Al
WB9UVJ
www.wildstang.org
________________________
Storming the Tower since 1996.
Reply With Quote
 


Thread Tools
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Buying the 2009 control system BornaE FRC Control System 9 16-10-2008 17:16
2009 Control System Feature Wishlist tdlrali FRC Control System 47 17-06-2008 00:25
pic: 2009 Control System, Mounted Billfred FRC Control System 23 01-05-2008 19:02
2009 Control System Possibility? Racer26 Rumor Mill 121 25-04-2008 09:05
Forum Request: Post-2009 control system? Billfred CD Forum Support 3 22-04-2008 16:22


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:07.

The Chief Delphi Forums are sponsored by Innovation First International, Inc.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2017, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright © Chief Delphi