NEW 2009 Control System Released

[synth3tk]

[ above post reported ]

[coolbho3000]

Originally Posted by Adam Y.

It's running the same operating system that Spirit and Opportunity uses. Heh.. I was right when I guessed that FIRST was trying to unify the three programs.

Scrap VxWorks.

I can't wait until someone ports Linux to it.

Would it be that hard to get a PowerPC build running?

[artdutra04]

Originally Posted by coolbho3000

Scrap VxWorks.

I can't wait until someone ports Linux to it.

Would it be that hard to get a PowerPC build running?

Why?

If you want Linux on an embedded control system, you can already buy those.

And judging by notable implemtations of VxWorks, it seems like it's more than capable.

[yongkimleng]

Originally Posted by artdutra04

Why?

If you want Linux on an embedded control system, you can already buy those.

And judging by notable implemtations of VxWorks, it seems like it's more than capable.

Now thats...cooooool
And hey its just about the price of a vex microcontroller + programming kit!

[pitzoid]

I guess you all missed this announcement:

http://www.vexrobotics.com/docs/Vex_Qwerk_4-17-08.pdf

[Vikesrock]

Originally Posted by pitzoid

I guess you all missed this announcement:

http://www.vexrobotics.com/docs/Vex_Qwerk_4-17-08.pdf

What makes you think that?

While interesting, that isn't really relevant to this thread (about the 2009 FRC control system), nor FIRST as a whole anymore (now that FTC has its own non-IFI platform)

[The Lucas]

Originally Posted by coolbho3000

Scrap VxWorks.

I can't wait until someone ports Linux to it.

Would it be that hard to get a PowerPC build running?

There is Linux for Embedded systems, its even running on the Moto RAZR phones.
However, given the choice (no price difference) I'd rather have the kernel that was built to be an RTOS rather than one that is converted to work like one. The cRIO is very expensive so I wouldn't recommend tinkering with your only cRIO (buy a really awesome desktop instead, its cheaper). If you want to tinker and install Linux on an embedded system, I highly recommend installing dd-wrt on a compatible router. It's low risk and you get some amazing features.

[lynca]

Originally Posted by Vikesrock

While interesting, that isn't really relevant to this thread (about the 2009 FRC control system), nor FIRST as a whole anymore (now that FTC has its own non-IFI platform)

I hope FIRST keeps IFI relevant , since it was built by FIRST members and specifically for FIRST.

[Vikesrock]

Originally Posted by lynca

I hope FIRST keeps IFI relevant , since it was built by FIRST members and specifically for FIRST.

True, I was referring specifically to the relevance of the new Vex controller to FRC, FTC, or FLL. Other IFI products may still be relevant to these competitions and the new controller may still be relevant to teams for other, non-competition, projects.

[yongkimleng]

Originally Posted by The Lucas

There is Linux for Embedded systems, its even running on the Moto RAZR phones.
However, given the choice (no price difference) I'd rather have the kernel that was built to be an RTOS rather than one that is converted to work like one. The cRIO is very expensive so I wouldn't recommend tinkering with your only cRIO (buy a really awesome desktop instead, its cheaper). If you want to tinker and install Linux on an embedded system, I highly recommend installing dd-wrt on a compatible router. It's low risk and you get some amazing features.

not to mention, now wrt supports overclocking of some chipsets up to 240mhz..

[dcbrown]

Comparision of ports of VxWorks on PPC and RTLinux has shown key elements in terms of real time response favors VxWorks by 30-50%. RTLinux isn't a slouch, but does fall short in real time response in comparison.

This article comes to mind, but I remember reading a couple others:
Performance Analysis of VxWorks and RTLinux. In general, even if you are not writing a bunch of ISRs for devices, the nature of data flow programming depends upon the deterministic response of handling hard clock interrupts in order to time slice all your tasks.

Another issue is one of support. RTLinux would end up needing a grass roots support effort on this platform along with a port/creation of its own "WPILIB" equivalent. But the real heartache would come with the FPGA and having to integrate that into RTLinux.

Just my opinion - it would be an interesting academic exercise, but you'd be fighting a huge uphill battle to get it adopted by more than a handful of teams because it doesn't provide significant differentiators in terms of functionality while at the same time having potential detrimental performance issues by comparison.

[yongkimleng]

I guess its a matter of choice one has to make, depending on their financial capabilities in using VxWorks or climbing the uphill task.

For those familiar with Linux, probably wouldn't mind taking a look at using RTLinux on it. As for the FPGA interface, no clue, but probably a kernel module for interfacing with it over the PCI bus has to be made if non currently exists.

[synth3tk]

I know this is pretty much off-topic, but

Originally Posted by yongkimleng

not to mention, now wrt supports overclocking of some chipsets up to 240mhz..

I'm looking at my WRT54GL settings, and it supports 250MHz. I do agree that it has some amazing features, though I haven't tried the Samba share, SSH access, or hotspot settings.

[yongkimleng]

Originally Posted by blakcheez

I know this is pretty much off-topic, but

I'm looking at my WRT54GL settings, and it supports 250MHz. I do agree that it has some amazing features, though I haven't tried the Samba share, SSH access, or hotspot settings.

Not forgetting the undocumented TTL serial port on the circuit board. More possibilities there! Could do some justice to the Vex system

[EricVanWyk]

I believe at this point this discussion deserves its own thread.