Watchdog!?!?!?!

[keehun]

Originally Posted by Wayne TenBrink

Our programming mentor has about 2 months worth of experience with LabView.

Don't worry, I was the main programmer and that's about what I had, too.

Originally Posted by Wayne TenBrink

When you all describe "feeding the watchdog", what actually does that? From your description, I assume that its some built-in, behind the scenes, function of the code that just happens without any special "instruction" from our programmer. And if the code is too busy or gets stuck in a "while" loop, it doesn't feed the watchdog.

Yes. There is a WPI library block which gets input a boolean(?) which I think is tied to some low level vxWorks call. When vxWorks doesn't see it, then it probably stops the .rtexe and decides to tell the DS that the Watchdog has sadly starved to death. (figuratively)

Originally Posted by Wayne TenBrink

What would make that happen only intermittently?

I highly doubt it is anything but the code..

Originally Posted by Wayne TenBrink

We would like to think it was field/system related, but we really don't know.

This, I highly doubt, especially if it was only your robot with this problem.

Originally Posted by Wayne TenBrink

Is there a credible scenario where static electricity could be involved?

What I think is possible is that your battery was low (6~7 volts) and cRio had problems. This "symptom" would be different, so I doubt it.

Originally Posted by Wayne TenBrink

What about startup sequencing? I've read where some teams had communication problems when they powered up the robot before the DS. We generally powered up the DS first, but probably not always. I wouldn't think that would necessarily have anything to do with watchdog.

This would be more of an issue with "No Comms" error message, which is worse.

Originally Posted by Wayne TenBrink

We generally like the new control system and LabView, but are anxious to find out where the bugs are hiding out and get rid of them.

If you compete in another regional, maybe you can upload your code and we can look it over for any unending loops?

Good luck!
Keehun
Team 2502